Painting by Pedro Ruiz

CASABLANCA
Hotel
(57)  1 – 664 5433
(57) 310 – 856 0249
Calle de la Tablada, No. 7-66, San Diego
Cartagena,  Colombia

kubismo.blogspot.com

Case Blanca is an adorable guest house created by interior decorator Carlos Cubillos. Who’s loving touch can be seen in all aspects of the design.  His ambiance gives you the feeling that you live there; One doesn’t feel like a guest, so much as a part of a larger family.  The family of whomever is there at the time- be they staff, patrons or Carlos himself.

The building resides in the ‘San Diego’ district of the old city.  Just outside the tourist path, but close enough to be a short walk from everything.  It consists of 4 guest rooms, a small pool and roof deck.  Adorned with paintings and works by the superbly talented and poignant artist Pedro Ruiz, Casa Blanca becomes a refuge from the heat and bustle that is Cartagena.  There are many days that we forwent the outside world and whiled away the day in a hammock- just being.

The key to this family is the staff.  They take care of you and give the feeling of welcome with their ever-present positiveness.  The day starts with the included breakfast, some warm sun, lounging by the pool — just writing about it now, I pine for that feeling of purity.

Kitchen Lounge

Living Room Common Area

Sochagota Lake as seen from room © ablogvoyage.com 2009

Hotel Sochagota
57 (1) 623 4992
57 (8) 785 0011
Km 2 via  Las Pisinas
Paipa, Boyaca , Colombia

www.hotelsochagota.com.
MAP

The Hotel Sochagota in Paipa is a piece of architecture that feels as if it were lifted from one of the Sean Connery era Bond films.  It’s long, low ceilinged structure cries out for a renovation, but you don’t come to Paipa for the architecture-  You come for the stunning landscape and the healing mineral thermal waters.

The Hotel Sochagota is situated on the edge of the Sochagota lake.  A large round body surrounded by green hills dotted with trees.  Boyaca can be quite deceiving at times- often times tricking your mind that you are in the Swiss Alps, when in fact you are still in Colombia!

The Hotel offers a Standard Room which hasa balcony with lake and garden views.  Or you can opt for the cabin which has 2 sleeping rooms, terrace, fire place (as for wood at the front desk) and, most importantly, a private thermal bath!  This is quite convenient as the main pool closes early, and … it’s private

The key to Paipa is the water.  It is heated by deep underground volcanic vents which infuse it with minerals.  This makes for a highly rejuvenating bath that soothes away pain and ache.  Being a devotee of bath culture, I say that Paipa offers some of the best water to be found.  I highly recommend the private cabin and a day and night of solid soaking!

Hotel Sochagota can organize a horse back riding tour of the surrounding area; or you can relax at the spa treatments or take a lovely walk in the forest.  We didn’t look into it, but we saw people sailing,  water and jet-skiing, etc on the lake and I’m sure you could do any of those.

The menu, like the architecture,  is also stuck in the 70s; eat there in a pinch.  There are a bunch of local restaurants on the road to town.  We frequented the little roadside gem, Frutilandia.  And they saved us from our hunger with addicting Almohabanas (a pastry typical from the region); Changua (milk soup with poached eggs cilantro cheese and scallions- see photo below) and Cuajada, a soft white cheese similar in flavour to cottage cheese and usually served with caramel on top (you can order it plain and it is very good with olive oil and salt).

Hotel Sochagota © ablogvoyage.com 2009

(above left photo ©Patton) “Monument to “Los Lanceros”, created by Rodrigo Arenas Betancur conmemorating the Pantano de Vargas Battle in July 25th 1819, which was decicive for Colombia’s Independence.  You can visit this monument on the road to the hotel
(above right photo ©Matthew Shewfelt ) Sochagota Lake

(above left photo Hotel Sochagota) view from the room’s terrace
(above right photo Hotel Sochagota) natural hot thermal water pool

(above photo ©Amelia Mendez) Changua – Traditional Colombian Milk Soup

Los Girasoles
Reataurant – Healthfood Store
(57) 5 – 664 5239
(57) 5 – 660 2625
Calle de los Puntales No 37-01, San Diego
Cartagena,  Colombia

Open Hours:
7:00 am – 6:30 pm   Everyday

Girasoles is a moderately priced vegetarian Restaurant and health food store.

Girasoles offers complete lunch specials, but you have to arrive early as they run out of  food starting about 1:30 PM.

It is also a good place to buy groceries, including free range eggs, whole wheat bread and the must delicious sesame seed horchata! If you bring an empty bottle,  they will fill it with the horchata, with or without sugar, and the same goes for the daily juice.

Crepes & Waffles
Reataurant
(57) 5 – 664 6062
Calle Baloco Edificio Piñeres, Centro

Cartagena,  Colombia

Open Hours:
10:00 am – 11:00 pm   Everyday

Featuring an extensive menu of soups, salads,  pancakes, sweet and savory crepes, waffles, Ice cream, shakes, Crepes is a Colombian staple.  Good food at a good price.

There are also plenty vegetarian and vegan options.

Serves Breakfast daily until 11:00 am.