Murcia region: Cartagena

We hope this post finds you well as we hear of bad weather in Northern Europe, including the East Coast of Britain - as far down as Broadstairs, Kent.  We're sorry for the short delay since our last update - the downside of being on the move.

This post relates to our time in Cartagena, the archaeological gem of the Murcia region - at the southern tip of Valencia - and a good stop en route southwards to the sun.  We travelled by train which was OK if not a bit slow (4 hours) so there wasn't much to do upon arrival except check-in to our hotel and hit the town's medieval fayre.  We'll be based here for 4 nights as it has good connections for visits to nearby Murcia City and Mar Menor (see separate post).

Medieval Fair
The fair was in town for 3 days so tonight was a taster of what was on offer - plus we needed a walk after being on the train for so long.  We were surprised by how big it was - almost covering the entire town - so we didn't get to see it all.  It is one of the biggest fairs of its kind we've seen and all types of quality, regional foods (including a strong Galician contingent) were on offer along with lovely crafts and trinkets - even a photo with birds of prey from a nearby refuge - to include the fabulous Golden Eagle. 

We were very tempted to try some suckling pig but we didn't have too much of an appetite so settled for a savoury crepe and some baked calabaza (pumpkin) - lovely!  Then back to the hotel for a couple of nightcaps.

How many ways can you eat pork?

We spent other evenings sampling tapas, including those at the fabulous La Tartana - a traditional Spanish restaurant and Cartagena institution - full of locals - just how we like it.

Enjoying tapas at the fabulous La Tartana

Marina & nauticalia
Another reason we chose Cartagena was its harbour and naval history - cue Mick!  It was lovely to see the sea once more - we can never leave it too long! - but we were surprised by the lack of naval presence in the harbour - a sign of changing war games I guess.  We did try and visit the Naval Museum but it had very limited opening hours so we resigned ourselves to a couple of jaunts around the marina and harbour.  We did track down a submarine designed and built by Cartagena Navy man Isaac Peral and launched in 1888.  This was the first submarine to navigate and fire torpedoes whilst underwater.  Popular opinion is that the submarine would've revolutionised the Spanish Navy and all was going well until a damning report rejected the project - apparently down to petty jealousies of Peral's success and fame.

The Peral Submarine, Cartagena

Archaeological Heritage
Some of you may be thinking: 'hang on, you haven't mentioned the archaeological museums'.  Well, I'm afraid we're heathens in that department.  'Sacrilege!' I hear you cry.  We did tussle with our consciences on this one as you feel somewhat obliged to take advantage of what an area is famed for - but we just don't like looking at a load of crumbling ruins - however well they're presented!  For those of you that do, Cartagena has a growing reputation for its rich archaeological heritage as it continues to peel back the layers of its history: Phoenician, Roman, Carthaginian, Moorish and Christian - and if this is your bag then we recommend you visit Cartagena. 

So, that wraps up our stay in Cartagena.  See next post for our visits to Murcia City and Mar Menor (where my Dad used to live and have a tapas bar).  In the meantime, we hope you're well and getting ready for Christmas.  I'm sure my friend Helen (aka Mrs Christmas) has got it all wrapped already!