DAY 13---CARTEGENA, COLOMBIA

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BACKGROUND INFO: 

Cartagena is a port city on the northern coast of Columbia. It was founded in 1553 by the Spanish who built a wall around the old part of the city with cobblestone streets, squares, and colorful colonial buildings. During the colonial period it was the main port for exporting Peruvian silver to Spain and for importing African slaves. Now at one million people it is the 5th largest city in Columbia. Outside the old city it is a vibrant, modern city. Tourism, commerce, and industry make up its economy. Columbia is the world’s largest producer of cocaine unfortunately.

YESTERDAY AND LAST NIGHT:

I hope you enjoyed the Panama Canal photos with their descriptions on yesterday's post.  If you still do not understand how to "cut & paste", just Google it.  There are You Tube videos showing how or you can ask any school kid.

                                                                      T-shirt today

This was delicious at lunch yesterday.  Some seafood paella on bottom with seafood stew over it.  Broth was to die for.

                                                         This is Richard.  Like his name.

We asked if the chef could made some fried chicken thighs for us last night.  You have to make special requests 24 hours in advance.  The fried chicken was one of the best meals we have had so far.  Crispy and yummy!

TODAY:

        At 8am we are approaching Cartagena and the Caribbean Sea is kind of rough with 30 mph winds.  It is 80 degrees with humidity of 83% outside.  Despite the rough sea the ship is not moving about that much.

        We will be arriving in Cartagena, Colombia, at 10am and be here until 6pm.  This is now being called a "technical port call".  Passengers will not be allowed to get off the ship.  "Filler up with regular" as I guess we will be getting fuel, called "bunkering" and maybe provisioning (getting food & other supplies).  We weren't planning of getting off the ship anyway today as have been here several times.

        We learned last night that at least one gentleman has tested positive for covid.  He had been on a tour last Saturday in Costa Rica so they tested every one that was on his tour bus yesterday.  Not sure if anyone else tested positive.

                                                   Sailing in the harbor of Cartagena.

                                      "Statue of the Virgin" in the harbor as we sailed in.

Big birds sitting on the "dolphin" near our pier.  This yellow thing is called a dolphin and ship's lines tie up to it when docked.

                                 Next to the big bird dolphin was the little bird dolphin.

                                                            Approaching our pier.

                                                           We will be docked here today.

                                                                    T-shirt of the day

                              Another covid protocol is four at a time in the elevators.

                      This is photo of elevator floor with spots where you are to stand.

Yes indeed, we are "bunkering" (fueling of ship with marine fuel) today.  I would hate to pay this fuel bill today.  We did not receive any provisions today, just fuel.

        We are scheduled to return to Cartagena and overnight here the end of February and return again mid April on our way back to San Francisco.  Maybe by then they will allow cruise passengers off of the ship.  Well, at least it has been nice and smooth sitting here at the pier all day.  I am watching the movie, "Lawrence of Arabia", this afternoon for who knows how many times!  Having been to Aqaba, Jordan, several times,  as this is where the film occurred.

        We are to leave here at 6pm and will be at sea tomorrow.  Our next port is Kingston, Jamaica, on Thursday.