Fri 14th
Poor Brandon felt rough as we headed out for dinner last night, so quick walk back and he was then up and down to the toilet all night. Really didnt think he'd be able to leave on our 4hr bus to Cartagena today, but he managed to pack, checkout, and just sit quietly/sleep on the bus.
Caught the 8:30 transfer, arriving into Cartagena at 12:45. Lovely long straight, smooth road all the way with interesting swamp on one side with lots of bird life, and Caribbean sea on the other.
Checked into our lovely colonial hotel in the old walled city area, and they kindly let us have the room early so Brandon could go to bed.
Left him sleeping all afternoon while I headed out to explore, and did a BeyondColombia Food walking tour. Stunning city, each street getting more and more pretty with brightly coloured colonial buildings, wooden balconies, flowers everywhere. One of prettiest places I've ever been.
Managed to get Brandon out for an hour to wander the streets and get some fresh air in the evening, but then straight back to bed again.
Pretty romantic Valentines Day :(

Sat 15th
Brandon felt a bit better today, so headed out at 8:15 to catch the cooler weather and less people. Spent 2 hours wandering around the old walled city area which is just beautiful, especially in the morning sun and few people around.
Another 2 hours wandering around Getsemani which was the more "gritty" area, but is full of newer places, bright Caribbean colours, flags/parasols across the streets, amazing street art on the walls, and loads of hostels and places to eat.
Had a variety of street food for lunch - arepas, empanadas, and freshly cut beautiful orange/yellow mangos ! Amazing.
Sat in the park and watched 4 sloths move lethargically through the trees - one even had a tiny baby on its chest. So cool.
Took some beers and sat on the old city wall near Cafe del Mar for sunset, watching a very expensive looking wedding taking place on the wall nearby - very glamorous setting.
Went into Getsemani for dinner, then had an amazing icecream from a gelateria (milo & choc-peanutbutter - yum !)
Steps: 31,000

Sun 16th
Checked out at 8:45, walked down to the boat docks, found the boat for Paradiso Secreto hostel and set off at 10. Nice gentle easy speedboat crossing, arriving at 11am on Isla Grande (Rosario islands). As everyone arrives all together, they explained how everything works, what trips they run, how to get around the island etc. Booked on the for bioluminescent plankton trip tonight, and snorkelling for Tuesday.
Wandered into "town" - few streets of typical Carribean island huts, nothing really resembling a restaurant, so think we'll be eating all our meals at the hostel !
Very nice hostel though - beautiful colonial style buildings with 3 rooms in each, open balcony with hammock, shared veranda with hammocks and rattan furniture. A pool, 4-poster day beds, nice restaurant, and bar.
Enjoyed the pool, sunbathing, and having a little nap on a day bed all afternoon.
Went on another speed boat at 7pm along the island to the interior lake for the plankton tour. Sailed along in the dark so was amazing looking at the stars and spotting a few shooting stars. Moored up, then walked through to the lake, were given masks and jumped into the pitch black lake ! Put your head under the water and waved around and it was suddenly like a million fireflies came out of your fingers. Never seen anything like it, just magical. Swam about for what felt like 30mins, in the black lake, in the dark, but watching the plankton light up as soon as you moved was incredible.

Mon 17th
Despite lovely room, with huge bed, mosquito net, open balcony so the breeze could get in, the local village played booming music until after 3am, so not the most peaceful night.
After a big buffet breakfast, headed off at 8:30 to check out the island. Walked to Playa Libre, but very small and nowhere to really sit, so carried on to Gente de Mer hotel, right the other side of the island from our hostel. Beautiful place, stunning soft white sandy beaches, palm trees, turquoise sea - really nicely done, and kindly lets day visitors use the facilities ! Sunbathed from 10-12 then realised we were being typical stupid brits wearing SPF 30 when everyone else was using 50-70, and wondered why we were already lobster red ! Strong sun here and we've just come from a cold British winter !
Chilled out in the shade on a day bed and hammocks, had a lovely pina colada as a belated Valentines treat :), then headed home at 3:30. Watched a lovely sunset from the hostel next door, then had early night - luckily without village music background !

Tues 18th
Checked out of our lovely room at 10 then went on a snorkelling tour for 1.5hrs. Went to the site of the plane wreck - apparently just off from Pablo Escobar's house, and could be his plane - but guide said thats just a rumour ! 5m down so couldn't get up close but was cool to snorkel around it. Then onto a coral reef which was better than we expected. Muted colours, but amazing structures, lots of chimney shapes, fair few fish and was good. Relaxed on the day bed in the shade (after yesterdays frying !) until our boat transfer back at 2pm. Very bumpy 1hr boat ride back to Cartagena and all got absolutely soaked ! Luckily we'd been pre-warned by reading reviews, so packed everything valuable in a dry bag, inside my backpack, with its rain cover on, inside a flight bag !!
Walked back to hotel from a few days ago, had quick cold showers to get rid of all the salt water and suncream, and headed out again at 5. Snacky dinner of amazing empanadas and beer in the park, italian flatbread sandwiches (with another beer!), and milo icecream.

Really enjoyed Cartagena - such a stunning city and beautiful colonial buildings. And Isla Grande was a little paradise with soft white sands, turquoise seas, and our lovely colonial room. Will miss them, but onto the next destination early tomorrow.