We loved Cartagena! Once we got to it. Didn’t really like overnighting in the Bogota airport.
Cartagena is a modern port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. At its core is the walled Old Town, with 16th-century plazas, cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings. The climate is tropical – hot and humid. It is also is a popular beach destination to Colombians, probably because it is a bit like Miami with tall white highrises down to the beach. It was once the most powerful and richest port in the Caribbean, and has a fort to prove it.
Our taxi took us to Getsemani, where Anya, our AirBnB hostess had our room pre-chilled for us. Turns out, Getsemani, formerly where the servants lived in the old city, is undergoing a hipster revitalization. We suspect that within several years it will be quite gentrified and out of reach for the backpacker crowd that frequents it now.
Anya and her husband Mario are the hosts from heaven. Mario has a small bar down the street, where he is trying to convince the population that there is better beer than the commonly consumed swill endemic to most south american countries. The place is also across the street from the Iglesia de la Trinidad. Given that it was Easter week, we expected a lot of action there, but it was primarily the small plaza in front of the church where life happened. During the day, there were football games between the kids, with many parents watching. At night, the street vendors and buskers came out.
Gabriel’s Burgeurs – he cranked them out every night in front of the church
The plaza in front of the Iglesia de la Trinidad
Easter Eve at the Church of the Trinidad
One of the interesting things that struck us about Cartagena was the amount and quality of excellent graffiti. Apparently, they have, in the past, brought in artists to “paint the town.”
The balconies in Cartagena were, in the past, a method for displaying one’s importance. The larger the balcony, the more important the resident. Today, the city holds an annual competition, and the best maintained balcony gets a tax credit.
The walled city is essentially an island surrounded by a wall. The fort is about a mile away, and is quite imposing. When we toured the fort, it was interesting to hear how they used to make their opponents wait in the swampy area outside the fort until they had caught any of the myriad of mosquito-born diseases that could be contracted, many brought over with the slaves from Africa.
There are restaurants a-plenty, although we were shocked to see that some of the entrees cost upwards of $10-20. Had a great evening a a place run by a man from Barcelona, who’s partner is from Cartagena. Here’s dessert:
Desert at wonderful place for tapas
And let us not forget the megayacht that was moored at the old dock.
$250M Megayacht
Another view of $250m megayacht
One of the docks
Wonderful! Love the yellow buildings,..such great colors. Still so grey here and today COLD! Everyone is ready for the warm sun! Enjoying your trip…