Monday - 02 February 2015 - Cartagena, Colombia - 8:00am to 12:30pm

Steeples of Cartegena!

Up and walking on deck six --- it is getting more humid as we go further south -- no surprise about that.

We dock in Cartagena, Colombia -- an industrial port -- but a short walk from the ship brings us to a terminal with shops and a very nice outdoor space with a café, wifi for $3/hr and parrots and peacocks roaming around the space -- lovely with a tropical flair.

On our walk to the terminal we meet Bunnie and Dave from York , PA who are looking to share a taxi to town.    We find Luis who takes us around the old fort -- drops us in the old city for 90 minutes and picks us up for our return to the ship.   We pay him $25 per couple --- which is fair since the traffic is horrendous and it is nice to have a driver who knows his way around.

Cartagena is much bigger than expected  -- we only visit the old town which is quaint and colorful.   The vendors are a bit pesty -- but not obnoxious. 

Churches abound here -- we stop into the Church of Santo Domingo -- completed in 1579.  Just outside in Santo Domingo Plaza is a sculpture of a naked woman called "La Gorda" (the fat woman) -- an odd choice to place right by the door of Cartagena's oldest church and covent.

Phil with "La Gorda"

Walking through the streets here is joyful -- maybe because of all the vibrant colors on the buildings, in the foliage and the clothing worn the Catagenians. 

All the Colors in Cartegena!

Our next stop is the Cathedral of Santa Catalina -- originally constructed out of straw and bamboo in 1535 -- two years before Cartagena's founding.  It was consumed by fire in 1552 -- the current structure is the third on this site.   When we stopped by, the entire middle section was blocked off from view as if there might have been some renovating going on --  Mass was being said in one of the side chapels.

We wander through the Plaza of Santa Teresa -- where there is interesting street art made from metal -- several scenes of games being played.

Cards Anyone?

At our meeting place, Luis is there  -- traffic on the way back is tough but not as bad as earlier -- maybe we were caught in rush hour.

We have time to poke around in the terminal area.  I'd like to buy coffee here but I would prefer a grocery store ---  there is no telling how long the coffee has been in one of these gift shops.

Back on board just in time for lunch --- we certainly don't want to miss a meal.  

This afternoon -- Wallis gives a talk on Puntarenas, Costa Rica and Corinto, Nicaragua -- as usual her information is useful.  In Costa Rica we are going on tour with American Express.  I learned today that we dock right in the small town of Corinto so we will just tour on our own this area -- maybe find a grocery store to buy coffee.

Later in the day -- I went to Mass at 5:00pm and to the library to research two ports:  Puerto Quetzal, Gautemala and Puerto Chiapas, Mexico -- I think we will take tours in both places.

Dinner at 8:00 pm -- very nice.   Although I do not like eating this late -- I usually do not each much this late so it may be a blessing.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat