Sailing Sirena: Cartagena, Colombia Shopping

My shopping partner, Irma, and I set out to see what was to be found in the walled city of Cartagena, Colombia on a day of shopping. We started this trip in the colorful shopping plaza of Las Bovedas "the Vaults", a series of arch topped cells along the northeastern wall of the city along the Caribbean Sea. Built in the early 1790's these fortifications were used to store munitions and provisions prior to becoming prison cells in later times. Today each of the twenty three long, narrow, arch-roofed cells houses a shop overflowing with colorful goods made in Colombia.

Plaza de Las Bovedas

Hand woven bags.

Colorful hammocks.

This would certainly scare the cat!

Someone finally came up with a good use for all those Molas they make in San Blas!

Of course what would Cartagena be without the famous jewelry shops? Seemingly every street has at least a few stores offering various qualities of emerald and gold jewelry, mostly emeralds set in 18K gold, 14K white gold or Sterling Silver "Plata". Quality varies widely and prices are high, so buyer beware. Educate before you go and bargain hard or you will be paying way too much. Don't be afraid to walk away and come back the next day for a better deal.

Irma shops for an emerald ring while Bob looks on worriedly.

Lots of gold to be found as well!

On to the next street in search of treasures.

Colorful buildings abound.

At last we find the one and only antique shop in town.

My love for ancient treasures has taken me in search of antique shops throughout our journey. Unfortunately, they have been few and far between in our ports of call.