Cartagena

I got up at 7 and had a good walk around the jogging track. We had breakfast in The Marquee and met our bus for a 9:15 tour.

It was a small group today. We had a very short bus ride and walked along the lovely pedestrian street, lined with shops and paved with marble. 

Ian and friend

We had a break and spent it having cuppas at a cafe. We then met the tour group to visit the Roman Theatre Museum. Our guide, Katerina, was very good and explained how the theatre was discovered back in 1989. A lady died and she had no family, so left her home to the local community. The house was in a poor state so it was decided to demolish and build an arts and craft centre. By law in Cartagena, every demolition must be accompanied by an archaeological assessment. They found a large lintel with Roman writing on it. So they kept digging, and found this incredible Roman theatre.

The museum was not just a museum, but also access to the theatre. It was very impressive!

Part of the lintel found during excavations
that led to the amphitheatre

We walked back to the bus which drove us another short distance to the bomb shelter display and elevator. The bomb shelter was built to protect residents from attack during the Spanish Civil War. This particular shelter was able to accommodate 5000 people, although only part of it is open. It was built under the hill that sits right in the centre of town.

The elevator

Artwork in the bunkers

We then took the elevator up to the top of the hill to appreciate the views all around the town.

 Back the the ship for lunch - calzones in The Marquee, then a rest.

We went to bingo, where we won a scattegories game, but bombed in trivia.

We had an 8pm booking in La Terrazza, so went a bit earlier, which was fine. Ian had a crab entree, tagliatelle with duck ragu and affogato, while I had caprese salad, cacio e pepe and a limoncello dessert.