Desert Wanderers

Wind swept plains and howling night gales combined with an otherworldly feel; travelling through the untamed region of Colombia's north west, otherwise known as La Guajira is sure to leave a deep impression on you. 

Deep in La Guajira is South America's most northern land point, Punta Gallinas. Reaching Punta Gallinas involves driving through the wide open desert from Cabo de la Vela. However, the journey does not end there; with a change in transport from a four wheel drive to a boat back to another four wheel drive to the continent's northern edge.

Along the way, indigenous children and teenagers wait along the road and stop drivers to collect a fee, which is when I was able to take a couple of snaps from the back seat of the car. The 'fee' is paid in order for us to pass through indigenous lands. Once you've handed over some money or at the very least, galletas (biscuits), the gatebearers drop their 'boom gate,' allowing you to pass. The boom gates are generally ropes that stretch across the width of the road and are normally tied from a post or tree stump.