Barranquilla

As Cartagena was cloudy and wet we decided to explore the nearest city, Barranquilla , 115 km from Cartagena.

On the way we stopped at Volcán de Lodo El Totumo, a volcano that spews mud instead of lava.

Legend says the volcano used to produce fire but the local priest, seeing it as the work of the devil, frequentlly sprinkled it with holy water. As a result he managed not only to extinguish the fire but also to turn it into mud. 

They say the mud contains minerals that have good therapeutic properties.

El sombrero Vueltiao

El sombrero Vueltiao is a restaurant built in the shape of a Colombian hat, a national symbol.

The cathedral is a huge structure with capacity for 4000 parishioners. It was completed in 1982.

 Casa del Carnaval explains the importance of this festival which started in 1914

This charming building represents the importance of the harbour for international trade

The Museo del Caribe is a modern museum that shows the history, geography and cultures of the people of the Caribbean region using the latest technologies.

The beautiful 19 century church of Saint Nicholas

On the way back to Cartagena we could rest in Castillo San Antonio de Salgar, an historic building that keeps the colonial architecture and has a  bar/restaurant with a nice view of the ocean.


Vallenatto is the typical music of the coast ( it includes accordion and local instruments), a different sound from Shakira´s music. The artist was born in Barranquilla.

The Fortifications of Cartagena de Índias

Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas

The original fort was built in the 17th century but it was a small one. In 1762 it was enlarged and became the greatest and strongest fortress ever built by the Spaniards in their colonies.

It was never taken, despite numerous attempts to conquer it by the enemies of Spain. Antonio de Arévalo was the main military engineer, who finished its construction.

A complex system of tunnels connected strategic points of the fortress to distribute provisions and to facilitate evacuation. The tunnels were constructed in such a way that sounds echo all the way along them, making it possible to hear the slightest sound of the approaching enemy fleet.

Alarm bell

Cartagena de Índias was born as a military city.

 

Its awesome defenses can be explained in geopolitical terms as a vital link between Spain and the kingdoms of Mexico and Peru both rich in silver. 

Antonio de Arévalo worked in the fortifications of Cartagena for almost 50 years but the work started 300 years before during the reign of Phillip II.

In the XVIII century, their final cost was so high that King Charles III of Spain said: “ they should reach the clouds and be seen from Spain”.

In front of the fortress there is a statue of Blas de Lezo, a Spanish admiral who is best known for his defensive tactics at the Battle of Cartagena de Índias (1741), where Spanish forces won a decisive victory against the British. In his life he was known as "Patapalo" (peg leg) and later as "Mediohombre" (half-man), for the many wounds  he suffered in his military life.


Cartagena, 7th August 2014

Alentejo, Portugal: Best Wine Region to visit

CONGRATULATIONS, ALENTEJO

Although I am far away from Alentejo, it was with great plesure I learned Alentejo was appointed number one in the BEST WINE REGION TO VISIT.

Lisbon Oceanarium

Lisbon has the second best oceanarium in the world according to Tripadvisor.

Read here

Fim de tarde

em Cartagena das Índias

Bocagrande, Cartagena 6/8/2014

Recordando Garcia Marques

Bogotá in 4 days

Bogotá is situated in a large valley at the bottom of beautiful green mountains. 

The city sits at an altitude of 2640m.

Cerro de Monserrate (3160m) is one of its peaks.

You can reach the top by cable car, funicular railway or on foot   ( I haven´t seen anyone climbing the mountain). As all the ways seemed rather frightening, I chose the cable car.

The view of the city from the top is superb as you can have an overview of this big city with almost 9 million inhabitants.

In case you feel sick...

It is also a pilgrimage place due to the statue of the Fallen Christ to which many miracles have been attributed.

The oldest part of the city is La Candelaria. The usual place to start discovering the city is Plaza Bolivar with a statue of the Libertador Simon Bolivar.

Teatro Cólon opened in 1892 for the fourth centenary of the discovery of America.

The Gold Museum contains many pieces from the pre-Hispanic cultures in Colombia.

Botero collection and the National Museum (Art in Bogota) are a must see.

The Church of San Francisco (1556) is Bogotá´s oldest surviving church. It is extraordinary the 17th century gilded altarpiece.

Quinta de Bolívar (1800) is a mansion donated to Bolivar in gratitude for his services.

To learn more about this beautiful stone...

A stroll in the old part of the city or in the modern area (a haven for consumers with all the international brands) is important for you to get to know why Bogotá is a lively city with a very interesting past.

healthy snacks