For our final morning, Amanda and I enjoyed our hotel breakfast and I got ready to leave Colombia and my time away from reality.
The hotel, til the end, was incredibly hospitable and we even ran into Sergio, our buddy from the the hotel welcome reception.
I got into a cab and was at the airport within 20 minutes. I checked in with no issue and actually found out I got a refund. As I booked my tickets separately, they had to charge me a Colombian tax but as I’m a foreigner, I get it returned. If I had booked a round trip instead of two one-ways, it would not have been included.
After going through security, I perused the shops and waited for my uneventful flight.
Thank you to Amanda for another adventure! We have been to so many places around the world and I look forward to our next trip!
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Last Day in Colombia
Today was planned to be our do-nothing day. I headed straight to the pool after breakfast while Amanda stopped over at the Gold Museum. In the meantime, Noelle arrived in Cartagena from Medellín, and dropped off her luggage at her hotel and met at our pool. Amanda took a photo of us:
At the hotel, we met several Americans, including two very friendly girls, Lisa and Elizabeth. They invited us to lunch at La Cevicheria where we had eaten two nights ago, but Noelle had wanted to try it as it was recommended by a friend. So we agreed to join them, but as we waited for the group to get ready, we decided to check out the crypt that is underneath the bar in the hotel. As you know, the Sofitel Santa Clara is a converted convent and the crypt was deconsecrated.
We decided to do a selfie and they also decided to make “Cynthia faces”.
While we waited, Amanda and Noelle took a fun selfie off the side of an Argentine restaurant who professed they didn’t have WiFi, because they want people to talk to each other.
More streets of Cartagena:
At the hotel, we met several Americans, including two very friendly girls, Lisa and Elizabeth. They invited us to lunch at La Cevicheria where we had eaten two nights ago, but Noelle had wanted to try it as it was recommended by a friend. So we agreed to join them, but as we waited for the group to get ready, we decided to check out the crypt that is underneath the bar in the hotel. As you know, the Sofitel Santa Clara is a converted convent and the crypt was deconsecrated.
We decided to do a selfie and they also decided to make “Cynthia faces”.
We then headed over to the house, now a hotel, where Gabriel Garcia Márquez lived and was inspired by the crypt to write a book. He is Colombia’s most well known writer and famous for “Love in the Time of Cholera” and “100 Years of Solitude”.
While we waited, Amanda and Noelle took a fun selfie off the side of an Argentine restaurant who professed they didn’t have WiFi, because they want people to talk to each other.
More streets of Cartagena:
Finally the group of 9 Americans enjoyed wine, ceviche, and paella! The restaurant struggled a bit as part of their electricity was out due to some transformer blow up, but we were able to coordinate the bill well. A collage of our meal:
Amanda, Noelle, and I then returned to the hotel for my last drink in Colombia at the pool bar for which I picked a mojito with lulo, a local fruit. Due to the presidential election tomorrow, businesses are not allowed to sell alcohol from 6 pm to Monday 6 am for fear of riots and protests.
We then enjoyed trying to see the sunset after a short rain shower. You can see the ladies with fruits on their heads walking along the fortified walls.
Amanda, Noelle, and I then returned to the hotel for my last drink in Colombia at the pool bar for which I picked a mojito with lulo, a local fruit. Due to the presidential election tomorrow, businesses are not allowed to sell alcohol from 6 pm to Monday 6 am for fear of riots and protests.
We then enjoyed trying to see the sunset after a short rain shower. You can see the ladies with fruits on their heads walking along the fortified walls.
We had reservations at Candé that was recommended by hotel staff the other night. The concierge even tried to see if the restaurant could make an exception and sell us alcohol as we were clearly not going to vote or protest. At Candé, they did indeed serve us alcohol - I told the waiter it was a secret!
The restaurant is known for being authentically Cartegenian and their slogan is, “culture, magic, and tradition”. We were entertained by dancers with many costume changes and enjoyed the traditional posta negra which is a steak that has been cooked in a dark sauce which includes cola. Here’s a collage of our meal which included fried yucca with sugar and a coconut pie. In the collage, you can even see the dancers masterfully circumventing a bathroom goer!:
When we finished our meal, it was pouring rain, so we waited in the bar area. At this point, the dancers were using swords and one came up to Noelle and posed for this fun photo:
The restaurant is known for being authentically Cartegenian and their slogan is, “culture, magic, and tradition”. We were entertained by dancers with many costume changes and enjoyed the traditional posta negra which is a steak that has been cooked in a dark sauce which includes cola. Here’s a collage of our meal which included fried yucca with sugar and a coconut pie. In the collage, you can even see the dancers masterfully circumventing a bathroom goer!:
What a fun last day in Colombia with these two! We laughed and shared stories all day and I got even more burnt trying to even out my tan lines. I hope these two citizens of the world have an awesome boat ride to Panama - I’ll miss you, but can’t wait to hear all about it!
Friday, May 25, 2018
Rosario Islands
Today we had planned to scuba and snorkel in the Rosario Islands, one of Colombia’s national parks. We booked with Dive Planet and met at the shop at 8 am after a wonderful breakfast buffet at our hotel. Here are a few photos on our colorful walk in the old town to the dive shop:
At the dive shop, we met a father and daughter from Florida and others. We piled into a van and went to the marina where we got on boats wth many other tourists. It seems that others were spending a day on the island to bike, canoe, take walks, and etc. The ride was about an hour and we got see a little of the port and the fortresses that were built to protect the city from pirates and during the colonial trade wars.
At the island, we were greeted with chilled towels and welcome punch drinks. We then got to the task at hand and picked out fins, masks, and etc. We then proceeded to the boat, navigated around the island to pick up others from eco-hotels on the island.
After about 45 minutes, we surfaced and met the snorkelers, and went back to the dock to swap out the tanks. Then we were off to Isla Fiesta, and here the coral reef was more alive. We saw many of the same fish and a very large snapper-like fish. We were under water for about 50 minutes, and again my buoyancy was better. During this time, Amanda continued to snorkel and got burnt as she was up at the surface. Unfortunately, I don’t have any underwater photos as our guides did not have cameras.
At our hotel, I rested by the pool to try to even out my tan / burn and Amanda rested in the room. We finally motivated and got ready to head out to dinner. Amanda had researched La Mulata known for their seafood. We ordered refreshing lemonade - one with mint and one with coconut, seafood, and shrimp in the sea themed decorated restaurant. Here’s a collage:
At the dive shop, we met a father and daughter from Florida and others. We piled into a van and went to the marina where we got on boats wth many other tourists. It seems that others were spending a day on the island to bike, canoe, take walks, and etc. The ride was about an hour and we got see a little of the port and the fortresses that were built to protect the city from pirates and during the colonial trade wars.
At the island, we were greeted with chilled towels and welcome punch drinks. We then got to the task at hand and picked out fins, masks, and etc. We then proceeded to the boat, navigated around the island to pick up others from eco-hotels on the island.
Our first dive spot was Punta Brava. We dropped off the snorkelers and then the divers plunged into the water. I was definitely more comfortable than on Tuesday and my toe felt less sensitive. So I finned more evenly and was not sucking as much air.
However, historically, I’ve only dived with a few people and we had a larger group of about 7 and therefore it took some coordinating. Still, we saw many schools of fish, lobster, and a barracuda.
After about 45 minutes, we surfaced and met the snorkelers, and went back to the dock to swap out the tanks. Then we were off to Isla Fiesta, and here the coral reef was more alive. We saw many of the same fish and a very large snapper-like fish. We were under water for about 50 minutes, and again my buoyancy was better. During this time, Amanda continued to snorkel and got burnt as she was up at the surface. Unfortunately, I don’t have any underwater photos as our guides did not have cameras.
We then returned to the island for our lunch which was chicken and rice. We had hoped for french fries per the website, but were disappointed. We then headed back to Cartagena and they shuttled us back to the city center. Here’s a photo of our ride back and a view of the city:
At our hotel, I rested by the pool to try to even out my tan / burn and Amanda rested in the room. We finally motivated and got ready to head out to dinner. Amanda had researched La Mulata known for their seafood. We ordered refreshing lemonade - one with mint and one with coconut, seafood, and shrimp in the sea themed decorated restaurant. Here’s a collage:
After dinner, we strolled back to the hotel as the city was becoming increasingly lively with music and folks milling about. I really enjoy the energy of the city!
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Cartagena
Again, we woke up early for our bus ride to Cartagena. It’s supposed to take about 4 hours, but it took around 5 and was supposed to be door to door. However, I do think it is better than the alternative of schlepping to a bus station outside of Santa Marta, only to be dropped off at a bus station outside of Cartagena.
We booked with Juana Ballena agency which ultimately uses Marisol Transport. With various checkpoints and picking up passengers and hitchhikers, we survived the ride. Even at one point, we dropped off folks at the Cartagena airport - then one of them found us in the city 10 minutes later as he had trailed us via taxi because he left his bag in the overhead - and here I was like, “a hitchhiker in the city?!” The best part of the ride was that it rained, so it didn’t rain when we were outside at the hotel pool later on. But the worst part was that there was a leak on Amanda. A view of the road to Cartagena:
We passed our hotel too which was within the walled city, so the driver stopped on what seemed like a highway and we walked to our incredible hotel, the Sofitel Legende Santa Clara. The hotel is a converted convent and absolutely gorgeous. The service so far has been impeccable where they have delivered macarons and bonbons to our room and have been very attentive.
Our room wasn’t ready until 3, so we decided to enjoy our welcome drinks and eat some snacks in the bar. Here’s a collage of our bites, and most notably, wonderful mojito with lulo and margarita:
When we were done, our room was ready! We were upgraded to a room with a pool and ocean view and a nice balcony. Here’s the view:
The music around the pool was delightful jazz and instrumental pop music for a wedding. We were also invited to a reception with the general manager of the hotel that’s held weekly on Thursdays for VIPs. I kept telling them I’m only silver status, but they said that was “muy importante.” The reception was held in the Presidential Botero suite - Botero is the Colombian artist and we had previously taken photos with his statues in Medellín. We enjoyed chatting with Sergio, the Food and Beverage manager on duty. Here are some photos:
We then walked a bit around town - even in the dark, you could see the colorful buildings. We finally settled on La Cevicheria which was across the street and enjoyed ceviche and some paella along with or drinks.
Here’s Amanda in the hotel courtyard on our way back to our room!
I’ve wanted to visit Cartagena for many years, so I’m very excited to finally be here! As we learned at the hotel reception for VIPs, Cartagena is the walled city that protected the continent - heroica!
We booked with Juana Ballena agency which ultimately uses Marisol Transport. With various checkpoints and picking up passengers and hitchhikers, we survived the ride. Even at one point, we dropped off folks at the Cartagena airport - then one of them found us in the city 10 minutes later as he had trailed us via taxi because he left his bag in the overhead - and here I was like, “a hitchhiker in the city?!” The best part of the ride was that it rained, so it didn’t rain when we were outside at the hotel pool later on. But the worst part was that there was a leak on Amanda. A view of the road to Cartagena:
We passed our hotel too which was within the walled city, so the driver stopped on what seemed like a highway and we walked to our incredible hotel, the Sofitel Legende Santa Clara. The hotel is a converted convent and absolutely gorgeous. The service so far has been impeccable where they have delivered macarons and bonbons to our room and have been very attentive.
Our room wasn’t ready until 3, so we decided to enjoy our welcome drinks and eat some snacks in the bar. Here’s a collage of our bites, and most notably, wonderful mojito with lulo and margarita:
When we were done, our room was ready! We were upgraded to a room with a pool and ocean view and a nice balcony. Here’s the view:
The music around the pool was delightful jazz and instrumental pop music for a wedding. We were also invited to a reception with the general manager of the hotel that’s held weekly on Thursdays for VIPs. I kept telling them I’m only silver status, but they said that was “muy importante.” The reception was held in the Presidential Botero suite - Botero is the Colombian artist and we had previously taken photos with his statues in Medellín. We enjoyed chatting with Sergio, the Food and Beverage manager on duty. Here are some photos:
We then walked a bit around town - even in the dark, you could see the colorful buildings. We finally settled on La Cevicheria which was across the street and enjoyed ceviche and some paella along with or drinks.
Here’s Amanda in the hotel courtyard on our way back to our room!
I’ve wanted to visit Cartagena for many years, so I’m very excited to finally be here! As we learned at the hotel reception for VIPs, Cartagena is the walled city that protected the continent - heroica!
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Tayrona
I’m so proud of us today! We woke up early to catch a bus from the middle of the city to Tayrona National Park famous for secluded beaches and hiking. According to Amanda’s pedometer, we walked 10 miles and over 22,000 steps! I’m especially proud considering the humidity and how tough the Colombian sun is - I’m so burnt!
Here’s a photo of our bus ride through the city and to the park, which took about an hour and cost about $2 or 7,000 pesos.
The entrance to the park with a map - from the entrance you can walk to the trail or take a bus which we did and got to sit in the front seat. We enjoyed the American mix that our driver was playing:
Some photos of our hiking experience:
We saw monkeys!
And several secluded beaches:
We had breakfast at a restaurant at one of the campsites - an arepas with egg!:
More beach...
We saw many lizards:
Here’s the Welcome sign to Cabo - where all the backpackers and campers hang out and the end of our hike. Along the way, we saw several people from our hotel afternoon yesterday by the pool:
On our return, we saw this guy, very common in South America:
Our return was tiring, but we made it back with very little wait times for the small bus within the park and then the bus back to Santa Marta. Instead of going to the hotel first, we opted for an early dinner
Amanda had researched a restaurant called La Canoa, where I had delicious lemonade and langoustines with coconut rice while Amanda had yummy chicken - all in an air conditioned room. Here’s a collage:
After dinner, we walked back to the hotel and jumped in the pool and shook off the sand from our things on the deck. We enjoyed the sunset and the moonlight as we washed off the grime and sweat from the day. We were pleased with our day’s accomplishments as we packed for Cartagena!
Here’s a photo of our bus ride through the city and to the park, which took about an hour and cost about $2 or 7,000 pesos.
The entrance to the park with a map - from the entrance you can walk to the trail or take a bus which we did and got to sit in the front seat. We enjoyed the American mix that our driver was playing:
Some photos of our hiking experience:
We saw monkeys!
And several secluded beaches:
We had breakfast at a restaurant at one of the campsites - an arepas with egg!:
More beach...
You can kind of see Amanda in the water - we waded in, played in the waves, and napped under the palm trees:
We saw many lizards:
Here’s the Welcome sign to Cabo - where all the backpackers and campers hang out and the end of our hike. Along the way, we saw several people from our hotel afternoon yesterday by the pool:
Beach at Cabo - so blue!:
On our return, we saw this guy, very common in South America:
Our return was tiring, but we made it back with very little wait times for the small bus within the park and then the bus back to Santa Marta. Instead of going to the hotel first, we opted for an early dinner
Amanda had researched a restaurant called La Canoa, where I had delicious lemonade and langoustines with coconut rice while Amanda had yummy chicken - all in an air conditioned room. Here’s a collage:
After dinner, we walked back to the hotel and jumped in the pool and shook off the sand from our things on the deck. We enjoyed the sunset and the moonlight as we washed off the grime and sweat from the day. We were pleased with our day’s accomplishments as we packed for Cartagena!
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