Santa Marta, Columbia

Well after a long flight and tortured transfers, i find myself at my first South American destination. Santa Marta in the beautiful country of Columbia.

Founded in 1525, by the Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas, it was the first Spanish settlement in Colombia and is the second oldest city in South America. Located on Columbia's Caribbean coast its old world charm tries hard to overcome the city's lack luster beaches and facilities. Having said that the city lacks many things, that does not mean it has no character and a certain naive charm.

One of the first things you notice if you arrive via the carabean coast, is the Santa Marta lighthouse, now a museum, but still worth a visit, as the panaramic view of the city from its top is unriveled.

Santa Marta is only the jump off point for us to investigate the interior of this vast country. Whether you want to explore lost cities. The Lost City (Teyuna) archaeological site is located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, or expierience the coffee and Cocao farms around Minca, then this is the place to start.

Tomorrow our adventure begins, with an early morning start, and a trek by 4x4 vehicles to a coffee farm and Cacoa plantation in the Sierra Nevada region of the country. It promises to be a memorable day.

The reality is that Santa Marta, is not as bad as it is somtimes portrayed in the media. It does grow on you the longer you visit.