Sailing to Colombia, 4

We set sail, once again, the following morning and after a long and sometimes bumpy ride, we arrived in Sapzurro that afternoon.  But we weren’t done yet.

Part 4–Sapzurro and Beyond

We set sail, once again, the following morning and after a long and sometimes bumpy ride, we arrived in Sapzurro that afternoon.  But we weren’t done yet.  From there, we had to take a 30 minute launch ride to Capurgana were the immigration office was, making it just before they closed and getting our Colombia entry stamps…whew!

image courtesy of Evan Griffith

We returned to Sapzurro, took over both small hostels for the night and celebrated our arrival.

image courtesy of Evan Griffith

We began our next day of travel at 6:00 a.m.  Why?  because we had to first take the launch back to Capurgana.  Then we had to catch the 7:00 a.m. bigger launch to Turbo.  It only runs once a day.  Realize that Capurgana and Sapzurro are basic villages that have no roads and cars.  If we had not made immigration the day before, we would have been stuck there another day.  The ride to Turbo was on an open boat packed with 35 passengers and many backpacks.  Whizzing over the waves on hard bench seats for about three hours, it was a ride you kept wishing was over, or better yet, had not started!

We arrived in Turbo where the road begins.  The name says it all.  To call it a shithole of a city would be overly kind.  Humberto, bless his heart, left his boat and came with us.  He arranged a minibus to transport us to a city (I forget the name) where we transferred to a pullman for the ride to Cartagena.

We arrived in Cartagena just after midnight.  We had traveled for 18 hours straight and it was by far the longest and most tiring day of travel to date.  We taxied 20 minutes to the old city where most of the cool places to stay are.  We got out and the place was just getting started.  Little bars and restaurants packed and jumping.  The Havana Club was pounding out live Salsa and the dance floor was packed.  Dorothy, I don’t think we are in San Blas anymore.

The End…well almost

Some things I learned:

• Check out your boat and your captain really well before you sail.  Ask about him at the hostels and with the locals.  References are nice too.
• Be flexible at all times.  Be in the heart of the moment.  While this is an efficient way to live, it is absolutely essential on a trip like this.
• Weather permitting, sail all the way to Cartagena…this was obviously not possible.
• THERE ARE NO MOSQUITOS ON THE SAN BLAS ISLANDS–PARADISE COMPLETE!
• There are some little black ants in the sand that will bite you at times, it wasn’t a big problem for me.
• Respect the Kuna Yala and their traditions.  Always ask for permission to take a photo of them (or anybody for that matter).
• Whatever challenges, it was way worth it.  Truly one of the greatest experiences of my life which I will always remember.

Thanks for letting me share it with you.

Kuna Yala Woman, Isla Pino, San Blas Islands, Panama

Coming soon:  Cartagena!

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