Day 5 – Cartagena

7 November, 2024

After the heat and walking in Mallorca we opted to stay on the ship for a day of relaxation. I slept solidly thanks to the exertion, so I was up early. I made my way to the dining room for (SURPRISE!) Eggs Benedict, which were perfectly poached – yet again. After finishing breakfast and fueling up on coffee I decided to check the conditions in the Solarium. The temperature was comfortable and the chlorine was manageable, so I claimed a seat at the bar and started the day with a Bloody Mary and opened up my iPad for some reading. 

A few (who's counting?) Bloody Mary's later I moved to the Windjammer and had a bit of lunch. My days of ravaging a buffet are long gone, I'm more of a judicious sampler these days, but despite the variety of food available, the hamburgers were calling my name for reasons unexplained. After lunch I popped back to the room to check on Lourie, who was still in recovery mode. Damn psoriatic arthritis to hell. I dropped off my iPad, swapped my Birkenstocks for sneakers, and decided to go explore the pier. There was a monument on Google Maps and I was intrigued.

Cartagena

Juan Sebastián Elcano Monument

The monument is a metal sculpture honoring Juan Sebastián Elcano, perhaps one of the least known explorers of all time. He was a member of the Magellan expedition that set out to circumnavigate the globe. After the death of Magellan and the deaths of several others who were elevated to leader of the expedition along the way, Elcano was the Captain at the completion of the journey. He was one of only18 members of the original 230+ participants who returned to Seville over three years after their departure.

Elcano's life wasn't well documented, so much of his involvement (or alleged involvement) is clouded in controversy. It is known that he died of scurvy in the Pacific while on an expedition to the Spice Islands at the behest of King Charles I of Spain.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent lounging in Two70, fruity drink at the ready. Movies, reading, music, and relaxation. No concerns about being back on board in time for departure – the only worry I had was what to order for my next drink. Mai Tai? Painkiller? Planter's Punch? But I didn't have to worry much, "our" cocktail waiter, Channdy, was always ready with a tasty suggestion.