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I’m pleased to feature Colombia in this issue of Indulged Traveler where I found many hidden "gems" as well as fabulous emeralds!
MOST READERS THINK THAT I ONLY GO TO EXOTIC, HECTIC DESTINATIONS. WELL, SURPRISE, I DISCOVERED COLOMBIA Bogota, the capital. is like any large metropolis with traffic juggernauts and shopping malls, but Cartagena is the complete opposite. Here there’s a calm atmosphere that settled over me.
I chose my hotel as though i was tossing a dart, blindfolded. I came up with a winner. Casa Pestagua (Calle Santo Dominco) is a sensational 11 room, mansion- turned- hotel on a cobblestone narrow, main street.
After you push the heavy wood entrance door, it’s a fairy land. Royal palm trees reaching towards the sky with a narrow oblong pool and spouting fountain, also has tables for meals. And as it turned out, the hotel’s restaurant, Amadeus, is a top rated restaurant and well deserved too. Not only is the food delicious but the bright carrot orange painted stucco walls with white trimming, made me feel I was in a film.
Actually, it was a coincidence that there was a ‘flick’ starring Will Smith, being shot in Cartagena. The vans and trucks blocked many streets in the old part of the city.
CH0W TIME…..
Cartagena has international food but as they say, “when in Rome….” so I always have what the locals eat, which I suggest all travelers try. As mentioned above, one of my favourite was Amadeus in the Casa Pestagau Hotel. Another, Cuzco, just across the street, is favourite with high rating from the locals.
THROW IN SOME CULTURE Art galleries are spread out the city with some very well painted canvases especially a gallery across from what is considered the best perch for seeing the sunset at Cafe del Mar. It’s a busy place so get there early.There is a bar and seats for dozens but the nights I went, there was an overflow of people. And the sunsets were exquisite.
I SEE HIGH RISES…
Expensive condos exist across the water and there’s continuing building, For those lucky or rich enough, many of these are living quarters overlook the Caribbean and the old city.
JUST LEAVE ME AT PESTAGUA…
I loved my hotel…but really loved it. Casa Pestagua was originally built as a private mansion in the early 1900 and considered one of the grand houses. It has since been made into an 11 room hotel, with huge rooms and bathrooms -marble and awesome. However, I did worry about slipping on the marble flooring so wore the hotel-provided slippers. Of course, the utilities have been updated but the original shape is the same. Outside, the balcony overlooks the courtyard. There are Royal palm trees and an ancient wall which has been preserved. And below is the pool Obviously this is not for swimming but for looking. The swimming pool is further back. The staff is most courteous and friendly.
I NEED MY CUPPA…
If you’re old enough, you’ll recall the ads and commercials for Juan Valdez. This fictional character was selling coffee to North Americans. Years later, Starbucks would be the go-to for java. But not in Colombia. There isn’t a Starbucks to be seen, but Juan and his team have opened coffee houses at almost every corner. and of course, the Colombian coffee is considered one of the best in the coffee-drinking world.
FRIZZ BE GONE… Diego Moya is famous in this city. The hair stylist knows how to de-frizz in this humidity. His salon is in the old part of Cartagena and I came out looking swell. SHOPPING GOES ON FOR HOURS
From the moment I set eyes on this city, I just knew the shopping would be wonderful. Colombian designers have taken over most the fashionable boutiques. The place to start is St. Dom (Santo Domingo #33-53) where they’ve taken over a house and turned this into one of the most attractive boutiques for fashion. Equally, they feature home accessories, e.g. vases, sofas, tables, chairs. And although the owners have a boutique in Bogota, they each have their own selection to suit the cities from sophisticated in Bogota to casual in Cartagena. As you continue to walk you’ll discover that every street has shops. And if you continue on the main artery, at the end you’ll find Silva Tcherassi ( Carrero 3-11). MPM is a smaller shop on Calle de Santo Domingo. Their selection is small in comparison to the two mentioned above but their linens pants and tops are stunning. Now for men, I guess I wasn’t too interested but I did see many windows filled with the most fashionable summer gear, also on Santo Domingo. And yes, for kiddies there are adorable outfits. You can find them throughout Cartagena but you needn’t go far since you’ll locate a few on, of course, Santo Domingo. AH, THOSE GREEN GEMS
Colombia is known for emeralds. They are in every jewellery shop. But remember, like diamonds there are various grades. So read up about them before buying. And know, the darker green, shiny emeralds are dazzling.
THE FINALE
Since Colombia is now safe, it’s a wonderful destination in this hemisphere. Just an hour difference so no jet lag. I can’t wait to return.
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