Can’t believe we only have one week left in Cartagena. So much left to do! The girls have established their daily routine with Chinese zoom class, Spanish class, swimming followed by helping out with cleaning on the boat or playing with other boat kids in the marina. Cartagena is a great town for kids – small scale, pedestrian friendly, many interesting historical and cultural sites, lots of open space and most of all super friendly and nice people. There are always various festivals happening in town, with concerts, fun fairs and performances by the marina. It is also very popular with cruise ships. Tourism was hard hit last year with COVID and the locals are happy that tourists are returning. The cruise ships typically arrive in the morning and depart before sunset.
Captain Morgan and Fede are back from their vacation, and helped with the boat works. Good to have extra pairs of hands.
Grant got completely devoted to his new workshop. He spent hours shopping for tools and toys at Leroy Merlin, and came back to make new counter, shelvings, and hung all his tools on the wall. Very impressive work and a beautiful space.
Maria, our Spanish nanny has been introducing us to various local Murcian dishes and desserts. Super yummy. She is so kind, patient and fantastic with the kids. She bought farewell gifts to the girls. Azania got an Elsa dress and nobody could stop her from singing ‘Let it go’.
Friday’s the last day of school for the girls. Arabella baked cupcakes to bring to school. At the end of their class, Arabella, Alex and James each received a certificate from Universidad Politecnica de Cartagena for Intensive Spanish course A1 level. Monica, Mila and Miguel congratulated the children and said they would miss them very much.
Arabella, Alex then accompanied Azania to her last swimming lesson and all three received certificates from their coach. Azania gained a lot of confidence in swimming and hopefully she will be able to swim without swimming aid (noodle) soon.
Miguel (from Spanish school) Funcarele kindly took me to the best jamon shop in town to shop for jamon and chorizo. They'd be perfect for our Atlantic crossing. Had tastings of few different types of jamon, chorizo, lomo and other delicacies. Yummy!
Departure scheduled for early Monday morning, and extremely frantic trying to finish all the work over the weekend. We organized a casual farewell party on Sunday afternoon, inviting all the lovely people we met in Cartagena as well as the sailing families we got to know at the marina. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Everybody had a wonderful time. The girls were had so much fun with their new friends but were sad to have to say goodbye. Adios Cartagena!!