Introducing Edgar:
This is Edgar.
Author Archives: Jane
Passage to Cayos Viverillo, Honduras
February 2 to 3, 2013 From Providence, Colombia to Cayos Viverillo, Honduras
We had a good passage: about 170 miles through the water (nearly 200 over ground because we had the current helping us). We sailed to weather mostly and did one fairly short tack of motoring into wind to put us in a good position to carry on sailing. On the way, we almost caught a big dorado — it got away just as we were trying to get it into the boat. At sunset, we caught another, slightly smaller one*. I reeled it in — I was completely casual about this process because I was convinced it was just another piece of seaweed. When I saw it was a fish, I got Pete to land it for me.
*The one that got away is always bigger.
A hike in Providence
February 1st, 2013, Providence, Colombia
The guide books listed hiking at the top of the what-to-do-in-Providencia list. Petra signed up Pete, me and herself for a guided trip. We negotiated a start time of 7am. We wanted to do the bulk of the hike while it was still relatively cool.
Things that go bump in the night
January 26th, 2013, Providence, Colombia
Our friends Dick and Petra came over in their dinghy from their boat Sally Lightfoot (an aluminum monohull) and joined us for a sunset drink and a nice chat. We met them in San Andrés, and then we are both anchored at Providencia.
Another island, another golf cart, another circumnavigation
January 29th, 2013, Providence, Colombia
Here are some pictures from our clockwise circumnavigation (by golf cart) of Providence. Providence is even smaller than its sister San Andrés. However, it took us just as long to circumnavigate because we got stuck at Roland’s reggae beach bar at the bottom of the island. First we were distracted by the beauty of the beach and then detained by the 2 hours plus that it took for our lunch to arrive. [It was so delicious that we almost forgave Roland for the long wait.]
History
January 30th, 2013, Providence, Colombia
Tony decided to wait for us in the main square instead of joining a boring troll through the grocery store.
Mr. Robinson encountered Tony in the main square. Mr. Robinson was initially hoping for a little money. However, when he discovered that Tony was English, he took the opportunity to berate him for abandoning Providence to the Spanish in 1672.
How to catch a bigger fish…
…start with a littler fish.
January 26th, 2013, Providencia, Colombia
Tony and Pete bought a seine net in Panama. Pete tried it out. Tony found a YouTube video on how to do it. Then Pete tried out the technique.
Passage from San Andrés to Providence
January 24-25th, 2013, San Andrés to Providence, Colombia
Both islands belong to Colombia and are part of the same Colombian department but they are surprisingly different, especially given that they are only about 55 miles apart.
Interestingly, even though the islands are 55 miles apart, we sailed 119 nautical miles to get to one from the other. Providence is north and upwind from San Andrés. To our credit, we did sail most of the way — motoring less than 5 miles in total.
We left San Andrés mid-morning and arrived in Providence around the same time the next day. We stopped at Cayo Bolivar for about three hours on the first afternoon. There we lunched and snorkeled.
The statue at Cayo Bolivar.
An overnight to Haines Cay
January 20th, 2013, Haines Cay, Colombia
For a change of scene, we pulled up anchor off Nene’s Marina near San Andrés town and motored out to Haines Cay, a very popular tourist and local destination. It was Sunday afternoon and the place was hopping with local boats and tour boats. Pete and Tony took the dinghy ashore and checked out the two little islands — sampled a beer at each.
Here’s the first island.
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Botanical Gardens in San Andrés, Colombia
January 16, 2013, San Andrés, Colombia
Our favourite attraction on San Andrés to date is the Botanical Gardens (el Jardín Botánico de la Universidad Nacional de Colombia). The garden has only been open for three years, so some of the plants are still small, and the garden itself is not huge — but the whole experience has been brilliantly designed. We opted for a guided tour. We were with a Spanish speaking group; however, the local guide moved between Spanish and English fluently; I really don’t know how he did it, quite amazing. [Also, fun for us to hear the Spanish version too — we got a free language lesson with the price of admission.]