Cartagena and Playa Blanca

Our first stop in Colombia was Cartagena. Everyone who we had talked to had raved about the city...the mix of the beautiful architecture and stunning setting. And it did not disappoint. We got in late and night and spent about 2 hours walking around trying to find a hostel. Since it was the end of Carnaval festivities all of the hostel in the old-walled city (aka nice part) of town were full. So, we ended up having to take a cab (because it's too sketchy to venture outside the walls at night) outside of the walls to find someplace for that night. However, we made a reservation for the following night at one of the hostels to make sure we would have a place to stay inside the walls the following place.

Our first day in Cartagena we just wandered around the city and admired the architecture and vibe of the city. It happened to be Ash Wednesday so all of the churches were in full swing with mass and ashes. We also wandered out to the old fort that protected Cartagena back in the day (we had met some Argentian architecture students on the plane over from Medallin, and they were the ones who had the idea to go to the fort). It was actually pretty cool because you see over the whole city as well as out to the Caribbean. And, it had cool underground passageways that you could wander through. We also booked a boat to go to las Islas Rosarias--some coral islands off the coast--and Playa Blanca (white beach)--supposidly one of the nicest in Colombia--for the following day.

The next day, we woke up really early in order to catch the boat out to las Islas and the Playa. It was definititely worth getting up early--it was some of the most beautiful scenary I saw during the whole trip. As we got closer to islands I just couldn't believe my eyes--it looks like the unreal pictures you see of Colombia (or any island in the Caribbean)--perfect turquoise water and islands covered in tropical plants. There was the option of going to an aquariam on one of the islands but we decided to pass (partly because we're cheap, partly because we had read that they didn't treat the animals very well, and partly because we wanted to take advantage of the amazing water) so instead we got about an hour to go swimming in the water. It was amazing. It was super salty, making back floats really easy. We could also see all kinds of cool brightly colored fish through the water without any snorkel equipment. After about an hour, we had to board the boat again to head to Playa Blanca. When we first got there we had lunch and then got to enjoy the beach for a while. It was PERFECT. White sand, crystal blue water, palm trees... I did not want to leave when it was time to board the boat again. However, we were on a tight time schedule and had to head to our next destination in the morning so we couldn't spend the night. If I go back to Colombia I will definitely go to Playa Blanca and spend a few nights there.

A cool door-knocker in Cartagena. There were all different kinds of animals and shapes throughout the city.

Some colonial architecture. I loved how brightly colored all the buildings were. And that they all had cute little balconies.

Maya and I one of the streets inside the walls. Oh yeah, it was really hot and humid as well. We were dying the whole day walking around.

In front of the clock tower. One of the main entrances into the old walled city.

A row of colorful colonial buildings.

The fort from outside.

Sitting on one of the archways in the fort.

Inside one of the super secret underground tunnels.

Looking out over Cartagena and the Caribbean from the fort. And a giant Colombia flag flying above us.

One of the fruit ladies. I, unfortunately, never got the chance to buy fruit from them and hence never actually got a picture with fruit on the head. But these women who walk around with huge baskets of fruit on their head's are one of the icons of Colombia's Caribbean coast.

In front of Gabriel García Marquez's house in Cartagena. He is one of the most famous Latin American authors of all time. He wrote Cien Años de Soledad (One Hundred Years of Solitud), one of the most famous Latin American novels.

Perched on the old wall of Cartagena overlooking the Caribbean. It still confuses me when the sun doesn't set over the water.

Looking through one of the "windows" of the wall of the city towards the Caribbean.

Drinking fresh coconut water straight from a coconut! (I'd like to imagine straight from one of the palm trees along the coast.)

Pulling up the Islas Rosarias. So beautiful. Of course, the camera does not do it enough justice.

Swimming in the amazing water. You can kind of see how clear and blue the water is.

The beautiful white sand and Playa Blanca.

Right before we had to get back on the boat and go back to Cartagena. The boat ride home was definitley not as enjoyable as the boat ride there. The water was super choppy (I had no idea the Caribbean got so choppy) and there were a few times that I thought the boat was going to flip (and it was a big boat...two stories!) And, practically everyone was puking, it was pretty gross. Not Maya or me, thankfully, though.

Cartagena (at least inside the walls) and that slice of the Caribbean were absolutely amazing and beautiful. I was sad to be leaving, but very excited for the next party of journey (the part of Colombia I was most looking forward to): Parque Nacional Tyrona.