We shouldn’t have eaten like crazy people before we came to Cartagena. Every meal was excellent and many were better than the restaurants we enjoyed this past year in Sacramento, Chicago and New Orleans. A typical lunch of the day, would set us back $3.50 each for a choice of a seafood, beef or chicken entree, with a fresh salad, coconut rice and plantains. A bowl of Ahi Tuna with fresh avocado $5. An expensive fine dining restaurant for two with appetizers and a bottle of w

We were so excited when we saw the banners greet us at the airport. When we passed any television the Pope’s visit to his native South America was being televised. The Pope was on every wall, every church and in every store. It was Pope Mania and we were all in! The next day we decided to visit all of the sites Pope Francis would visit on his trip to Cartagena. The churches, cathedrals and convents were so beautiful. We even debated on whether we should spend the10,000 pesos

I do...well I used to specialize in planning destination weddings. I have decided my next business venture when I come out of retirement, will be to plan destination weddings from the US to Cartagena. #Colombia #Cartagena

#Colombia #Cartagena #Beauties

Did I forget to mention our flight out of New Orleans to Cartagena was only $135! Yes, $135 each on Spirit Airlines. New Orleans to Ft. Lauderdale to Cartagena. 7 hours. Without a doubt this is one of the nicest flights we have had in years on a new plane with a first class seat. Did I mention it was a mere $135! When we landed in Cartagena we were serenaded by our flight crew with the Spirit theme song. If this is a budget airline sign me up! I have had several people ask m

This is a city of art and beauty. The colors are mesmerizing. A vendor peeling and selling fresh fruit can be found on every corner. The scent in the air from a mixture of fresh flowers and food is intoxicating. As we wandered through the historic streets of Cartagena today, it made me think of what the New Orleans French Quarter must have been like in the 1920's before it was overcome with revelers and tourists. The city also reminds me a little of Sevilla in Spain and Key

San Pedro de Claver (Saint Peter Claver) born in 1580 is the patron saint of slaves and human rights. He was a Jesuit Catholic priest from Spain sent to do missionary work in the new world. He preached and conducted his ministry in Cartagena, Colombia, a city with a painful history as one of the world’s largest slave ports. Claver would meet the slave ships as they entered the port and immediately began to tend to the sick and abused slaves. He gave food and medicine and the

So much for slow travel. Today we visited all the places the Pope is set to visit on Sunday. We said our prayers and tried to purchase candles for Ol’s mom. Sorry Syl they only sell large candles! We had an amazing lunch and then went to the new City which has a Miami Beach vibe, where we ventured into Caribe Jewels for an emerald tour, totally unappreciated by Oliver, but loved by me! It takes you on an “air conditioned” mine tour which leads through the emerald factory wher

They say that “God provides for fools and drunks.” Well I wasn't drinking but it seems that happy coincidences tend to be the norm when traveling. We had just gotten off of the plane and cleared customs in Cartagena. We walked out of the airport and into the hot Colombian sun. There was the usual airport hustle and bustle with cabs lined up and locals trying to coax tourists into private vehicles used as unofficial taxis. Guide books warn, and savvy travelers know to be caref