Cartagena

We had arranged for a private car for Cartagena to take the four of us to see the sights. The tour company showed up with a 20 passenger bus. We loved it, spread out all over and enjoyed the commentary of our guide Carlos. Plus, every time we back into the bus it was frigid — yay! It was 90 degrees out.

We started our day with a climb up to the top of the mountain to the Convento de la Papa. It was built in the 17th century by Augustinian monks. And it has the best views of the city.

We next stopped in front of the Castillo de San Felipe, built in the 1600’s and it is the greatest and strongest fortress built by a Spanish colony.

Our next stop was in Getsemani, the very colorful and hip part of the walled city. It was filled with street art and colorful houses. We loved it and you are going to get to see a whole lot of street art!

There was another church whose name has escaped me.

We next went to the Iglesia y Convento San Pedro de Claver. The convent was founded in his honor, a Jesuit priest who spent his life ministering the enslaved people brought over from Africa.

We were all very hot and exhausted after all that. We met later for drinks and dinner.

We were also in Cartagena the next day, but our ventures only took us as far as the dock — there was a zoo and aviary which we visited. First of all, I finally got around to taking pictures of our suite. And, first, in the hall.

Then we went to the aviary and zoo. Behold the giant anteater.

And back to the ship and outside bar!

As I was getting dressed for dinner I noticed that it was hot in the room; I looked and the temp was set on 20.5 and it was 24.5 — way too hot! I called for service. My call was returned a few minutes later and was told that it would take too long to repair and we needed to change rooms. Poor John! He packed up everything except clothes while I was eating king crab legs and waiting for him. To the credit of the butlers and John, we were moved to another room after an hour or so. However, we were going to need our passports the next day — I had no idea where they were! So John now went through every suitcase, 3 big and 2 roll-aboards. In that process I also noticed my large purse was missing and also nowhere to be found. Now, understand that we had already gone through the room we left, opening every drawer, etc. Our butler had done the same thing before we did. 

After a LOT of chaos and stress, around 10:00 pm, John went to the old room with the butler found my large purse with passports inside in a small corner cabinet and returned to our new room relieved. Thank God! John was afraid we would be staying in the islands!!

All is well and we have moved on…..with all our documentation (now in the room safe)!

Beth