Nov 29 - Dec 2
Our first destination was Columbia, a change from the original itinerary. Initially, we considered withdrawing from the trip due to Cartagena’s history. However, the area we visited was limited to the tourist-friendly parts of the walled city and a few select tourist locations elsewhere. In the end, it turned out to be safe.
This map shows the parts of the city we visited. Our Hotel was the Sofitel Legend
Our hotel was an historical building that had been converted to a hotel after hundreds of years of service. One of the first trips was a tour of the hotel itself. Unfortunately, neither Carrie nor I took a lot of pictures of the hotel.
This is the hotel's history as described on their website
Built in 1621, our property was originally a convent that housed the Poor Clares before they were evicted in 1861. For over a century, this place witnessed history and served successively as a charity hospital and medical school therefore generating a series of Republican style changes. In 1995, it became the iconic Santa Clara hotel.
In the evening we walked (escorted by a band) to a restaurant located just outside of the walled city
My first trip on Dec 1 was to a local coffee shop for a demonstration of Columbian Coffee
This was the first of many lectures on a local specialty. In this case, the topic was coffee, presented by a local shop that was also a premium grower.
We selected a station while the leader prepared 3 samples. We had strict orders not to drink until told to do so.
After sampling the coffee, eating the food on command, and recording our observations, we discovered that only two types of coffee were used. The first sample was the standard supermarket coffee {what the French would call vin ordinaire if they were talking about wine}. The other two samples were variations of the same coffee prepared differently.
A further surprise awaited us later. Once the coffee had cooled, the ordinary coffee became undrinkable. Surprisingly, the two other samples actually improved.
After the demo we walked back to the hotel
In the afternoon we left the walled city to visit some other local sites
We had heard of the monastery before because of its association with the hotel during its time as a convent. The monastery is situated on the highest hill in the area, providing breathtaking views.
As we drove up the hill we passed increasingly poorer properties. Unlike in many parts of the world the hill tops are not owned by the rich.
The walled city where we were staying was the original fort for Cartagena. Unfortunately legions of "pirates" (among them English soldiers) were able to conquer the walled city. Thus a more robust fort was built
After numerous attacks the Spanish built a more robust fort that could resist future attacks
The walled city was the original fort of Cartagena. As you can see it is right on the ocean. Apparently it was vulnerable from attack from the land.