Last year, when asked where I wanted to celebrate this momentous birthday, almost immediately my response was CARTENGA! Although I received a few raised eyebrows (too much Netflix), for a while I have heard about the amazing beaches of the Rosario Islands, the famous El Totumo Mud Bath, and how African culture has influenced every aspect of the culture here.

What I have come the learn there is so much more to this hidden Gem. Cartagena is a unique city, as it has two very different contrasting neighborhoods: the ultra-modern high-rise hotel-filled Boca Grande and the Old Walled City. The Old City, where we are staying, is hidden within the colonial walls and contains colorful buildings with Spanish-style architecture. There are also small boutique hotels and unique individual boutique shops, as well as plazas full of life and live music compared to Boca Grande's high-rise heaven filled with hotel chains, apartment blocks, shopping malls, and restaurant chains. These two neighborhoods are on very different sides of the spectrum, but complement each other perfectly; from the top of the Popa or at the Café del Mar you can really gain a sense of contrast between the old and new.