Cartagena

Cartagena  has been described as the most romantic city in South America. I now know why. Its a step back in time to a Spanish mediaeval, walled city. There's a magnificently designed fort designed by a Dutch engineer, a series of interconnected islands boarded by the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans and a wondrous mixture of friendly locals.

Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Mick Jagger and Mel Gibson own homes in Cartagena. But you don't have to be a multi-millionaire to visit and enjoy this marvellous city. We dined at a popular local Italian styled cfae for lunch yesterday - $4.50 for the best soup I've had in ages, a rich local stew, fruit juice and a banana!

In 1984 Cartagena's colonial walled city and fortress were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was a Godsend. Developers were stopped from knocking down the old buildings. Everywhere there is evidence of restoration in progress. Its expensive because some buildings are in a woeful state. Slowly but surely buildings are being restored to their former glory. We had dinner on the terrace at St Theresa's Convent - now a five star hotel. Our small hotel has photographs in the foyer showing what it was like before restoration. Cartegena is is in a state of rejuvenation and it looks and feels so good.