Wed 4th – Thu 5th Apr

Woke up pretty late this morning and am definitely feeling the effects of last night! Whilst trying to motivate myself to get out of bed, I get a lovely distraction in the form of a phone call off Jen and while away a bit longer chatting to her. I finally manage to get out about 12ish and head for some lunch.

I wander around and sit in the sun reading

until it’s time to meet Maria. We meet this girl who runs a hostel out in Manzanillo which is about 30 mins from Cartagena. They’re running a promotion on day passes to their hostel that has a pool and jacuzzi and includes lunch and a drink. We decide to book this for tomorrow.

We wander around a bit and decide after last night we just want an early night. Hangover food is the order of the day so go to a really cool burger place called Vacamoo. It’s full of games like venga, uno etc and has some cool stuff toys!

A bit of a wasted day but last night was fun so worth it! Backpacking is also about the memories and friends u make on nights out too not just the things u learn by visiting things (this is what I’m telling myself anyway!).

An early start on Thursday and I get to Maria’s hostel for 8ish to have some breakfast. By Centenario Park, the little van from Stamp Hostel picks us up at 9am and we arrive approx 30 mins later.

Manzanillo is more of a locals place. It hasn’t yet taken off like the rest of the coastline but it probably won’t be much longer for it to become developed and commercialised. The beach isn’t as nice as other locations but more because of the darker sand which causes the sea not to have the stunning turquoise colour.

I’ve read mixed reviews regarding this place as somewhere to visit….it’s local land, so if it’s 5* and fine dining ur after then this isn’t for u but if u want to eat in a beach shack restaurant and chill with some locals a bit off the beaten track then give it a whirl. Some reports talk of it being unsafe and of people being scammed but I spent my time in the hostel so can’t comment.

The new Stamp Hostel here is lovely and could become an awesome venue – when they get some guests! Maria and I were the only 2 people there and we were on day passes. Being so far out, this place needs people for it to work.

We paid 50,000 due to Maria agreeing to promote it through her hostel but normal day pass price is 70,000.

The rooftop area is a great place to relax and soak up the sun listening to some top tunes.

We stay here until about 4 when we head back for the next instalment of my last day in Cartagena.

Whilst at dinner last night we looked on Groupon for things to do and found an amazing yacht trip for 2 for 1.5 hours and unlimited Cuba libres or rum punch….all for the bargain price of £8!!!

We got there for 5 and set off at half past supping a very nice rum punch,

sailing past the bay of Bocagrande and watching a beautiful sunset.

The rum kept flowing, we took loads of photos and the reggaeton/salsa/bachata music was the icing on the cake!

I didn’t have an empty glass the whole time I was on board and as most cocktails cost £3-4 – I definitely got my money’s worth!

We cheekily did a BYO at dinner,

choosing again to buy a cheap bottle of wine in Ara and despite my not drinking because I’ve got a flight tomorrow ended up in rock bar the Black Parrot until the wee early hours!

Long islands, karaoke and a few drunken calls to back home, I had an absolute blast

and it was certainly the most perfect way to end my stay in Cartagena!