CityView Magazine - Fayetteville, NC
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1498193
28 May 2023 FEATURE W ith dry socks and boots back on aer wading the chilly water of the Rio Buritaca, we found ourselves standing before ancient steps that rise steeply up into the rainforest. Step by step over the smooth stones, we made our way upward. Aer about 45 minutes of climbing, we broke out of the vegetation and stood blinking in the bright tropical sunlight. We were standing on a flat, circular stone terrace far above the river, with spectacular views up and down the valley. A jumble of terraces of different sizes buttressed by massive stone On the trail to the Lost City Colombia is full of treasures for the adventure traveler, while its natural beauty and biodiversity offer endless amazement. And for those lucky enough, it feels like home. BY SCOTT PARKER ramparts climbed the ridge above us. e whole effect was exhilarating and humbling. We had reached the destination of our hike — La Ciudad Perdida, the Lost City of Teyuna, a pre-Columbian site dating back perhaps 2,000 years that had been lost to modern memory until being discovered by grave robbers in the 1970s. Aer spending the morning exploring the mysterious emerald green ruins and learning about their story from our guides, we returned to the lodge to pack up and hike back down the valley. e three-night trek on the lower slopes of the towering Sierra Nevada was the highlight of our visit to the area around the seaside city of Santa Marta, Colombia. Dream destination From the coasts of two oceans, to the high peaks of the Andes, to the jungles of the Amazon basin, Colombia offers many treasures for the adventure traveler, and its natural beauty and biodiversity present endless opportunities for amazement. Colombians are consistently rated among the world's happiest people. is certainly applies to my wife and her wonderful family. ey are warm, friendly and gracious to a fault. We have traveled several times to Liliana's home country from our home in Gray's Creek, but the trip to the area around Santa Marta stands out for its breadth of memorable experiences.