Cartagena, Colombia

Our first port of call was Cartagena, Colombia.

Cartagena was founded as a Spanish Colonial city in 1533, an important port in the export of silver from the Americas to Spain and a major port for the import of enslaved Africans to the Americas.  Because of its strategic importance, it was the site of some significant attacks by privateers, particularly Sir Francis Drake, who destroyed much of the city.  To defend against the attacks, the Spanish built walls and a fortress, which are well preserved today and have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today, Cartagena is a city of nearly 1 million, the second largest city in the Caribbean.  The port is one of the largest in South America.

We started our short visit at the enjoyable cruise port terminal, which includes a small aviary with birds as well as some animals, all freely roaming as you walk through on the way to the exit to visit the city.

Some parrots in the cruise ship terminal
Beautiful grounds of the cruise ship terminal
Monkeys, cruise ship terminal

We spent most of our time walking around the “el centro” neighborhood, inside the walled city.  It was fun to wander the winding streets and see the various buildings and plazas.

Original city walls, from the outside
The original city gate
More of the city wall, from the inside
Many winding narrow streets to explore. I loved the vines and overhanging balconies.
One of several plazas, filled with locals and tourists resting in the shade

We enjoyed a “pesca del día” (fish of the day) lunch at a local restaurant and then walked back to the ship. It was very hot and humid, but we had time and enjoyed taking a walk on land.

My lunch beverage, an yerbabuena limonada (mint limeade)

Leaving Cartagena, the skyline in the distance. It was a Sunday afternoon and there was a constant stream of boats returning to the harbor as we left.

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