Mocha milkshakes are my favorite drink on the ship so far and I’m drinking one as I type. It’s basically a frozen mocha with ice cream added. The only problem with them is that they’re served with a self-destructing paper straw with a short time limit. Can you drink it before your straw loses its function? My recommendation, bring a reusable straw or a pack of normal ones because the straw situation is not good onboard.
Today we’re in Colombia and it’s my first time in South America! We booked the, “Cartagena On Your Own” tour through Shore Excursion Group. When we got off the ship, a line of tour buses were lined up on the dock. These were all the tours arranged by Princess. We met our representatives at the end of the dock. They gave us a sticker with the name of our guide, Eddie, and then we were instructed to wait in the Aviary.
This is by far the coolest port terminal! The wildlife in the Aviary was incredible with free-roaming peacocks, flamingoes, Mackaw parrots, and even some monkeys! I’ve never been so close to so many exotic birds. If you have a fear of birds, you’d hate this place because there were birds flying everywhere. I find them so beautiful and it was a joy to wait here. We waited here until all 11 of us were here and then we walked outside to our van. I love the fact that this is another small group tour.
Our first stop was to a shoe monument with a beautiful view of the old wall. There is a wall that surrounds Cartagena that look over 100 years to build. Many people lost their lives to build this giant wall. We got out to take pictures and several people approached us to buy things such as bracelets, hats, etc. Little did we know this was just the start.
There are several destinations with persistent street vendors, but the Colombian street vendors took this to another level. They were literally in your face and constant our entire time of walking the city. We sat at one restaurant outside and they even approached us here! We then moved inside and finally got some relief. Luckily, we had a conversation with my son before going on this tour. Do not tell anyone your name and do not take anything that is offered to you including toys. We were warned that the street vendor would ask for your name, write your name on something, and then demand paying for that item. The easiest way to avoid this situation is not to share your name. My son did an amazing job of keeping his hands to himself and not reaching for the toys that were dangled in front of him.
Our tour was supposed to be "Cartagena On Your Own" and was described as a narrated drive to the city followed by time on your own to explore the city. Our tour guide didn’t get the memo on the tour he was leading. He did an awesome job being our guide not only on the drive to the city, but throughout the city as well. I then wondered if we were put on the wrong tour. I talked to some of the other people in the group and they were also expecting to be on their own. After going in and out of several sites I asked Eddie when we’d have time on our own. He gave me this look and told me there would’t be time on our own. Eventually others spoke up too and we negotiated 30 minutes to explore. It was difficult because we weren’t prepared for a guided tour. We hadn’t eaten breakfast on the ship because we planned on eating at a cafe after the short drive to the city. I hadn’t prepared my son for a historical tour because I didn’t think that would be part of it. It all worked out and my son did amazing given the unexpected situation. I looked at the description of the tour when we got back and it definitely didn’t match. The good news was that the one we got was double the price so I guess we got more than we paid for.
Back onboard we headed back to the water table which has become my son's favorite place onboard, and then headed to the room to relax. We sat on the balcony as we watched the ship leave Cartagena. Our neighbors were on the balcony too and there is a family next door! The odds of that happening are so slim since there are so few children onboard. The kids next door are 6 and 8 and became fast friends. The mom of the kids called guest services about opening the partition between our balconies. They wouldn’t do it unless I called too. After I called, guest services was up promptly to unlock the door. The kids enjoyed running amok between the cabins. They ran circles: out one main door, into the next main door, out the balcony door, into the other balcony, repeat, repeat, repeat. My son wants to go to the kids club tonight to play with them!
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