Cartagena de Indias

The scent of sweet red roses and blooming carnations filled my nose as the overload of pastel coloured buildings vied with one another. Gabriel Garcia Marquez described it as a place of mystery, wonder and magic, and by first entering at night bewildered my imagination. I kept quiet, mouth a jar taking in this wondrous feeling.

Heredia´s imposing statute looms over the city. He was the acclaimed founder.

This was a place I had wanted to come for a long time and boy did it live up to expectation.

Balconies on every building

Churches littered the city abit like Tescos but a lot nicer.

Each corner presented something different. It is sometimes hard to capture a place on camera because of the coolness this place exuded.

The many different coloured buildings reminded me of Boca in BA

It´s rustic charm gave its allure

Salsa beats and the clatter of hooves echoed the timid, two-storey streets. Coffee houses stood on each corner as tourists walked around clicking away on their digital cameras.

Flowers draped buildings as the sun reflected every inch of the bright orange paint

It was the U-20 World Cup in Colombia, locals wore the national colours with pride. Take note riotous England.

The famed bright shirt. Apt.

At dusk, the beautiful orange and yellow painted walls glowed a deeper hue transforming the city into a photographers paradise. The city has embraced the boutique scene with trendy, yet antique hotels lining the plazas with restaurants ten a penny.

We luckily arrived over a bank holiday. Festival and fiesta a plenty. Music embraced the warm night air, locals danced swigging beer whilst watching the free concert.

My favourite time was morning. The sun yawned over the grand walls illuminating all that was beautiful. Whilst the tourists slept, only hardworking locals gathered their belongings ready for another day. The roads were quiet and strolling in the middle of the roads was perfect for gazing whilst nibbling on a fresh pastry.

Locals just chilled out people watching click happy tourists

I mixed the sightseeing with some sensational nights/ and mornings out!  The self-professed cool scene has hit and it doesn't disappoint with lounge clubs donning the city walls under the stars, before clubs raucously spit out reggaeton, salsa and pop until 5am.  The coolness of sipping cocktails in Cartagena was a treat that brought a wide-brimmed smile to my face.

Cafe del Mar; sister club of the Ibiza one. Colombian, Slovakian and English friends

A corner shop showing the football, everyone and I mean everyone stops and watches the national team.

That dead cool flag

Days passed as this timeless place evoked Marquez's illustrious writing rhythm. Even the rain created a special effect, it's huge droplets and moody clouds balanced the brightly lit calles.

The famed walls of the old city

To say I liked this place was an understatement. One sure statement is the calibre of Colombian girls. But that's a story for another day. A gentlemen never tells and I'm sure Marquez would approve.