Islas del Rosario

We wouldn´t have set our alarm for 7am had we known we´d be waken up by Eye of the Tiger reverberating throughout the entire hotel the next morning. Why would that song and other boxing anthems be blasting at 6:30am in the morning?! Confused we stumbled to the window and indeed saw a empty boxing ring with a few hotel employees loitering next to it. Once the the MC started practicing his announcments we gave up on the extre 30 minutes of sleep and started to prepare for our departure to the coral islands off the coast of Cartagena.

The exorbitant tour price quoted to us at our hotel for an hour boat ride was the first indication that we would need to beware of similar tourist traps throughout the day. We forwent the hotel tour option ($75) after consulting our tour guide/friend Juan who insisted we could find a better value at the port. So that morning we hopped out of a taxi at the Muelle Touristico prepared to hunt for a cheaper tour package. To say we were bombarded at the port is a sever understatement. Hats, tours, necklaces, water, you name it were shoved into our face. We went around to a few ticket offices inquiring about prices and what was included. Angelica and I were quite the team forging our Spanish skills to do business. Finally we decided on Isla Pirata for about half the price the hotel quoted us. Upon paying the port tarif and entering the port the ticket lady told us she in fact could not swipe our credit card. Ughhh. So I exited the port and walked down some ghetto street solo to find a cajero automatico. It was broken of course to I asked some mechanics where another one was. Thankfully not too far, and functioning. Cash in hand, I made my way back with purpose ignoring the usual hissing, whistling and various comments from the men hanging around on the sidewalks. To my luck once I got back there were only two seats left on the tour so we settled for a less desirable island, Cocoliso.

By nine we were herded onto the speed boat and there began an 1.5 hour swelteringly hot boat ride. Alas we arrived to our island to find barely a sliver of sandy beach! Not exactly what we were picturing but there was clear, temperate water and there were vacant lounge chairs so it was good enough. The pina coladas helped as well.  I can´t emphasize enough how HOT the sun feels here. It´s oppressive. Only short bouts are tolerable. We applied 50 spf and still managed to return back to the main land red as lobsters. The sun is no joke.

That night we primped, attempted to cover up our red faces and headed to the walled city for an italian dinner. Later that night we met up with Juan and his friend Luis for a cocktail and to wander around the walled city. We are excited about the possibility of Luis accompanying us to Tayrona this Friday.