Carribean Coast

Playa Blanca: Picture perfect Carribean beach, pure blue green waters warm enough to walk into with no hesitation. Clear skys day and night. Fresh fish and fruit everywhere. Stretchs of gorgeous white sands and a good lack of tourists. Coral and incredible shells washed ashore; a natural beach museum! Spent the last 5 days sleeping on a hammock next to the ebb and flow of the waves.

I arrived by boat to this isolated beach near Cartagena. It took 40 minutes and i was accompanied by a guy from New Zeland. When we arrived we were greeted by a friendly man who owned a beach shack and showed us his (very cheap but pretty dam good) hammocks. I said yes! Dumped bags off in a wooden "locker" which didnt lock at all (how very authentic...) and hit the beach. God that water was perfect. I try not to have expectations, but any subtle expectations that might have been lurking in the corners of my mind were certainnly not dissapointed! I spent long days walking, looking at dead coral and shells, playing with fish in the waters, running along the coast, meditating and singing under the sunset. Most of my time was spent in isolation. A good opportunity to finish the book i was reading and to sit with my mind for long hours...sometimes almost melting into the landscapes...

The Pinicolada was a must try, made with freshly opened coconut water. My brother told me i had to drink rum, so i did it for him! maybe a little bit for me too though, I admitt. I drank it on a hammock with fellow traveller, Sam. I placed the drink on the table and everytime i wanted a sip i swung the hammock and grabbed the drink with a rapidity and desperation that made Sam laugh each time. Especailly as it was so dark and my figure seemed to appear from knowhere. Funny moments. Maybe you had to be there! Sam left after a couple of days and i was totally alone. Talked to none other than the cook who taught me how to make Carribean Coconut rice (which is utterly gorgeous!) I got deeper into my mediation which felt really important. Days were long and peaceful, lots of time for reflection. Ive been going throgh a more introverted phase of my travels. Part of my ebb and flow, it seems. Useful insights have certainly emerged from a time of solitude.

Back in Cartagena has been interesting. Last night i found myself with a stick of little potatoes for dinner (Soy Vegetariana...sin carne por favour!). I got chatting with a Jamacan Rasta, Raphiet, and we wondered the streets together with all that that involves. "Its ok, your with a black man" he said. Its true, i wouldnt have walked alone here. We realised the red light district: Clusters of women dotted around the place,sturtting there stuff, making seductive remarks whilst eyeing us up. Me and Raphiet had to pretend we were a couple to disuade one insistent woman. I think she thought we wanted to see her as a couple. She responded that she only takes one at a time! ha!

We ended up in a retro bar with Reggae music and pictures of Marilyn Monroe and others surrounding us. A small bunch of us got up and danced whilst watching a DVD, on large projector screen, of Lucky Dubai (what a dude!)

Whats next?