The joke the locals tell in Cartagena, Columbia is that the city has two types of weather: Hot and Hotter. It was certainly hot (and humid) on January 12 when we docked there. Then again, it beats 4 degrees in New Jersey.
Originally known as Cartagena de Indias, Cartagena was an important Spanish colony that was a key port for the export of Bolivian silver to Spain. Sitting on the northern coast of Columbia and facing the Caribbean Sea, it was also very defensible against pirates. It is now the 5th largest city in Columbia with a population of about 2 million people.
The city is now a major tourist destination and it is easy top see why. The city is bustling and colorful, and loaded with museums and restaurants.
One other note: Our stops scheduled for Peru have been cancelled due to the political unrest in the country. So, we will spend some additional time in Ecuador, after going through the Panama canal.
Some photos from Cartagena are below. We will be posting fairly regularly, so stay tuned.
JFB
Very colorful in Colombia. Sounds like you are loving the ship. Glad for that. Too bad about Peru but better safe than not safe. Jim and Joy.