Colonial Cartagena, CO Day 1

Day 01 – Wednesday, December 22, 2010 – Fly from Panama City, PA to Bogotá, Colombia and then to Cartagena, Colombia

Our wake up call was at 6:00 but we were up earlier and all packed for our Post-Trip to Cartagena in Colombia. We had time for breakfast and to say good-bye to Gustavo.

The taxi van took seven of us to the airport at 7:00 for our 10:00 flight. Sherry from Maryland, Midge and Dick from Pennsylvania, and Shelba and Charlotte from Texas were with us on this journey to Colombia.

There was a long, slow line at the Avianca check-in desk but we had plenty of time. The security was packed with holiday travelers with many Christmas packages.

We walked to our assigned gate, #28 and then found out we were flying out of #14. After walking back to that gate and we heard the flight would be delayed and our gate had been changed again to #21.

Finally we got on a shuttle at 10:45 and then boarded our plane on the tarmac at 11:00. We actually took off at 11:33 and left Panama, home of the Canal and so much more!

During the 90 minute flight we were served a light lunch. We landed in Bogotá, the capital at just after 1:00 with only 40 minutes before our flight to Cartagena was to leave.

We hustled through immigrations and then claimed our luggage to go through customs. There were conflicting directions as to whether we should claim our bags, but after talking with the Customs Official, I was able to get a clear directive.

There were long lines to check our bags to be put on our connecting flight. In the mean time we had lost Charlotte. No one had seen her since the Immigration Desk, but we did gather her bag and took it with ours through customs and rechecked it for the next flight.

After a long shuttle ride to the Departure Terminal, a young Avianca agent walked with us to Gate 5 and our awaiting flight. We were one hour late, but this flight had also been delayed or we would not have made it!

As soon as we boarded the plane Gennie saw Charlotte, waiting for us safe and sound! Another drama that had a happy ending... We got off the ground at 2:55 for the flight back north to the Caribbean Coast.

As we looked at the map all of us wondered why OAT had routed us all the way to Bogotá instead of straight over to Cartagena from Panama City????

Yunis, the representative from OAT met us at the baggage claim when we landed at 4:30. David, our Tour Director came to greet us. After watching all of the remaining bags go round and round for the 20th time, we all realized that none of our bags had made the flight.

We went to the lost luggage office, all signed claim forms, and we were assured our bags would be on the next flight leaving Bogotá at 3:00. It was a short distance to our hotel and José, our driver made it in record time!

David gave us a few minutes to find our room and then we met back at the bar for a welcome drink and a short orientation. We took a walk around the Plaza and the neighborhood, found a money changer and ATM, and then Gennie and I walked to the grocery store to buy a few things for a light dinner and to buy water.

By 8:00 our bags were still not at the hotel, but we carry our computers and another change of clothes in our carry-on bags so we do have clothes for one day. We looked at the photos and then wrote the journal for the day.

At 10:00 we both crashed, luggage or no luggage; we will deal with this problem tomorrow. Oh, the joys of travel and stories to tell…..

Accommodations: Hotel Monterrey - - - Meal: B

Please see our Trip Evaluation -- Click Here -- A Complete Review of Overseas Adventure Travel Post-Trip: Colonial Cartagena, Colombia: The Emerald of the Caribbean.

merry christmas! hope that you got your bags & enjoy the rest or your journey!

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