Rotterdam 2024, Cartagena, Colombia, Part 2 of 2...

We sailed into Cartagena very early in the morning and I was up and out for sail in photos… The 5:15 wakeup didn’t excite me, but Cartagena is always worth it!  Cartegena has a magnificent skyline. We left the ship as soon as it was cleared stopping briefly in the cruise terminal to see the birds. Then it was off to hire a taxi for a tour…  We engaged Victor for our taxi tour today and headed to the highest point in the city, Convento de la Popa. The views from here are outstanding giving you a panoramic view of the city. The convent's name literally means the 'Convent of the Stern,' after the hill's similarity to a ship's back end. Founded by Augustine fathers in 1607, it was initially just a small wooden chapel, but when the hill was fortified two centuries later it was replaced by the structure of today. Returning to the city below we stopped at St. Felipe’s Fortress. The greatest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in any of their colonies, the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas dominates an entire section of Cartagena's cityscape. The fortress was truly impregnable and was never taken despite numerous attempts to storm it. A complex system of tunnels connected strategic points to allow provisions to be distributed and to facilitate evacuation. The tunnels were constructed so that any noise reverberated all the way along them, making it possible to hear the slightest sound of approaching enemy feet, and also making internal communication easy. Next, we stopped at the site of a former jail, Las Bovedas one of Cartagena’s best known street markets. Each stall is housed in a former cell. Walking around Las Bovedas you notice groups of women dressed in vibrant colors balancing bowls of fruits on their heads. Known as the palenqueras, these fruit vendors are very much a fixture of the city and an important part of its history. We even ran into our friends Corina & Fred there on their tour.   From Las Bovedas we followed the city inner wall to Bolivar Plaza. Formerly the Plaza de Inquisición, this shaded plaza is surrounded by some of the city's most elegant balconied colonial buildings, a statue of the Simón Bolívar stands in the middle of the square flanked by Cartegena Cathedral also known as the Catedral de Santa Catalina de Alejandría a beautiful church. With two ships in port and a Saturday the area was very busy. We made our way to Santo Domingo Square one of the busiest and most bustling squares in the Old Town of Cartagena. This square is also surrounded by gorgeous old buildings and, at the center of the plaza, stands one of Fernando Botero’s most famous sculptures. Our last stop before returning to the port was Getsemaní, the outer walled town. Formerly a hotbed of vice, Getsemani has fast evolved into Cartagena’s trendy and exciting neighborhood. The focal point of the area is the buzzing Trinidad Square, where locals and tourists alike gather to eat, drink and dance. The walls of Getsemani are also covered in some superb street art on its derelict buildings. This was a great stop and our first visit to Getsemani. Cartagena is so historical you cannot help but get caught up in the stunning old-world Spanish well preserved architecture in the churches, fortresses, plazas and mansions with their overhanging balconies and shady patios….it is always a pleasure to visit and explore Cartagena! Back at the port we bid farewell to Victor and did a quick tour of the cruise terminal. This is one of the best cruise terminals you can visit with a nature preserve full of colorful birds all around you as well as turtles, monkeys, flamingos, toucans and peacocks. Once back on the ship we relaxed in the sun, and I took sail away photos. Another glorious day, very hot (100+F with heat index), nice breeze and beautiful sail out of the harbor….