Background info:
Columbia is the 4th largest country in South America. Cartagena is located on its north coast and was founded June 1, 1533 by the Spanish. It experienced rapid growth due to gold being stolen from the tombs of an ancient culture. It also became an attractive plunder site for pirates and the English sent a powerful fleet led by Sir Francis Drake to take the city from the Spanish in 1586. The Spanish paid a huge ransom to get the city back. During the 17th century the Spanish started to build a 10 mile wall and fortress around the city. It took 208 years to complete it and in 1984 it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The wall was built to protect the city from pirates trying to raid Spanish galleons who were carrying gold from mines in Peru and Granada back to Spain. Cartagena was also one of only two ports in the Caribbean authorized to trade African slaves. After 275 years of Spanish rule, in 1811 Cartagena declared its independence.
Today Cartagena is the fifth largest city in Columbia with nearly 1.2 million inhabitants. Heavy industry is the primary economic driver here. Chemicals and products derived from petroleum refining are key as one of the largest refineries in Columbia is located here. The port is also the busiest container shipping port in Columbia and 3rd in grain transportation. Tourism is also a mainstay of the economy due to the old walled, colonial city and fortress.
Today:
The average temperature here is in the mid 80's but average humidity is high at 90%. Rarely do hurricanes hit the north coast of Columbia. Shopping is good in Cartagena and an almost mandatory souvenir is Columbian coffee. Columbia is also know for its gold and emeralds.
We docked at 7:00 am today. Rebecca decided not to go on tour today but I did. My tour, "Cartagena Fortress and Old City", departed the ship at 7:30 and was a 3 1/2 hour tour. Our bus took us to San Felipe Fortress, the largest Spanish fort in the New World, for a guided tour. The fortress features a 10 mile wall around the city, with fortifications on every point and narrows to defend it against attacks. Next we drove to the old city with nice views of the ocean. Here we walked about 5 blocks through the old Colonial city. We stopped at the Saint Peter Claver Church and Cloister. This was built in tribute to those who protected slaves. We also walked through Inquisition Plaza or Bolivar Plaza, the largest and main square of the city. Here we viewed the cathedral on one side and Inquisition Palace on the other. Then back on the bus for a drive through the modern part of the city with a stop for shopping. YUK
It is now 1:00 pm and we are about to sail so as to arrive at the Panama Canal pilot station at 6:00 am tomorrow for our transit of the canal. Our friend, Goran, did not arrive today but now will be joining our ship on Monday in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. I had planned with the chef to have a veal Parmesan dinner with Goran tonight. We actually had a 7:30 pm reservation for Prime 7 so cancelled the veal parm and we will have a nice steak instead.
Old defense at entrance to port
Where we will dock is straight ahead
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