View of Teatro Colon, the first building we saw in the historic district of Cartagena

Boats anchored in the Bahia de la Animas

Massive bronze horse statues, known as "Muelle de los Pegasos" greet us as we wander towards the old city of Cartagena, an infamous slave port

Archway view of Plaza de los Coches

The Clock Tower (Torre del Reloj) is the main entrance into Old Cartagena

Soldiers casually strolling through picturesque Plaza de los Coches

The statue of the city's founder, Pedro de Heredia, stands in the middle of Plaza de los Coches, which was once used as the main market area for slaves in Cartagena

Another view of the most central plaza in Cartagena

A government building adjacent to Plaza de Bolivar

The relatively empty streets of Cartagena (in an hour, this place will be bustling!)

A "Palenquera" heads into Cartagena for a busy day posing for tourists

"Come play with me"

Charming wooden balconies overlooking the streets of Cartagena are a common sight

An early morning discussion between two "Palenqueras", iconic Afro-Colombian fruit vendors

Statue of Simon Bolivar on horseback at the shady and pleasant Plaza de Bolivar

Traditional red mailbox in Cartagena

Entrance to the infamous "Palacio de la Inquisicion", where hundreds of non-Catholics were tortured, judged and convicted by the Spanish Inquisition

Cartagena's Cathedral Tower as seen down one of the city's many narrow streets

Cartagena and Colombia flags adorn an old colonial building; Plaza de Bolivar

Old Cartagena is full of interesting door knockers. They were a sign of status for the city's rich inhabitants

Statue of Christopher Columbus; Plaza de la Aduana

The largest and oldest square in Cartagena was once used as a parade ground; Plaza de la Aduana

A shoe polisher gossips with his first customer of the day

Final view of Plaza da la Aduana

Beautiful architecture abounds in lovely Cartagena

View of the 18th Century Iglesia de San Pedro Claver

Chess players deep in contemplation; Square outside Iglesia de San Pedro Claver

Robby and the shoe polisher

Blue balconies stand out against a white washed building

Emerald store catering to cruise ship tourists

Cartagena's Naval Museum

View of the picturesque Iglesia de San Pedro Claver

16th Century canons perched upon the city walls; Cartagena

Fish eye view of Cartagena

Exploring the walled colonial section of Old Cartagena is a delight...get there early to beat the crowds

A unique intersection in Cartagena

Beautiful entrances of old Cartagena

Ornate fish door knocker

A narrow street for one way traffic; Cartagena

We loved the architecture of old Cartagena

Robby planting a kiss on Botero's La Gorda Gertrudis (or reclining lady) in Plaza de Santo Domingo

Snapshot of the buildings surrounding Plaza de Santo Domingo

Get lost in the quaint alleyways of Cartagena...its an amazing city to explore on foot

Vendors get ready for a long day at Plaza de Santo Domingo

Another one of Cartagena's unique door knockers (use the beard to enter this residence)

View of the Teatro Heredia (if you can view it from the inside, do so...the interior is gorgeous)

Gorgeous wooden balconies provide Cartagena's residents with a fine view of their lovely city

Colonial street within the walled city

A man and his pushcart weave their way through old Cartagena

An old city street view of La Catedral's ornate dome

A detailed lizard door knocker

A fruit vendor conducting brisk business

The buildings within the historic old town of Cartagena are kept in immaculate condition

The scenic side streets of the walled city of Cartagena

Locals purchasing fresh fruit for the day

Tourists enjoying a horse & carriage ride through old Cartagena

Cartagena's city walls

Colorful bougainvillea make an already quaint street scene even more photogenic

White, blue and pink. The bold colors of Cartagena are mesmerizing

A Cuban bar/restaurant; Cartagena

Cartagena is full of colorful side streets...we spent hours exploring most of them

A sea horse door knocker

Typical corner building; old Cartagena

Souvenirs for sale; Plaza de San Diego

Hats for sale in Plaza de San Diego

Horse carriages are a popular "lazy man's" method of exploring old Cartagena

A horse carriage's driver plies the streets looking for new passengers

Colorful houses capture our attention during our city stroll of Cartagena

The appropriately named "Blue House"; Cartagena

A weary Palenquera (traditionally dressed fruit vendor) rests her tired feet

Pastel hued houses of Cartagena

"Day of the Dead" tile on the side of a house

Fish eye view of Las Bovedas, a bustling marketplace for Colombian goods, handicrafts, artwork and clothes

Tourists on a shopping frenzy at Las Bovedas

Souvenirs for sale at Las Bovedas shopping arcade

The iconic Palenquera (fruit basket lady)

Figurines of "Las Negritas"; Las Bovedas

Colombia is football crazy!

Robby and a friendly Palenquera pose for a photo

Street sign for Las Bovedas, one of Cartagena's most popular shopping destinations

It took nearly two centuries for the 16th Century city walls (Las Murallas) of Cartagena to be built. Prior to the attack by pirate Frances Drake, the city of Cartagena was virtually unprotected

View of the old city walls of Cartagena

View of Cartagena's city walls with the fortress of Castillo San Felipe de Barajas visible in the background

Built in the 18th Century, Las Bovedas houses 23 vaults (fronted by 47 arches) that were once used as storerooms for tools and military provisions. Later it was converted to a prison and today it is a tourist marketplace

Casa de Rafael Nunez (wooden mansion of the former president who penned Colombia's National Anthem)

Colombia horse carriage license

Bronze busts on display at Apolo Park (near the home of President Rafael Núñez)

Ermita del Cabrero Church (holds the ashes of Colombia's former President Rafael Núñez)

This architecturally interesting pink corner building caught our attention in old Cartagena

An owl door knocker

Getting lost in the pastel hued labyrinth streets of Cartagena is a joy

Cartagena license plate

A wide variety of hats for sale in sunny Cartagena

Visiting the excellent gold museum (free entrance) in Cartagena is a must. There are dozens of fine specimens on display

A fine example of the ornate gold figurines on display at the Zenú museum

Detail of a crocodile figurine; Zenú gold museum

Clay facial masks; Gold Museum in Cartagena

Our parting view of Cartagena as we head towards the Clock Tower in search of a taxi back to port

This shy critter kept avoiding eye contact with us

A hungry toucan feeds on papaya