History/Info:
Cartagena is a port city on the northern coast of Colombia. It was founded in 1533 by the Spanish who built a wall around the old part of the city with cobblestone streets, squares, and colorful Colonial buildings. During the colonial period it was the main port for exporting Peruvian silver to Spain and for importing African slaves. Now with nearly 1 million people it is the 5th largest city in Colombia. Outside of the Old city it is a vibrant, modern city. Tourism, commerce, and industry make up its economy. Columbia is the world's largest producer of cocaine.
What We Did Last Night:
Drinks in the Meridian Lounge. Jane had ship's doctor take the 5 stitches out from above her eye.
What We Did Today:
We passed by this old, small gun emplacements fortification at 10:30 this morning. It was several miles out from the shore.
Ahead is the newer part of Cartagena.
We will be docking on this pier next to the Aida. I believe it is an German cruise line. We actually docked an hour earlier than the planned noon arrival. Tours are scheduled to depart the ship between 12:15 and 1:00. I will not be going on tour here today as we have been here several times over the years. I will be putting the link to photos I took in 2014 when here. They will show you the San Felipe fortress. Its construction began in 1536 and took over 200 years to complete. Then you will also see photos of the old, colonial part of the city. Jane & Melissa are taking this same tour today.
I was going to get off today and go to a pharmacy but the local tour rep said I would have to take a taxi and ask him to wait for me. I am a little leery of the security situation here in Columbia so decided not to attempt this.
After a burger for lunch I put on my sun screen and went up on the 88 degree, sunny jogging track to do my 4 mile fast walk. Now 3pm and had nice refreshing shower. Girls should be back from their tour at 4:30 so I have scheduled with the Captain for a private tour of the bridge at 5:00.
I will be putting those photos on tomorrow's posting as it is a day at sea.
Well for tonight, we will have cocktails at 6pm as usual. Melissa & Jane have dinner reservations in Chartreuse, the French specialty restaurant for 7pm. We do not really care for French food so will go to Sette Mari, the Italian restaurant. Love Italian!!! In the theater tonight is the production show, "World Beat". We saw it last segment and liked it so will probably go again tonight.
Well, we sail again at 7:00 this evening for our next port in George Town on the Caribbean island of Grand Cayman. We are scheduled to arrive there around 9:00 am on Saturday.
Here are some photos I took on a previous cruise that are of the same tour I was suppose to take here today. I'm certain nothing has changed! Once again, "copy & paste" link to a new browser then open it. Click on the first photo to enlarge it and you can then see my captions in the upper right corner. Arrow through the rest of them.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/N22HLr2mnE1Zay9t7
Cartagena is a port city on the northern coast of Colombia. It was founded in 1533 by the Spanish who built a wall around the old part of the city with cobblestone streets, squares, and colorful Colonial buildings. During the colonial period it was the main port for exporting Peruvian silver to Spain and for importing African slaves. Now with nearly 1 million people it is the 5th largest city in Colombia. Outside of the Old city it is a vibrant, modern city. Tourism, commerce, and industry make up its economy. Columbia is the world's largest producer of cocaine.
What We Did Last Night:
What We Did Today:
I was going to get off today and go to a pharmacy but the local tour rep said I would have to take a taxi and ask him to wait for me. I am a little leery of the security situation here in Columbia so decided not to attempt this.
After a burger for lunch I put on my sun screen and went up on the 88 degree, sunny jogging track to do my 4 mile fast walk. Now 3pm and had nice refreshing shower. Girls should be back from their tour at 4:30 so I have scheduled with the Captain for a private tour of the bridge at 5:00.
I will be putting those photos on tomorrow's posting as it is a day at sea.
Well for tonight, we will have cocktails at 6pm as usual. Melissa & Jane have dinner reservations in Chartreuse, the French specialty restaurant for 7pm. We do not really care for French food so will go to Sette Mari, the Italian restaurant. Love Italian!!! In the theater tonight is the production show, "World Beat". We saw it last segment and liked it so will probably go again tonight.
Well, we sail again at 7:00 this evening for our next port in George Town on the Caribbean island of Grand Cayman. We are scheduled to arrive there around 9:00 am on Saturday.
Here are some photos I took on a previous cruise that are of the same tour I was suppose to take here today. I'm certain nothing has changed! Once again, "copy & paste" link to a new browser then open it. Click on the first photo to enlarge it and you can then see my captions in the upper right corner. Arrow through the rest of them.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/N22HLr2mnE1Zay9t7
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