January 25- Santa Marta, Colombia
As we sailed closer to South America the seas finally calmed down...but the heat ramped up. As an Oregonian, 90 degrees plus, with the same humidity was going to take some getting used to.
We docked in Santa Marta at about 8 am and we were ready to get off the ship by 9, and it was already 90 degrees. Packing water was a must. We just planned on walking around the town so an early start to beat the heat was on the agenda.
Santa Marta has been called one of the most authentic of Colombian cities, with the unique blend of old and new. Simon de Bolivar died just outside of this town and has a national monument to him. It's a working port with beautiful beaches where locals come to vacation. Well, with that being said, it is Colombia. We were warned to take off our jewelry, stay off side roads and dress down. The only tours by the ship was to the Tayrona National Park, with its sandy beaches, snorkeling, and wildlife. We decided to take our chances in town. We had a walking map of the small port area and we set off. First of all it was stifling, the heat, the traffic, the honking, the people and the smells. There was no ocean breeze to be had to wash away the heat. We walked along the cobblestone beach esplanade where the locals were setting up stalls of wares to be perused by our fellow passengers. The beach was clean and they had set up private beachside stalls to be rented by the locals. We were looking on the side roads for the colorful molina bags, authentic to the area. W
e did end up buying one and getting some of the local coins that we collect for our grandchildren. The narrow streets were teeming with Colombian life and shopping. I even saw a Payless shoe store. No English was spoken or understood and if they did, they struck up a conversation with you just so they could practice their english. The police were out in force, a team of 3, which upped our radar level, but we had no trouble and had a wonderful but hot time. But....I wouldn't want to be there after dark. It was a great experience.
As we sailed closer to South America the seas finally calmed down...but the heat ramped up. As an Oregonian, 90 degrees plus, with the same humidity was going to take some getting used to.
We docked in Santa Marta at about 8 am and we were ready to get off the ship by 9, and it was already 90 degrees. Packing water was a must. We just planned on walking around the town so an early start to beat the heat was on the agenda.
Santa Marta has been called one of the most authentic of Colombian cities, with the unique blend of old and new. Simon de Bolivar died just outside of this town and has a national monument to him. It's a working port with beautiful beaches where locals come to vacation. Well, with that being said, it is Colombia. We were warned to take off our jewelry, stay off side roads and dress down. The only tours by the ship was to the Tayrona National Park, with its sandy beaches, snorkeling, and wildlife. We decided to take our chances in town. We had a walking map of the small port area and we set off. First of all it was stifling, the heat, the traffic, the honking, the people and the smells. There was no ocean breeze to be had to wash away the heat. We walked along the cobblestone beach esplanade where the locals were setting up stalls of wares to be perused by our fellow passengers. The beach was clean and they had set up private beachside stalls to be rented by the locals. We were looking on the side roads for the colorful molina bags, authentic to the area. W
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