The airport in
Cartagena could not be closer to the city!
We reached our hotel, the Bantu, in around 10 minutes. This was a conversion of two colonial houses and was delightful. Convenient to walk everywhere..... although the walled city is, in any case, quite compact.
After a quick check in and late lunch we had to go and explore this charming walled city! A Spanish colonial city basically saved from the Brits! Sir Francis Drake tried to take the city from the Spaniards, but left after he had looted all the gold!
We very quickly encountered another
Botero in a close by square....
Inspiration for a nearby table??
And we also quickly encountered a person in traditional dress.... one pays for a photo! There were quite a few opportunities... to pay!
The Cathedral ...... from 1575, but sacked by Sir Francis Drake, and rebuilt by 1612.
The Inquisition building......
we passed beautiful colourful homes.....
Some more mansions than simple homes.......
.......and some turned into small boutique hotels.......
we were told that the door knockers indicated the profession of the owner...interesting!
Everyone headed to the wall to view the sunset......
We noticed and followed.........
Next morning we followed up with a trip to the Fortress above the city.......
Our hotel was very close to a superb shopping centre, built in what had been an old bullring!
...with a great rooftop bar!
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