Panama to Cartagena

There were six of us in total that sailed to Columbia together excluding the captain. We had all met at the Gran Kahuna Hostel in Panama City and some of us had traveled together previously. The passenger list included "Swiss Chris", Cathrine from Denmark, Tessa from New Zealand but most recently living in NYC, Justin also from New Zealand, Sarah from Germany and myself. We all journeyed by land across the Panamanian istmus to Puerto Lindo about 60 miles South of the canal and on the other side of Panama from Panama City. There we met our vessel, the Rita II, and our captain, Roberto, a retired construction engineer from Argentina of almost 70 who has been sailing around the Caribbean for the last 7 years or so. The ship was built around 1977 had 2 masts and a length of about 45 feet. The quarters were adequate and included six berths a kitchen and a rudementary bathroom. We took a dinghy out the boat and on Tuesday evening (8/11?) set sail for the San Blas islands. Almost as soon as we got underway most of us started getting seasick. I wasn´t long before a couple threw up. I managed to crawl below and as long as I was lying flat or asleep I was ok. We arrived at the island for which were aiming early the next morning. We were inside a reef and were surrounded by small islands at varying distances in all directions. The Kuna indians lost no time in riding up in a dugout canoe to sell us their embroidery. We spent the whole day there. Snorkeled went on the little islands and bought some coconuts from the Kunas. The next day we went to the tiny little immigration island to have our passports stamped. There was also an extremely scary, very short runway and a single hotel, simply labeled as "hotel". From there we sailed on to another island where we spent the rest of the day. It was the most beautiful snorkeling I can remember doing in my life. I saw a couple stingrays, cool fish and corals. Got lots of cool underwater pics. That night we set off for Cartagena. Nothing but sea for 3 nights and 2 days. It was miserable. I had to throw up the first night and laid flat on my back most of the time all the way to Columbia. The last afternoon/night was calmer though and coming in to Cartagena was simply beautiful. Cartagena is one of the most romantic Caribbean ports you can imagine it has a walled city and a long history of pirate attacks, Spanish gold and the like. Now adays it looks like Miami. Lots of high rises and very modern. Our hostel is in the old walled city though, which retains its colonial charm. So much for today. The food on the boat was beyond terrible and we are looking at eating at an Argentine Churrasqueria tonight. Lots of meat. Hmmm!

Panama to Columbia