At Santa Marta airport we were welcomed by a huge 4×4 jeep waiting to take us to Finca Carpe Diem Hostel. The ride was crazy bumpy and seemed to last forever. I also, could hardly look when I realised we were driving close to a huge drop.

The next morning we woke up to paradise. We were in a beautiful big private room with a huge bed and ensuite. Outside our room were countless hammocks and three pool entirely surrounded by incredible views and jungle. We were in the middle of nowhere in the scorching sun and I loved it.

There was one resatraunt where you had to eat all your meal. For breakfast I had the best homemade granola I had ever had in my life and my bowels appreicated it. Sorry, lots of talk about bowels but any backpackers knows they become a constant conversation topic.

As soon as breakfast was done we ran and jumped into the pool. Spending the rest of the day sunbathing, swimming, and reading. I am not much of a reader but my cousin gave me the first of a Phillip Pullman trilogy that I can’t put down. It is easy and I think it’s for children, that is probably why.

In the evening we decided to do the sunset hike up to the viewpoint and were joined by a Dutch couple that we made friends with at the pool. They were great and were telling us all about how much they loved the Lost City Trek. Although, they put me on edge as they spoke about it in a blase way and said it was “very doable”. But, they both looked very fit. He, similarly to Ollie loved birds and shared stories about his birdwatching activities.

Sadly the sunset was covered slightly by clouds but there is something so precious about the warm orange colour you see on the horizon. We took some pics and stayed later than the others as we really wanted to soak up the glistening lights of Santa Marta.

It suddenly got quite dark so we headed down with our head torches and ended up saving a couple of Canadin men who stupidly didn’t bring a flashlight with them.

As soon as we got to the bottom, which was about an hour downhill it was time for our dinner which you had to preorder. I ordered the falafel which was delicious and Ollie got the piri piri chicken. Although, he definately had food envy as the piri piri sauce was just slightly too tangy.

After the sun, the hike, and food, we were exhausted and so called it a night. It isn’t much of a party hostel but that was nice.

The next day we were up super early to do the waterfall trek which was recommended by the hostel. It was a five hour trek where you went and saw five waterfalls in total. This trek was much harder than we thought and we even had to pull ourselves up rocks with rope strings.

Our group was relatively small and included two Dutch girls and two Danish girls, both very friendly and talkative. Our tour guide couldn’t speak any English and I think he was under the impression I was fluent so I had to do my best to translate to the group. Luckily what he was saying wasn’t too hard to understand.

The waterfalls were beautiful and the landscape of the hike was too. We had to cross several streams which I needed help with every time. I do love hiking but I am not very confident so if the guide offers his hand I am taking it. One of the Danish girls didn’t and she scraped her leg pretty badly. The guides themselves are so nimble and strong. They can also run over rocks in wellies which impresses me every time. The other Danish girl dropped her waterbottle down a waterfall and in five minutes the guide had come back with it. At the end, we tipped the guide (which you are told to do) and instantly went to splash in the pool.

In the evening we decided to push the boat out and both get the fillet minot. Again, Ollie had food envy as his was slightly overcooked. I didn’t want to brag too much but it was one of the best steaks I ever had in my life.

Outside of our room we have a cute rustic table and chairs which was dreamy. The routine became, finish dinner, order a cocktail and have a few cigarettes.

Our final day at Carpe Diem (sigh) was again spent chilling out. We did end up going on a short walk to a nearby river and then soaked up the sun for several hours.

I finished my strong dinner streak on a high and chose the honey & orange chicken, made with organges picked from their garden. No surprise, Olllie was jealous.

Our stay in Carpe Diem was amazing and was the tranquiity I think we both craved. We had caught up on our sleep and felt revitalised. However, I sort of messed up our itinerary and chose to book a party hostel right before our big trek on the 19th.

Time to go party at El Rio.