the queen travels: Cartagena, Colombia

What a day (Wednesday, February 26) … it was filled with a bus tour, shopping, a walking tour … we were run hard and worn out. But we had gotten a taste of this beautiful city, filled with old architecture … churches, museums, fortresses.

There's a lot of metal art, which is pretty interesting to see.

The fortresses are impressive.

I like taking photos of police. I wonder if he could catch anyone on this bike.

This little gal was in one of the niches in the wall. Many people are in them, waiting for buses, or what, I don't know.

The wall is built around the old city.

Cartagena’s fortresses are considered to be the most extensive in the New World and the most complete. There is a huge stone wall that was built completely around the old city that was used to keep their enemies out. It’s still there and some of the areas still have cannons at the top of the wall. Supposedly Spain poured all of its resources into constructing giant fortresses estimated at about $2 trillion. The Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas is in the central section and is the largest Spanish fort ever built in the New World. While the forts and cannons may remind many of times of war, pirates, looting, invasions and attacks, on the day we visit, it’s history and beautiful.

We were in the Naval Museum but needed a few hours at least to really see what was in there. There were anchors and statues and so many displays, but no time to see what they all were.

An old cannon as you enter the Navy museum.

The museum was beautiful inside but our time was just too limited.

This guy was up near the ceiling watching everything with his spyglass.

We were treated to a dance recital, but again, it was done so quickly it seemed over before it had started.

This set of dancer's had bright, colorful costumes that were fascinating to watch as they swirled and whirled.

A young man had a parrot in one of the areas so needed a photo. Beautiful colors adorn these birds.

Catholicism is the main religion and the churches are beautiful beyond words.

The colorful buildings kept drawing my eyes to them time-after-time.

We were in churches, fortresses, other museums, much of it part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. My favorite and what I’d really wanted to see was the Palace of the Inquisition. The palace is beautiful, with colored walls and beautiful (although uneven) stone steps. Fine wood graces some balconies and doorways and it’s a place you’d think would be filled with wonderful memories of times of romance or glory. In fact, this palace was a multi-storied “court” built by the church to seek out, try and condemn anyone viewed as a heretic.

Inquisition Palace. What a beautiful old building.

The misery and torture can only be imagined as one views the various instruments of torture. During the colonial era, 800 people were condemned to death and executed for crimes of what were decreed to be magic, witchcraft and blasphemy.

This thing is just plain ugly. Drop your chin and you get stuck through the chin and the neck.

I'm not sure how this works. The screw at the back may have been screwed into the back of your head or neck. Also, not a pretty sight.

A collar ... just plain spooky.

This scooter with the buckets was also at the Inquisition Palace. I'm not sure what it is, why it's there or if it's just a museum piece in the palace. It's a pretty cool looking machine.

Cartegena’s streets are lined with beautiful, colorful buildings. I love the bright paint and how it makes you feel lighthearted. There are mimes, beggars and street vendors pushing, pushing, pushing their wares. It’s difficult sometimes to get past them. The guy with the tablecloth didn’t want to take no for an answer. But I came home without one.

The bright blue building was my favorite.

Everything is for sale here ...

I also came home without an emerald. Colombia is known for its emeralds as 95 percent of the world’s emeralds come from here. I did buy more coffee, though. I’ve now purchased coffee in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia. I’ve tasted it all and it’s wonderful. And it should last me for a while after I get home.

It's so colorful everywhere ... all the dresses, scarves. Love seeing it.

And you can buy anything ... cartons of cigarettes (at the left), to hats piled up on the guy at the right.

A bit of graffiti here.

We waved at this little gal and she gave us the thumb's up.

There are some beautiful homes here.

One of the minor highlights, though, was having my photo taken with a three-fingered sloth. Her name was Maria and I probably contributed to an inhumane circumstance. I wanted to bring her home, but imagine they may not make great pets. I also don’t know how some of the Beagles would take to her. She was sweet, and later I wondered if I might have gotten fleas or something from her. I did not appear to be scratching, so figure all is well.