Brad & Teresa: Colombia

Colombia was Maverik's other trip this year. Derek got to tag a along on this one. We landed in Barranquilla, Brad & Doug went on to Medillin while Derek and I drove to Cartagena about an hour away. Cartagena's development dates back to 400 B.C. The city is surrounded by colonial walls and a fortress that still stand today. We stayed in The Sofitel, once a convent for nuns. It's more of a boutique Hotel where parts of it were right next to the old colonial wall, oh and the pool was beautiful.

A guide took us on a city tour the next day. We visited the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas a fortress. It was one of the greatest fortresses ever built by Spaniards. It was attacked several times but they were never successful. An extensive system of tunnels is connected underground to distribute provisions and facilitate evacuation. The tunnels were constructed in such a way that it was possible to hear footsteps of an approaching enemy. Next stop cathedral de San Pedro Claver. A man outside had a pet sloth that we couldn't resist holding a Emeralds are mined in Colombia so we visited a museum detailing the excavation process.

Derek couldn't wait to find somewhere to skateboard so he headed off to look for spots. A few days before we left Derek got H1N1 so to be in this warm climate was really helping him. On with the trip. We headed, by boat, to to the island of Sport Baru. This was an interesting place with not much to do. We did get motorcycle rides into the town. When you see the living conditions it's hard to understand their happiness but they know nothing else and appear to be happy. While out here we were able to do a dive. Derek got a crash course and went down 30 ft. It was a great experience with lots of fish and sea life to see.

We ended up leaving that island sooner than we had planned, there was more for Derek to do back in Cartagena. He found the local "skate park" which consisted of a few kids bringing out some rails and boxes on the sidewalks by the water front. He made some new friends and occasionally chats with them. We enjoyed walking around the streets and seeing all kinds of people, one I will never forget was a plump guy dressed in women's clothing carrying a boom box. He would play the "Welcome to Africa" by Shakira while dancing up a storm. We saw him a few times.

Brad and Doug hooked back up with us. On these trips a member of the executive team takes a group out to dinner. A sort of get to know you and Thank you. I ended up getting some sort of stomach flu that next morning and threw up for about 5 hours. I finally felt better that afternoon. Derek went home with some of the Mav group while Brad, Doug, Holly and I all stayed a few extra days. We all headed out to the Rosario Islands where we took a little bike tour around it. We stayed a night at the Coco Liso resort. Holly and I layed on the beach while Brad and Doug went over to see some of the Mav people at Punto Faro. Our boat ride back was a little drenching!! Holly and I huddled together and covered our heads and body with a tarp.. We were soaked by the time we got back to Cartagena. This was our last night before heading home so we had a nice dinner.