Living on Simplicity,

Still in Colombia!

July 8, 2024

Where are we now?

Enjoying our life as Live-a-boards/Cruisers!

Still in Santa Marta Marina, Santa Marta Colombia

Today, we reflect on just how grateful we are for having had the past 2 years sailing the Windward Islands. The time we spent was filled enjoying the magnificent beauty and splendor of each of these islands, their people and culture. It is difficult to look at the photos and see the devastation. The power of Mother Nature is enormous, random, and ill-logical. The scary part of looking from here is how many people left their boats and did not prepare. We all complain about the high costs of insurance. Don’t we? And ask yourself did I do everything possible to ensure the best outcome. Many did and their dreams at this point have ended in disaster, losing their boats. My heart goes to you working to do the best you could. If you desire you can keep going even if the path is unclear in this moment. Remember you can’t solve a problem with the same energy as you discovered it.

Heading to Grenada mid-July for my sailing retreat(s). Then a week with Kelly Marlor and we will swim, dive and enjoy time with our friends. We will head back to Colombia with a trip to Bogota.

Here in Santa Marta, we found a great carpenter a true craftsman and he reinstalled our broken companionway grab rails, stripped our galley wood, the boat floor boards, and replaced the fabric hull liner with white wood batons.

We have had afternoon rains that have turned the Sierra Nevada Mountains a beautiful deep emerald green. The evenings find a breeze from the mountains that cools us. The fruits, vegetables, and flowers are abundant. The people of this bustling beach city are warm and kind. They are mostly helpful to those struggling to learn their language - Spanish.

I have immersed myself into Pilates here at VIVA Pilates with Jacqueline. She is delightful. Twenty-four years of being a Pilates Instructor she is great. The studio is not air conditioned, so sweating is abundant. ]

The food here is straight from the farm to table. Delicious. Did I mention the “chocolate” and “coffee”? Wow! We have yet to find a bad “panaderia”. There are many and very good. The coffee is wonderful, and soothing. Doesn’t keep you up at night?

This history here is reflected in the buildings, parks, and statues. We have visited Cartagena, Minca, and Palomino so far. Minca is high in the Sierra Nevada mountains. A small town with many vendors, restaurants, hostels, hiking to the coffee farms and cacao farms. Beautiful mountain streams, waterfalls, with clear, crisp water. Bamboo trees - strong, with more species in Colombia than anywhere in the world.

Palomino is a cool, little beach town where people come to relax, surf and enjoy the Caribbean Sea.

Cartagena is a city within a City. Old Town is large, vibrant, regentrified with great restaurants, shops, and history. Another beach city where high rises line the sea and beaches. The port is busy and city is vibrant. Old Town at night is filled with celebration music, tours, and craftsman.

We wonder if we will ever learn Spanish and actually have a complete conversation?

Keep the people of The Grenadines and Windward Islands in your prayers it is long road before them. Seeing the world at 5 knots.

We live an amazing life our ocean dream, it truly was a dream and today it is a reality! Put this in the books - Dream realized!