...and Sue sizes up the massive Colombian National Flag billowing in the breeze...
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... another view of the huge walls.
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08/Aug/2012, Museo d'Oro - Cartagena - Colombia
Spanish treasure ships, pieces of eight, Drake, Hawkins and El Dorado. Names and memories from history lessons at school still rumble around in the depths of memory, to pop forth when triggered. The truth of the systematic rape and pillage of Central and South American culture and society was not fully apparent to us until we saw some of the fine workmanship executed more than 500 years before the Spanish Conquistadors strode out upon these shores.
A highly sophisticate series of civillisations inhabited the deltas, river valleys and high lands of what is now Colombia. Gold was relatively abundant in the rocks and washed down in river sediments towards the sea. Easily worked and alloyed with copper for simple tools the metal was widely used. European explorers and colonisers found rich pickings throughout the continent. Beautiful artifacts must have been destroyed by the cart load for the bullion value of the gold within and shipped back to the Iberian Peninsula; some being captured by vessel from hostile nations or pirates.
A sad history of occupation, destruction and, more recently, grave robbery on a colosal scale. Some of the wonderful pieces of ornament, jewellery and other objects have survived, a number are displayed in the Museo d'Oro in Cartagena and more can be seen, we are told, in Bogota.
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... and fine workmanship in these pieces (ear-rings we think), those nearest are approximately 75mm (3 inches) across.
...More photos will be added to the Cartagena album.
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06/Aug/2012, Cartagena - Colombia
A couple of days so far spent in Cartagena doing some sightseeing and settling in to a new location. Moored at Club de Pesca we have the luxury of just walking ashore and a short stroll to the city walls. In the embrace of the old harbour we have plenty of high rise buildings behind us and the old city a short distance away. Together with the shallow water and re-radiated sunshine from stonework and concrete the temperature and humidity is higher than back in Tayrona and Santa Marta. The gentle breeze that funnels below the bridge from ahead is most gratefully received.
Like many cities graced with spectacular architecture and grand curches tourism is big business here. A mixture of foreign and national visitors cluster and throng in the picturesque squares and narrow streets lined with balconied houses. Founded in 1533 the city has enjoyed and suffered during a long history dating back nearly to the earliest European occupation of these shores...
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... Perhaps this is the low season, summer heat being less popular for tourists; there seem to be many vendors chasing too few visitors. Serenaders with nobody to charm, cafes with tables to spare and street sellers clutching full displays and attempting to strike up profitable conversations....
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