Cartagena Reports

[QUOTE=Dublin12;2602764]What I said, is there were those who mentioned cultural differences, but not one person mentioned the rampant dishonesty of these girls was part of these cultural differences.[/QUOTE]This must be the only monger on the planet that does not realize he is involving himself in street shit and is expecting people to behave as they are the Knights of the Round Table. Got drugged and robbed repeatedly and is still whispering well that was not lady-like of you. Hookers are out there to get it with their lips, hips, AND FINGERTIPS. Next he will expect a robbing crew to be handing out alms.

[QUOTE=JoeRoc;2602464]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]Your post just made me realize I'm about half his age but with a broader experience in mongering in different cultures as I've done Montreal, Latin America, the Caribbean, and south East Asia. As I've learned, speaking the language is not a requirement but it helps tremendously and breaks so much barriers. For example while mongering in Sosua, the chicas kept asking me the same questions in Spanish. "Where are you from? When did you arrive? Where are you staying? When are you leaving? Do you have a wife? Do you have a girlfriend? Do you have any kids? How old are you?" After I realized the questions were repetitive I learned how to respond to the questions in Spanish then follow up with "Mi espanol es muy poco, estoy aprendiendo" and finish with a little chuckle or a smile to show I'm making some effort to communicate rather that pulling out the google translate right away. When I changed from Sosua to Cartagena the questions remained the same so I had a little communication skills under my belt. The ones that ask me the questions in English (so you know they have done their homework and this lifestyle is not new to them) and I respond to them in Spanish, I catch off guard and things go well because we both know we are experienced on what's about to happen.

But as you said his story is full of laughs even when airport security took the coins for themselves jajajaja. Reading his report was like watching that 1988 movie Moving with Richard Prior. And the quote instantly comes to mind "Life is not a big joke, It's a series of thousand little jokes, all lined up in a row! When the old hag and niece cleaned out all the groceries and took them and he told the cops and the cops asked him to prove it with a receipt I busted out laughing so hard my head started to hurt.

Dublin definitely needed an experienced Wingman. A simple PM to OnFireBoy to retain their services after the second incident could have changed the negative outcome of the trip.

[QUOTE=Nypher;2602118]You placed yourself in a very bad scenario, why the hell would you let two working girls sleep in the spare room while you take on a third? They out number you three to one and you cannot watch all three of them at all times. You left your money out in the open. Yes, we can do that in Thailand because most if not all are on their best behavior but not in Colombia. [/QUOTE]I don't understand why you guys put Thailand on a pedestal, LOL. They steal in Thailand too. Try it. Leave a few bahts here and there as if by accident. Not every girl steals, but eventually your coins will be gone, guaranteed.

I'd never leave money in the open -- not in Thailand, not in Brazil, not in the DR, not in Colombia, not in the US for that matter, LOL. Money, electronics, passport, driver's license, everything of a value must be secured.

[QUOTE=Dublin12;2602492]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]I actually salute you for your honest report. Everything you've highlighted is real, even if most of your misgivings have resulted from your own mistakes.

In Colombia girls can: lie to you, upsell you, scam you, steal from you, spike your drink and rob you. Cops can extort money from you if you put yourself in a vulnerable position. You've experienced the worst Colombia can offer. All these risks are real, and other people reading this forum will hopefully take notice.

Common sense and listening to people who've "been there done that" won't eliminate the risks, but can reduce them substantially, so again thank you for your report, consider it a public service.

And you don't need to prove anything, this is just silly.

[QUOTE=Elvis2008;2602947]

His response was that he had experience in SEA. He was generous and offering a good deal. That was all true, but he did not get that the women did not trust someone like him. I mean, how many times in Latin history have American or Western European countries invested in LA and tried to work out a mutually beneficial arrangement just to watch the Latinos steal them blind? Dublin just did not get that. The Latinos have the attitude that they are going to screw you over before you screw them over.

In my experience, you have to go way up the Colombian socioeconomic food chain to find women truly interested in even the shortest of long term arrangements, and Dublin did not get that. It is his loss though though that he did not accommodate to the culture. His real flaw was that he expected the culture should adapt to him unlike his adapting to the culture. It is his right to look down the nose of that inferior culture of Colombia, and it is inferior but what he is losing out on is a fantastic mongering destination for those who can adjust to the culture.[/QUOTE]I agree. Dublin had a good deal offering. However instead of driving the car; the chicas chose to steal the gas. Besides someone familiar with the culture and Dublin; who would have Predicted those events would happen with him being so generous and well traveled?

Professionals look for business opportunities and hustlers look for money. Dealing with SW's offering them business proposals Can lead to contradictory of outcomes. Not only that but brother Dublin there may be a character weakness that they zeroed in on you.

Most of the people who came in contact with you tried to play you. The fact that they continuously try to run game on you shows their lack of respect. After seeing how you handle your business with them; they still see you as a target. There's some type of vibe that you are giving that makes them fill comfortable handling you that way. Maybe it's your generous heart.

In the DR I learn my game from the hustlers. They made me sharp, aware of my environment, and aware of how I deal with different people. The game wasn't free. It cost me financially and mentally.

I like how you took some accountability of your own actions. I'm pretty sure in time you'll see other ways you can improve on next time. It's all about living, learning, and sharing your experience. Thank you for your post.

[QUOTE=Xpartan;2603021]I don't understand why you guys put Thailand on a pedestal, LOL. They steal in Thailand too. Try it. Leave a few bahts here and there as if by accident. Not every girl steals, but eventually your coins will be gone, guaranteed.

I'd never leave money in the open -- not in Thailand, not in Brazil, not in the DR, not in Colombia, not in the US for that matter, LOL. Money, electronics, passport, driver's license, everything of a value must be secured.[/QUOTE]Thailand is not being being put on a pedestal as they have their scams too but its less likely to happen in Thailand and more likely to happen in Latin America especially when traveling solo. I've left money sitting on the nightstand many times in Pattaya when doing long time and it never goes missing same with my friends. I've left money on the nightstand a few times in Sosua and when I came out the shower it was gone, when I asked the chicas what happened to the money they usually say Taxi and I know damn well the motoconcho is only 100 pesos for them max so I don't know where they thought they can take all the loose bills on the table so I never left anything out again. Another thing was since the 1000 peso and 100 peso colors and numbers are almost the same, mongers not paying attention think they handing 100 pesos for motoconcho but they handing over 1000 peso, they slipping. By the time I switched from Sosua to Colombia I knew better not to do certain things and almost impossible for mongers to mix up the money as the only ones looking similar in color are the 20 mil and 5 mil.

I find the Thailand scams a little more sophisticated where most won't know what happened until after it happened, than the Latin America opportunistic grab what you can right then and there where you instantly notice somethings missing like cellphone, watch, money, jewelry, etc.

For example I got scammed in Thailand was I went into a gogo bar saw a girl I liked and wanted her for the night. She said her price was 6 girly drinks plus the bar fine. So I asked her how much for the night, it was a reasonable amount, I brought the girly drinks then paid the fine and the girl disappeared for like 15 minutes. So I'm asking where the hell the girl went cause I'm loosing time. Another girl comes out and say the girl can't come with me because she have an emergency but she can come instead. So I said no you're not what I paid for and asked for the mamasan, she comes out I explain what's going on, she understands and refunds the bar fine. So essentially I got the girl her drink quota for the night then she stiffed me.

Another scam I got caught in and my friends Thai girl got me out of it was I met a girl inside of club and she was cool so I wanted her for the night and we struck a deal. When we were leaving to go back to my hotel she said she wanted to go drink at her friends bar before we go to the hotel. Ok cool! So I go with her to her friends bar, we walk in, and its like she know everyone there. We get a table and about 5 Thai guys and 2 girls come over to join us, she orders this big bottle of whisky, open it and start pouring drinks for everyone. I'm thinking we about to party hard! I call my friend who left the club the same time we did but he went back to his hotel room with his Thai girl. So I tell him what's going on and to come join us. When the girl who was with him heard what was going on she took the phone from him and told me don't drink anything, tell the girl that your friend is coming but can't find the place so your going outside to meet him. Then when you get outside get on a bike taxi and come straight to the hotel. I have no clue what's going on, it was my first time in Pattaya. I get to the hotel hype, telling them lets go back and party. The girl tells me no, what's going to happen is that the girl was going to make me pay for the big bottle of whiskey and all the drinks for her and friends then act like she's too drunk to come with me and most likely one of those guys was her boyfriend so they were going to use me for free drinks.

I've had my learning moments in Thailand 555.

To be honest we need Asia to open back up so these newbies can go back over there and leave Latin America alone so things can get back to normal down there.

I'm in Cartagena and tomorrow am planning on going down to Playa Bonita with my Chica. I'm getting a taxi to take me there who will wait for me in the parking lot and it will cost 250 K for the day, or say most of the day. I'm not trying to save money and just want the freedom to arrive and leave when I want. Advice needed is any recommendations based on experience there at the beach. I know it won't be crowded being a weekday, but have heard some weird stories, so any advice or tips besides transport there would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[QUOTE=Nypher;2603312]I find the Thailand scams a little more sophisticated where most won't know what happened until after it happened, than the Latin America opportunistic grab what you can right then and there where you instantly notice somethings missing like cellphone, watch, money, jewelry, etc.[/QUOTE]Exactly! In Thailand they play you for the long con like houses and your life savings. In Latin America they play you for the short con.

My favorite one is about dude that met a chick at the bar. He took her for his girlfriend and some kind of way she convinced him to buy an elephant park for $100,000. Soon after he bought the shit the girl disappeared. So he is going to the elephant farm everyday working and bossing people around. Come to find out the girl split with the money, but told the people at the elephant farm that the guy was going to come do volunteer work everyday. He didn't speak or read Thai, so what the fuck business did he have calling himself making investments on the word of a broad he met in a bar?

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2603936]Exactly! In Thailand they play you for the long con like houses and your life savings. In Latin America they play you for the short con.

My favorite one is about dude that met a chick at the bar. He took her for his girlfriend and some kind of way she convinced him to buy an elephant park for $100,000. Soon after he bought the shit the girl disappeared. So he is going to the elephant farm everyday working and bossing people around. Come to find out the girl split with the money, but told the people at the elephant farm that the guy was going to come do volunteer work everyday. He didn't speak or read Thai, so what the fuck business did he have calling himself making investments on the word of a broad he met in a bar?[/QUOTE]There are stupid people and there are really stupid people. When I did business in China and Philippines I came across lot of people promising high level contacts and looking for investment. I pretend to be interested in a girls uncle who had a timber business. Another in China who said she knew some politicians who can get me a buyer for the iron ore I was selling. I have heard some who lost everything in scams buying a bar in Angeles. There are many stories. I lost a cheap phone in Sosua trusting a girl. Another girl took 3000 pesos of my gamble winnings in Manila. I was drunk and forgot to put money in the safe which I always do but this girl had stayed with me few times before.

Bottom line is trust yourself only.

[QUOTE=Surfer500;2603839]I'm in Cartagena and tomorrow am planning on going down to Playa Bonita with my Chica. I'm getting a taxi to take me there who will wait for me in the parking lot and it will cost 250 K for the day, or say most of the day. I'm not trying to save money and just want the freedom to arrive and leave when I want. Advice needed is any recommendations based on experience there at the beach. I know it won't be crowded being a weekday, but have heard some weird stories, so any advice or tips besides transport there would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]I think you are talking about Playa Blanca. I did that with a chica 2 years ago on a weekday. We took a ponga to the east about 2 miles to Playa Tranquila because it is very crowded by the parking lot with lots of vendors around. Down there it is very private and quiet. Much nicer. I had the driver come with us and bought him lunch because I liked the guy. He took lots of pics and videos for me which was great. Shit is expensive down there and they did try to rip me off but I paid with Amex and later disputed the charge. Amex sided with me, a good customer, which I knew they would when I signed because I have done it before and knocked $560 off an $860 bill. I paid what I thought was fair for what we got. I knew they were trying a rip off when the bill came but also that I was drunk, tired and wanted that boat ride back so I just signed it. They actually almost doubled what I signed for. We had a very nice set up with cushy lounge chairs and shade. Lots of beers, waters and great pina coladas in pineapples. Also the boat ride, massages for me and the chica and 3 fish lunches. Next time I would hammer out with them an all inclusive price at the beginning and of course pay with a credit card because they will try to rip you. It was an awesome day and then back to the airbnb for insane sex. I think I paid the driver 300 mil but we we a full day at least 10 hours.

Playa Blanca and Isla Baru and the bird sanctuary is a must see when you are in CTG, take the girl with you and it will be a forever romantic memory!! I pad 250 to the taxi but paid a lot more when we got to the Playa to get private beds and food etc and waiters to take care of you. It is a slight ripoff as they charge Gringo extra price hahaha but worth it very easily to have a seamless and fun day!

[QUOTE=NapataJohn;2604256]Playa Blanca and Isla Baru and the bird sanctuary is a must see when you are in CTG, take the girl with you and it will be a forever romantic memory!! I pad 250 to the taxi but paid a lot more when we got to the Playa to get private beds and food etc and waiters to take care of you. It is a slight ripoff as they charge Gringo extra price hahaha but worth it very easily to have a seamless and fun day![/QUOTE]Went today. Three people, 220 K for three fish lunches and beers including lounger and umbrella rental. Two banana boat rides at 30 K, and 250 K for taxi who waited or about 500 K for three from 10;30 AM to 4 PM.

Interesting when entering Baru Island, exactly like the Dominican Republic, people living there look like Dominicans. Lots of people on motorbikes not wearing helmets. The beach very similar to Sosua beach.

Would not recommend going there on a weekend though. Very crowded but for a week day tolerable and the beach was very nice, much nicer than in Cartagena.

Cartagena is growing on me. Staying at the Dann Hotel and this morning I got up at 6:30 AM and had coffee. Walked about 25 minutes along the beach up to the Dubai Hotel, put on my flippers and goggles and it took about 30 minutes to swim back to the Dann Hotel. Got back to the room, sessioned with my Chica, we had breakfast, then went to Playa Bonita and came home at 4:30 PM. Sessioned again, then went into the Old City for dinner. Back in the room now but to tired to session and will wait for sun up as it has been a long day.

If you are willing to spend, the high end resorts on Baru are excellent. I stayed at Hotel Islas and the amenities were better than any I had in Cancun or Tulum. The chica I took with me was stunned. Made the sex way better. Happy hunting!

[QUOTE=PerkinWarbeck;2604607]If you are willing to spend, the high end resorts on Baru are excellent. I stayed at Hotel Islas and the amenities were better than any I had in Cancun or Tulum. The chica I took with me was stunned. Made the sex way better. Happy hunting![/QUOTE]Thanks for posting, while there are you bothered by the locals to buy stuff, and beggars.