Jacaranda Journey

We were glad to leave the chilly Andes for the hot and humid Caribbean coast!

We're feelin' the tropical vibe!

Juan Valdez Cafe

Facade of our hotel, Casa Leda

Interior of our hotel, Casa Leda

View from the roof terrace of our hotel, Casa Leda

Our bed over the crashing surf

The other side of the house faces the Rio Piedras estuary

The front of the house faces the beach, looking west to Tayrona Park

Coastline typical of Tayrona Park

On the east side of the Santa Marta mountains, Valledupar is in cattle and cowboy country

Home of accordian-driven Vallenato music

Mosaic of an accordian

Mosaic street sculpture

Main plaza

Famous mochilas (bags) made by the Arhuaco indians but used all over the country

Colorful mochilas (bags) made by the Wayuu indigenous group

Mules waiting to be loaded up with supplies before returning to Nabusimake

The view to Nabusimake located in the high mountain mist

Arhuaco man wearing the traditional dress

Arhuaco men

Seashells for lime collected on the Tayrona beaches. The crushed powder is carried in gourd containers and mixed in the mouth with coca leaves.

He is holding a poporo, a gourd container which holds powdered lime from crushed seashells. A man will dip the stick in the lime, put it in his mouth filled with coca leaves, then wipe the stick on the top of the gourd. The larger the deposit on the top of the gourd, the more wisdom the man is thought to have.

Pelican sculpture. Did you know a group of pelicans is called a scoop?

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas outside the city wall

Castillo San Felipe in the background, city wall called Las Muralles in the foreground

Inside the city wall - magnificent churches and colonial building

Chaotic traffic outside the Old Town walls. The lively neighborhood of Getsemaní and the affluent high rise peninsula of Bocagrande lie nearby.

Getsemaní, a working class quarter outside the walls. It is a lively neighborhood with a lot of affordable lodging options and hostels. Great nightlife too.

Las Bóvedas built into the city wall - in colonial days a dungeon and gunpowder storage area, today a craft market

Iglesia de San Pedro Claver

Horse and carriages for tourists. The clippety-clop of horses hooves are a common street sound.

Atmospheric street in Old Town

Atmospheric street in Old Town

Atmospheric street in Old Town

Bouganvillas blooming over colorful facads

Street mime with fish

Fruit vendors on the street

Refreshing juices - more kinds of fruit than you knew existed! Lulo and nispero are favorites!

Corn cakes with cheese

Delivering fresh tropical flowers to a wealthy private home

Upscale boutique hotels usually have pools, spas, and roof terraces. Some are built into the ruins

Hotel Sofitel Santa Clara built in a 17th century convent is perhaps the most ritzy hotel of them all