6th March Baranquilla

Really early start for us today, we have to be in the village at 8 so 7.30 breakfast and wander down to get the coach. We head off with party music belting out which makes conversation a bit difficult but lets get into the mood. To help they have brought a massive bottle of rum and by 10 we have had half a dozen double shots each and garlands and other decorative things are given out to each of us.
The journey goes well but getting into the town to the right point presents a bit of a challenge but we eventually pull up about 11.30. A bit to eat and a quick drink seems appropriate before we head down to where the parade will pass.
The area of the parade is lined with both stands and just covered areas with chairs, which is where we get ensconced. We thought the parade started at 1 but it seems that it is 2, that’s OK as while we are waiting some performers come along doing different things to keep us amused.
We thought today was float day but it transpires that it is dance day and there are dance troups, if that is the correct term, from all over the place.
There are some floats with bands on singing followed by dancers dressed in fantastic outfits, there really is quite a variety of styles and dances. There was a constant stream of dancers for 3½ hours and although it was brilliant to see we were a little paraded out by the end.
Wander back and find the coach and this is where the fun began. This is the town Martin and I got stuck in the other day for half an hour trying to find the way out. We thought that a local bus driver would have no problem but we went round and round and asked several people the way t no avail, we were still lost. After 1 hour and 40 minutes I suggested getting a taxi to show us the way to the bridge which was taken on board and we commissioned a Moto taxi, that’s a motorbike you jump on the back of and they take you as a taxi would but a lot quicker through he traffic, wel 10 minutes later we are at the bridge and it is plain sailing from here.
We arrive back a Taganga at about 9.50 and quickly walk back to our hotel to get some dinner before they pack up.
A good day and experience seeing a carnival, especially when it is reputed to be the largest next to Rio
Tomorrow we are on the move again heading further North up the coast before tuning South for Bogota and preparing to fly home, where has the time gone?