Colombia - Cartagena
Trip Start
Jul 25, 2005
1
25
29
Trip End
Jul 26, 2006
Cartagena,
Colombia
Saturday, April 22, 2006
The city was used as a base by the conquistadors to send their bounty back to Spain so is heavily fortified by a huge city wall to protect their loot from the wicked english pirates (kind of ironic as they stole it from the indigieous peoples of south america in the first place!)
Narrow streets lined with balconies, overflowing with bright flowers, are packed with street vendors selling everything under the sun, including a delicious selection of previously unheard of fruit. Due to the heat and cramped living conditions life takes place outside, kids play in the streets late into the night, women sit about chatting and sewing and the men play passionate games of dominoes
Cartagena city wall and clock tower
. Each house blasts out itīs own choice of music in competition with their neighbours. All this makes for a vibrant party atmosphere all night long.I visted the Volcan de Lodo el Toturno, a 15m mud mound with supposed health and healing properties. Worth a try! I dove into the luke warm mud that had the consistancy of cream and had a relaxing massage. After the local women washed me off in the nearby lagoon (I was somewhat startled when they whipped off my bikini and washed that seperately!)
We really loved Cartagena and would definitely return. Do not believe what you hear, as long as you are sensible, itīs as safe as any city.
