Cartagena Photos

Cartagena, Colombia

24-27 May 2010

   Cartagena, on the Carribean cost of Colombia, is one of the most popular places in Colombia for tourists. It is a Colonial walled city that has been declared a world heritage site. Because it was an important port and because the Spanish were extracting so much gold from the Americas the city was a popular target for pirates, and so a great wall and many forts were built to protect it.

San Felipe de Barajas, just one of the impressive forts build to guard Cartagena

I wish I had taken a torch (flashlight).... the fort is full of underground tunnels which seem to carry on forever, they were lit to a certain distance, then I tried to use my camera flash to keep going, until I stepped into a big dirty puddle and realised I was being foolish.

This is the church and santuary of St Peter Claver. I know the Sisters of St Peter Claver in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, so I had to visit.

St Peter Claver, Slave of the Slaves. He worked with the slaves brought to this part of the world. His story is very interesting and you can learn more with wikipedia.

Under the alter, in the glowing orange part, is the remains of Saint Peter Claver

Old streets of Cartagena.

The Ceviche street market.... my and a fellow traveller stopped for a small serve of Ceviche.

Cartagena glows at night.

Night scene in Cartagena

Elegance is in the buildings of Cartagena.

Notes
Accomodation: Hotel Marlin, Dorm Bed $10, includes Air conditioning (needed) and breakfast. Across the road is a party hostel... better to stay in the quiet and air conditioning of Hotel Marlin and go over for a drink.
Flight Medellin to Cartagena $85, direct, 1hr 20mins.... compared to $50 bus, 12 hours.
Student entry to Fort $3.50. Entry to Santuary of St Peter Claver $2.