Cartagena Colombia – June 27th

We are in Cartagena, fifth largest city in Colombia. The largest New World fort ever built by the Spanish guards the entrance to the harbor. It has withstood all enemy attacks.

Ha! We didn’t visit that fort. Joani is in front of a cannon on the walls of the Old City. Its Colonial era architecture is the main tourist attraction here. The real fort is 2 1/2 miles away and we have seen so many forts that it was not worth the trouble. Yes, we are getting jaded and it’s time to end this trip.

The center of the Old City is the Simón Bolívar Plaza. In the middle of the plaza is a statue of Simón Bolívar on horseback.

Cartagena has a Colonial cathedral. Pope John Paul II visited the Archdiocese of Cartagena in 1986 and his statue stands outside the cathedral. We did not visit the cathedral, as it is temporarily closed for restoration and renovation. We were not disappointed. We have seen far too many churches and temples. Yes, it is definitely time for this trip to end.

But we never get tired of visiting local bars and restaurants. The beer of choice is Club Colombia. The food of choice is cevice imperial.

We had a great lunch in a second floor restaurant overlooking Bolívar Plaza. Several cervezas served “buen fría” cooled us down nicely in the 95 degree heat.

Next up: after a couple of days at sea, we arrive in … we arrive in … Florida??? There is nothing next up. Well, except for three continuous days of 180 farewell parties ...