To the coast 2-1-11

We got up and set off early for our long drive to the coast.
Tired from our minimal three hours sleep, we both slept for the first two hours of the trip. We woke up as we began our decent down from the mountains. The decline in altitude instantly made an increase in temperature and humidity, as well as the bush and scenery became more tropical compared to Medellin. On our 13hour drive towards Cartagena we passed by many small country villages, all living the most basic of lives, working the land and living in the most amazing straw-roofed houses. After driving through 13 hours of Colombian countryside we began to enter the Cartagena region when we saw the result of the recent floods. The land was completely submerged in flood water so vast it looked like a lake that is always there. The road was half a metre below the water level and being retained by sandbag walls. We then came into a couple of towns that were almost completely submerged with water up to the roofs of some houses. It was so devastating to see the few things these poor people have be taken away.
By the time we arrived into Cartagena it was dark and we were welcomed by some horrific traffic, and of coarse some horrific driving to go with it. We navigated our way towards the city centre and we both sat in amazement and excitement as we passed by the castle and old walled city all beautifully lit up. We arrived at the area where we would be staying but still had to find an apartment. The road side was filled with men holding signs saying "apartamento", so we spent a good hour or two being taken around apartments looking for the best one. Finally we found a sweet one 24 stories up with an amazing view of the buildings, beach and lagoon surrounding us. We unpacked, got a feed then got some much needed sleep after a massive day in transit.