Cartagena: A Photo Essay

As my love for travel continues to flourish by the minute, hour, day, and image, I’ve begun looking beyond the common destinations that are sought after most by tourists. Don’t get me wrong, I want to see as much of the free world I can fit into my lifetime and a good chunk of those places are the popular locales that appear on numerous social media feeds and TV screens daily. But every once and a while, it’s good to explore somewhere off the beaten path that can give a more authentic experience, sans the blanket of over-commercialism and tourist traps.  Enter Cartagena.

The city, located on the Carribean coast of Colombia, is brimming with as much charm as there are colors bursting throughout the streets. The oft-imprinted image of the city as a land of illicit criminal activity was not evidenced during my visit. Instead, I observed a quaint town full of history and vibrancy, not once feeling my safety in jeopardy.

It’s the perfect place to vacation, throwing itineraries to the wind. The Walled City (where tourists primarily stay) is completely walkable. You’ll find beauty and culture amongst the colonial architecture, massive churches, and edifying museums. Take a break from sauntering the cobblestoned streets and muggy weather to enjoy some fresh seafood or a cool mojito at any of the various cafes and restaurants.

And if you want a break from the city life, make arrangements to hop a boat in the early morning to escape to the aquatic paradise that is the Islas del Rosario, an archipelago comprised of 30 islands off the coast of Cartagena. As you can see, there’s a little bit of everything. Perhaps I can show you better than I can tell you. I hereby present to you “Cartagena: A Photo Essay”:

Taking it all in.

typical beach meal consisting of red snapper, coconut rice, and plantain chips. Yum!

visit to the Baru village to view the local way of life.

​A Palenquera woman prepares her fruit basket.

ne of my favorite houses along the streets of Cartagena.

ne of the many street art displays in the Getsemani district.

orre del Reloj, or Clock Tower, the main gateway to the walled city.

”La Gorda” statue by renowned sculptor Fernando Botero that sits in Plaza de Santo Domingo.

lter inside Catedral de San Pedro Claver.

he beach on Gente de Mar Resort, located in the Islas del Rosario.

view of the Bocagrande district during takeoff. Hasta la proxima, Cartagena!

– Andrea Williams
Follow Andrea on Instagram to see more pictures from her trip.

Sip on This: 5 Cocktails to Enjoy for National Bourbon Month

Did you know that September is National Bourbon Month? Well, now you know!  And because you’re an educated bourbon drinker, you know that all bourbons are whiskey but not all whiskeys are bourbon. And that Bourbon can be made anywhere in the U.S., but most bourbon is produced in Kentucky.  Didn’t know? Ok, catch up here.

Now on to the good stuff.  While Mint Juleps and Old-Fashioneds are perfectly acceptable, we always like to up the ante.  Give these bourbon cocktails a try instead:

1. Bourbon Peach Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons bourbon
• 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons simply syrup
• 1 tablespoon peach schnapps
• 2 tablespoons club soda
• 3 to 4 dashes Peychaud’s bitters (optional)
• Ice
• Garnishes: a peach slice, a lemon slice, and a fresh mint sprig

Instructions:

Combine bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup and peach schnapps in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Cover and shake until chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain bourbon mixture into glass filled with ice and top with club soda and, if desired, bitters.  Add garnishes.

2. The John Collins

Ingredients:

• 2 fluid ounces bourbon
• 1 fluid ounce lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon simple syrup
• 2 cups ice, divided
• 2 fluid ounces club soda
• Ice
• 1 orange slice
• 1 lemon slice
• 1 maraschino cherry

Instructions:

Combine bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 cup ice, cover and shake until chilled. Strain into a Collins glass. Add 1 cup ice, fill with club soda, and stir.  Garnish with slice of orange and lemon and a maraschino cherry.

3. Bourbon and Grapefruit Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice
• 1 1/2 ounces bourbon
• 1/2 tablespoon simple syrup
• 2 basil leaves
• Ice
• 1 grapefruit slice and 1 preserved cherry, for garnish

Instructions:

In a cocktail shaker, combine the grapefruit juice, bourbon, simple syrup and basil. Fill a chilled rocks glass with ice. Strain the drink into the ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with the grapefruit slice and cherry.

4. Champagne Bourbon Cocktail

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
• 1 shot of bourbon
• Prosecco or sparkling wine, chilled

Instructions:

Combine the sugar, water, bean and seeds in small pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool to room temperature, then discard the vanilla bean.  Add 1 shot of bourbon and 2 tablespoons vanilla bean syrup to a chilled champagne flute. Fill to the top with sparkling wine, and serve.

5. Bourbon Rickey

Ingredients:

• Half lime
• 1.5 oz bourbon
• Club Soda

Instructions:

Fill a highball glass with cracked ice.  Squeeze the lime half into the glass and drop it in.  Add the bourbon and top with club soda.  Stir briefly to combine.

Cheers!

Ashlee