Seven hours in Cove of Cholón

The long-awaited day arrived, and I feel impatient. It's 8:00 on a cool morning and here I'm leaving the Santa Cruz de Manga Marina in Cartagena de Indias. "Welcome and enjoy" ... I cling to my lifesaver and the words of Miguel, the yacht driver, a friendly and conversational man like many people from the coast.

Miguel leads first to the pier of La Bodeguita while explaining I must comply with the rules. Then little by little I see the clearest drawing of my life, whose protagonist is the imposing Historical Center. It looks like a valuable painting painted in oil on canvas, but it is not like that.



Each fragment of wall, bulwark, dome, roof, colonial building, monument ... forms a beautiful panorama that I will never forget. After registering the number of passengers and formalizing the departure tax to the islands, we left leaving behind that magical landscape.

"This is love," by Bob Marley, among other lovely reggae, make the trip more pleasant and predict how my trip will turn out to Sport Barú and its surroundings, one of the few hotels located in the Enonada de Cholón, a tropical rest stop.

To my left, the Manga district, the imposing Cerro de La Popa, container ships that unload in the Port of Cartagena, fishermen in their tasks, and to my right, a row of imposing buildings that little by little I leave behind.

As we advance, the strong waves of the beautiful bay hit the boat, the spray of salt water splashes my face, and the breeze plays with my beautiful long black hair. A couple of Argentine spouses, a group of German friends, and two Canadian friends share this pleasant experience. All as happy as me and perhaps, thinking too, that it is worth the crossing and even withstand the strong shaking of the boat.



Tierrabomba, Caño del Oro, Puerto de Las Canoas and 20 minutes away, Bocachica with its imposing forts, built at the time of the Colony for military protection shows up immediately. In this place the beautiful Bay of Cartagena is left behind and larger vessels appear sailing on this sea that leaves me speechless and admiring its infinite blue.

45 minutes after leaving Cartagena, thick vegetation, whose kings are the mangroves, tell me that we are entering our destination and this is where the second phase of my adventure begins. I get up as soon as Miguel stops the boat and jump to the pier where they receive me with a refreshing tropical juice and heartfelt words of welcome.

The views from the Hotel Sport Barú are extraordinary, and the beaches, small but quiet, without street vendors, ideal for sunbathing and relaxing for hours without discomfort. Young people practicing kayak, a couple walking on a jet ski, a group of seniors snorkeling, others taking a ride on sailboats, and children playing happily on the seashore complement the environment full of tranquility and harmony.

White Sand Beaches and serene waters with turquoise color

It's 10:30 this beautiful morning, and from my sunbathing, I listen to the expected call, who goes to Playa Azul? Who is going to miss this opportunity? It will not be me. I immediately go to the dock and jump into the boat. Once inside, experiencing the most beautiful and famous beach of the Ensenada de Cholón worries me.

During the trip, I appreciate Playita de Cholón and its line of beautiful cabins in the water. Three minutes later I arrive at what I consider the "Eden, " and I receive a seductive sea, so charming it seems to me that it becomes indescribable.

I think there is not a shade bluer than this, the landscape is impressive and motivates me to immerse myself for two hours without thinking about the sun's rays because it is simply worth immortalizing me here. The spa is tranquil and quiet; there are sales of cold coconuts, drinks, lunches. Best of all, without harassment of street vendors.

It was time to return to the hotel to enjoy a delicious coastal lunch in a huge and fresh cabin. At the table comes a menu that pleases my eyes and immediately I see that it also captivates my palate: fried fish, rice with coconut, green salad, soups and a fresh lemonade ... what a delight !.

I head to the second floor and contemplate the beautiful views while I drink a 100% Colombian coffee. I decide to take a boat ride around but that beach of white sand stops me. I opt for a quick dip, and I rest in a hammock taking advantage of the shade of leafy trees.

France Julio accompanies me, an extroverted brunette who has been working at the hotel for 16 years and amuses me with her fantastic stories full of anecdotes until it's time to leave with the promise to continue our talk on an upcoming trip because I'm sure I'll be back ...

It's 4:00 in the afternoon, I say goodbye leaving behind a magnificent sunset of this preferred location for thousands of foreigners eager for tranquility, sun, and sea. I enjoyed it so much that seven hours were not enough. Indeed a lovely trip with friendly and helpful people like all costeños.

What you should know before traveling

What is it?

Ensenada Cholón is an open lagoon of warm waters, of emerald green color, in a context of majestic mountains.

Where is?

On the shores of Barú, near the Rosario Islands, a natural paradise, surrounded by mangroves and beautiful turquoise-green beaches such as Playa Azul, a unique destination in the country and a must for any tourist.

Nearby plans

An ideal natural setting to practice kayaking, snorkeling and swimming, enjoy a sunset or a starry sky, sail on the Corales del Rosario Natural Park or take a tour of Caño del Ahorro in the middle of a spectacular mangrove trail.

Distance

• 15 minutes by boat: from Ensenada to Islas del Rosario.
• 45 minutes by boat: from Ensenada to Cartagena de Indias.
• 2 hours by private car: taking the bridge, via Barú.
• 25 minutes on foot: from Ensenada to Barú.
• 10 minutes by motorbike: from Ensenada to Barú.
• 30 minutes by boat: from Ensenada to Barú, passing through Caño del Ahorro.

MILENA CONRADO BARRIOS
DRAFTING WHERE