Day 13, Sat., Oct. 1 Colombia

After breakfast and stretch class, we took a tour in Cartagena, a city of 1.5 million people, considered the most beautiful in Columbia. (Bogota, the capital, has 8 million people.)

We first went to the Old City of Cartagena. We saw the original wall to the city and then viewed the Fort of San Felipe de Barajas. This magnificent fort was built by the Spanish in 1533 to protect their new territory. It was the largest fort they built -- larger than the fort in Puerto Rico-- one of the greatest Spanish Military engineering constructions in South America.

From there we went to the Inquisition palace, where they now have on display the gruesome apparatus to torture and kill the witches, disable, Jews and any infidels. It was interest but hardly a happy place.

We walked around the streets of the Old City where we saw picturesque narrow streets and buildings in various stages of remodeling,(begun 14 years ago) making way for trendy shops, expensive apartments, and chic restaurants.

Along the way we visited the Church of San Pedro Laver. We learned about Pedro who took in slaves who were sick when they arrived from Africa. He then housed them permanently, rescuing them from slavery. He was later sainted. His skeleton is buried in a glass casket in the cathedral. (Slavery was ended in 1811 the same year as independence from Spain.)

The we went to las bovedas (the dungeons), which is a former jail now converted to 23 little shops where small businesses sell handicrafts.

A short dry away took us to one of the three islands off the new city. We stopped at Pierino Galllo Mall (for, whatever? Mor shopping) where we viewed beautiful high rises, condominiums and hotels with lovely beachfront.

When we returned to the ship, it felt good to sit and watch the day's movie, "The Greatest Movie Ever Sold" a comedy/documentary about branding, advertising and product placement.

Evening entertainment was provided by James Stephens III, a very talented comedian. He has a law degree and PhD theology, plays the piano with great skill, and does marvelous impersonations, including Sammy Davis, Nat King Cole, Johnny Cash and Bill Cosby, whom he will impersonate in an upcoming movie. He sells a DVD and a children's book he wrote with the revenue going to a foundation he founded to support needy children. He is someone to watch for.

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Location:Cartagena, Colombia

Day 14, Sun., Oct 2 at sea

After stretch class, we had a formal breakfast in the dining room (instead of the cafe) with Pat's friends, Barb and Olive. Then I went to my final Bootcamp workout (thankfully--it was quite challenging. I was congratulated for sticking with it!)!

Pat went to a talk on climate change and biodiversity in the tropics. The bottom line--the future is scary!

It was a beautiful day (sunny and 95 degrees) so we were. In and out of the pool a lot today -- until the end-of-the-day stretch class.

Dinner was formal, and we invited our new young friend from Ireland, Dani, to join us. Since she's traveling along she doesn't like to go into the dining room without a seating partner, and we have thoroughly enjoy her company.

The cruise song and dance troupe put on a fabulous show entitled "iBroadway". The lighting, costumes, music and dance was top quality. Quite a show!



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Location:At sea - after leaving Columbia

Day 12, Fri, 9/230/11 Panama City

From the port in Colon at the north (Caribbean) end of the canal a bus took us to "colonial" Panama City. Amidst a downpour (this is the rainy season from Feb to Nov.) we walked around the a promenade known as Las Bovedos and the French Quarter dedicated to the French who tried and failed to dig the canal between 1880 and 1900.



As the rain stopped we took a fascinating walk looking to the canal on one side and on the other side walking thru an area of buildings dating from the 17th century. The government has supported stimulus for private investment and so there are now beautifully renovated buildings next to those that were neglected for years. I would love to return in a few years to see the renovated area.

We then rode along a causeway that connect several islands, passing the construction of a museum designed by Frank Gehry (architect of the Guggenheim), ending at a resort hotel with a great view of the new Panama City. Among the skyscrapers (which were built mostly from 1960 or 1980 onward) is a condominium built by Donald Trump in 2001.

Our tour ended with a visit to the Miraflores locks observation center where we could see the ships going through from a different vantage point and enjoy a video of the history of the construction. It's hard to imagine what a monumental undertaking it was, requiring great vision, courage and faith in the future. I hope we can have leaders today who will build for our children's future!

Back on the ship we ended the day with a seminar on foot Reflexology, a stretch class, and an evening of entertainment with comedian juggler Barry John.

Tomorrow we will dock in Columbia -the last one before home! (I will be ready to come home!)
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Location:Panama City