Charleston Cartagena Hotel

... it wouldn't work but she was having none of it. As soon as I sat down she tried to give me a foot massage, persistant as anything. We all got very tired very quickly of saying 'no gracias'. They eventually left us alone but not before the two boys had bought some cigars, a watch and had toyed with the idea of hats.

The beach wasn't much to write home about but it had the sea and it was so hot outside that even ...

... through Pedro, and eventually they gave us back $12mil pesos each, We picked up the washing and went along the road to eat, where we had had breakfast in fact, and got our worth in a large menu de dia.

We returned to our own apartment, and packed our bags, we were leaving tomorrow. We felt secure enough to leave Jody and Niamh watching the TV, the apartment had a secure lock and Jody knew how to work it. Christie and I went for a last stroll around ...

... me." "Can't you please let me go. I'll be careful with the bills next time." -"Right now you're arrested." "Look, it's a twenty thousand peso bill. I can give you a real twenty if this remains between us." -"What do you say?" I look around and tap him on his left shoulder. "I want the best solution for everyone. You know I'm not guilty and I know you don't earn much. You can eat out with your family with this money." -"I would, but it's not my case." We walk on to the headquarters. I ...

... and the other Scuba Studs to come aboard. Flying back to Pavito, we disembarked and promptly claimed beach chairs. While the Scuba team went out for another round, the snorkel bums soaked up some sun and lauched as Hicham serenaded us with the best hits from his I-Pod. I pulled my chair into the water and let the small waves lap at my feet while I tried to get moving on "The Omnivore's Dilemma." 90 minutes later, the Divers were back and we all retired to the Inn for an ...

... talcum white sand of the far North. It's the first time on this trip that we have seen turquoise waters, and already we get to thinking about what it might be like when we get to the Caribbean coast of Colombia.


Some amusement with the customs entry out of Peru, with this post of significant national importance hidden between a kebab stall and fruit barrow in a predictable "filmmaker shoots crowded market scene in developing country" setup. Led through a curious maze of ...

... the Plazoleta de las esculturas, there are about twenty Botero's bronze sculptures lying in the plaza and are great places for taking pictures. Besides this Plazoleta, numerous other Botero sculptures can be seen all over town in front of churches, banks, parks or in the middle of roundabouts. All cafes and restaurants hold at least a few paintings from the artist, so you can not spend more than ten minutes without encountering a piece of art from ...

... a direct boat to the beach as many take in other spots, go snorkeling, offer lunch and also visit the aquarium leaving little time at the beach. You can pay anything between 30,000 and 50,000 pesos per person, we paid 35,000 each for the direct boat, which took us 45 minutes and gave us from 10am until 3.30pm on the beach. It is a 'free for all' at the port but worth it once you are on the beach. The trip back in the afternoon gets a little choppy, so if you get sea ...