Erin & Regan's South American Adventure
Ciudad Perdida
We finally got to go to Ciudad Perdida.
A four wheel drive drove us to a small village in the jungle. While walking out of the village to the beginning of the track we saw this odd looking chicken.
These are some of the people in our group after maybe 2 hours of walking. We were already soaked through with sweat - it literally dripped off us.
The scenery was pretty stunning.
A farmer decided that this tree was dangerous and could fall on some one. So he took the safest option and decided to burn it.
This was our first camp site (also the location of a coke factory!).
A spider on one of the rocks in the river. They can walk on water - very cool.
Our hammocks on the first night.
The next morning we visited the coke factory. It is pretty much just for foreign tourists. The Colombians in our group didn´t come with us - either they knew it all as they had seen it all before or they weren´t interested.
After the coke factory we began the trekking. We came across a village which looked like it was abandoned until we met some of the indigenous inhabitants.
A toad we spotted along the way.
Some scenery and the river we swam in on our second day.
Our hammocks in the camp we stayed at on the 2nd and 4th nights.
On the third day we had to cross the river many times. This was the first and most comfortable river crossing - we didn´t have to get our feet wet!
Us and some indigenous children who were happy to have their photo taken with us but steadfastly refused to speak to us. The flies buzzing around them were a sight to behold. The indigenous people only change their clothes once a month in sync with the moon.
There were many beautiful waterfalls (cascadas in Spanish). Here is just one of them.
The beginning of the 1200 odd steps which lead up to Ciudad Perdida.
The bottom levels of the lost city.
This view gives some idea of why the city lay hidden for so long. It was not discovered until the 70s.
The bottom of the main platform.
Me on the main platform. Taken by a kind tourist while Regan was still in bed.
The lower echelons. These houses are not inhabited but are just to show what they would have looked like. The men and women live in different houses (even after marriage). The womens` house has one entrance and the mens` has two.
Our accommodation on the 3rd night in Ciudad Perdida. Hammocks again.
A self-portrait shot of the main plaza.
Scenery.
A map of the city.
Stairs in Ciudad Perdida.
The king`s throne.
A piggie we met on the trail home.
sue: Futher to Juanita's comments re the separate living arrangements- who does the housework in the mens' houses?! Amazing scenery as usual, you must be really fit by now Regan! (01/17/07)
Juanita: A few thoughts -if men and women live in different houses where do the babies get made? -I see you have a new favourite hat Regan- do you take it off when you sleep? -re the burning tree-haven't they invented chainsaws/axes there yet? -The map looks like it would be difficult to fold and put in your pack! The children looked very cute but were probably not as appealing up close (01/16/07)
Lisa Reddy: Fantastic photos guys - awesome! The scenery is just amazing. We're all back at work now after the Xmas/New Year break - yippee -wish I was where you are! Take care you two, and keep up the great work on the blog. Luv Lisax (01/15/07)
Regan Heath: They made the babies in special caves up on the hillside. So much for spontaneity eh! We don´t know who did the housework in the mens´ houses. As women weren´t allowed in there we can only assume the men did. (02/02/07)
Russell: Do you think is was worth the time and money to go see the city? (02/13/08)