Cartagena

On Friday we took a trip from Riohacha into Cartagena. The trip was excruciatingly long! I was expecting a 5 hour bus ride but it was all day. Mind you we stopped for lunch in Santa Marta- incredible by the way! The view was spectacular.

Cartagena consisted of lots of shopping, eatting and the best of which SNORKLING! I have never been snorkling before because I don't really like fish and generally I'm too cheap to do anything like that. However we all went together and had an amazing time. I was nervous at first jumping out of the boat, but once I was in the water it was like I turned into a fish. The coral was blue in some places and in others I almost scraped myself on pillars.  Kelly actually did.

There were so many incredible fish. My favourite was a black fish with lines of white polkadots on it, it also had a red belly and red fins. I can see my mother wearing a hat designed the same way as this fish. There was also black fish with blue sparkles on them, and teal ones with a shimmer of a rainbow on it's side, and two yellow stripes along its tail. I was absolutely stunned.

Marlene said that she thought she saw a lion fish. She couldn't really describe it at first but on our way back into Cartagena we saw an alert message saying they were an invasive species and highly dangerous because of their poison. They had been spotted in the area and the authorities had closed down sections of the beach because of them. Interesting- it was way at the bottom so no one got hurt.

I also went to a mangrove lagoon where I saw oysters growing on the roots and a blowfish under the dock. It was amazing to see all the variety of living things in such a small area.

I would definately go snorkling again.

In the old city we visited the gold museum, and San Pedro- a very fancy restaurant. I tried a new beverage: Coconut and lime juice. Limonada de coco. It was heavenly. The hotel Santa Clara had the best one served in a glass that was a circle at the rim but an oval at the base. A beautiful glass.

I would like to say thank you too Colleen for hanging out with me all of Sunday- I had a blast exploring with you!

Thank you to Gary as well for attracting the toucan so we could get some pictures.

All in all- a lovely weekend.