The little bird that joined us on our trip
The channel as we approach Cartagena was protected by two forts: we have Fuerte San Jose on our right...
...and Fuerte San Fernando on the left.
This huge container ship is dwarfed by this aircraft carrier...
...six choppers on it.
“Bocagrande”, Cartagena's Manhattan
Perched on the hill is the Convento de la Popa, founded by the Augustinians in 1607.
Just like Colon, Cartagena is a major industrial port...
...
...but its Old City is vibrant and rich with history and culture.
Bocagrande at sunset
Woodworkers avert your eyes!! Travis used a grinder to get the tough stuff off before we hit it with the sander.
On the first, day Alvaro started building a template.
This is his brother Hernando who helped with a lot of the legwork.
Streetside Club Nautico Marina
The streets in the more industrial areas are packed with taxis, buses and motorcyles.
And old town can be packed with pedestrians.
The ladies peddling today's fresh fruits!
La Catedral
I had no idea this was a chain! We've both visited the original in Havana -it's a famous Hemingway hangout.
Iglesia de San Pedro Claver
Checkmate!
Not as colourful as the originals, but still pretty cool
The main gateway to the inner town, la Puerta del Reloj
Plaza de los Pegasos
Los Pegasos!
The teak has been fashioned after the template and now they start to install the front panels.
Most everything was done with hand tools.
Meanwhile, we need to improvise for cover in the cockpit when it rains. Cheers!
Peeping Tom
Castillo de San Felipe
Construction began in 1639 and was finished 150 years later.
A view from the top
Down to the tunnels below
Now that he's tinkered with all the angles and is happy with the fit he epoxies everything into place.
Meanwhile, the growth accumulates...
Bouillabaise, anyone?
It grows on absolutely anything left in the water.
Now that everything is screwed and glued...
...he planes off the top...
...so we can start with the roof.
Dave's Birthday
(B) Drury, Travis, Yolanda, Dave, Barbara, John, Oliver; (F)Megan, Jennifer, Judy, Dave, Stan
With the side supports up, they puts the ribs in place.
The Flower Exposition
Huge!
Some interesting displays...
They had a lot of dyed flowers, too, mostly chrysanthemums...
This is the first year they've let the public in to see this exhibition.
Yep, cabbage...
All these flowers are still in great shape after almost a week on display.
A furry bird of paradise!
The airplants are on the ground, the bromelids are in the air.
Sadly, all these flowers were incinerated the next day.
Cutting the roof
The mud baths at Volcan de Lodo El Totumo
A nice massage
At 2500 metres deep, we are literally suspended in this stuff!
Mannequin hands
That's our tour guide Duran in the orange.
Our swampy rinse area.
Oh no!! Another animal screaming “take me home!”
We had pork for lunch.
Happy hour at Club Nautico
This was like a courtship dance...
This one had them moving at the speed of light!
The roof and trim in progress
Meanwhile, we have applied the finish to the framework.
Crystal sent the photos of Tigra and her little ones!!
Awwwwwwwww!
The neighbours' curious cat
With good friends Drury...
...and Jennifer. Canucks, too.
Our chariot awaits
The Old City is so pretty at night.
The roof is on and epoxied.
And now for the trim
It was tough getting it to stay put while it dried!
Holy clamps, Batman!
Our newest houseguest. We've been bringing them on board since Bocas to eat bugs. We see them every once in a while. We also see bugs.
This baby has put in its time! I even had to staple the hem at the edge because the sewing machine is gibbled... She's retired, and has been replaced with a younger model. It's bound to happen to us all, I suppose.
Measuring for the trim
Trim is on, and the boys are still working right up until we leave...
We'll apply the last of the finish and paint the top of the roof at the next port. Hasta luego!!
