Cartagena, Columbia

8 Feb 2010

2/8/10 to 2/20/10

We departed Oranjestad early Friday afternoon & 51 hours later, we were 345 NM southwest of Aruba motor sailing along Columbia’s northern coast. Unable to make Cartagena by sunset, we anchored for the evening in the large bay at Punta Hermosa. It was a relief to have unseasonably calm conditions, unlike fellow cruisers (Adrian & Leslie aboard S/V Lalize) who departed 5 days before us & encountered 40 knot winds & 20 ft seas off the northern coast. Timing is everything!

Cartagena Offshore

The initial view of Cartagena’s high-rise skyline is somewhat surreal after cruising the Eastern Caribbean & Netherland Antilles. After clearing the small cut in the underwater wall (a colonial era defense fortification), we entered the Bahia de Cartagena & made our way through the marked channel to the anchorage southwest of Club Nautico Marina. As the boat swings with the tide, we have a view of the ‘Old City’ or ‘Walled City’ (outgoing tide) & the commercial port & cruise ship terminal (incoming tide.) The holding is fair to poor in smelly, sludge-like mud. The neighborhood surrounding the marina is middle-class & safe to walk about. A few blocks away, there’s a very nice supermarket, an ATM, deli, internet café & laundry services.

The Anchorage off Club Nautico

The Centero Historico (Old Town or Walled City) is a short 10-minute walk from the marina & takes you by several restaurants, the convention center, a colonial church, statues & the Plaza del Centenario (Central Park.) The primary entrance into the historic district is through the Clock Tower, a beautiful & grand architectural structure. Walking into the ‘Walled City’ is like stepping back in time – cobblestone streets, beautiful colonial buildings, tranquil plazas, fountains, sculptures, horse-drawn carriages, and balconies overflowing with flowers.

The Clock Tower entrance

During our 12-day stay we visited the Gold Museum, Naval Museum, Modern Art Museum, the Cathedral, all seven public plazas, the Hotel Santa Clara (a converted nunnery), San Felipe Fortress & the Monastery (Covent De La Popa). In between the historic sites, we frequented several restaurants, cafes & bakeries. We now understand how cruisers can stay months, or return year after year to the beautiful city.

Gold Museum (artifacts of the Zenu, a pre-Columbian society & master goldsmiths)