15 Oct 12:30am
Cartagena is a working port and naval base in southeast Spain, and tonight the marina is rollicking with the comings and goings of all sorts of vessels, rumbling and pu-pu-pu-puttering across the rugged landscape, which is so reminiscent of home. Cartagena is located just below Cape Palos, where the coast forsakes the Med and makes its descent toward the Pillars of Hercules (Gibraltar) and the wild Atlantic beyond. Besides the commercial and military vessels, it is a stopover point for cruisers, and our brief neighbors of yesterday, who left right after dawn, were replaced with another cruising boat by noon.
Today started a wee bit late, after our 34-hour expedition here, but we made up for lost time, working tirelessly on a long list of get-ready chores, fixes, replacements, etc. chipping away as best we could. Finally at 9pm I left the boat for the first time, bound for downtown Cartagena, a quick walk along the cobbled waterfront, past boats of various type, size and hailing port.
Carthaginians founded the city around 220 B.C. The narrow streets are paved in marble, and lined with architecture and ruins from the second century and beyond. They're also lined with eateries, and we picked one of the more popular for dinner: house wine and tapas, ordering bit after bit until we were satiated – or at least more tired than hungry, and walked home. Now it is bedtime; we rise at 7, tick more chores off the list, and plan to head for Gibralter tomorrow afternoon.
The wind has softened but it is pleasantly cool, perfect for the sleep I am about to enjoy!
some photos here
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