SLO Live/SLO Jam 5/10/2018 Bliss

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Yes, I was wondering the same? Never had to pay for hot breakfast in the Haven. Hoping this is not a new money grab.

I third this, this is the first I have heard of Haven not being able to have Hot Breakfast included. granted it's been just over a year since our last Suite on NCL but we have had full hot breakfast with no extra charge prior. Waiting to hear an answer on this. If so this is definitely new.

[roddy good boy]

Room service in the Haven was free as of September of last year for us. I’m hoping the thread starter is mistaken. Why would we continue to pay these prices with reduced services?

[skierjj]

Ok just checked our account, yes you are all correct -no charge for room service. SORRY. (My DH said there was a room charge this morning, but I guess he was mistaken).

 

 

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[skierjj]

Arrived Cartagena in morning:

 

 

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[AlexandNessa]

Ok just checked our account, yes you are all correct -no charge for room service. SORRY. (My DH said there was a room charge this morning, but I guess he was mistaken).

 

 

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Phew! Thank you for clarifying. :)

[skierjj]

So first we visit the old fort:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_San_Felipe_de_Barajas

 

 

 

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[skierjj]

Next we drive to a local fishing village of indigenous people and people descended from slaves. These locals were uprooted from their neighborhoods by foreign investors who bought out their homes to put up high rises and resorts. The locals were displaced, their way of life disrupted. The ecosystem was impacted as well. So the many neighborhoods that were left, got together and decided not to sell their homes and made a pact to stay together and continue their way of life on the Caribbean beaches. They are fun loving and friendly people. They love music after work, music everywhere, lots of birds and fruit. Very colorful houses.

So we walked around and got to see a little bit into the lives of 70% of Columbian population that lives below the middle class. It was eye opening and very rewarding, I’m glad that our travels allow us to see different cultures of the planet we all share.

 

 

 

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[skierjj]

 

 

 

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[skierjj]

 

 

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[skierjj]

We watch the fishermen and a budding ecotourism business starting.

 

 

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[skierjj]

Next there is a bathroom break. We drank coconut milk and ate fresh coconut.

Mural:

 

 

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[skierjj]

Gotta hit the sack because we wake up early for our highlight of our trip the Panama Canal.

I’ll finish old town Cartagena tomorrow morning. Buenos Noches!

 

 

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[vettprincess]

Gotta hit the sack because we wake up early for our highlight of our trip the Panama Canal.

I’ll finish old town Cartagena tomorrow morning. Buenos Noches!

 

 

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Finally, wonderful photos of land and people and scenery, and port, other than food photos. Fabulous educational pictures.

[skierjj]

Well, this was our first port, I’m glad you enjoyed the land photos; more to come. I’m going to keep posting food photos since I took a bunch and took the time to take photos of menus and food for people who might be interested.

But here are more pics of our Cartagena day:

 

 

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[skierjj]

The beautiful pics of the doors and flowers are of old town Cartagena. Our guide said mostly tourists visit here unless you are a street vendor or street performer. It is beautiful, one of these houses was for sale. Price?: 8 million!

 

 

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[skierjj]

Notice different architecture of Spanish vs Italian and French influences in pictures of last post.

This was the plaza that was used for the inquisition. Only 5 were killed here during this period. There were no trees here at that time. It later became a plaza with a church and market place.

Next we had a refreshment break at a beautiful hotel overlooking the plaza:

 

 

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[skierjj]

Next is s church named for the patron saint that started the first human rights movement in the world. San Pedro Claver who lifted up the plight and needs of African/ Caribbean people.

http://sanpedroclaver.co/home/

It was beautiful cathedral, mass was about to start but they gave us time to snap a few photos:

 

 

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[skierjj]

More of the cathedral:

It was very hot and humid in there, I was glad we were a little rushed out.

 

 

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[skierjj]

Here are pics of the walled city:

One last one of a Spanish style house:

 

 

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[vettprincess]

Here are pics of the walled city:

One last one of a Spanish style house:

 

 

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Fantastic photos of your land tour. Thank you for sharing. Very interesting.

[skierjj]

Next was drop off at ship or drop off at the aviary next to the ship. So Columbia has the most exotic bird species according to Fernando. They have a problem with smugglers and poachers of exotic birds and animals. If they catch people trying to export birds illegally, they try to rehabilitate the birds here and hopefully release them back into the wild. Plan on 30 minutes to see birds, monkeys, turtles, including Bathroom break and gift shop.

I guess those two are the only ones I got with this iPhone. Mike took a lot with his cannon.

A green parrot hitched a ride on my backpack for a minute or so.

Then there was about a 10-15 minute walk to ship.

 

 

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[skierjj]

 

 

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[skierjj]

So it was really hot and muggy and everyone waited until around 1:00 to board in Cartagena. There were really long lines. One woman passed out due to heat. I guess she wasn’t staying hydrated. All aboard was 1:30.

Once onboard we got ourselves cleaned up to have lunch in Haven. Ahhhh so nice.

Feeling very spoiled.

I had rosemary chicken, and Caesars salad, Mike had a French dip sandwich.

Mike said let’s take a nap. It was weird for me to sleep in the middle of the day but so nice. Mike is a good sleeper and can sleep any time of day.

Tonight was dinner at Q.

Signature drink was smoky peach margarita. It was very good.

Here is the menu:

 

 

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[skierjj]

Here are our mains:

I had the brisket:

Mike had the pork spareribs:

The sauces were outstanding, I didn’t get a pic. Carolina: tangy

Mustard: spicy

Sweet: sweet

Smoky: spicy and yummy hard to explain.

All of the sauces were great.

Here is desert menu:

We could only eat about 1/2 of our dinner each. No room for desert.

I had coffee with a cute little mug of milk:

 

 

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[debnjoe1438]

Nespresso coffee on balcony

 

 

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Enjoying your post. Now looking for a needle in a haystack. If by chance you see a tall young man with a contagious laugh traveling with his mother (Ryan and Debbie) tell Ryan Joe wonders often how his is doing. I believe they are also in the Haven. We meet them on the Sun repositioning from Alaska to Miami.