Cartagena 2

I decided to take the 1400 bus back. This bus would go to Alicante via the coast instead of Murcia, making a triangular excursion. I would get to see part of the Costa Cálida. More later.

The first order of business was to enjoy the buffet breakfast included in the hotel rate.

Next was to ascend to the Concepción Castle. I took the easy way, using an elevator from the street. I asked the staff ¿Es gratuito?, and he replied No. But I was happy to pay a couple of € to help the city maintain its sights. This is the tower housing the elevator, with the walkway that opens onto the road winding up the hill.

There is an old bullfight ring on the other side.

Still some more walking to reach the castle.

Finally, the spires on top of the interpretation museum.

Inside the theatrette they were showing a film in a loop about the history of the city from its beginnings.

The Roman amphitheatre, very well preserved. Cartagena has, after Mérida, the best Roman ruins in Spain.

The modern amphitheatre, next to the ancient one.

A view to the port.

Ships in harbour.

The marina I walked past the evening before.

Cartagena harbour

A plump peahen perching on a bench.

A handsome peacock nearby. The several peafowl on the hill had the run of the grounds.

Looking south, the protected harbour which is Cartagena's advantage.

The view to the southeast.

And the southwest.

Another view of the docks and the hills behind.

On the way down, the duck fountain with two residents.

The Palacio Consistorial. There were many tourists milling around, possibly from a cruise ship. There was also a fair police presence. Were they worried that petty crimes might be visited upon the visitors, spoiling the reputation of the city? Cartagena seemed to be trying for a new future in tourism and education, while still hosting the naval base, after the decline of manufacturing at the end of the last century.

At a bakery I bought a couple of savoury pastries for lunch, then walked back to the bus station.

Mar Menor is the largest lagoon in Spain. The triangular body of water on the Costa Cálida is separated from the Mediterranean (Mar Mayor) by a 22km long sandbar. It is shallow and warm, thus giving rise to water sports and sunbaking tourism. Of late the ecology of the mar has been neglected, which is a pity since it's an important wetland for bird life.

The towns on this part of the coast were varied. Some looked down and out, with abandoned buildings, and lacking in job prospects. Some seemed to be thriving from serving the tourism industry. Some were mass tourism disasters with advertisements in multiple languages.

I dozed off on the bus and after 3 hours of start and stop driving, I was back in Alicante, home sweet home away from home.