To take advantage of wildlife opportunities, we boarded the Zodiacs and waved adios to National Geographic Quest. Today, we’d be immersing ourselves in the magnificent mangrove forests of the Bay of Cispata and Sanguare Natural Reserve.
Here, local crocodile hunters are now crocodile caretakers. They manage and monitor the crocodile conservation project and in doing so, are bringing balance back to the ecosystem where they fish.
Later, we were treated to a private tour of the Sanguare Natural Reserve with the owner and guardian of these coastal lands. Once a sprawling, treeless cattle ranch, Alvaro and his family have nourished the soil and reforested the lands, creating a seamless tie between food and forest. The looming rainstorm offshore caught up to us and with nowhere to hide, we embraced the pouring tropical rains.
As if on cue, the clouds parted just as the drums began to sound. Couples dressed in elegant white and red gowns – a relic of the Spanish influence – danced the cumbia. With nearly 1,000 rhythms, Colombia moves you.
The music was still playing in the air as we walked back to the dock to catch the last Zodiacs to the ship. What a spectacular first day!
