WorldTravelReynolds

Beautiful skyline

Cartegena Columbia was an interesting place. We arrived early this morning and after have a quick breakfast we headed to the port. Her ewe will meet a hop on/hop off bus today. We just wanted a short tour due to our time to leave was just 2:30. We jumped on the bus, well more like climbed, Chuck can’t do much jumping anymore and the humidity that hit us in the face was unbelievable.

Beautiful Cathedral

Our tour guide said this was nice in comparison to what this afternoon will feel. She was right. By the time we arrived back, we were drenched in sweat and the lightning and thunderstorms made us walk a little faster into the ship! We made it just in time. As soon as we got to our first stop, the local people had swarmed the outside of the bus trying to sell us anything from magnets to cigars, jewelry, and hats. It was crazy. Not only did they try to push their goods on you, they followed us everywhere.

Prayer candles were electronic. Put in some money and a candle lights up

It was almost unbearable as they pushed on you. Our tour guide was pretty good. She took us to a small walking tour, about 90 minutes through the old town. Here we learned about the history of Cartegena and their people. Cartegena itself is a World heritage site. Our first stop was the clock tower.

San Pedro Plaza

It was built in 1828 and is the main entrance to the old city. The clock above it was added in 1888. Pedro de Heredia was the founding fathers. He met a cartagenian named Catalena that helped in translating from the French Pedro to her people in Spanish. Some think she’s a traitor, others think she’s a hero. She has a Cathedral named after her, so she is still known among the people.

Centro

The Santa Catalina Basilica was destroyed and left in ruins during the war, and it took over 100 years due to financial reason to rebuild the cathedral. It was beautiful! Pope John Paul II visited in 1996 and wanted to apologize to the people for two things. 1 and 2. His monument is outside the cathedral. 

Clock tower

12,000 African people settled here but the Spanish killed them all when claiming the land. However, the Spanish, African and the indigenous people all intermingled and formed a group of people called Mulata, Mestizo and Zambo. It depends on their skin color, hair type and nose on what type of heritage they were from.

Columbian dress

Our tour guide was Mulata as her hair is curly and her skin a light creamy brown color. She was pretty girl. We thought this was pretty interesting. Chuck joked with her saying they are called Espanicans. She agreed with a laugh! 

Traditional dance

We walked through Proclamation Square; this was where they received their independence from Spain in 1811. It was an interesting area and beautiful old architecture still standing from the 1800’s. 

Cute iron statues in the square

Before we were once again thrown to the wolves (a.k.a. locals selling stuff!) we walked by the place where Marlon Brando’s film, Burn was filmed. It was in 1968. Chuck and I jumped off the bus for a walk through the newer part of Cartegena with its high rises and beautiful new area. We found lots to eat including McDonalds and Burger King but opted to just walk around the area and enjoy the beauty. We caught the bus back to the ship, or so we thought.

Pedro de Heredia

They actually dropped us off just outside where you can buy more souvenirs and look at the bird sanctuary. We didn’t stay long because the storms were coming but we did see peacocks, parrots and we think an anteater. It had another of its kind on its back. It was either a baby/teenager or a male and she was female? We weren’t for sure and didn’t ask. The rain was coming! 

We enjoyed our trip and will be back a couple of more times this year during other cruises. We’ll know what to expect next time and will definitely spend more time at the bird sanctuary. 

May God bless you always and keep you safe!

Chuck & Lea Ann