After a few weeks of boat jobs, we decided to go on our long-awaited city break to Cartagena.  We wanted to base ourselves in the Centro Histórico to enjoy the city in full day and night.  We made use of the very efficient MarSol bus service to make the 4 hour road trip in comfort for only COP42,000 each.

Our 3 night stay was a true delight and everything we’d hoped it would be – from the hectic bustle of the street markets to the wonderful colonial architecture.  We spent many an hour wandering along the city walls and streets, lingering in the shady parks or having a delicious Columbian coffee in one of the many cafés and simply watching the world go by.  We felt perfectly safe in the walled city and in the neighbouring district Getsemani and never at all felt uncomfortable.

Quite by chance we were really fortunate to be in town for the Independence Day (11^th November) celebrations and were treated to a colourful and lively street parade which had the locals flocking in to the centre. 

In keeping with our previous city breaks we sought out the Museum of Modern Art which was an oasis of calm and featured an exhibition by street artist Francisco Pineaud.  Late in the afternoon it was great to be able to re-charge our batteries back in the hotel before taking on cocktail hour and then dinner.

All in all a wonderful trip; we’ll let the photos of this UNESCO World Heritage Site tell the rest…

The Muelle de Los Pegasos and the Clock Tower to the Walled City of Cartagena:

The Temple of St Peter Claver and us on the City Walls:

Customs Square and view of the Temple of St Peter Claver:

Statues of Local Icons:

Simon Bolivar, liberator of Hispanic- America  - Columbia inc. Panama, Ecuador, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia

India Catalina – Key figure in the history of Cartagena; Dominican Friars arrived with Pedro de Heredia  in 1533 to found Cartagena with Catalina as interpreter who is credited with averting a war

Sculpture of renowned Columbian painter and sculptor Fernando Botero in Santo Domingo Square

Cartagena Cathedral and streets in the Walled City:

Beautiful Flowered Balconies  of Cartagena: 

San Augustine Cloister - now the Headquarters of the University of Cartagena, El Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas and the Monument to Zapatos Viejos (Old Shoes) – a homage to the satirical local poet Luis Carlos López

Cartagena Walled City at Night:

Funky Street Art:

Artwork of Francisco Pineaud at the Museum of Modern Art:

On our hotel’s roof-top terrace, Franciscan Churches and Convent and there’s no mistaking what the Columbian flag looks like: