Cartagena Reports

[QUOTE=JoeRoc;2602231]I remember I asked where the best lobster place was in Cartagena and someone (I won't say who) was very unkind and dismissive to me in their response. I believe they told me to Google. I just returned from CTG and I had a blast to the point where I was depressed the last 2 days because I did not want to leave. The sole "bad" part of my trip was the lobster that I had at Playa Hollywood, very rubbery and forgettable. I will be back in Cartagena in October, I will take the suggestion of the person who I shall not name and google the best grilled lobster place in the city.[/QUOTE]I doubt you can actually find the best lobster by just using Google. I think I would start by looking at TripAdvisor, from which I will list the top 6 following places as being highly rated and serve lobster. Its hard to find ratings on just the lobster. I copied and pasted the addresses straight from TripAdvisor so they may not be listed exactly right. Another option is to find an Cartagena expat group and join up and ask questions there - that is one of the best sources for that type of information

La Pica. Calle Estanco del Aguardiente Calle 38 #5-74.

Moshi. Calle 38 #8-19 Calle del Santsimo.

Porton de San Sebastian. Calle 35 No. 3-63 (Near Plaza Santo Domingo).

Cuzco Cocina Peruana. Carrera 3 33 48 Centro Histrico.

La Cevicheria. Calle Stuart 714.

Restaurante Cande. Barrio San Diego, Cra 10 No 39-02 Centro Histrico.

[QUOTE=MojoBandit;2602429]I doubt you can actually find the best lobster by just using Google. [/QUOTE]That was the joke Mojo LOL. The only person who responded (I won't say his / her name. Only that their name rhymes with "Bublin12") was dismissive and told me in a not so kind way to refrain from asking such questions on this board. I must say I was discouraged by this interaction and I was not going to provide my own trip report because of that. But seeing how poorly that person's trip went, and how well mine went, I will be uploading mine very soon.

And thank you Mojo, I had such a great time in Cartagena I will be returning next month and I will continue my search for the best grilled lobster.

I had to suspend disbelief to read Dublin's story, but it was wildly entertaining even if not a word was true. Bravo to you sir. Would happily read another.

[QUOTE=PerkinWarbeck;2602443]I had to suspend disbelief to read Dublin's story, but it was wildly entertaining even if not a word was true. Bravo to you sir. Would happily read another.[/QUOTE]I went back and read his posts from January of this year and I believe every single word of this report. And as disagreeable as I find him to be, I'm glad I he posted an honest review because I can see vividly the mistakes I need to avoid when I move around CTG solo.

This is a 68 year old man who did not speak the language and who was drugged on his first night and still powered through. And somehow was still robbed by nearly every person he interacted with, including the airport security (jajajajaja caridad! Caridad! A wiser man would've headed back to Ireland as soon as they had enough money to buy a ticket after being drugged, but this guy went and took some more lickins. If he had stayed longer they would've built statues of him in the Clock Tower for his generosity.

There are no shortage of lessons to be learned from Dublin's report. The biggest for me as a young monger is to always have a contact that you can trust and knows how to speak the language, and to also heed the advice of the OGs on these boards. If you have not been to the country and someone like TallMan Mr E or Kafka tells you not to do something while you are there it is in your best interest not to do it. The consequences of not listening can be severe.

[QUOTE=JoeRoc;2602439]That was the joke Mojo LOL. The only person who responded (I won't say his / her name. Only that their name rhymes with "Bublin12") was dismissive and told me in a not so kind way to refrain from asking such questions on this board. I must say I was discouraged by this interaction and I was not going to provide my own trip report because of that. But seeing how poorly that person's trip went, and how well mine went, I will be uploading mine very soon.

And thank you Mojo, I had such a great time in Cartagena I will be returning next month and I will continue my search for the best grilled lobster.[/QUOTE]Well there has been plenty of discussions about food and restaurants in these threads, though these usually get answered faster and generate more discussion when the person posting the question has contributed mongering information before. Just becuase its not so out of the blue.

[QUOTE=MojoBandit;2602474]Well there has been plenty of discussions about food and restaurants in these threads, though these usually get answered faster and generate more discussion when the person posting the question has contributed mongering information before. Just becuase its not so out of the blue.[/QUOTE]Thank you for explaining this to me.

[QUOTE=JoeRoc;2602439]That was the joke Mojo LOL. The only person who responded (I won't say his / her name. Only that their name rhymes with "Bublin12") was dismissive and told me in a not so kind way to refrain from asking such questions on this board.

[/QUOTE]My response to you was not dismissive and did not tell you to refrain from posting such questions on this board. That is a figment of your imagination or just outright dishonesty your part. As nobody else had any suggestions, I told you there were plenty on Google. My post was entirely in good faith. You assumed that I was having a go at you, and made a snarky reply. That's the real truth.

Why don't you look at the post again, and then you can show everybody where I was "dismissive", "unkind", told you to "to refrain from asking such questions on this board"?

Let me know when you find it please?

[QUOTE=PerkinWarbeck;2602443]I had to suspend disbelief to read Dublin's story, but it was wildly entertaining even if not a word was true. Bravo to you sir. Would happily read another.[/QUOTE]I accept that my post was not going to show me in a good light. The reason I posted was that I was under an obligation to make a trip report to those who had given me useful advice. If I'd told you anything else other than this, that would have been dishonest. I am sure you are aware that the difference between truth and fiction, is that fiction has to be believable.

So what would convince you? How about my email to the Irish Embassy asking them for help in contacting KLM so that I could get an early flight booked. Although it doesn't have the same explicit detail as my TR, it does give the basic details about my doping and robbery, and in a later reply to them a couple of days later, report of my having been extorted by the cops. I am not going to publish it on here because it contains personal identifiers. But if there is someone who is prepared to act as honest broker, I will forward the chain onto them so they can confirm that I had already reported my case to the Embassy. I assume that the person selected will not republish.

[QUOTE=MojoBandit;2602429]I doubt you can actually find the best lobster by just using Google.

[/QUOTE]You are probably right. However, the Google pages also carry reviews by customers. That was why I suggested it to begin with. The OP was looking for info from mongers. Nobody came forward. I had a look. There were restos with reviews, which is what I thought the OP was looking for. Silly me.

[QUOTE=Josh333;2602283]Hi,

Me and a friend are planning a trip to Cartagena in January for about 8 days. We are debating whether to Airbnb it or take advantage of the services provided here.

[URL]https://colombiaeroticvacations.com/[/URL]

Has anyone ever used these services? It seems a bit pricy but if it's good we don't care. I've scoured most of the forums couldn't find anything. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.[/QUOTE]Rates are under $200 per day all inclusive. Not sure payment for girl is included. If so it is a great deal. Maybe can change girl each day.

[QUOTE=Mike963;2602423]I usually won't criticize people.

But with the message "avoid Colombia like a plague".

Only two things is more than enough to survive in any place, listen to people who has already learned by their mistakes and bad experiences! 2nd not to break the golden rules of mongering!

I don't speak a word of Spanish, still I survived in Colombia! If I can, anyone can!

I roamed around alone in Santa Fe around mid-night Bogota)!! Following the rules. How to be safe!! I am not going there to show I am brave. I am going there to enjoy my hobby!

Again. 1800 $ a month for a girl? I am not sure if you are aware of the below facts.

1) an average rent for a month in Colombia is 250000 - 300000 Pesos.

2) a poor family. Won't earn more than 500000 pesos a month.

3) Cartagena is the most expensive place as far as I know, for girls in strip clubs, 300000 pesos.

4) Medellin. Most of the strip clubs at the time of closing, some girls will be happy to come to your room for 150-200 K whole night!

4) if I want to wife -up a girl for a month, the max I offer may be 500 $.

If we behave like an idiot!! We will be a failure anywhere we go! Even in the middle of the most civilized world![/QUOTE]I shall try to deal with your points accordingly.

If you look at my earlier posts on the issue of "compensation" and $1800 + shopping trips was mentioned several times. That was my pre-planned budget. Some said it could be done for that, and others expressed their doubts. I am not sure of the point you are making, but I had a price in mind, and others suggested I could spend less. I was not there to see just how cheaply I could do it. If a girl does what I require, I pay my price, which I am led to believe is not an unfair price. My conscience is clear on my spending habits. BTW I've seen posts on here recently where people have said that Cartagena is no longer a mongering hotspot because of the prices. I think that it is not the price that dictates whether it is a mongering destination, but the availability of women. Of course, if mongering is all about cheap sex only, then I am wrong.

Regarding cost of living etc, I was aware. I read on Google that the ave wage was about $500 per month, however Mr E, came up with $221. Other sources agreed with this. Regardless, you cannot say that $1800 is a bad score.

I've never been a fan of the, "If I can do it, anyone can" suggestion. I used to hear it a lot from my sister, who has had a financially successful life. When I heard her make the point once too often, I asked her to tell me what 73 X47 equalled without using a calculator. I am very good at mental arithmetic. She couldn't answer. I then said to her, "If I can do it, then anyone can". The truth is that some people can adapt to some situations better than others, and that's why I have never been a fan of such claims.

I don't frequent strip clubs.

$500? How does my offer of $1800 + shopping etc, make me the bad guy? Is the suggestion that I was victimised because of my generosity?

[QUOTE=Kafka;2602416]No Mr E is not right all the time. Hillbilly and World Traveller or know a lot more about Colombia than this guy ever will. Mojo knows a bit, these are all timers. If you're a fool you're going to get played for your money And even worse if you're cheap fool you're going to get taken for everything. Equivalence of $100 for one day is absurd as a matter of fact I'm not even sure if these posts are not even made up I don't see anything in any of that report to make me believe that this trip by Dublin actually even happened.[/QUOTE]I've already made an offer of forwarding on the emails to the Irish Embassy when I asked them for assistance. I can also forward on the emails for my air ticket as well as the Airbnb. Will that convince you? And the ticket home I bought In Col. These are all date stamped.

[QUOTE=Sammon;2602170]I do not think you are an experienced monger. Even in Thailand you need to be careful if you were doing the same things you did. I did some wifing up in Costa Rica many times with Colombians. Did tour everywhere. They were really beautiful. Two of them them had all my spending money in their purse (ofcourse bulk of the cash is in safe deposit along with passport, credit cards, I phone, anything valuable) I did pay at the end generously but not before.

Planning to go to Cartagena in November. Prefer staying in a hotel. I heard hotel OZ is girl visitor friendly. Reviews say do not get the cheapest room there. That one does not have a window.

Generally I never drink other than bottled beer in unknown places. Even then never out of my sight.

Enjoyed reading your report. A very good warning to people planning to party wildly without a wingman.[/QUOTE]Regarding your doubts about my prior experience, I can't help that. All I can say is that since 2006, I have about 20 trips under my belt to Thailand, Cambodia and Phils, and the places I've been have been BKK, KK, CM, CR, Korat and Nong Khai but mostly Pattaya in TH, Snooky, PP and Siam Reap and Angeles in Phils. Apart from the two incidents in TH, nothing untoward has ever occurred before this trip.

And yes, I made the mistake of drinking from an open glass. Something I should have been alert to. But in SEA, they always give the beer in a bottle. My experience is that you have to ask for a glass there. But they serve the beers in Styrofoam jackets known as "condoms", which keeps the beer cooler for longer. So I got careless. Stupid of me.

[QUOTE=NapataJohn;2602154]You can also send money to yourself using WA or WorldRemit. That way even if you do not have cards you can get it from Exito or supermarket giving the reference number and showing ID.[/QUOTE]Thanks for that, but I've never heard of either of them. Not sure what WA is, but they do have World Remit in Ireand, I have since found out. But the initial problem wasn't WU itself, but that many of the WU franchises in Cartagena are Mickey Mouse and just do not have sufficient cash on hand to pay out €500.

[QUOTE=Dublin12;2602501]

$500? How does my offer of $1800 + shopping etc, make me the bad guy? Is the suggestion that I was victimised because of my generosity?[/QUOTE]Well actually a lot of guys ask this rhetorically but it's actually true. In Latin America you do risk getting victimized because of your generosity.