Bonaire to Colombia
We reluctantly left Bonaire Sunday morning, January 15 after an incredible two weeks of snorkeling, diving and ice cream - home made gelato. It was a 21-hour sail going along the south, then west side of Curacao until finally rounding the northern tip of Aruba. We anchored a bit offshore, flying our yellow Q-flag indicating that we had not checked into the country. Our intent was to stay one night and be on our way to Cabo de Vela the next morning. Our friends on Nomads, Kate and James, arrived in the late afternoon from Curacao and we promptly picked them up by dinghy for a happy hour on our boat. By this time I had reviewed wind forecasts and decided we would stay an additional day to allow the winds and seas to calm a bit more before navigating around the Cape on the north coast of Colombia. Not allowed to go to shore because we did not clear in (customs and immigration), we worked around the boat and rested in preparation for our next overnight to Cabo de Vela.
Wednesday morning we departed with Nomads on an uneventful 30-hour sail. I feel like we are getting better at the longer sails, I dread them less, but it still messes with your sleep patterns so much I end up being awake for stretches in the middle of the night for the next week. We anchored off what can barely be described as a town, more like a conglomeration of lean-to's and shacks. Nomads picked us up and we spent the next few hours walking the one long dirt road and picking a spot for dinner. The three of us had a great dinner (fish or shrimp) with multiple beers and juice for under $30. We were starting to think Colombia may work out to be a pretty good place.
Wednesday morning we departed with Nomads on an uneventful 30-hour sail. I feel like we are getting better at the longer sails, I dread them less, but it still messes with your sleep patterns so much I end up being awake for stretches in the middle of the night for the next week. We anchored off what can barely be described as a town, more like a conglomeration of lean-to's and shacks. Nomads picked us up and we spent the next few hours walking the one long dirt road and picking a spot for dinner. The three of us had a great dinner (fish or shrimp) with multiple beers and juice for under $30. We were starting to think Colombia may work out to be a pretty good place.
Cabo de Vela
A strangely desolate but beautiful place. A single dirt road lined with hostels and restaurants where you can get a covered hammock on the beach for 7,500 pesos ($2.50) a night. There is also a very active kite boarding school.
Santa Marta
First things first. It was time to take the stitches out and conveniently, Kate on Nomads is a nurse!
Off to El Rego where we met Rolando, the most patient Spanish speaker with us Gringos. And an amazing guitar player.
Our new friend, Andres, whom we met through Captain Dan on Vagabond. Andres lives here in Santa Marta and has been amazing showing us the ropes!
Back at El Rego where Kaylee talked Anthony's (the owner) ear off. Anthony is Canadian, so Kaylee took adventage of the lack of language barrier.
Andres was taking us to Minca (a small resort town up in the mountains) for the day, but first we stopped by his uncle's house. The next few pictures are of some animals he fosters for rehabilitation. It was like a little zoo in his courtyard!
This is Lucas who owns and runs the Nevada Brewery, a small craft brewery. We've been enjoying his beer at El Rego down in Santa Marta. Lucas speaks perfect English, so I asked if he had studied abroad . . . . yes, he has an MBA from Stanford!
Brewing operation
La Victoria Coffee Plantation
Putting her to work!
The different stages of the coffee bean process from drying through roasting and grinding.
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