Panama Canal Cruise: Cartegena Columbia
Arrival was 8:00am with departures from 8:30 for tours. The approach to Cartegena is interesting as the city is built right out on the ocean coast over a series of, now connected, islands. Departure was set for 1:45pm so not much time in Columbia.
Our guide, Marco, in a smaller bus, took us to San Poppa Monastery for 360 views over the city. The monastery was built in the only tall hill in the city and is the most important Catholic building in the city.
The smaller bus was needed to allow entry into the old walled city of Cartegena. Here we dropped off at a market square for some retail therapy followed by a walk through old city streets. A not so fond memory is the persistent and annoying street venders (they absolutely never gave up). I guess to be expected with 12% national unemployment, and 8.5% in Cartegena. But I must admit I did feel completely safe here.
Next we were on to the Gold Museum and finished up at one of the recommended, and expensive, emerald stores (Mom got hers earlier at the market square). That took us to the limit of tour time and Island Princess set sail shortly after we re-boarded.
