Exploring Cartagena and a visit to a mud volcano!

Our bus ride to Cartagena took 14 hours not the usual 12 hours because of a bad down pouring of rain. We travelled north up to Colombia´s Caribean coast. The buses here are known for being freezing because the air conditioning is blasted on high the entire ride. Andrew and I both welcomed the thought of a cold bus ride, as Medellin was really hot. Everyone warned us to bring a blanket and extra sweaters... but the "Canadian" in us thought we could handle it like champs! Half way through the night, teeth chattering, hood on, backpack on our feet as a blanket we thought our legs would fall off like icicles. From this point on we swear we will ride the Colombian buses with blankets, and very thick sweaters. When we finally arrived in Cartagena, to our shock it was boiling hot outside. (approx 30+ and high humidity) It was the strangest feeling as our legs thawed out!


We decided to stay inside the walled city, which is the old part of Cartagena. We found an inexpensive hotel that came with air-conditioning (a MUST in this heat), t.v and private bathroom. The only draw back was the guy below the hotel asking us if we wanted to buy some good "crack rock" and a couple of hookers prowling the street late at night. Other than that the area is safe and there are plenty of nice restaurants to eat at.



Our first day in Cartagena we met an American guy and we all decided to go out to eat. By chance we stumbled upon a restaurant that Anthony Bourdain had ate at called Cervicheria. I didn´t think I would ever eat cerviche again... as the thought of eating Peruvian food makes me feel sick (because of the parasite incident), but as Andrew and I love the show "No Reservations" featuring Anthony Bourdain.... how could we say no! The restaurant did not disapoint, and the cerviche was great!!!



Mud Volcano (Volcan de Lodo El Totumo):

Today we visited a mud volcano. Instead of having lava, this particular volcano spews mud which is supposed to be good for your skin. It is said to have 52 different minerals in the mix. What a weird experience!!! You climb up some stairs to the top of the volcano and into the mud like a swimming pool. It´s thick, slimy, greyish brown, and slippery. The floor of the volcano is 2300 metres down, but it is impossible to sink deep into it. There are men inside the mud that massage the mud into your skin. (including your hair and face) it feels slightly exfoliative because there are little pebbles in the mud. While getting the massage you are lying on your back, you need no assisstance floating on the surface of the mud, then you flip to your stomach without sinking. After the massage we all crammed into one corner of the volcano and played with the mud. It is a weird feeling because you neither float nor sink. It is like you´re stuck in goop and every so often a bubble and a "blap" would surface because of the volcano. After about 30 mins we got out and the guys at the top helped us get some of the slimy mud off before heading back down the stairs of the volcano to the lake for a propper clean.

This is where the story gets even weirder.......

The lake water is bright lime green (I don´t know why, it may be all those minerals) there were ladies waiting in the water to help you clean off. They poured the water onto your head trying to wash away the dense mud. The next thing you know... in one swift movement they have taken off your bathing suit and you´re sitting in water naked while they are washing your swim suit. Thankfully the murky lime green water offered a lot of protection for you body! It was all very strange... but thankfully most of the mud was removed.

Of course everyone involved... from the guy taking photos´s with your camera, to the massager, to the lady with the water expect a tip. And they were not shy to ask you for it!

Just as we were leaving the volcano to my surprise a wasp stung me under my armpit! It hurt like a bitch and got swollen! It was only my 2nd time in my life getting a wasp sting. I hope I never experience that again!

Tomorrow we leave for the Carribean coast of Santa Marta.

~Nicola

Click on picture below to see the album in Picasa.

Volcan de Lodo El Totumo