Finding the Footpath: Colombia January 2016 | Around Cartagena with photos

It's siesta time, which is anytime post-lunch and when the temperature rises about 35. This morning we walked to Juan Valdez (think Starbucks) on Plaza Bolivár. We were sitting outside eating pastries and drinking coffee when we were approached by a proper-looking 20-something wearing a t-shirt advertising trips to one of the islands. Having been there yesterday, we declined, but struck up a conversation, in English. Samúel is studying English and tourism, hoping to make a career that allows him to meet interesting people from all over the world (like us, of course). He is bright, and speaks English well. He was shocked to learn, however, that we had not seen some of the most famous sites in Cartagena: Boca Grande and Manga districts and the Castillo de San Filipe de Barajas. As we were thinking “another castillo”, he was describing walks down dark tunnels, and views across Cartagena. We were sold. So...he helped us make our plan for the day, starting in Manga.

Manga is only a few blocks away, perhaps a kilometre, but we didn't know that at the time so we flagged a (un-metered) cab. For 6000 Colombian pesos, less than $3 CDN, he headed toward the cruise ship port. Once we got that misunderstanding corrected, we were dropped off near the nautical club. Manga is across a narrow waterway from Boca Grande, and offers its own torres, but not so many. These apartment and hotel hi-rises are perhaps 35 stories, and skinny. We think there is perhaps only one or two suites on each floor. Although there are many smaller, older buildings along the road, no doubt Manga will someday look like Boca Grande. We enjoyed a stroll through the parks along the bay, past the yacht harbour, sharing the pathway with an occasional runner (way too hot), families, and tourists, some of them boarding boats we think to go to the islands.

Manga Nautical Club in the foreground; Boca Grande in the background.

Manga towers overlooking the water

Margaret researched a restaurant, La Restaurante de la Fuerte del Pastelillo. It was the perfect setting, muy ambiente as they say here, tucked into an old fort, and alongside the yacht club. There are white table cloths, countless servers wanting to help, a menu specializing in fish dishes of course. We were a bit early, but it filled up fast. We watched as a yacht pulled up at a dock at the waterside, we assume for take out. Or maybe the restaurant staff serve on board! Cartagenians like to linger over lunch and cold drinks, so...we lingered over lunch and cold drinks. When in Rome... Cocktails first of course—gin and tonic for Margaret, a mojito for me. For our main course, we added a glass of vino blanco, three entradas (light, tasty small plates) of fish (a pescado which could be anything, a salmon ensalada, and tuna tataki), french-style bread (common here) and patacones (plantain crisps that I can eat). We finished off with dessert and coffee. We haven't tasted a lot of local desserts but the caramelized, candy-like fine popcorn over ice cream is worth trying. Do I have to tell you we didn't make it to Boca Grande? We asked about a water-taxi, but there's no such thing. We did take pictures of it though, with its Miami style hi-rises and multi-level shopping centre just out of reach. Darn.

Boca Grande from Manga: too many hi-rise towers to count

Siesta time before heading to the Castillo and Plaza de Trinidad in Getsemaní later today. Samuél will be pleased!

Oops, well, the best of intentions. We didn't make it to the Castillo and it doesn't look like we will make it to the Plaza either, although it's early here for dinner still. Margaret's leg is acting up, so no more walking today. I didn't get to the book store in time to buy another book, so I'm looking for something on her Kobo. I'm packed, ready to catch a plane at 11:00 tomorrow bound for Bogota. Thoughts of home are chilly indeed.

Another change of plans. Heading out for dinner. We taxied over to Gethsemani and the Plaza de Trinidad, which Samuel had said was a must. We found fresh-made juice, a zumba hour (men and women, teenaged boys and girls, children and babies), dogs and kids, more food carts, and just a whole lot of people having a whole lot of fun. Dinner was good--very American style ribs, baked potato, coleslaw, and a side of deep fried yucca--a bit like eating sweet potato fries but more the size of fried cheese sticks.

This is an entertaining place. There is so much to enjoy--visually with the buildings and graffiti, plazas lined with food carts, the historic wall, street entertainers, and the sea. Here's a collection of photos from both cameras.