We raise the anchor at 5am and cautiously make our way to and through the Isla Providencia channel under starlight. We're clear of the lee-side reefs and this mountainous island as the sun rises. Beautiful. From there until 4nm from the Isla San Andres sea buoy we sail in mostly 10-15kt winds just port tack of dead downwind. Seas were a bit lumpy but for the most part aft of beam, so all in all, a nice day of sailing.

We hail the San Andres clearing-in agent on VHF several times as we are abeam the island and a few minutes later, then again just before we enter the channel and are not surprised at the lack of acknowledgement. Jerry calls again just after we anchor and the agent answers, telling Jerry where to meet him at 4:30pm. The clearing process is unusually efficient; the appropriate official looks at the zarpe: we cleared into Colombia at Isla Providencia, so all ok. Immigration looks at both passports, stamped and also good. The agent quotes a fee of $50 USD in and out if we leave when Jerry said was our plan, the next weather window in a week or two, and if we give him one previous day notice during week days and on Friday morning if planning to leave over the weekend. Jerry's back on Vida Dulce before 5pm. No other fees mentioned so we're happy. We'll wait out the next round of weather here, exploring the island and hopefully Jerry going on a dive trip or perhaps two in. But before that happens.... the generator needs TLC. Jerry found sea water in the bottom of in the case when he changed the oil yesterday, and today while underway the generator quit twice with a "no raw water" failure. Tomorrow's boat project.

This is a very busy commercial & tourist destination island and anchorage, a bit of a shock of activity after the quiet of Isla Providencia, and Portobelo and Kuna Yala, Panama. More on this in the days ahead, as it is now happy hour.