From my foggy airplane window I look down on what will be my next destination. Azure blue ocean is all I see until the airplane takes a turn. The water caresses a bay with on the left side a peninsula filled with Miami-like buildings and on the right side the mainland dotted with low authentic buildings and trees. I am so looking forward to this little escape to the tropics, because I adore small streets with colourful houses and that’s what this city is most famous for. And of course the rhythm and dance and the beaches and ocean. In this city, the best writers on earth find their wildest imagination become reality. Welcome to Cartagena de Indias.
Cartagena has the best of the old and the new, with the beautiful Caribbean ocean in between. Not for no reason the new city on the peninsula, Bocagrande, is being called Little Miami. And the old city between the city walls is just a feast for the eyes with all those colourful houses and beautiful people. Oh, and I also take a small trip to the idyllic Isla Barú, just off the coast! But today I will explore the old city.
Between the walls of Cartagena
After my two days in Bogotá and before my trip to Zipaquirá, Guatavita, Monserrate and La Candelaria I took the plane to escape to the little tropical city in the north of Colombia: Cartagena. I needed some warmth and sun and this place has it all to form the perfect summer holiday destination. With only a wet piece of paper with on it my reservation number I rushed to the El Dorado airport and my gate. My Colombian friends, and let’s face it, my tour guides Jaime and Jasbleidy Villaveces suggested me to buy some typical Colombian snacks to take with me on the plane. So there I was, in my seat with on my lap some travel necessities: Colombian chocolates, firm cheese with fruit jelly, Colombiana soda and cheese bread.
The cab takes us from the airplane to our hostel, situated in the heart of the old city. We enter the centre by passing the old city wall and from here on my eyes are not nearly big enough. On every corner is a gem and I must look like an addict, stopping at every step to look up, take a photo and stare with a half smile and hungry eyes! Most of the buildings here date back to the 16th century and are painted in a wide range of colours.
Cartagena’s colourful houses
The best thing you can do in Cartagena is just to walk around as much as you can. Turn left on one corner and right on the other. Step into a church and sit down on a bench at one of the bigger squares. You can have lunch in Crepes & Waffles, a famous Colombian chain, like I did. Or in one of the hipster-like cafes around. Try one of the ice cold fruit drinks and perhaps you will find yourself stuck in a spontaneaous parade of people dancing to salsa and rumba.
You will soon stumble upon what is perhaps the most idyllic scene here in the old city centre of Cartagena: the colourful street, overgrown with flowers, leading to the main square with the church tower proudly looking over it. Here, you will also find one of Botero’s famous sculptures: the fat lady laying on her side. To me, this place is a bit Italian and I just have to order a pizza here. Which tastes delicious of course!
Castillo San Felipe
After strolling around in the area around our hostel a bit (damn it’s hot!), we take the cab to Castillo San Felipe, a fortress situated on the Lázaro Hill on the coastline. The castle was built in the 16th century, but despite the interesting history, it’s especially the view that is amazing here!
From the top of the building you have an amazing view over the old and new city, with the Colombian flag waving above. Add to that mellow jazz tunes coming from the trumpet of the street artist that seems to be ever present here and a cold lemon drink from the vendor. Bliss! And then close your day in one of the cafes near the city wall facing the ocean. Cocktails and beautiful sunsets included. Next up on the blog: beaches and busses of Cartagena..
