Today we were in Santa Marta, Columbia. This was the first Spanish
settlement in Columbia, established in 1525 by Rodrigo de Bastidas. Santa Marta
has a long association with ‘the Liberator”, Simon de Bolivar, the evolutionary
who led Colombia and several other Latin American countries to independence
from Spain. He died at the San Pedro villa just outside of town and today this place
is a National Monument to him. The basilica is also believed to be the oldest church
in Columbia, dating to 1766. Santa Marta is known today fro its proximity to
some of Columbia’s most stunning beaches and near perfect climate that’s sunny
year round and hot but cooled by sea breezes. Santa Marta has been called one
of the most authentic Columbian cities.
We got off the ship early this morning as it was to 91 today
and wanted to get back on the ship before it got to bad. We visited the Simon
Bolivar Park and the cathedral. There are beaches that run all along the edge
of town. For my neighbor in Florida, I have started collecting sand. And for my
neighbor in Minnesota, we are collecting history. Here are some of the pictures
from today.
beautiful! Sounds like a great day
ReplyDeleteWhat great pictures!!
ReplyDelete