Still waking for too early, I decided I'd run again, along the city wall this time. However, energy zapping 99% humidity meant I just had to take rest... I mean take a few snaps to show Simon over breakfast. Fortunately whilst we ate, rain freshened the air; slightly... maybe?
Securing a later check out, we decided to walk along the city walls to visit the Castillo de San Filipe de Barajas, expanded with increased fortification at the end 16th century in response to the 3 month occupation of Cartegena by the feared pirate El Dragón in 1586. Who? Sir Frances Drake! Fantastic views across the islands forming the ancient city with its modern outskirts, were only surpassed by the welcome soothing breeze!
Hot, on returning we made full use of the hotel pool before showering and packing; a chore I will just have to get used to!
After stashing our bags with the front desk, we joined a street food tour. Using locally sourced substitutes indigenous peoples, transplanted invaders, refugees or slaves recreated their food heritage to forge these tasty but stodgy filling national dishes, now commonly eaten as snacks or for breakfast.
Sourced from small shops and stalls along the less expensive less touristy streets, we tasted:
Empanada (fried corn pasty shaped dough with a flavoursome chicken and a cheese filling),
Arepa de Huevo ( twice fried corn round flat shaped dough with shredded beef on one side and egg in the other),
Buñuelo de Frijolito (fried black-eyed pea dough like a doughnut),
Carimañola ( fried yucca sausage shaped dough with cheese in the middle)
& Bollo de Mazorca con queso ( boiled corn leaves with a corn dough in the middle, which was sliced and soft curd cheese inserted)
Where were the vegetables? We did sample two delicious native Columbian fruits; Granadilla (like pomegranate) and Zapote (a mango/peach style fruit). I'd never seen either before!
Panicking in heavy traffic, after retrieving our bags we made our crowded flight back to Bogotá. More packing! Simon breezed i dithered as we sorted our backpacks ready for our early morning flight to La Macarena.
Morning run along the Cartegena city wall, (the other way)
(Route; Cartegena city wall; Cartegena city wall; mural near street food area la Matuna; canal (sea between islands) and Bocagrande; Cartegena city wall with ganet sculpture)
Walk to Castillo de San Filipe de Barajas
(Castillo de San Filipe; atop the fortification enjoying the breeze; Cartegena from the Castle; colourful restaurant street; plaza del reloj (clock tower))
Sir Frances Drake's house (from yesterday!)
Cool off in the hotel pool.
(Hotel door knocker, before conversion historically it was a wealthy sea merchants house; Cooling off in hotel pool )
Street food afternoon... too busy savouring the snacks!
We stayed at Movich buró 26 hotel close to the airport Bogotá.
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