A jungle trek to test anyone!

At La Cuidad Perdida, the group slpit into 2, with 8 of us taking an alternative route back. This was promised to be slightly longer, but more scenic. Going back down those 1240 steps was not easy. My legs were like jelly by the time I got to the bottom. No rest for the wicked however! We had a 6 hour trek ahead of us! Actually, more like a route march!

The path is not often used, so Jose had to cut our way with a machete. It used to be in FARC (guerilla) controlled territory, but is now under the paramilitaries. An hour into the walk and I wandered what I had let myself in for. An hour slipping and sliding in the mud down a valley side, and an hour going up the other side! I thought I wouldn't make it. Going down, I slipped and fell on my bum twice...the German guy Michel fell countless times - he only had trainers!

At the bottom of another hill we crossed a stream. I missed my footing and ended up in teh river with water over my boots. I emptied them out at the other side. I would now squelch for the rest of the day. It started to rain. Going uphill was hard. You had to try to get a foot hold, and not slip back, as well as keeping your balance with a backpack on. And the backpack got heavier as the days went on. My t shirts were cotton and became so heavy with sweat and rain, and nothing dried when we got to camp, as it rained every afternoon and night.

The first night's camp, called Alta Mira, was beautiful. Traditional round huts with roofs of palm leaves, built on old terraces. The shower and loo were fab. Not only was the loo of a flushing variety, but you had a view over the whole valley from the open side! Same for the shower! We stayed up until 10pm playing scrabble and smoking a little of that weed.

The next morning, Jose made arepas con huevos. A round fritter of corn meal which is lightly fried and then split at one end and a raw egg poured in. It is resealed and fried again. Guaranteed to slow you down on the hills! The 5th day was another tough day of hiking up and down hills through dense jungle. My shorts and boots were caked in mud! I kept myself going with the thought of being back in Santa Marta in clean clothes and drinking a cocktail.

The camp for that night was even more wonderful. On a hill, with a large kitchen and communal hut with open sides and views over the jungle. We were supposed to walk another two hours, but Alvaro said we should stay there and get up at 4.30am the next morning to walk 5 hours to meet the bus.

I had little sleep that night. Mosquitos buzzed in my ears, and others were up all night going to the loo. The conversation among travellers always comes around to your tum and motions. I was lucky on the trek. My poo was prefect is consistency...if a little larger than usual, no doubt due to all the carbs we were eating! We waited until dawn and set out. The walk was wonderful. The sun shone, we had amazing jungle views, and the path was gentle. We marched on just coffee and a banana for 4 hours until breakfast. Here is a photo of hero worship, and also a group photo of some very tired people.

By now we all stank of stale sweat and jungle. My rucksack was so heavy with wet clothes that wouldn't dry. It was with relief that I saw our transport. A lorry, for a very bumpy 3 hour ride to Santa Marta!

Would I do it again? Yes. But I will buy the correct gear, like hiking clothes that dry quickly, and pack much more lightly. A set of day clothes that you rinse at night and put on wet in the morning, and a dry set for camp. I also need better hiking boots...mine slip all over the place - my sandals had better grip!

The jungle trek to the Lost City was an amazing experience.

Chris