My second last stop was along the northern coast of Colombia, in Cartagena. After spending over a week running up and down and exploring in Ecuador and Medellín I was overdue for some down time. Well, maybe after one more day of exploring.
I joined a walking tour of downtown Cartagena that took us through the narrow streets, squares, parks (and mercifully, some museums with air conditioning) for about four hours. I love the heat and frolicking under the sun, but it was HOT. You’d think the shade between buildings would provide some respite from the sun, but nope. Instead you feel like you’re walking in an oven and being baked from the heat of the buildings on either side of you. You just happen to be in the shade while it’s happening. Definitely a bit of a morale crusher for some, but most people went along happily anyway. I felt bad for the couple that brought their three young kids on the tour. They were cranky little monsters the whole time and when they weren’t complaining of having to put sunscreen on they were demanding ice cream every five minutes.
Note to self: don’t book a walking tour in a place known for it’s heat in the middle of the day. Also, never have kids.
The city really reminded me of Cuba. The people in downtown Cartagena have the same kind of friendly, laissez-faire attitude that many do in the Caribbean. In my family we joke about being on “island time” (which is to say, mostly running late). It’s definitely like this in Cartagena. Unless you’re in a hotel or really touristy restaurant which, to be fair, is most of them anyway, people are going to take their time while they look after you.
Also like Cuba (more specifically Havana), and many of the other places I visited while on this trip, the colonial architecture is just so freaking pretty! Seriously. Every other street is full of different stores and restaurants but each share the same colonial architecture and balconies — many of which were overflowing with flowers — that look like they come straight out of a magazine. Even the ones that are a bit run-down were still pleasing to the eye since they have so much character. And everything is so colourful. Bright, beautiful colours are everywhere you look.
Man, if I could get paid to travel the world and just take pictures of old buildings I would be the happiest person alive. I wish.
The tour ended at the outer wall of the city where we could look out into the ocean and enjoy the refreshing breeze.
Speaking of the ocean, after a couple days of wandering in downtown, visiting museums, and browsing the shops, all that was left to do was relax on and around various beaches and pools, depending on my mood. There’s not much more I can say about Cartagena besides the fact that I loved the place, but I think you already knew that. So I’ll let the pictures do the talking from here.
Some were nicer than others, of course. A day trip to Islas del Rosario showed me some of the loveliest white sand beaches I’d ever seen. And the water was so blue! For comparison’s sake I’d say they were 10000000000x better than the beaches you can find in Toronto. (Which, admittedly, are not all that bad.. in the summer).
Pool time was pleasant too. The rooftop bar at the Movitch hotel has a pool and patio with an amazing view of the city, and the best coconut/lime/mint cocktail ever. So good.
Le sigh. I miss you Cartagena!
-C
