Cartagena, Colombia

The last stop on our trip was lively, colorful, historic Cartagena.  We stayed for a full week in a great apartment equipped with lush terrace, hammock, pool, and 360 views of the city from the rooftop.  Here, we also had someone come every morning to make us breakfast - the best I've had in quite a while.  The arepas con huevos and patacones were my favorites, and my picky toddler even liked them!  Fresh fruit juice every morning, from watermelon to a kind of cantaloupe and even coconut/pina.  Fantastic. 

Here is Sadie getting local with her adorable dress (singing obviously).  Everything here is white.  Everything. You can imagine how this dress now looks after one wear.

This is our apartment.  The terrace was basically just part of the space since the doors always remain open for a good breeze (there was only AC in the two bedrooms, so the breeze was quite necessary in the muggy heat of Cartagena).

Sadie's most favorite activity - a carriage ride around old town.  And by favorite, I mean every evening when the carriages were out, she demanded we ride one.  We didn't, and she was extremely disappointed.  You can Steve quietly commenting to me something sarcastic in this picture, which makes it a good family portrait.

The cathedral. This was actually inside.  While we visited there was a lot of restoration, so we didn't get to see much of it.

One of my faves.

Arepas con queso y huevos con verduras y fruta for breakfast

We used our pool every day

Plaza Simon Bolivar (our building is actually the white one to the right of the statue with the flowers on the terrace).  Perfect location! Every evening there was live music and dancing in this square.  Steve took Sadie quite a bit while Isaac slept, and she absolutely loved it.

Yeah, we got matching sunglasses.

Picturesque Cartagena old town.

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

 Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

One day we took a boat trip to Isla de Majagua of the Rosario Islands.  It was about an hour there and an hour back.  The kids did phenomenal.  Isaac slept the entire way there and the entire way back, and Sadie slept the entire way back (and was quiet and enjoyed watching the scenery on the way to the island).  I was extremely proud of the kids.  While on the island, we got some great beach time!

Playing peekabo at lunch.  We really lucked out sitting next to a play area.

Back in Cartagena we visited the Spanish Inquisition museum.  Pretty interesting, and pretty dark.

Finally, our favorite restaurant el Baron.  It was recommended to us by a local (although clearly not a local owner, and definitely aimed at tourists).  They specialize in creative cocktails.  It was extremely good!  Not pictured, Steve and I had a date night and went to the Sofitel Hotel Santa Clara's 1621 restaurant inside an old convent.  It was absolutely amazing.  Highly recommended!