Monday was a Colombian holiday so Emily, Rob, Scott, and I joined one of Scott's coworkers and his family on a public boat trip. You buy tickets and they load about 40 people onto a boat and take you to the Rosarios, a set of islands off of the coast of Colombia.
After about a 30 minute boat ride, we arrived at the first little island. The area where we were didn't have a beach or anything...just the dock, some tables and chairs, and a small pool. We just sort of hung out at a little table and chatted. It rained off and on, so that wasn't fabulous. Lunch was included in the price of the boat trip, so we each got a plate with a whole fried fish, some coconut rice, and fried plantains.
Once we finished lunch they took us to another beach called Playa Blanca, which was pretty with soft white sand and clear green water. But we didn't really get to enjoy it because as soon as we jumped off the boat, all these locals swarmed around us trying to sell us massages, necklaces, earrings, etc. Even if you say "no thank you" they still follow you and if you try ignoring them, they will insert themselves into your conversation. It was out of control. It's like that in most parts of the old city as well. You could be wearing sunglasses and a man will come up to you and be all up in your face trying to sell you sunglasses. Being constantly accosted is probably my least favorite thing about Cartagena.
Our boat ride back was treacherous because the rainstorm was coming and the waves had started to get bigger. The boat definitely almost tipped over at least once. I'm really glad that I didn't get sick...it may be awhile before I go on another one of these boat trips!
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