Today I took a long distance bus to travel from Santa Marta to Baranquilla and onward to Cartagena (cost: 12000 + 12000 pesos). It took me 5.5 hours by the second class roads (they still charge money from the drivers in the gates – like on the highway!) Baranquilla located in the mouth of the huge Magdalena River is not very welcoming. I saw quiet big sea port from the bridge. In Cartagena bus station is located on the outskirts of the city, so I was forced to use MetroBus (little bus with no a/c – 2000 pesos), to get to the old part of the city – listed on UNESCO list. I found my Casa Salome hotel where cheap but dump room was waiting for me and I crossed the bridge to the old city to check if something changed within 4 years. Yes, I have been here 4 years ago. No changes, except the high crane over Castillo San Felipe (they do some renovation there). On the old city walls I met pretty local lady selling flowers – see picture! Old Cartagena is still charming and very authentic…. Tomorrow I will still have few hours to walk around!
