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‘ We were so glad we<br />
stayed, the fireworks, all<br />
seven displays of them,<br />
around the city were<br />
mind blowing …<br />
probably the best<br />
New Year<br />
we've seen<br />
’<br />
50 www.oystermarine.com<br />
needing in Cartagena, nautical or otherwise. They charge a very reasonable fee for<br />
boats at anchor to use the facilities. The food is good and the beer is very cold.<br />
After a good night’s sleep, we set off to check in (taken care of by an agent, it’s the<br />
law) and to walk to the old town about 15 minutes away, a safe but pretty hot walk.<br />
We soon resorted to using one of the numerous taxis cruising around.<br />
Entering the old town is like stepping back a couple of hundred years. The buildings<br />
are superb with a myriad of narrow, winding streets interlinking large plazas with small<br />
shady squares fronted by huge cathedrals. Looking inside open doorways, there are<br />
huge, cool, shady courtyards within the houses. The feeling of age and timelessness is<br />
enhanced by the street peddlers shouting their wares, carried on their heads, pulled on<br />
carts by donkeys or wheeled around by people, selling everything imaginable.<br />
Many of the old buildings now house shops selling local crafts, the larger ones<br />
converted to wonderful hotels and some are museums which are very interesting. The<br />
children were disappointed to find 'The Museum of the Inquisition' closed for<br />
renovation but enjoyed the small, interesting gold museum and the informative<br />
Naval Museum.<br />
Eating out is very good with a large choice of restaurants to suit all tastes and there<br />
are plenty of vendors selling cold drinks and freshly cooked little snacks to keep you<br />
going while you wander.<br />
A thick skin is necessary to avoid all the touts, especially those encouraging you to<br />
visit emerald shops, although these are a great buy in this, the largest emerald<br />
producing country in the world. I was not too successful at avoiding the emerald<br />
purchase but at least it was done well. The proprietor of the shop spent an hour<br />
explaining the qualities and grading of the gems, and showed us around his<br />
tiny factory where his jewellery was made, before I finally succumbed! My<br />
excuse was that Christmas was only a few days away and my birthday<br />
even closer.<br />
At this point, he insisted we return to his shop on the day which<br />
we did, to find champagne and cake awaiting. The kids were<br />
bowled over - they never get that much cake ever! So was I,<br />
although we found this act was quite typical of the kindness of<br />
the Colombians we met.
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