Cartagena de Indias is billed as Colombia’s principal tourist attraction. The city was founded by the Spanish Conquistador Don Pedro de Heredia in 1533 and was one of the important ports for the collection and shipping of treasure (mostly gold and silver) collected from the native tribes back to Spain. The galleons used to meet up in Cuba and travel back together once a year – up to 1000 at a time. The port was frequently raided by pirates and adventurers including Sir Francis Drake, so in the 17th Century fortifications were built and today the walled city still exists – reminiscent of Cadiz but not painted white. It is full of colourful buildings with lots of tourist shops and churches and museums – we visited the small Gold museum which has some of the few remains of the beautiful native gold dating back 2000 years – shame most of it was stolen and melted down. We bought a ‘Panama’ hat each – though they are made in Colombia they seem to be of good quality and can be folded flat for travel (time will tell!)
Tonight we are looking forward to a Burns night dinner and are expecting the many Scots on board to dress up – we will be addressing the Haggis and toasting the lads and lasses!
Up early tomorrow for the transit of the Panama Canal.
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