Home Sweet Home in the Caribbean

Travel by plane from Cusco, Peru to Cartagena, Colombia, 25 August 2007

After 3 planes (Cusco-Lima-Bogota-Cartagena) we arrived in what is Colombia's Caribbean Coast. Stepping off the plane we were assaulted by the heat coupled with the humidity. No sooner had we collected our bags then we were whizzing our way in a taxi to our pre-booked hotel in the old town of Cartagena. The place was buzzing with life, well it was midnight on a Saturday after all. The hotel staff said we´d have to wait 45mins before we could get into our room, hmmm - why so? After piecing together what we could we came to the conclusion that they also rent the downstairs rooms out for "special occasions" by the hour! Me not happy, I told them I was unwell & needed to be in my room (I thought I´d fight this one with honey & not vinegar as I didn't want us stranded at 12 midnight in a Colombian City that we´re not familiar with). They offered us an apartment in another building, ok now I´m dubious but Dave went for a look/see & returned like a Cheshire cat. The apartment was stunning he said. Result. Stay there one night move back to the "Love Hotel" the next morning.

The apartment truly was beautiful, it was set in an old Colonial Building & had just been refurbished to an exceptional standard. It reminded us of an executive apartment in Dublin. Our first time on the trip we had our own kitchen & living room with 2 sofas! Such luxury. Even so, we still moved back to the other building the following morning. Once we saw the room they were offering us, which was nice, we decided to ask if we could return to the apartment (it only cost 4 Euro extra per night). Good decision, we went shopping & stocked the fridge with exotic fruit & beers. After that, all breakfasts & evening meals were prepared & consumed in our home from home - 1st time we´ve prepared food since leaving Scotland! The apartment was also very central so we could nip home for a wee siesta. Hands down, best digs to date.