We are sailing… Panama > Cartagena, Columbia

We were picked up at 6:30 and left at 10:00pm.  I have to say I was pretty excited about it, I have never been on a sailboat before.

We picked up the rest of the passengers the following morning from this island, where we were also cleared through Customs etc.

We had 16 passengers and 2 crew – what a great bunch of people too !!  Some pics on board

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We spent 3 days enjoying these islands, then 2 days in the open sea.  The days were spent snorkelling, swimming, eating and no wifi – now that was a bit of a detox!!  Was great to get our bike gear off long enough to get a tan 🙂

Our first island – the water is so clear and warm

And another one

365 islands in all, all very low, some inhabited, some not.

Another fabulous sunset

Selling from their dugout canoes – fish, lobster, this time their handiwork.  Charlie and I had walked around the island where these people live and had met them – they really have so little, of course I would buy from them, whatever they ask with no bargaining.

Group photo – Dutch, English, Argentinian, Bulgarian, Australian, Canadian, Columbian, German, and of course Kiwis

Three cooked meals a day, and they were good too – thanks Louis!!

That was our bed – back, right.  9 of us slept in the main cabin

Our captain- Gisbert – top bloke

During part of the 2 days in the open sea we were in 1 1/2 – 3m swells and even though a catamaran is more stable than a mono hull, we were all on seasick tabs with some feeding the fish on the way.  Lots of reading done on those 2 days.

Cartagena – not what I was expecting

All the documentation was handled by Gisbert’s agent, except for the bikes which we have to do tomorrow.  We were all taken ashore, plus all our gear and went off in our different directions.  Met for pizza later that night and then it was goodbye.  Really enjoyed travelling with these guys and gals!!  Thanks for being part of our journey 🙂  The whole trip was awesome and a good break off the bikes getting ready for the next leg of  South America.

I highly recommend Santana with Gisbert and Louis if you are looking for a boat.  He is popular so book ahead.