Santa Marta, Colombia
Santa Marta is a port city on the coast of the Caribbean Sea in northern Colombia. Founded on July 29, 1525, by the Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas, it was one of the first Spanish settlements in Colombia, its oldest surviving city, and second-oldest in South America. They are celebrating 500 years this year!
Simón Bolívar, the liberator of much of South America, spent his last weeks in Santa Marta, and died of tuberculosis in 1830, at the age of 47. He was buried in the cathedral of Santa Marta, but subsequently his remains were moved to Caracas.
The Sierra Nevada mountains can be seen and they are snow-capped at times. The winds (and clouds) come in mid-afternoon and blow (howl, really) during the evening then quiet down in the early morning hours.
January 16
After settling in, checked in with Marina then with Customs. To access the docks and bathrooms, they take your fingerprints and facial recognition (Todd didn't do either). Ladies took a nap then did laundry while guys went to the hotel pool. Walked to town for dinner at Ouzo – mediterranean food right on the square Plaza de Novios. Great people watching area.
Jan. 16 Photos
January 17
Up early to exercise around marina parking lot. Showered, said goodbyes to Karen and Charlie then met up with group for today’s tour. Took a Toyota SUV (you take your pick in the line of SUVs), shared it with Fruition’s Colin and Diane, and drove to La Victoria Coffee Farm (about 45 minutes drive up the Sierra Nevada mountains). Nice tour – got some coffee and chocolate cake, bought some coffee and chocolate covered coffee beans. After tour, drove up to Minca – bumpy ride even with 4WD. When we got there, we were able to walk towards the waterfall – 2 of them (that's the picture on the blog post). We also got in the water at the base of the waterfall. From there, walked down to the town – took may 30-40 minutes. Ate at La Casona where they have bird feeders for hummingbirds. Nice view. Sat with Kincsem crew and had a late lunch – steak and fries. Back to the SUV at 4pm then arrived back to marina by 5pm. Watched sunset with Salinity (Martha and Bob) then joined by Saltair. We walked downtown, checked the outdoor markets then to Plaza de Novios where we went to Porthos and shared a burger and had beers.
Jan. 17 Photos
January 18
Boat chores. Walked to town to do some provisioning – walked to Exito supermarket. Took taxi back in time for 5pm welcome reception at the marina. Talked to a bunch of people. After, walked outside with Bob and Martha (Salinity). Todd got some bbq skewers and I got mango. Also got ice cream then back to the boat. All that food cost us 14,000 Colombian pesos ($3.50 USD)!
Jan. 18 Photos
January 19
We walked to the Cathedral mass then walked over to the open market. Bought some cheese and bacon and some veggies. Ate at a restaurant then took cab back to the marina. Electrician arrived by 11am to look at VHF and we possibly may need a new antenna (VHF works but can't seem to transmit for longer distances). We ended going to the pool to cool off as it’s so hot. For dinner, we opted for the sangria and paella dinner with the group. Sat with Tembo and Ila Mola crew.
Jan. 19 Photos
January 20
Exercise this morning. Boat chores Todd while I cooked a chicken dish and froze it for the next passage. Skippers briefing at 10am. More boat chores including more VHF work and Todd going up the mast to check the antenna. I had a hair/mani/pedi appointment at 2pm at Fantastica. All that service with tip was $105,000 pesos ($26.25)! Went to a few shops then back to the boat. 7pm dinner and prize giving at the Marriott – nice sit down dinner.
January 21
Final boat chores today. We went to Carulli’s for more provisioning as store is closeby. We bought a chicken tamale from a street vendor for our lunch. Karen came by at 1:30pm to deliver the antenna and Todd went up the mast to replace the antenna. We were able to check out with marina and customs by 3:30/4pm. Did more laundry (free at the marina). We couldn’t leave the marina so we had dinner at Cambiante.
Jan. 20-21 Photos
We plan to leave in the early morning for San Blas Islands, Panama.
Simón Bolívar, the liberator of much of South America, spent his last weeks in Santa Marta, and died of tuberculosis in 1830, at the age of 47. He was buried in the cathedral of Santa Marta, but subsequently his remains were moved to Caracas.
The Sierra Nevada mountains can be seen and they are snow-capped at times. The winds (and clouds) come in mid-afternoon and blow (howl, really) during the evening then quiet down in the early morning hours.
January 16
After settling in, checked in with Marina then with Customs. To access the docks and bathrooms, they take your fingerprints and facial recognition (Todd didn't do either). Ladies took a nap then did laundry while guys went to the hotel pool. Walked to town for dinner at Ouzo – mediterranean food right on the square Plaza de Novios. Great people watching area.
Jan. 16 Photos
January 17
Up early to exercise around marina parking lot. Showered, said goodbyes to Karen and Charlie then met up with group for today’s tour. Took a Toyota SUV (you take your pick in the line of SUVs), shared it with Fruition’s Colin and Diane, and drove to La Victoria Coffee Farm (about 45 minutes drive up the Sierra Nevada mountains). Nice tour – got some coffee and chocolate cake, bought some coffee and chocolate covered coffee beans. After tour, drove up to Minca – bumpy ride even with 4WD. When we got there, we were able to walk towards the waterfall – 2 of them (that's the picture on the blog post). We also got in the water at the base of the waterfall. From there, walked down to the town – took may 30-40 minutes. Ate at La Casona where they have bird feeders for hummingbirds. Nice view. Sat with Kincsem crew and had a late lunch – steak and fries. Back to the SUV at 4pm then arrived back to marina by 5pm. Watched sunset with Salinity (Martha and Bob) then joined by Saltair. We walked downtown, checked the outdoor markets then to Plaza de Novios where we went to Porthos and shared a burger and had beers.
Jan. 17 Photos
January 18
Boat chores. Walked to town to do some provisioning – walked to Exito supermarket. Took taxi back in time for 5pm welcome reception at the marina. Talked to a bunch of people. After, walked outside with Bob and Martha (Salinity). Todd got some bbq skewers and I got mango. Also got ice cream then back to the boat. All that food cost us 14,000 Colombian pesos ($3.50 USD)!
Jan. 18 Photos
January 19
We walked to the Cathedral mass then walked over to the open market. Bought some cheese and bacon and some veggies. Ate at a restaurant then took cab back to the marina. Electrician arrived by 11am to look at VHF and we possibly may need a new antenna (VHF works but can't seem to transmit for longer distances). We ended going to the pool to cool off as it’s so hot. For dinner, we opted for the sangria and paella dinner with the group. Sat with Tembo and Ila Mola crew.
Jan. 19 Photos
January 20
Exercise this morning. Boat chores Todd while I cooked a chicken dish and froze it for the next passage. Skippers briefing at 10am. More boat chores including more VHF work and Todd going up the mast to check the antenna. I had a hair/mani/pedi appointment at 2pm at Fantastica. All that service with tip was $105,000 pesos ($26.25)! Went to a few shops then back to the boat. 7pm dinner and prize giving at the Marriott – nice sit down dinner.
January 21
Final boat chores today. We went to Carulli’s for more provisioning as store is closeby. We bought a chicken tamale from a street vendor for our lunch. Karen came by at 1:30pm to deliver the antenna and Todd went up the mast to replace the antenna. We were able to check out with marina and customs by 3:30/4pm. Did more laundry (free at the marina). We couldn’t leave the marina so we had dinner at Cambiante.
Jan. 20-21 Photos
We plan to leave in the early morning for San Blas Islands, Panama.
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Who: Todd and Joy Davis
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