Lorena's Birthday (24 February 2006)

I can't believe that my birthday arrived and passed so fast!!! One more year... it is incredible! But this year was a bit different because it's my 1st b-day as Mrs. Gordon (that makes me very happy).

My birthday started at 12pm (midnight) when John said "Happy Birthday mi chocolatita" (my little chocolate) then we slept. Then early in the morning (5am) John woke me up with 3 gifts: perfumes, a beautiful dress and a book by Paulo Coelo.

We enjoyed our morning doing some more visa paper-work (so strange no?) and also John bought me another gift: my new sun-glasses! After that lunch with mom and dad.

In the afternoon we had to prepare some things for the reunion at home with friends and family. Here from L to R Alberto, Tatiana, Teresa, Brunella, Carmen, Lorena, Annabel (in front), Maqui, Mari and Luis.

While we were waiting for guests to arrive my Australian Family gave me a surprise... John connected all of them through the web-cam and they sang to me Happy B-Day! Wowwww I almost cried.

Then guests arrived and we had had a great time with family, school and university friends and co-workers. Here from L to R Augusto, Katia, Sandra, Carolina, Lorena, Monica, Nilza, Oscar and Carla.

And here in the 1st row Marco, Lucia and Vanessa; and behind Lorena, Juan Manuel and Mari.

Lima (18, 19 February 2006)

In Lima again and ready to go "out".


To the wedding of Cecilia (a university friend of Lorena's) with Branco.


Then on the Sunday we had the traditional "Sunday family lunch", this time at Larcomar.


Pardo's chicken........ Hmmmm.


Then later we popped over to see Maqui's new grandson.

La Muralla in Cartagena de Indias (16 February 2006)

The city wall surrounds practically the whole of the old city and is in remarkable condition.

Construction began after an attack on the city by Francis Drake in the late 16th century and took some two centuries to complete. (Due to repeated damage from both storms and pirate attacks). In the background you can see the modern suburb of "Boca Grande".


This photo illustrates that the wall is very thick in parts.

Inside the city walls lies the attractive colonial city of Cartagena.

Columbian adventure nearly over! Hi there everyone, from John and Lorena.

Back in Cartagena de Indias (15, 16 February 2006)

Cartagena is such a beautiful city, it was a pleasure to return.

We visited "Las Bovedas" which are in part of the city wall. They used to be dungeons, but are now tourist and souveir stores. A little shopping was of course necessary.


We visited the "Museo Naval del Caribe" - fascinating. This photo shows a model of the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas.


And this photo shows a diorama the famous attack on the city of Cartagena by the English in 1741. The assault was lead by Edward Vernon and consisted of 186 ships and 25,000 men. It failed (overconfidence, time, climate and disease).


Time for a little celebration - and a banana split. Yummmm.

Parque Nacional Tayrona (14 February 2006)

We decided to visit the National Park Tayrona. Here I am at the Park entrance, ready to start walking.


We walked on a jungle path for nearly an hour - suffering a bit because of the humidity and heat. We finally reach Sector Arrecifes (the coast). Yay!


It was not safe to swim there, so the cooling off would have to wait. We walked along the rocky coast for another 50 minutes.


We finally reached Cabo San Juan, and promptly went for a swim.

Another excellent fresh fish meal and some more swimming.

Then the gruelling death march back to the road!

Taganga and Playa Grande (13 February 2006)

Taganga was a good little adventure. We caught a local bus to the north and after about 20 minutes arrived at the town of Taganga. From there we caught a small boat to the "Playa Grande" (big beach).


It wasn't such a big beach, but very pretty, with shade, calm cool water and numerous fresh fish restaurants.


And the fish was excellent, the best meal of our trip in Columbia.

Santa Marta - Colombia (12, 13, 14 February 2006)

Another two hours along the coast is the city of Santa Marta. We found a place right by the beach to stay.

Here is Lorena with a view of the bay.


It's us again!

We also travelled a short distance south to the beach at El Rodadero to have a look.


The sea water around Santa Marta is nice and refreshing (not as warm as that at Cartagena). So we are feeling ready to see something new again!

Barranquilla - Colombia (10, 11 February 2006)

We travelled by bus two hours to the NE along the coast to Barranquilla. We were a little disappointed with the city and we found ourselves generally quite tired. We chose to spend our time relaxing by the hotel pool. Super refreshing.


The hotel Majestic was spectacular, decorated in a moorish style. We really needed to be out of the heat!

Islas del Rosario (09 February 2006)

We took a boat trip to the Islas del Rosario, coral islands about 35km to the SW of Cartagena. At first it was pleasant travelling in the bay of Cartagena.


When we passed through the "Boca Chica" and entered the open ocean the trip became quite a trial. We were most relieved to finally reach the islands, to debark and be able to visit an aquarium. Hmmm, sharks!


Back onto the boat for a time, we travelled to "Playa Blanca" and debarked again. This is a pleasant spot to pass the time.


I had to stay under cover though, it was awefully hot!


Lorena however can handle the sunshine better, here she is looking lovely.

Cartagena de Indias - city tour (06 February 2006)

Our first stop on the city tour was in Boca-grande with a view across the bay to the old city, and the "Convento de la Popa", (on the 150m high hill behind the city).

The "Monumento de los Zapatos Viejos" (Monument of the old shoes), with the fort "Castillo San Felipe de Barajas" in the background. This monument is dedicated to the Colombian poet Luis Carlos Lopez who wrote "A mi ciudad Nativa" (to my native city). This poem tells romantically the story of Cartagena and how the cartagenans love their land as we love our old shoes.

Up the hill to the "Convento de la Popa" and a good view of the city.

This was founded in 1607, later used as a military headquarters, then abandoned for a long time. It has been recently restored and is an interesting place to visit. Here I am in the central courtyard of the Convent.

The fortress "Castillo San Felipe de Barajas" is an outstanding example of military engineering. It is the greatest and strongest fortress ever built by Spain in their colonies and was never taken by assault. We followed interior tunnels, viewed the defenses and appreciated the difficulties this structure presented to any attacker.

Cartagena de Indias - Colombia (05 February 2006 - 09 February 2006)

Well we are on our first international adventure! We bought a package trip to Columbia, which covered the air tickets and the first three days - after that we were on our own. Cartagena is a fascinating city, a living museum of Colonial spanish architecture. Lorena in the "Plaza de los Coches" (which used to be a slave market).

Cartagena was founded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredia - and here is his statue.

We of course visited many sites like the Palace of the Inquisition, Plaza de la Aduana, Church of San Pedro Claver (saint known as "the slave of the slaves"), Museo Naval del Caribe, Puerta del Reloj and here is Lorena at Museo de Antropologia y Oro at Plaza Bolivar - interesting.

We also passed some time at Plaza Santo Domingo (where you could find several bars and restaurants) where the statue "La Dama de Botero" is located. Here is John trying to kiss the beauty!


We were actually staying in a hotel in the nearby "Boca-Grande", which is modern and busy - but it has nice beaches. Lorena having her hair done in caribean style (127 plaits) - this took hours!