Cartagena and Playa Blanca
Pete Writes: Having arrived into Colombia first thing in the morning with a plan to head straight up to the beaches via bus we ran into a slight problem of a road block. There were no buses heading North so after 30 Min’s of uming and arghing we decided that we would splurge and get a flight all the way to the Caribbean coast. As soon as we stepped off the plane we could feel the heat and it felt good to have warm bones again. We jumped into a taxi and headed into the City of Cartegana, who’s old city was built for photos! It has been carefully up kept and still has a magical charm about it.
After spending 2 nights in the City we decided that we really needed to be by the beach enjoying the sun and sea. After not much sleep, we headed to the port expecting to get a quick boat to Playa Blanca and catch some Z´s on a hammock. So we boarded the boat and were slowly beginning to fall asleep waiting to depart when one of the crew jumped on a microphone and started to jeer up the passengers (NOOOO…… We had only got onto a party boat!) Our nightmare lasted about 1 hour until a group of Colombian students offered the 3 of us a beer (at 9am), we thought why not and got involved, and the rest of the journey flew by with lots of laughing and random games involving removing items of clothing!!
5 hours later we landed on the beach and were instantly surrounded by hawkers trying to sell us anything they could, after 30 Min’s of refusing and trekking up the beach we had found ourselves at Miranda´s house. Miranda was the most friendly lady we had met on this trip and had a very infectious laugh, although our Spanish is still not 100% and her English was non existent we managed to spend 11 days having lots of fun and eating some really nice food. I even gave Miranda some basic English lessons and taught her a couple of Western dishes that she picked up really quickly. The rest of our time was spent swimming, swinging (in hammocks!) snorkeling and even a little bit of sailing, it was paradise. We found it really hard to leave, but I wanted to do my advanced diving course so we had to tear ourselves away… Although we are going to go back in a few days for some more relaxing times.
Chloe Writes: What better way to spend the end of our trip but in Paradise. Beautiful warm Caribbean waters, friendly locals selling prawns, coconuts & massages, amazing local food of fresh fish, plantains and coconut rice (and some French food courtesy of Gilbert), no electricity or running water (i could happily get used to washing my hair in a bucket of rain water) and in general no worries ….. apart from some friendly mozzies and a mild chest infection when we arrived.
Miranda, our adopted Colombian mum, looked after us well with food, medication for me and lots and lots of laughs. We all even managed to improve our Spanish. After 11 days and a few tears when we said goodbye, we had to literally drag ourselves away so Pete could do some very cheap diving. But there is still time, we may even go back before home.
Page Gallery
One of the buildings in Cartagena´s old town
… and another
Car, Cartagena
Lady and Umbrella
Miranda
Sunset on Playa Blanca
Hammocks… we spent a lot of time in these
Gilbert´s sail boat… lots of fun… when you have some wind!
Pete sleeping in a Hammock.. it was way cooler
The local friendly crab
Us on the beach
Alfred climbing a tree to get the coconuts down
Pete trying to open a coconut… I think he should leave it to Alfred
Miranda and her new children
Tags: Colombia
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
Make the most of the hot climate - it is certainly cold here!
November 5th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
What a gorgeous beach I’m really envious because as M&D says it’s cold here. Make the most of it.
I will miss looking at the blog but seeing you in the flesh is even better!!
I hope you got my e-mails re: tickets.
SEE YOU SOON
lOVE MXXXXX