Colonial Cartagena, CO Day 4
Colonial Cartagena, CO
Day 04 - Saturday, December 25, 2010 - Enjoy Volcanic Muds and Therapeutic Bath-Swim in Totumo Lagoon-Mangrove Canoe Eco-Tour
Christmas Morning! What a quiet day after all of the celebrations and activities last night around the plaza. After breakfast we met David in the lounge and finished the transactions for the optional tour tomorrow.
Jose was there with our minibus and we left at 9:40. The route this morning took us past many middle class neighborhoods and near the Caribbean Sea right next to the airport. The main runway ends right at the water’s edge!
Along the shore line we saw many new high rise hotels and condominiums. Developers are paying high prices to the local fishermen for their property.
But because these families lack education and the ability to invest their money wisely, most of the money is squandered. As a result many move back into near-by areas as squatters.
While we had a few minutes David talked to us about the controversial issue of the drug production and trade in Colombia. Marijuana and coca grow naturally in the jungles. However, farmers found they could earn more that 10 times by growing these plants for drugs than their crops of papaya, yucca, or bananas.
The new government is trying to crack down on the drug trade and is subsidizing farmers to grow food crops instead of drug crops. Drug laws are very strict even though most Colombians are not users.
David admitted the drug problem was not 100% controlled, but with the new laws and less corrupt government they are making headway.
When we arrived at the Totumo Volcano, we found molten mud pots smaller and much less frequent than the ones we find in Yellowstone National Park.
However, there is one high cone of mud that has formed a volcano shaped wedge where people can soak in the mud baths. Charlotte and I were the only ones who took advantage of the Learning and Discovery, but we both agreed it was an interesting experience.
After changing into our bathing suits, we climbed to the top of the cone and lowered ourselves into the mud. We each had a masseuse who rubbed the mud (about the consistency of yogurt) into our pores.
Albaro was the young man who helped me to float in the 65 foot deep cone and enjoy(?) the experience. After about 30 minutes we slipped out of the mud pot and walked back down the cone to the river to wash off the mud.
Another crew, with special assistance from Angelica, helped us to rinse in the river. I found it was tough to get the mud off of my body let alone out of my eyes and ears.
Back at the bus we stopped at the Restaurante El Corti for a lesson in making the “Arepa con huevos”, a breakfast treat made from corn meal, water, and a little salt.
The dough is flattened and then fried in hot oil. After it floats to the top of the pan Anna, our cook, took it out and made a small hole and dropped a whole egg into the opening.
She added a small piece of dough to plug the hole and then popped it back into the hot oil to cook the egg. Think of a fried egg McMuffin only made of corn bread…
We left the volcano at 12:30 and drove back along the sea coast to La Boquilla, a rustic fishing village outside of Cartagena. Because it was Christmas Day many families were here not only from the village but also from the city.
The nine of us enjoyed a typical fried fish plate served with fried plantains and coconut rice. After lunch we went on a canoe ride through the narrow channels of the mangroves swamps.
We saw many beautiful birds including herons, egrets, kingfishers, great tailed grackles, fly catchers, pelicans, and a majestic hawk. Back on shore the guides served us fresh green coconut milk which we shared with a few of the local children.
As we drove back to the hotel David gave us a few suggestions of where to go for a light dinner. We arrived at 3:30 and I immediately jumped into the shower to clean the reminder of the mud out of my ears!
The city was alive tonight with tourists, families, and business as usual on Christmas Night. We walked around, found a very great place for pizza, La Plaza. We had dinner watching the foot traffic and listening to Caribbean music at the Santo Domingo Plaza.
At 8:00 we walked back to the hotel taking advantage of the pleasant evening breezes coming from the Caribbean.
Accommodations: Hotel Monterrey - - - Meal: B, L
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Comments
Crowded mud bath - I guess you were the one all covered with mud ;o) Merry Christmas - we had a white Christmas for the second year in a row and the snow is still coming down.
Post a Comment!your photo of the kids drinking coocnut milk is wonderful!
Mud Baths at the Volcan del Totumo (1:34)
Volcan del Totumo
Anna Cooking Arepa con Huevos
Canoeing in the Mangroves
Jose Topping a Coconut
Children Drinking Green Coconut Milk
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