March 31, Cartagena, Colombia

I took a city tour today. It was on a street car trolley type bus. Very nice but interesting as it was advertising New Orleans marti gras on the side. Not sure why. Interesting that the tour consisted of people from Brazil, Uruguay, Mexico and Canada (me). The bus first drove around the point where I walked and stopped for a photo. Ok as

I did not have my camera with me when I was walking.

Drove around the inlet and then up to a convent on the top of the hill. Great views of the city, but it was a bit hazy...not sure why but it does seem very humid today. Interesting that the convent was on the top of the hill before the Spanish build the fort! That was the next stop Fort San Felipe. A 1700 fort. Very solid rock walls, and it did not appear to have much for tunnels inside. The tunnels were very low so of course I hit my head several times! Also interesting in that the fort is outside of the city walls. I asked the guide but never did get an answer! He just said that it was a good question!

Then a drive through the wall and the old city with a stop at the dungeons. Which are now a series of souvenir shops!

Then back to the hotel. Stopped for coffee and then a nap! Relaxed but did go for a walk along the beach before dinner.


March 30, Cartagena, Colombia

Did not do much today... I found a good coffee spot...just a large local place. The coffee is great. Spent the rest of the day just walking but later in afternoon I did go down for a swim. The water is nice and warm, but it was fairly windy so got a bit wind blown and stuck all over with sand!


March 29, Cartagena, Colombia

After a short 1 hour flight I arrived in Cartagena, a city of 1 million people on the Caribbean coast. Wow, what a difference from being at 2600 m above sea level, cool, long pants and shoes to hot and humid! Great! Back to shorts and sandals!

I am staying in the new part of the city....it is a beach tourist area...lots of high rise hotels and apartments. I am in a small hotel....very small...not hot water. It is a bit of a shock to start but only for a couple of seconds! Rather nice. I am only 1 block to beach. The beach is darker sand and very shallow.

I walked along the beach and around the point to the inner harbour. A large port and naval base...but lots of high rises. The area is fairly new and there are lots of new buildings going up everywhere! It is very commercial and tourist driven but nice. But I am getting hassled all the time by people selling sunglasses, Cuban cigars, tours, massages, beer and of course selling sex. Lots of them on the street at night!
Still it is nice. Just walked today checking out the area.


March 28 Bogota, Colombia

I went for coffee after breakfast! Surprise! Then headed to the Gold Museum, but it is closed on Monday, oh well I will have to come back. So headed to the Museum of Archaeology.2 It was more to see the 17 century building. The building was huge and really something. A large 2 storey building with painted wood beams and a beautiful court yard. There was a balcony all around the inside with many windows. The building seems to have been well looked after. As for the museum is was ok, there were several clay pottery items from the pre Colombian period (pre 1492) with some pieces dating back to 500 BC.

I then headed to the National Museum.... my last day here so fitting in everything not done! But it was closed as well. So just walked around and ended up in the National Park. It is a nice get away from all the people and traffic!

Today I did not recognize the city. So very different than all the other days! It is a business day so lots of people in suits on the streets and also hundreds and hundreds of university students on the streets around hotel.

Just an interesting display...a projector on several
sheer curtains, with small fans making then move

Also all the little shops and cafes are open, They had been closed all week! This is the normal city!
There was another rain storm go through, poured rain for about 30 minutes. Good thing I was close to a coffee shop! Waited it out and headed back to hotel.