Panama Canal Cruise - Day 13 - Cartagena, Columbia - February 24, 2022

Rebecca booked the Sanctuary on the ship for the morning, so this tour was mom and I (and thus this day was written by me, the infamous husband!). We decided to book a 4 hour tour called “Scenic Drive Of Cartagena & San Pedro Claver Church.” The tour was scheduled for 10:30 a.m - 2:30 p.m. (4 hours), but left about an hour late due to a cargo vessel taking longer than expected to leave the dock. The night before was very rough, probably the roughest sea day we’ve ever experienced at sea after the rest of the days being almost the most calm as we’ve ever experienced. We woke up early in the morning trying to see if we were still headed to Cartegena, not knowing if the seas would be too rough for us to dock. However, Cartagena is located in a bay and once we entered it, the sea was much calmer, allowing us to dock after all.

We were in a group of 26 with Alberto who said he had a very long name so we could just call him Big Al (he stood probably about 5’5”). He was soft-spoken, but very nice and informative. We didn’t drive as far as the other tours, but this tour was also shorter than the others. It didn’t make the bus driver’s (Miguel) job much easier however as countless motor cycles weaved in between vehicles, with only inches to spare and the bus was again a manual transmission. There was a sign that said cyclists have the right away and it was clear that it was the fastest way to get from point A to point B regardless of what the traffic is like (we saw bikes get ahead of dozens of cars). Renault has a big presence in Columbia as their vehicles were pretty common. I got to ride in my first Renault at the end of the trip when the bus dropped us off a little distance from the ship and mom wanted a ride back to the ship.

Our first stop was a Spanish Fort, claimed to be the largest Spanish fort in the New World - the Fort of San Felipe de Barajas, constructed in the 1600s. Waiting to get off the bus, we saw a lot of people with goods they are trying to sell. We were warned to wear a hat and sunglasses or the locals won’t stop trying to sell you them until after you buy them. And boy these people were persistent. The only time we’ve seen folks this aggressive/annoying was St. Maarten. We only had 10 minutes and photos from that vantage point weren’t great, but here are a couple.

 

We got on the bus and passengers had a good laugh about how annoying the merchants were, most super relieved to be back on the safety of the bus. 

We were supposed to visit the Rafael Nunez house and museum, but instead we went to a beautiful (new-looking) mall La Serrezuela to see a traditional folk dance show in what they called the bull-fighting arena. It was a big circle with a domed roof with an opening at the top. Even though the day was hot and humid, it was very pleasant in the shade and breeze. The dancers were talented and music was good.

 

Next was a visit to the Museo Naval Del Caribe that had exhibits of the history of Columbia including the impact of the English expedition of Sir Francis Drake, initiating conflict with the Spanish who Big Al referred to as a Pirate because he invaded Spanish territory. We didn’t spend much time there, but it seemed interesting. Big Al was our guide through the museum and he mentioned Cholera was a better defense against the European invaders than their army. 

We walked over to San Pedro Claver sanctuary/museum/church. San Pedro Claver was a man who was against slavery; Columbia was heavily involved in the slave trade as well, Claver spoke out against slavery. Big Al said now 65% of the country is black (descendants of slaves).

 

Just outside the church on the sidewalk they had pictures of every Miss Columbia with the two official Miss Universes hailing from Columbia separated (not pictured). However, Big Al said they had 2.5 Miss Universes actually because in 2014-2015 when Steve Harvey hosted the contest, he mistakenly announced Miss Columbia, Ariadna Gutierrez as the winner, but she was not. But he pointed out she was official for 15 minutes, I remembered Steve Harvey’s gaff, but didn’t remember which country was called out by mistake and I had a good chuckle of the memory, wondering if Steve was ever asked to host any contests again.

We had to continue to swat away local venders along our entire walk this day, but it was time to return to the bus to go back to the ship. Below is the picture of my first ride in a Renault to get us back to the ship. Overall, it was a good day. Cartegena is a small old-town which they have preserved near the coast then it gets new and modern with sky-scrapers nearby. Absent another tour which can avoid a lot of the “local merchants” I’m not super excited to return to this destination.

 

This day's post is a tale of two diverging stories, so I, Rebecca will take over to share a few highlights of my day back on the ship.  First, we woke up to incredibly rough seas (that had started the evening before).  I am a bit prone to seasickness so I put on my Reliefband right away in hopes I could be feeling back to normal soon.  Here is my reaction to the rough seas upon waking up.

I booked a chair for the morning in the Sanctuary, looking for a quiet relaxing morning and that is exactly what I got!  I was the first to arrive around 8am and they weren't even quite ready yet so I sat down in front of the Lotus Pool which had been turned into a wave pool from the motion of the ship.

When they were ready to open, I was asked whether I still wanted to keep the chair had I had chosen in the sun or whether I would rather something in the shade.  Having gotten a lot of sun already this cruise, I was ready for shade so very quickly agreed.  Staff then walked me to a chair right up against the glass, second from the spot closest to the very front.  I couldn't have asked for a better spot.  It gave me a perfect view to watch us come into Cartagena.  Throughout the morning only four other people joined me in the sanctuary.  The staff indicated they were so full yesterday going through the Panama Canal that today's very low key day was much needed.

The cruise port is right in the middle of a huge industrial shipping port.

Lunch was gazpacho and a smoked salmon dish with avocado and grapefruit - both really tasty

After my morning in the Sanctuary, I wandered the decks a bit, checked out the Lotus Pool and then sat in the Neptune for a short time.

I spent much of the afternoon hanging out with my parents and then was able to enjoy sail away before dinner.

Before we left for dinner, the Captain made his daily announcement and warned us all to expect rough seas again so I pulled out my Reliefband so I would be ready.  I think I had the most decorated wrists of anyone at dinner!  :)

You can see the Releifband on my right wrist here.

I also was wearing on my left hand a traditional watch (I love watches!) and my Garmin (to keep track of all my steps and flights of stairs) and then on my right wrist was my Princess Medallion (to open my stateroom door and charge drinks/purchases to the room) along with my Reliefband.

I tried enjoying a drink and some music at Good Spirits at Sea Bar with my husband and his Mom but I really wasn't feeling up to it with all the movement so it was an early night to bed.