DAY 99---CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA

NOW TO VIEW MY JANUARY AND FEBRUARY POSTS YOU WILL HAVE TO CLICK ON THAT MONTH SO THOSE POSTS WILL BE DISPLAYED.

TO VIEW PREVIOUS POSTINGS USE THE "BLOG ARCHIVE" UNDER OUR PHOTO ON THE RIGHT.  THEN CLICK ON THE DAY OR DAYS YOU MISSED.  ALSO CLICKING ON THE PHOTOS WILL ENLARGE THEM.  I RECOMMEND THAT. 

We overnighted here in Cartagena back on February 26th and 27th.  It's a very hazy and warm (84 degrees) morning with almost calm winds.  We shall be sailing early today (at 2pm) so we can make our scheduled transit time at the Panama Canal tomorrow.  Cruise ships have priority getting transit times.  It's critical we do not miss this time.

Historical/Background Info:

       The country's name is derived from the last name of Christopher Columbus.  The Spanish were the first Europeans to explore here in 1499.  The Spaniards found large amounts of gold treasure in the interior native villages which they melted down into bars and sent it back to Spain.  Large plantations were established for food and also shipped to Spain.  The Spanish galleons bound for Europe were the favorite targets for pirates.  The Central America country of Panama is its northwest border and was actually part of Columbia until 1903.  During its history there have been several rebel movements and wars to oust the Spanish.  In 1886 the country became known as "The Republic of Columbia".  Since then there have been bloody civil wars and guerrilla fighting but the fighting has lessened since 2010.  The US has been involved heavily with Colombian efforts to fight drug cartels and the smuggling of drugs out of the country.

       Colombia, South America's fourth largest country, is very rich in natural resources and exports:  fuels, oil, precious stones (mainly emeralds), forest products (paper & pulp), coffee, meat, cereals, vegetable oils, cotton, sugar, fruits and other agriculture products, fish, beverages, machinery, electronics, ships, airplanes, vehicles, chemicals, cosmetics, clothing, leather, and construction equipment just to name a few.  You may also be surprised to learn that 70% of the cut flowers imported by the US are Colombian.  Coffee is practically a mandatory souvenir here.  Colombia really is an economic powerhouse.

       Colombia has a population of over 48 million which is the 3rd most populous in Latin America behind Brazil and Mexico.  It is 1/8th the size of the US.  Put another way, Colombia is about twice as big as the state of Texas.  Bogota, the capital, is located well inland, basically in the Andes mountains, with a population of 8 million.  I have flown over Bogota many times on my flights from DFW to Buenos Aires.  It would be in the middle of the night so have never seen it during daylight.  In my humble opinion, Colombian women are by far the most attractive in South America.  Colombians are also some of the best educated in South America.

LAST NIGHT:

                                             Nice quiet table in the corner of Compass Rose.

I did not care for any of the entree choices on the menu last night so asked for an entree portion of an appetizer.  This is panko-coated tiger prawns.  Rebecca chose farfalle pasta with shrimp, tomatoes, and some mozzarella with tomato sauce.

                 They call this malva pudding with a scoop of butter pecan ice cream.

We did not care much for Fogwell Flax's show.  We were sitting in the back of the theater so walked out about mid show.

TODAY:

They started bunkering fuel shortly after we arrived this morning.  So we have the noise of the pump's engine just below our balcony.  Bunkering usually lasts 3 or 4 hours.  Yep, finished by 10:30.

 We're docked at the cargo port.  There is a shuttle bus that will take you to the cruise terminal however.

                                                 Skyline of the new part of Cartagena.

        We went to the gym this morning but only one of the three operable treadmills was open.  So I went up on deck 12 to walk.  I lasted one lap as it was sooooo hot and humid.  By the time I got back down to the gym there was an open treadmill for me.

        I did not go on my tour this morning.  BUT, here are some photos I took on a tour back in 2014.  Nothing has changed since then, even the name of the tour is the same today.  It was an interesting tour so thought you may like the photos again.  The tour's name is "Cartagena Fortress & Old City".

                                           

Old defense at entrance to port

Where we will dock is straight ahead 

                                     San Felipe Fortress built in 1536 and expanded in 1658.

                                  View of new Cartagena in distance taken from top of fort.

                                                         Columbian flag

                                               Just off the bus and walking into old city

                                                       Stone wall around the old city.

                              This young man could paint a picture on mirror glass in 3 minutes.

                                                    Sundial on the side of a building

                                                        Plaza where slaves were sold

        The show is at 6:15 this evening.  We saw Lauren Jelencovich's first show and thought it average so not going to her second show.  Instead we will be meeting Melody & David Hermann at 6pm in the Horizon Lounge.  After cocktails we will enjoy dinner with them up in Sette Mari.

        The Captain said we will be boarding the canal pilot at 5:30 tomorrow morning and should enter the first canal lock at about 7:15.