
The marina was filled to the brim with cruise ships and other boats, so we were unable to get a view of the ocean just yet. Cartagena marina has a large naval port and we caught a glimpse of one of their battleships. We watched it come into port and drank Irish Coffees on the promenade. After a nice dose of whisky and caffeine, we decided to seek out the Roman ruins.
We walked in the general direction of the ruins and snapped a few photos of the city. It was soooo nice to see palm trees and feel the sun. Even though I felt terrible, the surrounding views were keeping my mind in the present moment and it was nice.
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I feel ya buddy |
We finally made it to the Roman ruins. It was easy to find and we were finding that most people in the touristy areas did speak English. The ruins have a very interesting story. They actually were discovered in 1988ish. Over the years, the Roman theater had been covered and buildings were constructed on top of the ruins. They excavated and preserved the ruins which were finally opened to the public in 2008.
The city of Cartagena was founded circa 227 BC and the Roman theater is estimated to have been built between 5BC and 1BC due to findings of statues of Augustus' grandsons. If you look at the picture below, you can see the Spanish apartments just behind the columns. I found it very interesting to be walking around a Roman theater and watching a lady hang her clothes to dry just above!
We managed a few smiles however if my sunglasses were off in this picture, it would scare you. I looked quite scraggly all day but I really didn't care. I felt like Carrie looked on the Sex and the City movie when she walked into her honeymoon suite in Mexico....remember that? Yeah...that bad. I couldn't wait to get to the hotel and get a little freshened up.
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Column ends used in the structure |
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Artifacts in the museum |
After the ruins, we hopped in our trusty rental car and hit the road to head towards Mar Menor. Our hotel was so much better than I could have even imagined, I cried when I saw it. I knew it was meant to be. I'll be posting about that later next week :)
Have a great rest of the week and a wonderful weekend! We will be taking some down time to regroup and get ready for my Dad's visit next week.....I cannot wait to have a hug from my Dad :)
-Jamie
What an interesting little stop over. I agree about recent excavations, it's so much more interesting to me. Hooray for your Dad's visit! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to have my first visitor yay!
DeleteI love the trips when you just head off and wander around to see what you find. How exciting that your Dad will be visiting so soon!
ReplyDeleteI know! Those are always the best :)
DeleteI love the architecture!
ReplyDeleteIt reminded me a lot of the French coast!
DeleteWhat a cool place! Hope it manages to keep cheering you up!
ReplyDeleteThanks Polly! It definitely was a perfectly timed trip!
DeleteWow, Cartagena looks gorgeous! Planning a trip to Madrid in July and guess I'll should be adding this place to my bucket list too!
ReplyDeleteThe coast between Alicante and Valencia is amazing! You should take a trip down while in Madrid :)
DeleteI love Roman ruins! Any ruins, actually. Anything historic, actually. haha
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh me too.....I love love love going to the castles in England and it is so easy to stumble across Roman ruins everywhere you turn!
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ReplyDeleteMore info of Cartagena in www.Cartagenapuertodeculturas.com and www.cartagenaturismo.es (English versions)
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