Do you know the way to San Jo...-nope-Santa Marta?

Getting ready for our exploration of Santa Marta; NGG and BB had some discrepancies as to where and which direction from our condo in Playa Rodadero it actually was. NGG had the addresses of two "expat-friendly" places and thought it was to the south of us; whereas BB was using Google maps and thought it was to the north. Just for reference as to why BB wasn't 100% confident in his Google map...he got lost on several occasions in Cartagena trying to use Google maps for directions to a restaurant. Playa Rodadero is fairly easy to navigate as the Calles run E-W (from the beach inland) and the Carreras run N-S (along the shore). The addresses to the places we wanted to go to in Santa Marta, seemed to be to the south if they were a continuation of our streets in Rodadero. We picked a central location in Santa Marta for our cab driver to let us off and trusted him (he was the one who picked us up in Cartagena) to get us to the right spot. We started out weaving through the Calles and Carreras of Rodadero in a southern fashion; and I thought damn, NGG's right...until we turned left and headed for the "highway" and then headed north. We both looked at each and silently chuckled and were glad that our friendly ex-policeman/taxi driver knew what he was doing. About 10 minutes later we were driving through the Calles and Carreras of Santa Marta (in the same directions as in Playa Rodadero). We got dropped off at one of the small parks in the historic district near the beach. Here's some of the sights we took in.

The streets had a Cartagena feel to them; but with a completely different vibe. If I had to put a characterization on it, I'd say Cartagena-quaint, Santa Marta-city. Even though Cartagena is twice the size of Santa Marta; comparing the historic districts of each, Santa Marta felt more city than Cartagena. We enjoyed our stroll around the streets being tourists all the while trying not to look like tourists. We had a little lunch and then decided to go to the lowest number of Carrera to...if you were following along you know we were going to...the beach. (Hit play for the 11 pic slideshow)

We bought a king size freeze pop from one of the beach vendors for $2000 Copoas (that's about 51 cents) and cooled off a little as we strolled the malecon along the beach. We were both surprised to see the large port at the end of the beach to the north. After we successfully walked off lunch, it was time to replace the lost liquids from the hot afternoon of exploring. BB just happened to remember the locale of an afternoon beer special so the two explores navigated the Calles and Carreras to the Vape King sidewalk bar. This place had 4 small tables outside and room for about 10 people standing shoulder to shoulder inside.

The beer special was 6 beers for 30,000 Copas; the number (on the sign) is usually used and the thousands is usually inferred, which is $7.66 USD. We got two beers at a time (too warm for a bucket of iced beer in the open air) as we watched the foot traffic go by. After a bit a man came by and asked if I wanted my shoes shined (poor translation on my part because he meant cleaned); and maybe because he had shoe shining equipment, I said no thank you in Spanish because I was wearing tennis shoes. He then asked another man who was also wearing tennis shoes if he wanted his cleaned as well and he also declined; then I regretted saying no; realizing he would clean them and not "shine" them. He walked off as I looked down at my dirty and dusty shoes hoping he would come back this way. Those crazy mountain treks NGG has us going on most mornings have taken a toll on my gyms. Luckily I saw him returning a short while later and asked the price, 10 (000) and I immediately agreed to the cleaning!

Halfway through I knew it was one of the best purchases I'd made since my $15 USD manny/peddy combo a week or so ago.

After enjoying the people walking by and a few late afternoon beers, we walked to the second planned destination of the day, "The Best Wings in Santa Marta". I'd have to say, adequate wings with a good hot sauce. The staff was super friendly as we sat in the corner table and only patrons at the time. When the owner came out of the back section of the restaurant she "instantly recognized us" and welcomed us back, asking how we've been and that it was good to see us again. She left and we both looked at each other like WTF? We laughed it off and finished our food and worked out our path to the neighborhood grocery store before going home. Using the Girl Scout rule while exploring of never passing up a bathroom, I asked and found the washroom in the back section of the restaurant. Well, before reaching my destination, who do I run into but my old aquaintance, the owner. She restates that it's so good to see me again and then comes and hugs me with a kiss on the cheek, with a "hope you enjoyed your dinner and thanks for coming back." Well...I couldn't pee fast enough so I could tell NGG that bit of news! We were chuckling about that on the cab ride home after grocery shopping that ended our wonderful day in Santa Marta.
Lately, during the day, our beach has been less crowded than when we first arrived. Don't get me wrong, there are still people on the sand and in the water at the crack of dawn (or at least when I get up); but not as dense throughout the day. That is, until sunset approaches. I think Colombians enjoy watching the sun sink into the ocean as much as Sha and I.

During one of our previous morning treks up the neighboring mountains of our area, we met a couple at the peak while resting that said there was a great beach at the end of the downhill road ahead; only ten more minutes, "You gotta go see it!". At the time we declined as we weren't sure if we would make it back home that day. Well, last week we decided we would take the backpack with towels, extra water and go the full distance to the great beach "we had to see" called Inca Inca Beach (cool name for a beach so we had to go see it!). Our mountaineering endurance was getting pretty good so the walk to the peak wasn't quite as tough as the first time (but it wasn't "frickin" easy!). We encountered a group at the peak that we exchanged pleasantries and began the descent "kinda together". We each recalled the "10 minutes to the beach" our earlier "friends" had said was the descent to the beach. We soon lost track of keeping time as we were so intent on not falling from the steepness of the descent and the uneven and rocky terrain of the "road" going down. About 20 minutes into the extremely difficult descent, I wanted to time travel back to kick the crap out of that couple we met earlier. You wouldn't think you'd have to rest going down hill but, we did, multiple times! During these times, our fellow descendants caught up with us and we were discussing the merits of safety and hoping we were nearing the end of the road. You all can relax; Sha and I made it to the bottom and the end of the road and the beach. We were very happy! I believe it was about 36 or 37 seconds later that I said "there is no way I'm walking back up that *$&#@% hill to go home!" 

We got ourselves ready for the beach; taking off our tennis shoes, socks, soaked shirt and then finding a place to store our stuff. We sort of followed the Colombian group of people we walked down the hill with and put our stuff near theirs as we all went to the sea to cool off. Inca Inca beach is in a small half a mile bay and beautiful.

We enjoyed the calm cool waters lapping quietly up on the shore as we brought our body temperature back to normal. We hadn't planned on spending the whole day at this beach, but as we both realized we weren't climbing back up that hill, our Colombian friends began to talk to us more and we found they had plans to take the water taxi back to Playa Rodadero later. Long story short; this group of people were extremely friendly to us and even invited to have lunch with their whole group when they took a break from the water to eat. They invited us to play games in the water with them and were always keeping an eye out for us and trying to include us in their group. By the end of the day, we felt close to them, finding out that a couple was getting married in a few months, some were family, some friends; but all were super friendly to us. After having a fantastic day that we spent mostly in the Caribbean Sea, near 5 PM, we all boarded the water taxi to return to Playa Rodadero. The water taxi ended up dropping us all at the far end of our beach (so we had a far walk to get home), but we had hugs and kisses when we parted with our new friends we spent the day with at Inca Inca Beach.

Besides some of the great meals that Sha has created at our home during this trip; we have been to the great Italian pizza place and the cliffside restaurant for sunsets (and my Bday) and sushi. We also have a beach side restaurant at the beach entrance from our complex. Chucho Blu, is right on the water at the end of the Bay. We enjoyed a great dinner with an even better seafood appetizer...

You might recall that I told you a bit ago that I had been able to count the number of clouds in the sky we'd seen in Colombia on two hands; well that changed just the other day when we woke up to this.

I'm sorry; but I didn't sign up for this crap!

​So, I'm sorry to say that it's time to leave Colombia... but not before a blast from the past.

Damn, didn't know BB had hair!

We are off to Ecuador in a few days...we thank everyone for the heads up about the turmoil within this country; we have been getting regular updates from the US Embassy. Just an FYI, we have registered with the US Embassy as to our travel destinations and will be vigilant and careful wherever we are going. We are excited to continue our exploration of South America and look forward to showing you what we are up to next in our following posts. Three months in Ecuador before we return to the States.

As always, we are hoping the best is surrounding you and your families!

​Pura Vida!