On Monday 16th October 2018 we were in Cartagena in Columbia.
Our cruise through the Panama Canal started in Fort Lauderdale and would take us to Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and finally San Francisco and then onto Monterey.
Cartagena, Columbia
My alarm was set for 7 am and I just managed to capture one side of the entrance to Cartagena Bay.
We joined the ex-US diplomat and his wife for the third time for breakfast in the Bordeaux. Also on our table was an ex-US Navy nuclear power expert and his wife. Their daughter had been at Birmingham University for a year and he’d been at Aldermaston and Western-Super-Mere for his role in the Navy.
I switched to have the two specials for breakfast namely fruit on a pineapple slice followed by an open cheese omelette, Italian sausage and my first foccacia bread of the cruise. I even managed to blag an extra piece of bread from our table companions. This was another time that we were reluctant to leave the table as we listened to travel and work related stories.
We had everything with us and went straight to Explorers to get our stickers for the tour.
We were nearly 40 minutes early and were on the first coach for this popular tour.
Old City & Historical Museum of Cartagena
Your tour begins as you board your transportation for a scenic 15-minute drive through the Manga residential area to the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas (Fort of San Felipe). En route, you’ll witness “Republican” architecture and several mansions restored to their original splendor. Upon arriving at the magnificent fortress, you’ll quickly see why Cartagena was the most impenetrable city of the Spanish Main. This 17th-century construction is the largest Spanish fort in the New World, representing the most important work of Spanish military engineering in South America. This photo stop is just a hint of what’s to come. Your next destination is Las Bóvedas, place that used to be the prison for slaves in times of Spanish ruling. Afterwards, enjoy a splendid and unique view of the Caribbean Sea at Baluarte Santa Catalina, on top of Las Bovedas.Next, you’ll wander the narrow cobblestone streets and city squares of the famed Old City, a walled city with narrow streets and well tended Spanish Colonial buildings. The city is connected by a series of bridges and divided by 17th century walls into an “historic old city” and a cosmopolitan “modern city.” Many local bars and restaurants in the old walled town’s compact historic core, a UNESCO World Heritage site, remains its shining centerpiece.
You’ll stroll to the 18th century Historical Museum of Cartagena and visit this fine example of colonial architecture, yet eerie reminder of “dark” days gone by. The Museum’s façade features grilles and balcony, colonial-style, and a gate reflective of the baroque style. Behind the charming façade, a museum displays instruments of torture from the Spanish Inquisition, pre-Columbian, colonial and independence era art. You’ll stroll through Plaza de Bolívar and make your way to San Pedro Claver Church. Built in the 17th century, the church displays exquisite statues and old-world furnishings honoring the missionary Saint Peter Claver, the patron saint of slaves and the first saint canonized in the Western Hemisphere.
Continue your journey to the Navy Museum, established in 1986, restored ruins of the Jesuits school, discover the historic military efforts of Cartagena, enjoy the wealth of historical artifacts, maritime life and naval history of Colombia, enjoy a local show and a refreshing soft drink.
By the time the other tours had left for their coaches there were nearly 80 of us for our tour all waiting for the go. We had to walk down to Deck 4 to get to the quayside. Being the last passengers on our coach we were at the back.
Our guide was called Bert and he did have problems all day with his microphone not working. To summarise we had a potted history of Cartagena and how the place had had to be defended against the French and mainly the English navies. The Spaniards it seems had used Cartagena to export gold, silver and other valuables so it was the #1 target in Central America.
We were regaled with details of how successive forts and defences were destroyed over the years.
Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas(Fort of San Felipe)
Our first stop was the fortress built to defend the city . This was not taken by either the French or the English. We sat on the coach while Bert handed out stickers with his name on. Problem was this took over 15 minutes of our time at the fortress. Now we had only 10 minutes to look up at the fortress from the bottom of the hill and we had no time to climb up to see it any closer.
This stop was our first experience of being hassled at every moment when out of the coach. We were offered drinks, hots t-shirts, jewellery and even ‘Cuban’ cigars. The ladies in fancy dress were charging $5 from any of the tourists who took their picture.
Behind was a row of shops and parked cars.
We sat on the coach and watched as a couple started to buy jewelry and were immediately surrounded by other vendors.
The fortress again.
