Today’s port is Cartegena, Columbia. We originally visited this port on our very first cruise, 31 years ago (1994) aboard the original Sky Princess. She served many cruise lines under many names since then before being scrapped in 2013. We have been here several times since then
Today we were met by our pilot just after 730AM and guided into our berth adjacent to Cartegena’s Port Oasis. This Ecopark, is a 10,000 square meter garden with more than 700 animals of 74 different species. It is located within the cruise terminal complex and a very short walk from the ship. Having done most of the tourist sites on previous trips, we spent the hot, humid morning visiting the various animals of the park. Peacocks, parrots, flamingos, sloths, aardvarks, monkeys, and other creatures greet you as you enter. There are various aviaries and habitats scattered throughout this amazing cruise port complex. We spent the entire morning exploring the park before making the short walk back to the ship for lunch.
After lunch Dan caught a cab to Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, the local fortress. It should be noted that cabs at the port wanted $20 to make this trip, while the exact same cabs booked through Uber were $7.56, Dan used Uber then tipped the driver $5 in cash.
An amusing thing happened while waiting in line to buy his entry ticket to the fortress. There was a Columbian tour group ahead of him waiting to enter. The tour guide was going down the line handing out “tour stickers” for entry. Dan must have looked Columbian as the guide placed a sticker on him as she went down the line. He got in for free saving the $10 entry fee 🙂
Dan explored the walls, rooms and numerous tunnels of this remarkable 17th century castle before catching another $7.56 ride back to the port just in time for sail away. It was a full day
Random photos from today may appear truncated. Click photo to view full size.
