[ Jan.2017 ] Our new year of 2017 started in Medellin in Colombia.
It was a nice day there.
Our guide, Maria took us to the airport.
On the way, there was a point with a good view of Medellin and she took our photos with her mobile phone, saying “it is for my memory”.
I thought that was very nice of her.
She loves travelling herself and she said she would like to go to Thailand someday.
We parted after hugging at the airport.
We had a short flight to Cartagena, a city facing the Caribbean Sea in the north of the country.
The altitude was low as it is facing the sea and it was mid-summer temperature.
And there were noticeably more black people.
We stayed here for three nights and our hotel called Bovedas de Santa Clara in the old town was lovely and stylish.
There was even a small kitchen in the spacious white room we stayed.
But one time when we came back to the room, we found that the room was not made.
And we had to wait for a long time before someone came to do the work, after we complained to the receptionist many times.
When we arrived in Colombia 10 days before, the local travel agent gave us some documents and within them it said “Now you are in South America. Please be patient” and this was the occasion that we had to be really patient.
Anyway, on the first day, we left our luggage in the room and started wondering around the town.
Some shops and restaurants were closed on the New Year’s Day, but we did not get tired of walking in this pretty and colourful town.
I think this was the most touristy town we visited in Colombia.
The houses were painted in many colours and there were so many flowers and plants there.
We learned later that they have a ‘beautiful house competition’ every year in this town, which keeps this town pretty.
I walked in good spirits taking many photos, but my husband was not so well and after coming back to the hotel, we found that he had a temperature.
Being ill during the holiday makes you feel helpless.
Of course we have travel insurance, but first I thought I have to look for a doctor…
So we spent a worrying night, but fortunately, in the next morning, he was fully recovered.
I thought this was a warning that we have to be prepared for the unexpected illness or injury anytime during travelling.
