Saturday, May 11th, 2019.

Todays plan:

“Santa Marta to Medellin

CHECK OUT after breakfast at Rua Hostel, Santa Marta.

DEPARTURE TRANSFER – A Bamba partner will be waiting for you at 10:30hrs at your accommodation lobby. From there you will be transferred to the airport.

DEPARTURE from Simon Bolivar International Airport, Santa Marta (SMR)

ARRIVAL at Jose Maria Cordova International Airport, Medellin (MDE)

ARRIVAL TRANSFER – A Bamba partner will be waiting for you at the arrival gate holding a sign with your name on it.

CHECK IN at Selina Hostel, Medellin.”

I get up. The repair was not strong enough.

Last breakfast in Rua hostel. I get my buffalo yogurt.

Then I pack my stuff and go the lobby. I talk with the manager. Still no information from Bamba about the payment.

My transfer is 20 minutes early and stressed. We go 10 minutes early.

The airport is small, brand new, on the beach. Even on the toilet I look to a beach. Check in, security all queue less.

I go to Oma to get coffee and brownie for the flight

FLIGHT 8: 11.05.2019 Avianca AV9363 Santa Marta (SMR) 13:25 – Medellin (MDE) 14:39; flight time 1h14;
Economy; checked luggage: 23 kg, 10 + 5 kg carry on; Seat 20D, Airbus A319; 500 star alliance bonus miles

The plane is full. Beside me a 15 year old girl from Medellin. They had a school tour up to the north. She wears Montessori trainers, speaks good English. I ask her for food, shopping, must see recommendations in Medellin. There is 50 of them in the plane. They whisper about the girl talking with the gringo.

I land. Luggage is there. My driver is already waiting with my name sign.

I drive to Selina, Medellin. At the reception I ask for a room upgrade. The guy asks me for my reservation. I pay 70.000 pesos for 4 nights too floor whatever. The room is cool.

I walk out for metro tickets. It is a little bit complicated, as there are some kind of tickets only available in big stations (San antonio) so I buy a swipe card with 4 rides for 10.000 pesos.

Then back for money. I find a davivienda and get 800.000 pesos chargefree. Should be enough for the next time.

Then food. Montessori kid recommended Monteverde restaurant. It is close to selina, so I give it a chance.

Good kid. I go home. View from my hostel room is amazing.

I need a haircut. I watch an episode Narcos: Mexico and fall asleep. No aircondition necessary. I look out of the window across Medellin valley. The upgrade is already worth it.

Accomodation: Selina, Medellin