8/17/08 Captain Jack's Repossession Repo Cruise to PC thru TPC #8

[buckifan]

Surrender to a spectacular backdrop of sweeping countryside as you embark on a relaxing, air-conditioned motor coach drive from the pier to the historic city center of Cartagena.
Hey, it's better than some years back when you'd have been surrendering to gun toting drug smugglers!

During your trip, discover the fascinating history and culture of this picturesque seaport from your friendly guide and marvel at the ornate mansions at buildings of the famous "Manga" residential district.
Your guide will point out buildings and tell stories in a very thick accent. You'll understand him mostly, but your kids won't. They will, however, ask you where the Japanese comics (manga) are and you won't have a good answer.

... arrive at the Convento de la Popa, situated high on the hillside overlooking the city and harbor, and marvel at the breathtaking views that surround you in every direction. Over 400 years old, the Convento de la Popa is a monastery that was built on the age-old grounds where local Indians and fugitive black slaves used to meet, and is arguably Cartagena's top scenic destination.
This is the best scenic view on the trip. You'll really like it. The kids will like it for 3 minutes then be ready to go, need to use a restroom, or want you to buy them something.

Following your 20-minute visit...
There is no gift shop. If there were, it would be a 45 minute visit.

journey to the famous dungeons of Las Bovedas, which were originally built in the late 18th century as a means for storage despite the name, and sightsee and shop amidst the many handcraft boutiques and stores that now fill the area. After your 20-minute shopping spree
Lots of stalls with people selling cheap stuff, half made locally, the other half in China. Only 20 minutes because they are all small merchants and there's no kickback to the tours. Your kids will enjoy this and you'll buy them stuff.

embark on a 15-minute drive to the famed walled city and marvel at the plethora of colonial buildings and age-old fornications around every corner. Make your way to the modern residential area known as Bocagrande, home to vast array of hotels, shops, eateries, night clubs and art galleries, and snap a picture of the long stretch of sun-kissed sand and breathtaking blue water in the distance.
You're not actually going to get out an the fornications (which is what happens to a fortification after the pirates are through with it), just drive by these places while your guide continues in a thick accent. Enjoy explaining to your kids the difference between fornications and fortifications.

Finally, travel to the Pierino Gallo Shopping Center, and soak up the local flavor as you indulge in a bit of shopping amidst some of the finest gold, emerald and handcraft retailers in the city. After your hour-long visit, sit back and relax as you begin your 30-minute return trip back the ship.
These people do kickback to the tour operator, so you'll have plenty of time to spend money. Younger kids will be bored. Older girls will enjoy the shopping. Older boys will want to hear more about the fornications.


Seriously, a lot depends on your kids. Keeping in mind that I haven't been on any of these tours and are just interpreting, I'd tend to avoid any tour that has the word "shopping" in it unless you really want to shop. That's because all the tours have some shopping, so if they put it in the title that means there's a LOT of shopping.
I'd also stay away from any tour that has walking in the title. Same reason - they all have walking, those with walking in the title are close to a death-march.

Well done...

My dh enjoyed reading this also....

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Well.... only a little! I'm blaming him more for the laughing at me part! DS9 will make a good husband someday - he told DH to "stop laughing and make sure Mom is OK!"

Pamela

awwwww DS9 is so sweet!

 

[buckifan]

For those who died to keep us free and
for those who grieve the lost of loved ones,
we remember.​

Thank you for posting this!

 

[buckifan]

My DS9 loves brown. He would wear nothing but brown shirts if I let him. He's decided to be a UPS man when he grows up.
Not sure where he stands on Franciscans.

OH! And look what color he has on in your sig photo!!

 

[rillsung]

The only way I would even consider it would be if the Pirate Buses weren't leaving until 10am or later! Until we know more about how things are going at the port and how early they will let us in and can then figure out when the buses will leave, I won't be making a decision on this.

The only reason I started thinking about it is that it seems we need 1 morning to run to Indy, 1 morning to run to Space Mtn and 1 morning to run to Nemo! From the sound of the guidebooks I've been reading, by the time you've finished one of these, the lines at the others are outrageous (with Nemo being the worst) If we go with a 2-day pass, we really only get 1 morning run (Friday) since Saturday is a Magic Morning and we won't be able to do that with a 2-day pass. I suppose we could buy a 3-day just to get the magic morning on Saturday and just throw away the 3rd day (but my thrifty soul is going to have a tough time doing that! )

By Sunday, we should have a good idea how long it takes us to walk from HoJo to MK (we tend to be fast - we're the people that are always passing everyone else who is strolling along!) and I would only consider this if we give ourselves a good safety margin for getting back in plenty of time for the bus! Because we walk faster than most, we are good at getting through crowds - DH leads the way and DS and I follow in his path I think DS actually trots his way through the parks keeping up with us!

Pamela

We usually do 3 days at DL and CA when we go. We do mostly have everything covered in 2 though and the 3rd day is for stuff we want to repeat. We also do a sit-down meal every day so if you cut that out, it should be easy to do everything!

We stayed at HoJo once and I think it took about 15-20mins for us to walk (we also walk very briskly).

 

[got2travel]

The only way I would even consider it would be if the Pirate Buses weren't leaving until 10am or later! Until we know more about how things are going at the port and how early they will let us in and can then figure out when the buses will leave, I won't be making a decision on this.

The only reason I started thinking about it is that it seems we need 1 morning to run to Indy, 1 morning to run to Space Mtn and 1 morning to run to Nemo! From the sound of the guidebooks I've been reading, by the time you've finished one of these, the lines at the others are outrageous (with Nemo being the worst) If we go with a 2-day pass, we really only get 1 morning run (Friday) since Saturday is a Magic Morning and we won't be able to do that with a 2-day pass. I suppose we could buy a 3-day just to get the magic morning on Saturday and just throw away the 3rd day (but my thrifty soul is going to have a tough time doing that! )

By Sunday, we should have a good idea how long it takes us to walk from HoJo to MK (we tend to be fast - we're the people that are always passing everyone else who is strolling along!) and I would only consider this if we give ourselves a good safety margin for getting back in plenty of time for the bus! Because we walk faster than most, we are good at getting through crowds - DH leads the way and DS and I follow in his path I think DS actually trots his way through the parks keeping up with us!

Pamela

Guidebooks are wrong. Nemo is the only one that takes up your morning since it does not have fastpass. Even after riding Nemo, Space will only be a 30 minute wait at most. What I would suggest is get in line for Nemo, send someone over to get fastpasses for Space. After Nemo head over to Indy and ride if still 20 min or less. If not, get fastpasses. At this point ride what you want and save your Space and Indy fastpasses for later when those rides have 90+ wait times. Just be sure to watch the time when you can get your next fastpass. Collect a new one for whatever ride you want as soon as you are able.

 

[PBader]

Hey Paula...

Mom & I were talking about this yesterday. When do you think you'll be sending out the info with who we have for SM? No pressure or anything, just curious.

Cheers!

Jen

Jennifer, Hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Stepht5]

Banana boats - DCL may be looking for a new operator, but there isn't any way to know the pricing would be the same or any other details. They probably figure it is better to cancel them, then if they find a new operator and put it back in the line up, maybe they'll be calling again to find out if you want to re-book...


Pamela

Oh, man! I hope you're better today!!

 

[Stepht5]

Wow . . . those are truer words than you can ever imagine.

I WAS studying for the Franciscans. My last two years of college seminary were with them as well as the novitiate. I left before making vows, mostly because I just felt I was a bit -- okay, a LOT -- too independent for community living. After I left them, I took a year off and then went back to theology studies for the diocese. The rest, as they say, is history.

How interesting!! I could certainly understand not being right for community living! I would be kicked out in no time!

 

[mjy]

My DS9 loves brown. He would wear nothing but brown shirts if I let him. He's decided to be a UPS man when he grows up.
Not sure where he stands on Franciscans.

My nephew works for UPS in Memphis' sorting facility. He hates brown, but loves his job.

 

[sk8ingmom]

I get to work today. Gumblegrumble. OK, it's by choice. I'm swapping today for a Friday in 2 weeks so we can go to Busch Gardens without the crowds & I don't have to burn a vacation day. I need all the vacation days I can get!

OH! And look what color he has on in your sig photo!!

I rest my case.

 

[LITTLEKID58]

For those who died to keep us free and
for those who grieve the lost of loved ones,
we remember.​

Txs Mike

 

[LITTLEKID58]

GM

Presently 68 going up to 86 here in Sunny Central Florida

and prayers to everyone who is going to need it today

aboard to all the newbies

Have a great and safe Memorial day

 

[sk8ingmom]

I was just looking at the pics on the main board of the Magic returning to LA.
Gotta love the SoCal June Gloom.

 

[disneyjunkie]

I was just looking at the pics on the main board of the Magic returning to LA.
Gotta love the SoCal June Gloom.

Did you see the pictures of her leaving?

I can't wait until August

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1836948

 

[Pluto 2]

For those who died to keep us free and
for those who grieve the lost of loved ones,
we remember.​

SEMPER FI

 

[Pluto 2]

i went to atlantic city yesterday. i only live about an hour away but i only go down there about once a year because there is really not much there. what usually takes me about an hour to get there took just over 2 hours. the atlantic city expressway was packed stop and go traffic. i won 73 dollars my wife lost 10 dollars. we were planning on eating at the rainforest cafe but they had a wait of 1 hour and 45 minutes.the rainforest cafe reminds me of disney.i do not know how some people can go to vacation here im here a few hours and i had enough.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Has anyone from the WB posted anything yet about "Ballroom under the stars"? I looked at a couple trip reports/blogs, but I haven't found anything yet....

Pamela

Actually ran into DISer Seaulater on the dock yesterday and said because of cold weather it was transferred inside and no one went.

I was just looking at the pics on the main board of the Magic returning to LA.
Gotta love the SoCal June Gloom.

Hey it was a balmy 60F yesterday and no fog.

So here are a few of your pictures from yesterdays sail away. There was no hoopla this year and we ran into only about 10 DISers watching her depart. All aboard was 4pm and the Magic pulled away promptly at 4:15. It was still fun to see her again.

My make-shift Pirate shirt

Freak Flag on the front

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

As I mentioned above we ran into DISer Seaulater on the dock yesterday afternoon. She had just gotten off the boat yesterday morning and we got to chat. She said that once you got on board, there was no problem getting any Palo reservations including Panama Canal day. Guess that they held most of the reservations back. There were plenty of pins go go around. They still had pins available on the last day. Ducky Williams will be on the EB with us. Panama canal experience was awesome with the sub. Also there was no problem getting spa ressies once on board. I will remember more later.

 

[tom31b]

Here's another vote for the Tide packs at Walmart...

there is a Walmart in Puerto Vallarta, perhaps Tide there?