Cartagena, Colombia 30C and very humid

We woke as the ship pulled into Cartagena around 7am. We had an extra hour of sleep because we crossed into another time zone.

We had pre-booked a shore excursion here. We booked a walking tour through the old, walled city. The tour buses were all lined up ready to pick up the various tour groups for the morning. This is our shortest stay in a country. The ship leaves again at 12:30 - 1Pm.

 

Had breakfast in our room consisting of oatmeal, fresh fruit, juice/coffee and croissants. We were at our meeting place in the Vista Lounge by 8:35am. With quick, precise execution the formalities were complete and we were on the air conditioned bus headed from the port to the old city.

On the way we made a stop at the old Citadel and then a local market place with shop after shop. Everyone trying to get you to purchase their goods. We purchased nothing and felt that this part of the tour could have been left out except for the fact that the shops were all set up on these old curved ceiling dungeons.

Our next stop was at the entrance to the old city where we were each given a radio receiver with an earpiece. This allowed us to hear all of the details from the tour guide without having to stand within earshot. A great way to walk around in the city.

Once inhabited by the poorer of Colombia the row houses have over the last many years been purchases and completely renovated resulting in the fact that these homes within the old wall have become some of the most expensive real estate in Cartagena.

The city stroll was about 1 ½ hours after which we all once again boarded the bus. Now we drove between the wall and the ocean for a number of kms as we zig-agged our way through “new Cartagena” and finally back to the port and the ship.

We were back on board by 12:00noon and went for lunch up on the back of the Lido deck to watch our departure.

The rest of the day was a ‘sea day’ as we headed north towards Panama.

We start with the Canal transit at about 6am tomorrow. The weather forecast is for 34C, humid with a chance of rain.

The announcement this evening was to make sure you drink plenty of liquids, wear a cap and use sunscreen as you spend time out on the decks watching the transit through the locks and our voyage through Gatun Lake.

We felt very comfortable in Cartagena and had we had more time we would have go back into the old city and spend a bit more time in places that we passed so quickly.

We saw more flying fish today. It’s funny to watch the birds try and grab them in mid “flight” before they hit the water again.