Cartagena, Colombia
We were looking forward to another new port today, Cartegena, Colombia, which meant another early breakfast in the buffet and a bus ride around the city. Our first stop was the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a fortress in the center of the city. The castle was built in 1536 and is located on the Hill of San Lazaro in a strategic location, dominating approaches to the city by land or sea. We got off the bus and explored the fort, dodging all of the vendors trying to sell t-shirts and hats. Then we drove around the city outside the old stone walls.
Emeralds
Our last stop was the one Janie was waiting for, which was the Emerald Museum. We gathered in an air-conditioned room and were served empanadas and sodas while one of the sons of the owners explained how emeralds were created and mined, along with other gems. Then we headed to the museum. We started off with a tour of a sample mine, then one of the owners showed up and he started rushing us through all of the other exhibits, obviously trying to get us into his shop. Janie found some emerald earrings she liked and then it back to the bus to head back to the ship.
Port
At the port there was a small zoo with birds and monkeys which was really cool and then we went into the shop to buy some Colombian coffee and chocolates before walking back to the ship.
Eden and Evening
We had a Captain's Club preview of the Dreams show by the Eden Production Cast and then went to dinner in Blu. We skipped the evening show by N'Kenge because we are tired of every Celebrity cruise having a 'diva' singer who sings the same Aretha and Whitney songs. So we had some drinks instead. J. R. was tired so he went to bed while Janie went to the adult game show "The Naughty List" in the Club.
