Capilla Del Mar Global Hotel Cartagena

... day and all night. The hostel has a pool and an incredible rooftop that has a nice view and a great breeze. Every one hung out up there the whole time. For dinner however, a group of 6, went to this little square and we ate pizza. What was cool about it was that the pizza was not in a restaurant. We bought it from a guy that had a pizza oven right outside his front door. He sold pizza and drinks. So, they brought out plastic chairs and we sat on a sidewalk for 2 hours eating and ...

... guess what, we were only paying $40mil a night. Our best rate yet, and it was in a brilliant location. On a plus note, we also had a TV with a million channels, some in English, plenty of English films to watch. On the negatives, we were sharing the kitchen with the owner, the door to our bedroom was hardly secure and had a huge gap above it, although the main door was a large gate with double padlocks. No worse than some hostels we have been in. Lastly ...

... school kids from the surrounding schools and government workers as the seat of the municipal government is located closeby. For this reason alone, that the colonial part is not just a theme park, I find Cartagen's colonial-ness to be one of the best. <br>After spending a few days in Cartagena with some of the people from the boat trip, we proceded to Taganga, a fishing village just east on the coast. Adding even more to my evidence that Colombia was like Mexico, Taganga was dry and ...

Leaving Ecuador was a shame as had been ill for most of my time there and had not seen nearly as much as I would have liked, but time was of the essence and before I could say 'Ciao Ecuador' we were off to Columbia.<br><br>Still wrapped up in 3 layers, my jeans, hoodie and woolly hat, we were now boarding the final leg of this 8 hour journey leaving Bogota for Cartagena. As we stepped out of the airport, the first thing I noted was how wonderfully hot it was. So hot infact ...

... he had quoted us before and without thinking I let out an angry rant in my normal spanish. Busted. The girl Jan was chasing seemed upset but my amiga didnt give a damn. We got a kiss good night and made plans to hang out the next night, but I lost their phone numbers so all was for naught. But it was a really funny experience. Anyways Im still in cartagena and im not sure for how long or where Im going next. My camera is in taganaga so itll be a while before i upload fotos. Hasta luego<br>

... This is the most touristy place we have encountered yet. Despite its attractiveness, backpackers have fled the city after only a couple of days to get away from the drunken and slurred ´´Welcome to Colombia¨ on the streets, and the aggressive vendors who at times grab you by the arm if you refuse their offers. Some will follow you down streets when you firmly say no thanks. There are those who make a living by guiding tourists to hostels ...

... me of Paris with the cobblestone streets and open aire cafes. We had no problems touring the city at night either. By the end of the first day, we were already ready to hit the beach. Colombia has changed for the better. We have had zero problems in the country so far and the people were as nice as can be. Next stop Tayarona Park ¨Mother Mother Ocean, I have heard you call" Jimmy Buffett

... is being spent by the government in setting up a secondary income source for the officers that have been entrusted to this department.<br><br><br>A banana republic police force out there stealing money from the motoring public...it reminds me too much of New South Wales, but at least in Australia the money raised in fines goes toward fine government assets like speed cameras and high performance cop cars, things that bring benefit to the people of the nation. Hmmm....<br><br><br>The ...

... and there wasn´t as many bumps as Emily thought there might be. We arrived in Cartegena at about lunch time and got a room at Casa Viena Hostel. In the evening we went to a bar called Havanas, they had a live Salsa band which was excellent!! Was very expensive at this bar though.

Arrived in Cartagena after an uneventful connection through Panama City. It's odd being in a hott place again and I've had trouble adjusting to the constant state of sweat. I've been close to the equator for a while, but, with the exception of The Galápagos, I've been at least at 2,000m and the elevation has cooled things down. Shorts at night were still the norm...but a sweater or a few shirts were ...