October6-8 then it must be Cartagena

October 6, the train to Cartagena was mostly uneventful, a 5.5 hour ride to Madrid, 2 hours in Madrid and another 5 hours to Cartagena. Except for, getting on the train in Santiago, 2 quite inebriated young couples jostled their way to seats across from us. At first we thought they were Spanish as they all spoke fluent Spanish, but later we realized they were from the US, maybe Cuban, but no matter. We were concerned as they were quite noisy and with beers in hand we were afraid we were in for a raucous trip. But no, once the train got going and they had some food and fell asleep (passed out). The girls fell asleep immediately, one boy fell asleep in mid sandwich, the other guy fell asleep mid beer which he eventually poured down his arm and the seat when he went to scratch his shoulder. He never knew he spilled that beer as it was all dry by the time they woke up in Madrid. Somewhat entertaining for us, oh to be young and fancy free.

Cartagena is an enchanting city, Blair was here last year as he left on his Atlantic voyage from this port. He has wanted to show Sharon around since that time. The city certainly lives up to the hype. Across from our hotel is part of the Punic wall. There is always a museum to go with it. It is quite unobtrusive as are all the museums here, it is not about the building but the contents or ruins they house. But because this city was established in 2 BCE there are layers of the cultures that inhabited from Roman ruins to Franco's bunkers.

We started out the day by walking on the promenade along the docks, very impressive, containers, industry, naval base, palm trees, mega yachts and of course Blair's favourite, all kinds of sailboats. So Blair was a happy camper. On impulse we took a harbour tour in a 70" Catamaran which gave a really nice view of all the forts on the hills and walls built by the various cultures.

View of harbour entrance and various walls and bunkers from harbour tour.

Mega yacht $100,000,000.

Sharon on cat tour.

 

This city (a very good easily held port) has been held at various times by the Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, Muslims and Christians. The influences can be seen everywhere. In fact the first place Blair took Sharon was the Teatro Romano, a Roman theatre that was unearthed in 1987. An amazing place where you can see the different levels of time. Starting on the top a church built in the 17 or 18 century, then a medieval church, under that a Muslim home and finally the theatre under that. The museum is set up wonderfully all enclosed as you pass through the layers then you walk out onto a vista as you see below, impressive to say the least! View from top of theatre.

Side view new construction blended with old to give better interpretation.

After breaks for lunch and some shopping we went to the excavation site of the Roman baths. Again, what is so impressive is how these sites blend into the city, oh and did I mention that the streets are paved in marble! (Well not all but lots).

Inside the Roman baths.

Had a great Italian dinner, among the best carpaccio and salad we have had and that is saying a lot, we may go back tomorrow night. Got up to another glorious day and headed UP to the castle. Good thing we have been walking so much, but just as we turned the corner to start our climb, TWO cruise shipships at the dock, oh, oh, our Cartagena has been hijacked! Didn't end up to be too bad, we just waited for the tour directors to take their charges through. There were really spectacular views of the surrounding areas, very clear why the castle was situated there.

Example of fusion of styles.

View from castle, one cruise ship.

View from castle, another cruise ship.

View of old bullring from castle. We thought they were restoring it, but no, they are excavating a Roman amphitheater.

Under the bullring, this was supposedly a drain way for the mock naval battles the Romans had in the arena.

View of the OLD and new theatre from the castle.

After lunch went to Casa Fortuna, a Roman house that they have excavated and interpreted, but what we have realized after our walkabout today is there are many lots where excavation has started and they must have found more Roman ruins so of course building is at a standstill. The other thing that they are doing here is taking old buildings down except for the facade, so the look of the city will remain the same.

Restored wall painting in the Fortuna house.

Floor tiling in the Fortuna house.

Oh, another Roman road fenced off by our hotel. Must be tough to be in construction in this city!

The last thing we did this afternoon, after it reopened at 4:30, (it has become very annoying that many stores, museums etc shut down from 2-4:30 or 5) was go to the Naval Museum. Cartagena has been the centre for the navy since the beginning, so has a long rich history including the first submarine. Blair was enthralled of course. When we were leaving a bunch of sailors in dress whites were walking with an older gentleman, the entourage included a phalanx of police and secret service complete with ear pieces, we are not sure who he was but we did hear some protests across the bay earlier??

So tomorrow early we are off to Allicante for the excitement of the Volvo Ocean Race :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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