Cartagena

Well I arrived in Cartagena on Monday after a full day lying around airports and a little flying. In 3 days I would not have had a stretch of more than 2 hours sleep, and the same clothes I left in Sydney. Steph met me at the the airport and we took a taxi back home to the old town centre of Cartagena. We then got a little lost but eventually found our way to the hotel. Cartagena{s old town centre is surrounded by wind pitted walls with canons trained out to sea. Presumably to defend the city against the pirates of the Carribean or some bad and mean English sailors trying to get the gold and emeralds the place is famous for. We then had the most fantastic meal as follows:
1. Chilled red Chilean wine2. Cold seafood salad with lobster, squid in a piquant lime dressing3. White fleshed local fish in a spicy tomato sauce4. Coconut tart
Delicious. Will go down on my list of memorable meals. Steph and I had a lot to catch up on and talked and talked. As is the Belcredi way, we must have been loud because some people at the next table joined in a discussion of Sarah Palin and we exchanged information. People are always very interested in Australians as they must be quite exotic here.
Next day we went on a long run and arrived hot and exhausted at the hotel. On our run Steph caused quite a stir, holding up traffic as even a bus slowed down and followed us so that the passengers could get a good look at her and do their whooping and whistling. We had breakfast at a couple of spots and did some museums to learn about the history of Cartagena. It was a boiling hot day so there were lots of stops for iced tea and the air conditioned museums were very welcoming.
Then Steph had organised a massage and pedicure for me for my birthday. Life doesn´t get much better than this.
By late afternoon we had found a high spot on top of the fortifications to watch the sun set over the water. Our attention was distracted for some moments as we watched a group of police arrest some men to the load applause of those watching. One man tried to struggle and was punched down with a loud thwack as his head hit the bitumen. Four police then pinned him down as they seemed to pose for photographers before leading him to the paddy wagon.
Today we took a boat out for diving. Our guide, Manuel, was a huge black guy with dreads and the usual set of perfect sparkling white choppers. He seemed to be born for the water.
The first dive was a bit disappointing compared to the Great Barrier Reef but there was a wreck to see. The swell was quite high, about 3 metres so we were thrown around a bit getting back on the boat. One boy threw up into the water and Steph felt sick as we hit the waves to the next dive spot. Steph and I studiously watched the city buildings in the distance to ward off sea sickness.
The second dive was much more interesting. A very interesting wreck that looked like a PT boat, we lowered ourselves into the hold and explored the inside with the aid of torches. Outside there were some very colourful tropical fish and even a long barracuda like fish.
By the time that dive was finished, we were well and truly water logged and longed to get dry. However, it was not to be as we hit the waves again with lots of spray, I decided to stay in my wet suit so try and keep warm.
Lunch was on a beach under thatched huts eating freshly barbecued fish, rice and salsa. Eating this looking out onto the blue Caribbean was like a dream. Perfect for my birthday!
On the way back we were treated to a ride which rivalled Luna Park. At some points we were airborne and it seemed to take some seconds to fall and hit the water. Fantastic. But I was still wet.
Now we are dry and Steph insists on taking me out for my birthday. I think I can get hungry again.
We discovered a German cafe with a map of Berlin on the wall and yummy German pastries and bread. They also do fantastic juices here, all fresh and you have an almost infinite array fruits to choose from.



Tomorrow we go to Bogota. That will be an adventure.