This is the largest city I’ve sailed to yet.  Cartagena is well known amongst cruisers as the place to be for the holidays.  I have no idea how it earned this reputation, but already the anchorage has dozens of boats of all ages, shapes, and sizes.  Just the night before last I had dinner on a Formosa 51.  For those movie buffs out there that is the same boat that was used in the Captain Ron films.  The original Captain Ron boat, or at least one of them, was on the dock in the Kemah Marina back in Texas.  I knew the lines of the Formosa, but the ship I saw here was beyond beautiful the restoration was so perfect.

I am having my coffee this morning looking at all the high rises that line the ocean front property next to the old town district.  Behind me are the humongous blue cranes used to load and unload the big cargo ships that transit this busy port.  Every evening the sounds of industry die away and festive music begins to permeate the atmosphere here.  I am settling in slowly here, but I think I am going to like it here.

Having secured a local cell phone and internet connection I’ll be reaching out to both the boat yard and mechanic today to see about getting Jargo hauled out of the water and blocked up on the hard.  The boat yard has small but clean one bedroom flats with a kitchen so I may be transitioning back to shore life allowing me to really tear into the boat.  I may even go so far as to buy a little scooter or motorcycle so I can really explore the city and surrounding areas.  This is going to be fun. 

Here are a few random shots for you from Isla Linton.  These were the monkeys everyone goes to visit.  It is advisable to walk confidently and carry a big stick.  The monkeys are incredibly friendly at first, but once you go to leave they get really upset.  The last shot is us in rapid retreat with me fending off that monkey mouth with my wooden club.  I didn’t want to beat that monkey, but I would have.

Lee Winters
Phone: (281) 336-0855
Skype: lee_winters

www.SailingForSOS.com

Lee.Winters@SailingForSOS.com