Here is the track of our route from Santa Marta to Cartagena.  It was another over night sail so we could arrive in Cartagena at daylight.  We sailed well clear of Barranqilla where the Rio Magdelina empties into the sea. Apparently it’s not uncommon to find large logs, refrigerators, dead livestock, etc. floating in the debris field which you don’t want to hit at anytime, especially at night.

Another awesome sunset on our sail to Cartagena.

This was a surprise to see.  Who would have known the Colombians have a submarine.  We were entering the bay while she was heading out.

Arriving in Cartagena early in the morning.

This is the old town.

This is the new town.

We chose marina Club de Pesca as our temporary home or should we say they chose us.  Club de Pesca is a private marina, so they decide who they let in.  I think Teresa’s language skills were the difference.

Little did we know at this time, but this would be one of the last jobs performed by the first mate on Sea Rose until further notice.

Sea Rose all secure in her slip.  She will stay here for one month while we return to USA and then onto B.C., Canada for a grizzly bear trip and cooler weather.

The view from the marina looking towards the old town.

Geary at the front gates to Club de Pesca.  The marina had excellent security and very friendly staff.

One of the many squares in the old town part of Cartagena.

A statute in memory Pope John Paul II visit.

Lunch at the Santa Teresa Hotel which was once a convent.

We did stop!

We’re with Trump!

Comrade Teresa buying Vodka shots.

Fireworks display in the old town as seen from the fore deck of Sea Rose.

Before departing Club de Pesca we needed to refuel.  The fuel dock was just in front of our berth and was utter chaos, it was every man for himself.

We finally slowly moved our way out not knowing if anyone would move out of our way. We did eventually find our way to the fuel dock.

Adios Cartagena, onto the San Blas islands.

We had another great downwind sail from Aruba to Santa Marta.  It took 40 hours and, at times the winds hit 30 knots.  We sailed with just the jib all the way with no main sail out.

This free loader joined us at sundown the night before and was still with us in the morning.

Teresa with the Colombian coast in the background.  She’s happy to be back among her people.

We were greeted by a large group of dolphins playing at our bow as we approached Santa Marta.

Docked in Santa Marta.

Our first local meal with our Agent Dino.  You need an Agent to check you in and out of Colombia.  This is the first time we have ever had to use an agent since leaving France a year ago.

Some enjoyed the local food more than others.  Bandeja, Teresa’ favorite meal.

Absent a Starbucks, Teresa settled for the local brew of Juan Valdez.

Yes, Teresa eats street food. “Senor, un bunuelo por favor”

Banana’s galore and cheap!

Fresh lemonade anyone?

I took time out to get my hair cut which set me back US$4.00.

Teresa dodging traffic to cross the street.

Teresa and Adriana, her Maid of Honor 19 years ago, reunited in Santa Marta.

Teresa and her Captain 19 years later in Santa Marta.

The Captain, Adriana and her 84 year old father (Don Jose) who was gung-ho to sail from Santa Marta to Cartagena.

At the entrance to the marina on our way to the bar to watch the Colombia vs Brazil soccer match.

Everyone in this picture is Colombian except for ME, who was wearing the national team jersey.  Where’s the national pride?

Sea Rose at Marina Santa Marta.

Crew day with everyone wearing their crew shirts as we head off for a day of sightseeing.

The Captain and his crew at the place where the liberator Simon Bolivar died of TB at the young age of 47.

Monument to Simon Bolivar.

Simon Bolivar statute.

Teresa and Adriana doing I don’t know what.

Geary taking shade under this big old tree on the “quinta” where Simon Bolivar died.

A quick stop at the statute to”El Pibe” Valderama, Colombia’s most famous soccer player

I’m done with sightseeing for today, I need a drink.

Ah, this is how I like to end a day of sightseeing.

Teresa and Bob relaxing on the bow of Sea Rose, enjoying the sunset.

Geary staring down this iguana at the pools edge. This took place at a nearby resort where we spent the day.

The iguana obviously wasn’t intimidated by Geary and went for a swim anyway.

He leisurely swam across the pool.

Then exited to go lay on his towel.

My best photo bomb to date.

After the rain, there’s a rainbow and this was a full one.

Red sky at night, sailors delight.  We are off to Cartagena tomorrow.

Here’s the planned route for tomorrow’s trip.

We had our best sail so far.  Curacao to Aruba was a quick 10 hour overnight sail.  We averaged 7 to 8 knots with only the jib up.

Aruba is the first country since leaving France that requires you to bring the boat to immigration just in case they want to come on board, which they didn’t.  It’s not a very nice arrangement as you have to tie up at the commercial docks and there is no one there to assist you with your lines.

Here we are, loving Aruba so far.

We stayed in the Renaissance marina which is just next to the cruise ship docks.  Apparently, they receive about 4 cruise ships per day during high season.  While we were there only 2 docked all week.

Sea Rose was tied up behind the Casino which was a great location and quiet.  I didn’t have to walk far to get Teresa’s morning Starbucks.

Carolyn and Uncle Bob trying desperately to learn a few salsa steps.

Then there’s Teresa who is a natural salsa dancer, putting the rest of us to shame.

It’s not a Unicorn, it’s actually Rachel securing her return invite by cleaning the vacuum cleaner after actually using it.  Well done Rachel, we knew you had it in you.

Teresa is in heaven at the Phillip’s Animal Garden which is a wildlife sanctuary in Aruba.  They provide you with bags of carrots to feed the animals.

Teresa causing a commotion with the goats.

Some of the little goats were running around outside their pens.

Teresa’s favorite one.

Geary was the only one brave enough to let the Ostrich eat from his hand.

We took a submarine tour on the Atlantis.  We were a little skeptical at first thinking it was a tourist trap, but it actually turned out to be a real submarine.

We took a 15 minute ride out to where the submarine was positioned.

Geary excited to be on the submarine.

Teresa sitting with the submarine pilot.  The ticket sales lady tipped us off and told us the best place to sit was up front with the pilot.  That way we could ask him questions and look out his front window for a bigger and better view.

Some of the under water fish life.

A sunken shipwreck.

We touched bottom at 134 feet.

Teresa never met an animal she doesn’t want to feed.  Problem with these little birds is they would then deposit their processed food on the boat which then needed to be cleaned.

Sunday lunch at Renaissance island.

Teresa feeding the iguana’s our unwanted peaches.

Next stop Santa Marta, Colombia.

We had an easy downwind sail to Curacao, but due to a late departure from Bonaire we had to motor sail the last few hours to get in before the marina closed at 5:00 PM or the weekend.  No electricty = No A/C = Unhappy Teresa.

Rachel, Geary, Teresa and Carolyn hiding in Curacao

We got another great berth location  in the Santa Barbara Plantation resort.  The water was clear and we could jump off the back of Sea Rose for an easy swim.

Tied up on the outside with the swimming area and beach on the inside.

On the weekend, the locals arrive in numbers and tie up to the outside of the pier and swim on the inside.

Rachel, Carolyn and Teresa shopping in the farmers market Willemstad.

Geary making friends with the locals.

Bob and Teresa getting directions from the tourist office.

We did visit some cultural sites.  The oldest active synagogue in the western hemisphere.

Very nice interior with all sand floors.

I got told off for taking this picture inside the museum.

Mingling with the “Chichi” women of Curacao.  Chichi mean “big sister” in the local language of Papiamentu.

Don’t tell Teresa they’re not real.

The crew with the Queen Juliana Bridge in the background.

Carolyn crossing the Queen Emma pontoon bridge.

Gotta have a selfie.

Looking across the river to the town of Willemstad.

Teresa to the left and Big Guns to the right.

Exploring Rif Fort…

The view from our lunch table.

Another hot sunny day in Ceru Boca.

I didn’t realize Cannabis gave you energy.  This product seems like an oxymoron.

We had another good downwind sail to Bonaire.  It took 3 days and 3 nights.  We took a wide turn north to dodge the hungry Venezuelans and avoid having our toilet paper stolen.

The days were peaceful…

and the nights were calm.

After 3 days and 3 nights, Sea Rose is safely tied up in Harbour Village Marina.

Teresa is happy to be on solid ground again.

Our friend Geary joined us in Bonaire.  He and I are off to the fuel dock to get some fuel for the dingy.

We took a day trip to the Cadushy brewery.  They make everything from the local cadushy cactus, like rum, vodka, tequila.  We asked the same question, Isn’t rum made from sugar cane?

Teresa inspecting the cadushy cactus.

Geary, Teresa and Bob sampling the local product.  We did buy a bottle of the rum (made from cactus).

There is a huge sea salt facility at the south end of Bonaire.  They flood these plains and wait 6 months for the water to evaporate until all that is left is sea salt.

Enjoying our last supper before departing for Curacao tomorrow.

We had a nice sail at the beginning of our 25 hour trip trip to Grenada.  The first 8 hours were good sailing and then the wind completely died on us so we motored the remaining 17 hours.

We arrived midday the following day.

The marina was full so we were docked just in front of the marina office.  It was very close to everything we needed, except there wasn’t much privacy.

My personal ATM.   Teresa getting some money out of the ATM before we headed to the grocery for provisioning for our next trip to Bonaire

It was hot and humid in Grenada and Teresa a.k.a. Stick of Butter was not handling the sun and heat very well.

St Georges harbor which was across the way from our marina.

Unfortunately, we didn’t stay long in Grenada.  We had a quick weather window to get to Bonaire so we took it.  We left on Monday and the Grenada Carnival started early that morning and we missed it, bummer!

The first of 3 sunsets on our way to Bonaire.

After almost a 5 month absence we finally got back to Sea Rose. She was right where we left her and looking good.  Until….

Sea Rose was left in Martinique because our emergency hatch windows were leaking and they were being replaced under warranty work.  Apparently, we were one of 5 boats that have had this problem.  Upon arrival, I was under the the impression the work was complete and all was good.  When I looked to inspect the windows I was horrified to see the butcher job that was done.  They didn’t even rehang the privacy curtain.

We arrived on a Saturday, so I had to wait all weekend before I could speak with the person responsible for the horrific job.  On Monday morning when I went to his office he told me the job wasn’t finished.  They had ordered trim pieces from the the factory in France and they sent the wrong color trim and had to order it again.  Fortunately, the new trim arrived that Monday and was installed on Tuesday without further delay.  It looks much better now and the windows don’t leak anymore.

Morning overlooking the marina.

The Tour des Yoles was happening while we were in Martinique.  They race the traditional Yole boats around the island of Martinique over a seven day period stopping in various ports along the way.  Here they are arriving in Martinique.

They just sail them into the beach.

The following day they started the next leg of the race.

Morning cappuccino at Mango Bay.

Teresa following Captain’s orders and readying Sea Rose for tomorrow’s departure to Grenada.

When you know the menu inside and out it’s time to say goodbye to Mango Bay and Martinique.  One of the few places I know where happy hour is literally just that, 1 hour.

Leaving Martinique under good sailing conditions. Next  port of call, Grenada.

Which way is home again?

Stop taking my picture, I’m trying to figure out which way is home.

Teresa got us back to the Pitons where Giles and Lisa will leave us for warm sunny England.

The Jalouise Plantation resort at he base of the Pitons.  Giles & Lisa treated Teresa and me to a farewell dinner here.

Giles & Lisa’s last sunset in the Caribbean.

The sun has set on this trip and now it’s time to return home to reality.

After leaving Union Island we had a short sail to Petit St Vincent.  It’s a private island resort, but they allow visitors to walk the beach or use the beach restaurant & bar.

Giles & Lisa decided to stay on board while Teresa & I went ashore for lunch.

Great spot for lunch.

The restaurant had the best menu and food we have seen in the entire trip.

A sand island we passed leaving Petit St Vincent.  People used it for day visits.

Giles and Lisa homesick for Cirencester, England.

Palm Island was another private resort island.  Great beaches and beach bar.

We lost the use of our water on Sea Rose, so we came into Union Island looking for a technician.  Fortunately, our boat boy knew the right guy and it was a simple repair.

While we were here we decided to walk around town.

Giles, Teresa & Lisa having bacon sandwiches for breakfast.

We are ready to depart now, after the repair and some breakfast.