We arrived in San Andres after one of the roughest passages we’ve had so far. While the waves were not too high (5-8 feet), they were coming from every which direction. The boat was lurching sideways, front to back, up & down. We couldn’t anticipate which direction we would be thrown next. And of course for the first day the wind was right on our nose so we couldn’t use the sails to try to stabilize her. After 24 hours, the wind shifted enough that we could at least use the main to reduce the rolling so we only had to deal with the pitching. Other than lots of bruises, wrenched muscles and a few broken parts, we made it through safely, but if all passages were like that, we probably wouldn’t go anywhere!
San Andres Island is part of Columbia, even though the Columbian mainland is over 400 miles away and the island is closer to at least four other countries. It is a pretty island, but very busy with tourists from Columbia. It’s like Hawaii to the U.S., the rich and middle class Columbians fly here to party and shop. Plus they are rebuilding the waterfront walkway. The anchorage is very well protected, however it’s right off the main tourist areas so all day we are serenaded by honking horns, jackhammers and the wakes from the tour boats and all night from the karaoke bars and the roving “pirate” ship with it’s mariachi band. The weather though has been fantastic, there’s a pleasant breeze, blue skies with puffy clouds, and no rain :-)
We met up with several other cruising boats we know and have been enjoying dinners out and pot lucks aboard. One day nine of us rented two large "golf carts" and did a tour of the island.
We stopped at a beach side stand and had a coconut drink:
The color of the water was incredible though the land was much drier (no bugs).
We had lunch
We circumnavigated the island and after getting a little lost downtown, returned the carts.
Scooters and golf carts are the main form of transportation and the sidewalks are lined with scooters:
We're leaving this evening for an overnight passage to Isla Providencia, hopefully there will be internet there and we can check in.
Cheers,
Carolynn & Tom
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