Rain last night and early this morning made for a very humid day….so humid, in fact, that immediately after breakfast we went to the hotel pool. In the afternoon, when the humidity dropped a bit, we made an excursion to Cerro de la Popa, an early17th century Augustinian monastery/fortress on the highest hill in the area. From here the city was defended against English pirates and the French. The altar reredos came from the convent chapel in our hotel. From Cerro de la Popa we had panoramic views of Cartagena, the bay and lagoon. Later we wandered the old city for a successful afternoon of shopping, which also included a beautiful bookstore, Abaco Libros y Cafe. Dinner was tapas in an elegant shopping center created out of a former bull ring.
