There is always an element of uncertainty and nervousness when we set foot in a new country but to tell you the truth, we were scared out of our tiny little minds entering Venezuela! We’d heard so many bad stories about the crime, the gangs, the kidnappings and the murders that we didn’t have a chance to consider all the good things lying in wait for us. So imagine our surprise when we arrived at our first Venezuelan destination, Adicora, a calm, safe and charming colonial village by the coast, where the vibe was akin to a Caribbean island getaway rather than a gangland hood.
Venezuela – falling off the tourist radar
21 Jun
Venezuela, or officially “The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela”, is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries on the planet but it remains hugely under-visited by international travellers. It is incredibly diverse with habitats ranging from glistening Caribbean coast to Amazon jungle, and snow-covered Andes mountains to dry desert-like plains. The sheer variety of activities would wear out even the most enthusiastic outdoorsy types and vibrant festivals and pumping samba clubs will keep the party owls up all night.
So why is it so far off the tourist radar?
The trouble with stuff
1 Jun
We all like to nest. To call somewhere home. To shut the doors, draw the blinds and retreat into our own world. We fill our homes with things we love – sofas, toasters, fluffy cushions, shelves of well read books, fancy cooking knives, vases filled with flowers, bedspreads – and it makes us happy. Over time, the amount of stuff we own increases. We hoard. We become sentimental. The things that once gave us pleasure, start to clutter our lives and make us feel trapped but we can’t bring ourselves to part with them.
So when the urge arises to quit your job to follow your dreams of long-term travel or working overseas, the big question is what to do with all your stuff?
Palomino – beach combing & river tubing
24 May
Sometimes the best kept secrets were made to be broken. Those who were already familiar with Palomino would regularly tell others it wasn’t worth visiting or deny all knowledge of its existence, just to keep its beauty and peacefulness all to themselves. But now the word is out and curious travellers are starting to arrive. This simple hideaway has some of the best beaches in Colombia, pristine jungle to explore, good accommodation and tasty food. And to top it off, it’s completely crowd free – but be quick – it can’t stay like this forever. As if Colombia’s Caribbean coast hadn’t already made us chilled enough, we headed to Palomino for a few days to unwind and let time pass.
Ship wrecked in Tyrona National Park
17 May
If you were fortunate enough to be ship-wrecked on one of National Park Tyrona’s gorgeous beaches, you’d probably hide the flare gun and ignore passing ships offering to carry you back to civilisation, in favour of lingering a little longer to top up your tan. This park certainly ticks all the right boxes for becoming a real life Robinson Crusoe. There’s never been a better excuse to grow your beard long, let the sand exfoliate your bare skin, bathe in crystal clear waters, drink coconut milk and sleep under the stars. So without further ado, turn off the TV, put the newspaper down, hide your mobile phone and prepare to lose yourself in nature’s playground.
Taganga & Santa Marta – the art of hedonism
11 May
Arriving in the coastal village of Taganga feels something like stepping into the Twilight Zone. A world of contrasts – where brightly painted boats line the shore and fishermen darn their nets as they have done for centuries whilst simultaneously, scantily clad tourists dance the night away in beach front clubs to thumping tunes. This once tiny fishing village has been transformed in just a few years without much concern for the landscape or local heritage. Now proudly one of the most visited places on the Caribbean coast, Taganga has become infamous for its chilled beach culture by day and ‘party like there’s no tomorrow’ vibe at night. It’s a cross between a hippy retreat and a Club 18-30’s holiday! Despite the in your face hedonistic lifestyle, Taganga is a cool little place to spend a few days, and those who visit tend to stay longer than they intended. If you arrive with an open mind and remember the saying: ‘If you can’t beat them, join them’, you can’t help but have some fun!
Paradise found, Playa Blanca
29 Apr
We wiggled our toes deep into fine, soft sand and felt Caribbean waters lapping around our ankles. Small, curious translucent fish darted about our feet and the heat from a golden sun tingled our bare shoulders. True to its name, Playa Blanca is a brilliant white stretch of sand nestled in a wide bay and backed by thick forest and the occasional coconut palm. We gazed out at the unbroken surface of clear turquoise water and knew there was only one thing for it – dive in head first!
Cartagena – A hot and steamy love affair
24 Apr
Cartagena de Indias is the jewel of Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The sophisticated lady of the north. A destination overflowing with romantic notions and rich history. Larger than life stories of colonisation, slavery, piracy and rebellion ooze down the streets and wash around the city walls. The colonial city is so beautiful and well preserved you begin to wonder if you’ve stepped onto the set of a movie. Freshly painted mansions with wooden balconies drip with Bougainvillea. Mosaics of neatly laid cobble-stones lead to plazas filled with shady palm trees where church bells ring out in chorus. Rosy cheeked lovers wander in flip-flops to dine alfresco in the evening breeze and clip-clop past in horse drawn carriages. To add to a permanent feeling of well being around the city, year round blue skies and rich Caribbean waters make it feel like someone has flicked a switch and turned everything into high-definition. The word is out that this is fast developing into Latin America’s most seductive destination.
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