Cartagena

I wasn't sure what to expect from Columbia, like many I only knew if from its turbulent drug history. I soon learnt there was so much more to Columbia!

I've started my travels in the coastal town of Cartagena. From the moment I set foot outside my hostel I was hit with the sights and sounds of South America - Latin music playing in the streets, street vendors, the smell of new food and lots of Spanish.

Cartagena is a wonderful old colonial town. I came here for one reason and one reason only - to get my open water PADI licence. Having fallen in love with diving in Borneo earlier this year I was keen to get some more dives in - unfortunately diving spots in South America are limited and this is one time I'm not afraid to admit I am a warm water only diver! Anyway, following four days of theory, pool practice and four open water dives I'm proud to say I took to diving much more easily than I took to skiing and am now a qualified diver. Diving in Cartagena was good but not amazing (but then when you do your DSD near Sipadan I do think your ruined for diving for life!) I did however enjoy exploring the shipwrecks and sunken car, it was just lacking a little in marine life. That said I did see both a seahorse and two lion fish in one dive which was amazing.

While diving has been the main focus of my time here I have also found time to explore Cartagena. It's like two worlds have collided here - on one hand you have Centro (within the walls of the old town) which is where you will find all the colonial architecture etc. On the other hand you have Bocogrande which is full of high rise hotels and condos overlooking the beach with a distinct Miami feel.

I've spent most my time in the old town starting with a free walking tour which was fantastic and a great way of orientating myself. I quickly followed this with a chiva (bus) tour around the outside of Cartagena including San ...... and La ..... Unfortunately the whole tour was in Spanish so 99% of it was lost on me. But I enjoyed people watching and visiting the sights. Other than that I've been keeping busy with general walks around the area and spending time lying in the beach.

Cartagena has reminded me of two of my obsessions. Firstly hammocks - I seem to have lost hours lying in the hammock at my hostel planning my days or relaxing in the evening. I sometimes feel guilty for the amount of time I spend lying there, but then remember I am on holiday. The second is my love affair with doors in Latin America (yes you read that right!) I love the ornate doors found all around the historical area with their many different colours and embellishments. I'd often wondered why these grand doors had smaller doors cut into them - thanks to the free walking tour I learnt that the large ornate doors required 2-3 slaves to open and close them. When slavery was abolished and was no one left to open the doors they cut small, lighter doors into the frame.

Anyway I finish this post from a plane. I am currently on route to Medellin, Columbia's second largest city. I had the option of taking a 13 hours bus for £20 or a one hour flight for £20. It really was a no brainier...