We’re hot and sticky after walking the streets of Cartagena, so you’d think we’d go right back to the ship to relax and cool off, right? Wrong! Everyone keeps talking about the zoo at the port, how wonderful it is and if you don’t want to do anything in port, you should at least walk down here to see it. Well, ok then! It is only 3:30, we aren’t sailing until 6 so why get back on the ship right away is our thinking.

We walk down the pier and around the corner to find the Aviario Nacional Baru Cartagena de Indias, a lovely oasis of green park like landscape amidst a commercial port setting. A really sweet surprise! It is free to visit, and even better surprise!, and they have all sorts of species here – lots of them wandering free – like these beautiful pink flamingoes and full plumage peacocks that greet you at the entrance to the park.

Oh, and did I mention the monkeys? They are everywhere too, these little teeny things (have no idea what species) that have absolutely no fear of humans. They let you get really close, or run right past you (that’s Ed’s shoe in the picture there!).

Too cute! winding our way around the back of the souvenir shop, we reach the huge Aviary – the centerpiece of the “zoo.” I don’t know how big it is, but the little path winds around for a good distance, passing by an incredible number of birds. We’ve no idea what many of them are, but they all flit around us, perch on limbs, walk right by you on the path, and generally just show off for everyone who passes by. Oh, and there are monkeys here too – fortunately they are outside the cage, but still creating a racket and climbing all over the place!

This is a great diversion – and so nice particularly for the crew, with only a few hours off during the day, coming here is a great escape. Leaving the aviary, we stroll through the gift shop, but don’t find anything worth trying to fit in our bags, then debate on having a beer here, but why? It is pretty pricey (captive audience and all) and it is free on the ship (which cements our decision). On the way out of the Aviary, the peacocks are out in force. They are so docile (even though we know they can be nasty) and pose quite nicely for photos. That is with Ed, they do. With me? Nope. They don’t like me a bit. Seriously, 3 peacocks turn away from me when I try to stand next to them for a photo. Doesn’t matter where I move or how I try to position myself, they all turn away. Geez! What did I ever do to you birds? Huh?

Ok, well fine! I’m done. We were done anyway, not that it mattered! We wander back to the ship to finally cool off, then sit on the balcony at sailaway and watch the sunset over the skyscrapers of Cartagena. Beautiful.