Cartagena here we come
Simanderal
Michael Hughes and Ger White
Sat 19 Dec 2009 16:05
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Whilst we had originally thought we might get to
Cartagena, Colombia for Xmas, we had until a few days ago, decided to spend it
in Aruba. The journey across the south-west Caribbean is generally reckoned to
be a difficult one at this time of year--I quote " the 5th worst
passage in the world"--so we were planning on waiting in Aruba for a good
weather window. However watching the weather patterns and forecasts over
the last week it was clear that the weather would be abnormally quiet between
now and Xmas--so decision taken to hop over from Bonaire to Curascao for 24
hours--quick visit and some provisioning--and then set off on ther "long
one"--430 miles from Curacao to Cartagena.
As I write, we have done the first 135
miles--almost a third of the way--and are about 20 miles off the Colombian
coast--sun and moderate winds, though we're rolling a bit in an average
Caribbean swell.
ETA Cartagena is Monday afternoon--though if I
reckon we can't make it by dusk, there's an anchorage 50 miles short which we'll
use overnight and arrive Tuesday.
So, Xmas (and New Year) in Cartagena after
all!!
We enjoyed our week in Bonaire--did a dive on the
reef with an instructor to brush up our diving skills--not used for some time.
And I bought the full Scuba gear so I can dive under the boatg if the need
arises--which it will as I'll need to change the anodes in the Pacific and won't
have to haul out to do so. Also hired a car and saw a bit of the island--well,
most of it--it's not large. Bonaire is a great place for diving, kite surfing,
windsurfing etc. Lovely and relaxed.
Well must stop and check the
navigation.
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