Cartagena, the origional gated community

Expecting spend another full day on the sea, we happily approached Cartagena, Colombia earlier than expected at 10am after 39 hours of sailing with no land in sight. We were so excited to make it to South America for the first time!! Although it´s salty, sandy, and dirty ordeal, sailing to a new continent is an amazing way to arrive!

The boueys in this photo are evidence of one of ancient Cartagena´s extravagant defense mechanisms: an underwater wall designed to ground enemy ships. Between them is the only passable entrance to the city at about 19m deep. The wall extends up to 2m below the water´s surface with the idea that enemy ships not knowing the (historically unmarked) entrance would get stuck, rendering them sitting ducks for the Spanish navy to cannon to pieces.

Cartagena is a well preserved historically powerful Spanish port city. Beautiful cathedrals and colorful Colonial architecture fill the original walled city.

The wall around the city

Arriving on a weekend, the city was very lively. Locals collect in the parks and plazas (were there are no drinking in public laws) as well as the patio cafes to enjoy the cooler evenings. Among the numerous street performers we had a hilarious introduction to Colombia by a cross-dressing, large-bellied man performing as Shakira. We spend 2 days just wandering around the pretty city, enjoying the incredible fresh fruit and street food, spending a little more time with our shipmates, and watching futbol de La Copa Mundail.

The street our hostel was on

At Fort San Felipe, the Spaniards stored much of the world´s gold, pillaged from all of South America and closely guarded their conquered land from other conquistadors.