86 Countries and Still Counting: January 22, 2025

My morning started just before dawn, enjoying the cool(ish) sea air and watching the surfers. It's Wednesday which means Noemi, the lady who cleans the apartment, arrives at 8. I need to be out of her way until noon. Which means that Wednesday is also spa day. What a hard life I have.

After a Mani/Pedi/shampoo and blow dry, I met Juan Carlos to visit another "new" grocery store. D1 isn't far from my apartment and is similar to Ara. Less expensive than Carulla but doesn't have the same variety as Carulla, or all the imported items. Happily, it had all I needed today.

Yesterday, after we watched the guys net fishing, Juan Carlos said he was taking me to another fishing spot. We drove through a community where many of the workers from Cartagena live. Where food and rent prices are within reach of locals. The beach was wide, long and almost empty. It is crowded on Sundays when workers have the day off and come to the beach with their families.

As we left to come back to Bocagrande, I noticed a large, beautiful high-rise. Quite the juxtaposition next to the small, modest homes. Then we turned a corner and I realized there was a long row of new high-rise apartments. And realized "progress" was quickly replacing local communities with expensive homes for tourists and foreigners. People like me. The area is La Boquilla, just north of the airport and city.

I never did get a chance to fish but it was a wonderful afternoon. Here are some photos.

My lunch today, an egg sandwich, avocado and chips. The tasty multi-grain bread is from D1.

Living in a high-rise means hauling groceries in the elevator. Very handy that the building has multiple shopping carts to make it easier.

Just before dawn. I can't imagine getting tired of this view. Also, I have no idea why the computer chose to mix up the order of the photos. But I'm too lazy today to fix them.

I hope you're feeling as joyful today as this guy after he caught a wave.

There are usually only two surfers. Word must have been out that the surf was going to be up this morning.

Sunset last night, and the hot tub.

As we drove home yesterday we passed the wall of the Old City where we walked the other morning.

It's a popular spot to watch the sunset.

Traffic was bumper to bumper from La Boquilla to Bocagrande. A 20 minute ride without traffic. About a 45 minute ride yesterday.

He was fishing. I was jealous. But it was still an excellent day.

This is a group of school kids, playing soccer on the beach.

Today reminded me of Peace Corps. Living with the locals and organizing events instead of riding in an air-conditioned car.

The traffic. Between the fortress walls and the beach there is no more room for wider roads.

There are some fancy hotels and apartments in the area but you have to cross four lanes of a VERY bus y road to get to the beach. This guy crossed with his dog. Clearly, not their first time. The man took off the leash and the dog RACED onto the beach.

Lovely building, beautiful views but no access to the beach.

Playa Azul in La Boquilla.

I'm staying in Morros City in Bocagrande. There are a number of Morros buildings, including several in La Boquilla.

The area is new, with lots of growth.

It was a bit disconcerting how quickly the landscape changed.

The Morros company seems to be owned by a developer who has been working on developing La Boquilla since 2016, building a number of luxury buildings.

You can rent one of these sunshades for the day.

On the bright side, all the construction and maintenance creates jobs.

So many places to sit, relax, eat and enjoy beach life.

This was the first condo building I saw, not realizing it was just the first of many. You can buy a 2 bed/2 bath ocean front condo for just over $200,000.

Further from the condos are small, more affordable homes.

A nice home.

There were plenty of stores and restaurants.

This place is used for events like weddings and quinceaneras.

Bad photo but cool exercise equipment on the road near the beach. For public use.

Kite surfing anyone? That's Bocagrande in the distance. JC and I agreed we won't be doing any kite surfing.

I teased JC about owning this restaurant.

This was one of the fancier houses on the beach, with an amazing view.

La Perla Negra is one of the many outdoor restaurants on the beach in La Boquilla. I can't wait to go back for a traditional meal of fried mojarra (a white fish similar in taste to tilapia), typically served with coconut rice and fried plantains.

This is still a fishing community.

Quite a difference from Bocagrande. In fairness, the crowds now are much less than the first week of January when I arrived. Now, the Bocagrande beach is busy but not packed. But I prefer empty.