Vacation 2008, Decameron Resort, Santa Marta, Colombia

My, alas temporary, home away from home

View from my place by the sea

We went to the Decameron Resort in Santa Marta, Colombia. My wife is from Colombia and we had heard of the resort. When I called they had a good price on a package, so we went.

The biggest negative was the need for an overnight layover in Bogota travelling both ways.

I go on vacation to sit by the water, relax, and read. For the most part that's what I did. It was a wonderful vacation. The resort is evidently well considered as we had to book toward the end of the "high" season to get in.

The hotel staff was courteous and helpful despite my very poor Spanish. The grounds were lush and beautiful. Meals were included in the package and there were several different dining options each night. There was an ample variety of foods but nothing particularly outstanding - do not order a steak, as they simply do not know how to cook one. "Mamamia", Italian food, of course, turned out to be where we dined most evenings. Frankly I liked the breakfast fare better than the dinner menu; there was more variety in one place and it didn't try (and fail) to impress.

The top three bad things, were no internet service - there was a booth where you could rent time, but nothing worthy of the decade; that they can't cook, as already alluded; and they need a larger, better stocked "company store" on premises.

Santa Marta, like much of Colombia is shockingly, heartbreakingly poor. It's simply incomprehensible how a country of such spectacular fertility, mineral wealth, beauty, and geographic favor can be so impoverished. I had to go into town one day to get an extension cord. At 6-2 and 260lbs I'm used to being noticed, but here I was a giant - I could not have been a more obvious American had I worn a red, white and blue propeller beanie - there simply are no Colombians who come near to my size. I never felt threatened or any hostile regard, but I was clearly an alien - almost of the 'nother planet sort - and regarded as such; it was a relief to get back to the resort.

I enjoyed this vacation more than any I've ever taken, but I'm unlikely to go back to this resort. The resort itself was wonderful but the travel time and hassle were too much.

-- TWZ