Gloria says Hi from Cartegena Columbia

The Virtuoso Cocktail Party was good, there were 140 people which was a good turnout.  Met some lovely people, most only going to Lima. Dinner in Compass Rose with Jerry and Maria from LA who talked like thrashing machines, quite nice really. Off to the Show, a Comedian, Bruce Smirnoff. He was OK, but have heard heaps better, even my jokes are better than most of his!

Today is a beautiful day (11th) and Happy Birthday to Diane Bauld. Tony went to a lecture and at last I had a turn on the computer, so am now up to date with most messages. It was very pleasant sitting in the Observation Lounge, very quiet, no ships in sight just a nice quiet time. Ship docking around 3pm today and then we’re off to the Old Town on a walking tour, should be good.

Beautiful entrance into the Bay where we docked , only room for one ship at time. Took off on our tour with Rafael who was 85, had a pacemaker and had it renewed again last year.His father died at 112.Very knowledgeable person. Went to the Fortress named Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, only for a photo stop, huge thing made of concrete the largest of a number of fortresses built to protect the City from Pirates. 

Then onto the Old Walled City, built with huge blocks of concrete. Walked around for about an hour. Quite pretty in places and very dirty in others. Would not like to walk about by myself. The drive along the foreshore was lovely, hundreds of people in the sea and it was after 6pm and lots on the sand talking and drinking, quite a sight. Last stop at an emerald jewellery shop for heavens sake. Nobody was interested in that so walked about for half hour and then returned to the ship.

It’s Pool Deck BBQ party tonight and a great one it was. All kinds of meats as well as a sheep they had roasted on BBQ, very nice. Salads, crepe suzettes , yum so nice. Then a local group from Cartagena came and danced for us. So colourful and quick on their feet. Was marvellous to watch, there were about 20 of them and they really went for it. Great show. Then we all danced, so Tony and I kicked up our heels for a while.

Today we sail at 1pm overnight to the Panama Canal. Not sure how reception will be there but we’re very interested to see this amazing wonder again especially as they are widening it to accommodate bigger ships