I love Cartagena! I have been here several times before, but have never had the time to really explore it. One of my previous visits was on a cruise ship and that was just awful. Awful, because the tiny cobbled streets become jammed with the thousands of passengers from the huge behomouths in their harbor.
Then I had a meeting in Cartagena's revered Centro de Covenciones. That meeting was fantastic! The city pulled out all the stops to show the tourism industry what it had to offer. We danced on the ancient city walls and watched parades, visited some of the hotels and just enjoyed the social life of this vibrant city in Colombia.
This time I was here on my own to see all the wonderful little hotels and boutique hotels that the city offered.... and to wander these historic streets on my own. The French chain Sofitel hosted the stay and while it is very modern on the inside, the Santa Clara is a historic converted convent on the outside. In the lovely garden patio, fountains play a wonderful soothing sound to accompany a cup of Colombia coffee. Imagine my surprise when a tame Toucan jumped on the table to join me for breakfast! This is a huge hotel, and very lovely. Especially the wine room where you can have wine and cheese pairings seleced by the hotels knowledgeable wine sommelier.
Back on the street, I wander down tiny streets with balconies festooned with flowers and climbing plants. These homes have been here since the late 17th century and each balcony and facade boasts a story that we in the US will seldom see.
There are also wonderful boutique hotels here such as that of Colombian model and famed designer Tcherassi, spectacular with its rooftop pool. The Boutique Hotel La Mantilla even has its own yacht to fly you across the waters to a secret island for a wonderful tropical day.
The Sofitel Santa Clara and the Santa Teresa also have connections on the Rosario Islands out in the bay. Spend a day or several days in airconitioned comfort while local fisherman bring you freshly caught lobsters cooked to order right before your eyes.
The Rosariio Islands are a group of some 30 very small islands. Boats leave Cartagena every morning for the 90 minute trip across the water. Protected as a National Park, in the islands you can take a bike tour of the main island, do birdwatching, kayaking, or visit the Aquarium for a look at some large fish. If you are a diver, the San Pedro de Marajua Hotel has a 5 star PADI diving center which offers different aquatic activities such as diving and snorkeling off shore. The 90 minute boat adventure to and from the islands is well worth the adventure.
Back in Cartagena de las Indias, the shops are beckoning with their emeralds, coral jewelry and a host of everything. In the evening there is music everywhere with a great selection of street dancing and pubs lining the steets to sit and watch with a local "cerveza" in hand.
Cartagena is very safe. Before I left home...everyone was apprehensive that I would be safe in this country synonymous with drugs and killing. But I never felt safer.
Everywhere the tourism police have a presence. If you feel scared, they will even walk you to your hotel.
I would love to spend more time here and bring my family back to enjoy the great restaurants,local foods and historic streets of Cartagena. Maybe someone would even purchase a beautifulColombian emerald for me? Do you think?
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