Topic: Cartagena - Columbia

I am no expert on this sort of thing but will try to give some idea of what to expect when visiting Cartagena based upon my own visit there recently.
The first indication that you are approaching Cartagena occurs miles from the city, as your ship passes between two ancient Spanish Forts near Bocachica (Small Mouth), and then mid bay between the Forts of: Castillo Grande and Manzanillo.


In days gone by, as pirate ships appeared on the horizon, a under water chain was raised from the sea bed between the forts, tightened and held fast, with a large capstan. From this advantage the ship was pummelled with cannon shot from the two opposing forts.




As you near Cartagena you will see the modern high rise buildings to your left.

As you approach the dock, you will see that this is a very busy port with lots of containers stacked near the cruise terminal, it is one of the most modern ports in South America and one of the busiest in Colombia.



You can just make out the La Popa Monastery on the Hill in the background where you can get some absolutely fantastic views.

(Can anyone name the other ship? No prizes for the correct answer.) The above shot was taken on the way out, hence the reason why the ship is not on the photo below.



Lots of tour buses eagerly await our arrival.

We used a private tour which was recommended on CC by many people. It is run by a man called Lee Miles, with a bit of goggling you will easily find his website if you are in need. We found his tour very good value and informative. We were met at the dock side and driven round in an air conditioned van around all the pre arranged places we wanted to see.
First stop was the La Popa Monastery on the hill where we took many photos.



This one of our ship, the Celebrity Equinox was taken from there.



This one is of the Fort San Felipe de Barajas, which arguably is the largest and most impressive fortification in the new world.

I will post some more of these views in a later post.

Thanks for these Wansbrough. We visited Santa Marta in Columbia but only took a few photos and none are really worth adding here. Cartagena looks much nicer!

QUOTE:

Thanks for these Wansbrough. We visited Santa Marta in Columbia but only took a few photos and none are really worth adding here. Cartagena looks much nicer!

I will be adding more when time allows.

If you are planning to do your own thing in Cartagena you will, as you get on the other side of the Customs Offices encounter sever "Taxi Masters" who will direct you to taxis inside the port complex. If you go outside this complex you can normally bargain with taxis and get a much better price for your local or more extensive tour.

Those running the taxis inside will try to dissuade you and say it is dangerous outside but so long as you are street wise it is no worse than so many other Caribbean ports. If you have done your homework and know what you wnt to see it is always easier anyway. ....Neil

I thought a map might be useful to help get your bearings.
I have added a few arrows to help you get your bearings.

Gorgeous photos

Thanks for taking me back nearly 10 years. Had a very enjoyable day there when Caronia docked there.
EDNA

Wansborough, Great photo's takes me back, we did hire a mini bus outside the gates, just as Neil said, there were approx eight of us and a 4 hour trip cost us 20$s each we ended up at the top where the monastery is what a view, it was a great bargain, well worth it

.Did you go anywhere near San bl-as islands, we found that fascinating. There was this wizened old lady jumping up and down on two large sugar canes held by her husband with a bucket placed underneath to catch the juice, there is also a large number of albinos there on the island and old boats, but go around the back of the island and you can see all the satellite dishes and large cars!CG

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Did you go anywhere near San bl-as islands, we found that fascinating.

No, we didn't, and not even heard of that place either. I do remember it being really hot there (it was the day the UK had all the snow). That really made us smile when we heard about when we got back to the ship.
On another note, we make a point of always sending ourselves a post card while on our travels and the one from Cartagena has never arrived