Colombia
This amazing place!
We arrived after a fairly gruelling 3 day passage from Curacao on December 15th 2020
It was still Covid times and so immigration/ public health and customs were extremely tight throughout the world but we had been in contact with Kelly - the most welcoming/efficient/ amazing marina staff/agent we have ever known!
As we were approaching the marina, we sent a message via the radio (vhf) to say we were arriving, they quickly allocated us a berth and sent marina staff out to take our lines.
As we pulled in, we were overjoyed to realise our neighbours were going to be Annie and Dirk Schady -a wonderful South African couple who were circumnavigating, on their way back to Australia, their home now. You will see Annie featured in the photos picking up a cereal packet with her teeth - i won't mention her age, but she is older than me - what an absolute legend! Both of them!
Anyway, back to the formalities of checking into Colombia - We were advised to stay on our boat until the Doctor arrived - he/she was going to check us over and make sure we didn't have covid. This was standard practice, and we were becoming well versed in covid testing throughout the world!
So we waited, we had a sleep, we waited a bit longer, then waited some more….by then it was late afternoon.
Around 5pm, Crawford decided to go to the marina office - he was back on the boat within 5 minutes - all smiles! and came Apparently we were now free to leave the boat and mingle.
Where is the doctor? Where is the Covid test?
Kelly - the v.efficient marina staff, on seeing Crawford in her office, had apologised for the delay, and called the Doctor. A lot of Spanish was spoken, which he was impervious to, but when she put the phone down, she said, “you’re free - you can come off the boat”
Crawford looked at her - and she said “ I told him you looked fine!”
So that was it - our Covid test, which incidentally, we paid £150 each for - we are not complaining - more, just amused. It’s absolutely feckin hilarious in fact!!
So we were free to roam Colombia and what an amazing country this is!
We went on several tours, loads of hikes, I hiked up to a sacred indigenous city over 4 days ( The lost city hike) we went into the mountains, met some amazing people, had a right laugh over Christmas with other cruisers, visited the very beautiful city of Cartagena and got to love this beautiful country.
Incidentally- we were a bit/ really worried about the safety/ security in Colombia- having heard/read about the amount of crime etc.
We were quickly reassured of our safety, and, during a walking tour of Santa Marta, our young student guide ( practicing his very good English on us) told us that, if we ever encountered any problems with theft/ assault or adverse behaviour from any Colombians, we should just shout loudly, let everybody know - that person would be removed by locals and punished appropriately. We later heard that any locals causing harm to tourists are sent to the nearest prison and sentenced harshly - some even faced the death penalty!
This is all, he told us, in an attempt to reverse the reputation Colombia has, of being a dangerous place to visit. They want, need and love the tourists!
Santa Marta
Christmas fun 2020
Krista and Steve, of SV Wild Thing, a lively, fun, young New Zealand family with three rowdy boys organised a fantastic Christmas day for all the Cruisers in Santa Marta Marina. This included (obviously) lots of beer, a potluck dinner, and some games....
Yes - it was fun! Thanks Krissie ❤️
Tayrona, Minca, Mountains, Jungles and Beaches of Colombia....
The Lost City Hike - Colombia
Cartagena
