Cartagena is hot,hot,hot in more ways than one. The temperature here has been a steady 32 degrees with 75 percent humidity which makes it feel like 46 degrees according to our groovy new iPad weather app. There is lots of sunshine and the occasional thunder storm when the humidity builds in the afternoons. That usually cools everything off quite nicely and then there is a beautiful Caribbean breeze that blows in during the evenings. We have discovered the Cafe del Mar where they have really chill music (Gary got the CD), a fantastic view of the ocean - complete with sunsets and great Mojitos. We went to the Havana Club last Friday night for some serious Salsa and the best Mojitos in Cartagena. The live band was great and we got to watch some cool Salsa dancing.
This view is from the Fort on top of the hill that protects Cartagena. Seems as though everyone including Sir Frances Drake and Pirates wanted to invade this place so there is a big protective wall complete with canon ball pot marks from all of the attacks over the years. You can see the new city in the background complete with tall apartments buildings and beaches. We much prefer the old town which is closed to traffic after 5:00pm so it is great for walking around.
We did a little side trip to Santa Marta which is a five hour bus ride away along the coast. From there we went to Tayrona National Park and walked along the beautiful beaches. Gary spotted a 2 foot long iguana who was in no hurry to get away from us on the trail. We had a bit of adventure going back to Santa Marta because we jumped on a bus that turned out to be smuggling something for the black market. One of the Colombian gals we were with said it may have been clothes or something but definitely not drugs. The police were bribed COP 200,000 pesos which is about $100 dollars and we were on our way! You just never know what you will find aboard some of these "Magic Buses".
The beach at Tayrona park was really beautiful but unfortunately you can´t swim at this beach because of the riptide.
We are flying out to Quito Ecuador tomorrow and then moving on to the Galapagos Islands for some serious sea lion and tortoise viewing. We will miss Cartagena which has been a wonderful relaxing stop for us.
More to come soon mi amigos!
Salud,
Pat & Gary
Great to follow your trip. Keep the blog and pictures coming. Temperature sounds something like Collingwood but still good for golf and biking.
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Grace
That view of the old and the new city doesn't look real. Are you sure its not a postcard? Those iguanas are stubborn aren't they. I think they are like lizards on steroids. Keep having fun and sending your updates.
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