CARTAGENA

cliche, glorious cliche

WHERE:CARTAGENA (pronounced Carta-Hena by everyone but us it seemed)
WHERE (less detailed): north Colombia on the Caribbean coast

one last square Julie?

WEATHER IS: humid but at least the rain has stopped

FOOD IS: Paul declares the lobster curry he enjoys to be one of the best meals he's ever had. Another garlic shrimp offering was outstanding and great value at £4 for a 2-course meal. In fact even the pizza here was good.

All Along the Watchtower

PEOPLE ARE: Beautiful. By far the most attractive in Sourh America, although compared to Bolivian and Peruvian this isn't hard. Years of breeding between African slaves and Spanish settlers has created a coffee-skinned master race with big breasts and bottoms and skinny hips and legs. I'm sure they're equally impressed by our alabaster pallor. Shouting also seems to be the order of the day with raised voices competing with reggae/calipso music to fill the air.

HIGHLIGHTS/LOWLIGHTS: arriving off the back of a scheduled 12hr actual 24hr bus journey it's amazing we consider anything a highlight. We officially declare ourselves "over" buses after clocking up over 7 solid-days worth of bus journeys during our time in South America. How this will fit in with the numerous necessary bus rides in Central America is anyones guess...

stepping out in Cartagena

... Things go from bad to worse when we finally arrive at our hostel to discover our room neither has air conditioning or a lock on our door ... a Paul strop later we check into a hostel around the corner with air-con, cable TV and a lock on the door... the next day, after a good night's sleep, Cartagena soon establishes itself as our favorite Colombian city....

Cartagena old town certainly impresses

... Despite Hoolies declaration that she's no longer interested in churches or colonial squares even she's won over by the beauty of Cartagena... the great food is aided by a nearby giant shopping centre complete with massive supermarket and an air-conditioned cinema showing The Hangover 2( or Que Pasa 2 as it's known over here) in English for only £4 ... Delightful daquiris but murdered mojitos in the old town... with the heat rising we hat-up with a selection of hatwear - Panama, Pork Pie and Cowboy - to protect us from the sun... watching with wonder as a shopkeeper locks us inside her store as half the town chases a thief through the streets while brandishing machetes...

rough justice - Colombian style

... The poor fool takes refuge in a shop and keeps the mob at bay until the police arrive ... discovering were not the only ones to appreciate Cartagena as a film set is erected in the town ...

hats off to the extras who stayed in costume in 40degree heat

UP NEXT: a four-night, 5-day passage to Panama on the high seas.