After long time spent in Cartagena, sorting out things, we finally continued our trip. The next stop was a funny place called Tolu. (On the way there the police stopped us many times though). Tolu is a place where Colombians spend their holidays, but not many foreign tourists end up there. Its specialty is hundreds of bicycles which are used instead of motor vehicles. The missing noise of motors was honey for the ears, even though the place was nothing but quiet.
This was the most normal way of transportation in the town, bicycle with a cart for two passangers, third could sit back to back with the driver on a smaller seat.
Juice stall where we spent many nights. The owner was a charming old man, he had a grumpy expression on his face but you could see that in his eyes he was smiling. His juices were delicious, specially with a drop of rum. The juices are one of the best things in Colombia, drinking wise. You can get them everywhere and they are freshly made from fresh fruits. Favorite one is passion fruit, can't get enough of it.
This bicycar fits three people and a driver. All four have pedals so exercise is part of the ride. This is almost a form of art in this village. There are three builders in town and they produce incredible creations. The biggest one, probably used only special occasions, fits sixteen people on. Even the smallest ones have their own sound systems so you can only imagine the variety of vallenatas boasting around the town. The reason for not-so-silent-environment.
This is the size of ideal Colombian woman, I assume. In the coastal towns the manikins I've seen have had big bosom, in inlands I haven't noticed the same phenomenon. Colombia is known for its high quality and quantity of plastic surgery and you can see it all around you.
From Tolu we took a boat towards Isla Mucura. We drove around the islands of San Bernardo, including Isleta, one of the worlds most densely populated island. It looked very sad and dirty. Isla Mucura was much nicer with its white beaches and small palapas. The reality is that rich tourists go to fancy hotels in the western side of the island, the normal tourists go there for a day trip on the southern point and somewhere in between lives the poor local islanders. Naturally we went to live with the local fishermen in the village.
The small "campground" where we stayed was hosted by Manuel and his wife.
Some more delicious lobsters. We just can't get enough of them.
There was lots of kids in the island. Some of them looked quite special.
"Hola, Como estas? Me llamo mi dulce amor."
Paul knew how to make the kids laugh.
"Hola, Como estas? Me llamo mi dulce amor."
Paul knew how to make the kids laugh.
And plenty of dogs too. This puppy was so weak that it had hard time to follow it's parents. it was close that she would have continued the trip with us.
Iitu holding still the mama, forcing her to feed.
An over water restaurant, hehe. One more place where we saw water level rising high.
The homes were very simple and small.
The older kids of the family were taking care of the young ones.
The sky and the sea and the same.shades of blue
After couple days in Isla Mucura we were back in Tolú. We camped on the beach, in front of hotel where Michelle, Paul, and Teemu were staying. Kevin, from New York, had stayed in Cartagena after we left, brought with him Tommis international driving licence that we were too frustrated to wait. We were very thankful.
Paul was going to Canada to recieve an award, Michelle was planning on staying in Tolú for a while and Kevin was getting married in Cartagena :) ! It was time to say goodbye and continue the trip.
