Kick-off to the 2025 sailing season
Having started with few expectations, we are pleasantly surprised by Cartagena
Text: Christian / Pictures & short films: Carola
The 31st of March is approaching, and with it our goodbye to our winter camp in Torrevieja. What was initially a distant prospect has now become an immediate reality. We stock up on provisions and stock up on numerous bottles of drinks.
Penultimate evening at Marina Salinas
Final preparations - cleaning the log
Quickly carry out a small repair job
BLUE WAVE is ready for the next adventure
We say goodbye to Torrevieja with a Spanish paella
Am Morgen des 1. April bereiten wir unser Boot für die Abfahrt vor. Die Abläufe sitzen auch nach der Winterpause noch gut.
Caro übernimmt das Steuer, und ich kümmere mich um die Leinen. Bei sehr wenig Wind legen wir sanft ab und fahren ruhig aus der Marina in den Vorhafen und weiter aufs offene Meer.
Die Wetterprognosen für den Wind sind bescheiden. Zwar stimmt die Richtung, aber am Vormittag ist nur schwacher Wind vorhergesagt.
So tuckern wir unter Motor entlang der Küste in Richtung Südwesten. Unser Ziel ist eine Marina im Stadthafen von Cartagena – gute acht Stunden Fahrt liegen vor uns.
It feels good to be travelling by boat again after such a long time. We enjoy the passing scenery and have a coffee. There's not much to do.
Während der Wind langsam zunimmt, scheint der Moment gekommen, die Segel zu hissen. Die Segel sind gesetzt, der Motor aus, und die lang ersehnte Ruhe kehrt ein.
Langsam, aber stetig gleiten wir dahin. Leider hält der Genuss nicht lange an, der Wind schwächt wieder ab, dies entgegen der Prognose.
We motor into the large bay of Cartagena and find the entrance to the marina. A friendly marinero helps us to berth.
We are leaving 😁
Finally back on the sea
Healthy breakfast
When peace returns to the boat
Past small islands
Entry to Cartagena
Port of destination reached
After many hours of sitting, we explore Cartagena for the first time in the evening. We are pleasantly surprised by the stately old buildings and a beautiful quay. We hadn't expected anything like this. We enjoy the typical Spanish flair of the old town, which we had missed somewhat in Torrevieja.
View of the marina
Very nice promenade
View of the pedestrian zone and old town
Angesteckt vom Entdeckergeist des Vorabends möchten wir am folgenden Vormittag die hügelige Umgebung mit ihren Befestigungen erwandern.
Da wir den Weg auf den Gipfel des Hügels nicht finden, folgen wir einem trockenen Flusslauf, der zwischen zwei Hügeln ins Meer mündet. Kleine, einfache Bauten säumen die Mündung zum Meer. Wir schlängeln uns durch die menschenleeren, schmalen Gassen.
When we arrive at the coast, we hear voices and the clattering of crockery from above. It says ‘Azul77’ and Miguel greets us in a friendly manner. We sit down on the small terrace and drink a beer while Miguel prepares a delicious paella on the fire for other guests.
Like being transported to another ‘world
Cosy cottage by the river
The river with its houses
Entrance to ‘Azul 77’
We feel good here
And this is what the terrace of ‘Azul 77’ looks like
How to make paella
When I ask him what the place is all about, he explains that silver was mined here 2000 years ago. He shows me old pictures in a small book. The settlement would actually be illegal as it has neither water nor electricity, but efforts are being made to preserve it.
Finally, Miguel explains the hiking route up to the summit. High above the steep coast, we hike up through green scrub to an abandoned old military fortification. The doors are open so that we can explore the abandoned buildings and immerse ourselves in times gone by. This is what makes hiking fun.
Wonderful view
Our ‘Insta 360’ goes into action for the first time 😅
Fajardo Castle
We creep through the ruins
Panoramic view
We spend a few more relaxing days in Cartagena, visiting the many archaeological sites and museums. Once again, we see that places away from mass tourism can be surprising.
Roman Theater of Cartagena
Ruinas Muralla Romano Republicana
Typical mill from the 19th century
Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus
Old Fortress
Museum „The Punic Wall“
We got off to a successful and relaxed start. After a week's stay in Cartagena, we're moving on to... We'll tell you more about this in the next post ⛵️.