Cartagena de Indias was once an important Spanish port, and played a big role in the slave trade. A high percentage of today's inhabitants are of African descent, many of whom can be found entertaining the tourists with high energy dancing and drumming in the streets, or wearing colourful clothing and selling fruits on the beach from baskets on their heads.

Within the beautiful walled city, the narrow streets are plied with horse-drawn carriages which trot below the flower-filled balconies and endless Spanish architecture. It is Colombia's most visited destination, partly due to the increasing number of cruise ship visits. With another change in cuisine after much jungle fish, it feels like a good place to start my exploration of this country which I have been told by many a traveller that I shouldn't miss. So here goes...

Posted from Santa Marta, May 3rd, 2012.