http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from South America , Colombia , Cartagena en-us Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:59:08 +0000 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:59:08 +0000 First of all...check out Bocas del Toro pictures I finally got some up. As our cruise came to an end we woke to the rising South American sun coming into port at Cartagena Colombia. As we got closer to land we were greeted by the sound of gunshots helicopters and more loud explosions. Our first thought was 'great....welcome to Colombia' Come to find out we were arriving at the begin http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-461541.html Hmm... Crazy crazy crazy. I was a little bit disappointed Wednesday because after the weekend there was nothing going on in town no festivities is this what Colombians call a party. And I was prepared for the biggest week of fiestas ever before I leave the country Thursday however started The Big Thing. There were so called Bandos that passed around town. Like big trucks where the beauty http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-453220.html Hey everyone just added photos to lots of my previous blogs so you can see what ive been up to plus a few here from Cartagena. http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-451226.html Nous sommes maintenant arrivs Cartagne ville romantique de Colombie. La centre ville est entour de massifs remparts qui le protgeait des attaques des pirates. Larchitecture est coloniale style espagnol c'est une ville vraiment magnifique o il fait bon se balader.Les 2ers jours nous avons visit la vieille ville avec ses nombreuses glises ses vieilles rues qui n'ont pas tellement chan http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-451179.html Finally we arrive in South America.Cartagena is the most beautiful and romantic city in Colombia and possibly South America. As we sailed in on the calm water just after sunrise the first thing we saw was the old wall which was built around the old city to keep pirates out. The city had been sacked and burned down a few times by Captain Morgan as it was the port town where treasure hunters left b http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-448670.html Went to a volcano yesterday that spews forth mud that is supposedly the best thing you can treat your skin to. It was amazingly nice getting pampered by the locals getting massages etc. After the mud bath they even washed us in the river and forced us to take off our swim suitsI am too lazy to describe it but take a look at the pictures tons of fun http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-447563.html Wow What can I sayI was thinking that I would wait until I get a more organized life until I write about how my life here is... Haha smart thinking Annica of course there is never going to be a routine in a country like thisWhat is it like here thoughI usually wake up before 6am by now I think sleeping until 6h30 is to sleep in... to escape some of the heat already then it is 30 http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-447015.html We survived the sea We arrived in Cartagena Colombia yesterday after 5 days of sailing and it is nice to be on solid ground despite still feeling the motion of the boat I hope it doesnt take long to go away. The trip was an experience and not all what I was expecting. Fortunately the people we sailed with were fun a single guy from England and a couple from Croatia and England and a Swedi http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-445299.html On the 15th we left Caracas for Santa Marta Colombia. Of course the bus left an hour late took about 10 hours longer than the ticket lady had told us it would and broke down for a good hour when we were nearly there. But this should have been expected given that the transport fairy hates me. All in all it took about 24 hours and was pretty straight forward. On the approach to the Colombian board http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-442930.html I found myself an excellent kitesurf instructor and the coolest kite spot with a very laid back atmosphere they even listen to Jack Johnson which is a nice change from all of the latin rythms like vallenato merrengue salsa etc.I have advanced quite a lot hm... instructor in the water with me all the time... probably because he is afraid that I will break his kite... o.When there is no wind http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-440473.html This is a completely unique experience that not many tourists get to live. I am very grateful for this opportunity to really make a difference.Our schedule for my first day was starting early as always to avoid some heat. Even though I walked as slow as I could I was still completely sweaty when arriving at the harbour where we were going to take the boat to the island where we are going to w http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-439987.html Hot hot hot. 32 degrees and very humid. No wind. That is the weather in Cartagena that met me at the airport... No AC and no hot water in the house. But actually hot water is not a requirement in this heat... The AC on the other hand... I actually did not plan to go to an Internet cafe today but since they have AC it seemed like a good option... oApparently the cooler temperatures will get http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-439155.html HolaI rewarded myself with a couple of very lazy days following our jungle trek. Lena took in some diving while I slacked about. We met a very cute Swedish boy who spent the afternoon with us we heard the next beach over from Taganga was nice after the 15 minute walk we found out it was a shit hole too but enjoyed some speedo spotting from the locals. Ben our adorable gay austrailian friend http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-438044.html Cartagena arriving by bus does not look appealing outside of the center its quite dirty and unattractive. From the bus station i took a taxi 12000 pesos took about half hour to get to the centro i got dropped off at Casa Viena they have no rooms available but the woman there was kind enough to phone places for me around the area Hotel marlin has one dorm bed available ac for 15000 pesos http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-437126.html For today we decided to go volcano dipping in El Totumo the highest mud volcano in Colombia which is a 15 metre mound that looks like a minature volcano. Instead of spewing lava and ashes it spews mud which is a phenomenon caused by the pressure of gases emitted by decaying organic matter underground. We travelled for an hour with a tour group out to the location of the mini volcano 50 km NE o http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-436354.html Well havent done a blog for a while but have lots to tell. After missing my flight because of my ear problem i hung around in panama city for about 2 more weeks going to the hospital for more tests medication etc. Luckily i made a really good friend in Panama who helped me out with alot of things to be honest i think i would have gone mad if i had not had his help. Now my hearing is normal but i http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-435457.html As the saying goes careful what you wish for.I have always thought it would be pretty amazing to look like Angelina Jolie. And wouldn't you know this morning I awoke with lips so puffy and swollen you'd swear I had been injected with collagen overnight. Only unlike it is for Miss Superstar Humanitarian Wondermom big lips aren't looking so sexy on me. It must be a sunburn unless some creepy cr http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-435248.html Looks like my last blog entry was cut off and is missing the the other half of what I wrote. Oh well you will all just have to wait in anticipation for Part 2Medellin here we come...watch out http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-435191.html One of the best advantages to backpacking is finding an amazing spot on an unexpected journey I had heard the name Playa Blanca but had no expectation of ever visiting. Boy am I glad that unexpected events led me there...So Caplan Ilana Aaron and myself head down to the Mercado Bazurto to try to haggle with some fisherman for a trip to Playa Blanca. It turns out that my negotiation skills http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-435189.html Under the brightest of moons with a cool breeze blowing through the plaza just outside the city's walls the voice of Placido Domingo live in the flesh rises up into the clear night. On the other side of the wall just steps away this magical sound is swallowed up by the heavy rhythms of salsa music pouring out of Donde Fidel Salsa Bar. Like you might find in any American sports bar a larg http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Colombia/Cartagena/blog-434454.html