Beach Scenes At Boca Grande, Colombia

Prepare to be assaulted the moment you set foot on Boca Grande Beach near Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. It is a physical assault, but not by gangsters or mobsters, instead by massage therapists looking to sell their services. They won't take "no" for an answer and will start massaging you even if you tell them to leave you alone. "Es un regalo" -- a present, they say. But before you know if you're getting the full massage and you will spend $10 or so being rubbed in with some cheap lotion. The massage isn't bad at all, quite good actually, but the assault is a bit of an experience.

The pushy massage therapists are just the start. Once you park yourself in a chair on the beach a veritable parade of peddlers will come by. You can buy sun glasses, towels, T-shirts, fruit plates, ceviches, full lunches, ice creams, beers, tours, smokes and more from your lazy position on the beach. It is quite comfortable to sit there, but don't think you will be left in peace for long. A tip, take a book and at least pretend to be reading from it and you will be left alone by the hawkers.

Here are some shots from the beach, taken by my dad "Latino" Benno