Arrival at the narrow entrance to Cartagena Harbour was at 6am, but we were awake, and were able to watch the ship wind its way through the narrow channel, to eventually berth at the cruise terminal (greatly resembling a container wharf), in Cartagena about an hour later.
It is overcast and very humid. Our time in port is only half a day, with the ship due to sail at 1 pm, so we booked a 2.5 hr walking tour of the Old City which we are told is the main tourist attraction here.
Ready to get on our bus to take us to the old city, the heavens opened with vengeance. Everyone rushed back to their room for wet weather gear, and we were then on our way. So torrential was the rain, there was flash flooding everywhere and traffic ground to a standstill. Nevertheless, our fearless guide took it in his stride and gave us a good summary of recent history, focusing on the major steps that have been made to reduce corruption and disrupt the drug trade. Cartagena, is now apparently enjoying strong growth in Foreign investment as a result.
San Felipe Fortress
Water pouring down the fortress walls from the heavy rain
The bus trip first takes up to the Fortress of San Felipe, the largest of fortifications built in the city by the Spanish, to protect it from pirate attacks. The rain is bucketing down, so a few photos are taken from the bus before moving on to our next stop, Las Bovedas (also known as the dungeons), a shopping opportunity, where we can buy Colombian Emeralds and other handicraft items etc. It was a pleasant relief from the rain, but not much commerce was conducted.
It was then off to the Old Walled City, and fortunately the rain was now down to a light sprinkle, but there was flooding everywhere. Our guide explained that in the previous corrupt era of Cartagenas’ development, a few shortcuts had been taken on drainage. In a couple of spots we noticed, no-one also appeared to pay much attention to the sea level, and a few spots were obviously below sea level.
The Old City is well worth the visit. Beautiful old buildings, colourfully painted, narrow streets with overhanging balconies, and lush tropical vegetation everywhere (obviously well watered).
We visit a number of old churches, plazas surrounded by old buildings, many now restaurants, and we spent some time at the Palacio de la Inquisicion ( Headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition in Columbia), complete with displays of instruments of torture, and worse. It also had a very good exhibition on the history of the development of the city of Cartagena, and models of the city at various stages of its development.
Palacio de la Inquisicion
The streets are filled with colourful old buildings
We also visited the outer city wall , which originally was located beside the harbor, but is now set back as a result of land reclamation into the harbor, where the main road outside the wall now runs along the waterfront.
The bus then took us off to see the new town, Boca Grande, where the rich people live. I was filled with bars, restaurants, new apartment buildings and beaches (not quite as appealing as at home). Flooding here was even worse, despite the rain having stopped and hour ago. We arrived back at the ship about an hour later than expected after long traffic delays.
However, at least we got ashore this time, and despite the weather, it was worth seeing, although we won’t be rushing back for a holiday.
We left port at around 1.40pm, a bit later than scheduled, due to the late arrival back to the ship of many of the tours.
It was now nice and fine, so we had a good view of Cartagena from the sea, as we departed.
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