Cartagena, Columbia

Now in Cartagena, Columbia. Our voyage via yacht from Panama was something we were really looking forward to. And now, i am so pleased to have it behind us. We choose a cat that would be a more stable on the open sea, but our choice put us on a 14 year old cat (more like 20) that was a bit tired and we had 14others on board with us (all of whom were really nice people) but it made it a bit crowded and once we hit the open sea we had to close all hatches to the bedrooms and the deisel and fresh paint smell prevented most of us using the bedrooms so we were all crowded up into the saloon or back deck area (for those of us who needed the fresh air too). The open sea crossing was 40 hours so I slept (on and off) for those hours in a very small space in a corner of the back deck. On top of that we prepared ourselves for the travel diarroheoa situation (i know that is not spelt correctly) but not the opposite, so the small confined space of the bathrooms became places of 'ordeal'. A lack of fibre and the effects of dehydration on the boat being the causes - I suspect.

We were the only travellers beyond 40 and most were in their 20's (far more tolerance of the lack of luxuries), but everyone was friendly and understanding. Amazingly, 8 out of the other 12 passengers (+2 crew) are heading for N.Z. in the coming months. I am sure we will host four of the Irish travellers later this year at home.

The Islands of the San Blas were truely picturesque - just what you would think a deserted island should look like (there were a few islands that were overcrowded and others completely uninhabited). Snorkelling was pretty good - for fish life but the coral was bleached as it is in so many places of the world now.

We haven't seen much of Cartagena 'yet'. This is our week of luxury in a time share hotel where all food and drink is included!!! Just what my body needs for a few days. Cartagena is a beautiful city with an entire area surrounded by walls - the old city. We have had a brief look last night and know that will be the focus of our explorations in the coming days.