Cartagena

Sat 15^th

We decided at the last minute (as you do) to stop and visit some of the touristy bits in Cartagena by the port – good decision.  We parked near a restaurant and walked along a very modern seafront towards the castle above. We used the path to climb up electing not to use the lift. The views across the port and out to sea were fabulous. There was even a tourist board lady to help us and explain some of the best things to see. Below us we was the Roman Amphitheatre and a modern outdoor theatre alongside. In the distance was the remains of the bullring. We walked down to the main plaza and sat and had a coffee in the hot sunshine. Next was a walk around the nearby naval museum which was stuffed full of lots of interesting artifacts – shells, guns, uniforms, diving suits and even surgical instruments.  Next door was a huge hall housing the first submarine capable of firing torpedoes in the world, the Isac Peral. It was rescued from being scrapped and restored in 2009.  Interesting place.

Our stop for the night was at Roquettas de Mar amongst the very out of season apartment blocks. There were loads of German and Swedish vans settled in for the season – what they would do there for weeks on end I do not know.