Here are a few photos of our journey to Cartagena. We left Shelter Bay April 27th, and ended up in Isla Grande. We weren't sure if we were going to do a straight shot, or stop along the way. Turns out, we stopped here.
We headed off again, the next morning, for an overnighter to Cartagena. We had confused seas and winds, but a lovely sunset.
We hit a few squalls, enroute, but mostly a motorboat ride. Again, a lovely sunset/sunrise?? shot.
Last night was very uneventful. We have been motoring or motor sailing the whole way. We'll tie to the dock, in Manzanillo boat yard and put Fortuitous on the hard on Monday as the travel lift is down for maintenance right now.
Enroute, fisherman Greg worked very hard (as you can see) to procure dinner for us.
We just watched the brown progress through the bay, along with branches, logs, etc. 
This was the view from the cafe.
We took a look in some of the non-stores for a few essentials. Greg was getting hot, tired, and bored.
We happened upon the local meat market. As we were standing in the street, along came this open cart, lined with black plastic. The cargo was completely uncovered and God only knows how far they had come already.
At the palapa, they began unloading their cargo, onto the tables inside or hanging from hooks. We couldn't believe it was meat...looked like beef. All the dogs in the neighbourhood showed up, along with the village dwellers.
There is a strong military presence in this town, as I gather there is in all of Colombia. It would be terribly hot in those uniforms. 
Greg decided to hike back, over the hill, to Sapzuro. We waited for the panga ride.
Here I am looking out at the waves, contemplating my fate and wondering if I should have walked. The trouble is, my feet hadn't yet healed from the last walk...so it wasn't really an option. Our panga driver was late, and who should arrive but the Johnny we were supposed to talk to in the first place...his panga was 3 times the size of the one we'd used...and he charged the same $$!! !*!!$%%$%%^&&**** So much for the assumption that one panga is the same as all the others!!! I contemplated hopping aboard (since he offered us a ride) when our panga driver came over the horizon. Against my better judgement, we went with the original guy. It was the ride from hell! The waves were so big we couldn't see the horizon. I was scared out of my wits!! The life jackets were old, wet, and salty...probably wouldn't have kept me afloat anyway! So, I just gripped one in case we went over. I'm sure I will die if we go over and, while I'm contemplating this, Ralph looks back and sees that our driver is FISHING!!! Then, to top it off he catches a plastic bag, stops the motor amidst these seas, and takes it off the hook!!!!! I am completely devoid of Spanish (because of all the fear) so can't say a word. Ralph laughs, and says, "Let's go!" to him, and off we go. We did arrive, yet again, safe and sound but soaked!! On the upside, we didn't get any ticks on our trip back, Greg got two new ones!
In one of the anchorages enroute, these girls and a fellow came out to collect their $10 anchoring fee. These charges really tick me off (especially since we are so short of money). I was not in a good mood when Ralph invited them aboard.
They wanted their photo taken, but then wanted the hard copy and said they'd come back tomorrow. Ralph had trouble explaining that they could view it in the camera, but we couldn't print it. Their Spanish was somewhat limited. They all speak their native Kuna, and only learn Spanish, in school, up to the mandatory attendance to grade 3, unless they elect to continue on. I'm guessing few go to school past that as there aren't schools on ever island.
Again, in one of the island we had another huge storm. This is Ralph's cue to get out, wash the deck, open the water intake and collect water. Our watermaker had been giving us trouble, so it seemed like a good idea. Since then, Ralph has managed to repair the problem, so we can make water again.
This water is being collected in a matter of seconds, off the side of the boat. We do laundry, in buckets, in the cockpit, during these downpours too. It's much cleaner water than we've used from the rivers and wells in Kuna Yala.
Something is lost in the photo, but I'm trying to show the rainfall.
Greg gets involved...washing this and than and a shower all at once!!
Lots of wind at the same time. You can see the rain and wind waves on the water. Keep in mind, this is a flat, calm anchorage at other times.
The happy water collectors!
Greg has decided to not cut his hair for the whole time he's with us...it's getting pretty long and unruly...is this some form of parent torture...we're the ones who have to look at him! Actually, it doesn't look so bad and is getting quite blonde! He'll be sorry when he cuts it all off...gone will be his surfer look.
Loved this balancing act!
He was such a long-legged dog, too!
These are the Colombian trading boats that come with supplies to Kuna Yala. From their appearance, it is amazing they stay afloat. They bring limited provisions and leave with their holds full of coconuts, the primary product from Kuna Yala.
From one island, we decided to do a river tour. Greg headed off in the kayak.
Up the river, we found a water pipe. Ralph waded into the river for an inpromptu shower. I was worried (what else is new) about what might be lurking in the river...so I remained dirty and smelly!
More Kuna kids. We've found the Kuna to be very friendly, especially in the more tradional villages. The kids like their photos taken, but no all the adults do, so you have to be cautious.
Back in central San Blas, we set up our monkey golf game. A young boy and his Dad came by and started watching. Greg invited them to play. The little boy played, right away, but the Dad held off for awhile.
While we were playing, this ulu came by with coconuts for sale. Gumboots, flip flops, or knock-off crocks seem to be the footwear of choice, but mostly bare feet rule.
Meanwhile, back at the game, the Dad (on the right) is now participating and we have a new addition in the white shirt too! Our game gets side-lined as Greg entertains the troups. Just before this shot is taken, we were standing on the beach. The fellow in the white shirt was supposed to get us some beer and bread from town. No beer, but he did bring bread. We were there, paying him, and a coconut fell from a tree and just missed me by about 3 feet. We've seen this happen at least twice before, to other people...scary!! One of those on the head would have killed me, I'm sure!!
As the father and son were leaving, they scooped buckets and buckets of sand into their ulu. They will use it to add to their lot back on the island.
Dad and son set up their sail for the trip home.
Here we are, in Shelter Bay Marina...the first true marina in over two years! It's great to have power, water, and a laundry! Such luxury!!
Another shot of Fortuitous in luxury!
Ralph and Greg went off for a 10km hike. I've learned my lesson...no fort or village is worth that to me! I stayed home and worked on this blog!
Looks like and interesting fort, though! They were tired, when they got back, even though they thumbed a ride for part of the return trek.
Here we are safely at anchor!
This is the next morning and all looks fine at this point. George is happy, we're all happy. We've just finished up the long panga ride to the entrance of the river. This trip was billed as a river tour/hike...but the river tour was about 15 minutes. The 1 to 2 hour hike was about 4...through muck, mostly (it could not have rained any harder the night before the hike). It was up the Mandingo river. It sounded like a decent hike for me because we were supposed to be back by 1, after leaving at 8. As well, it was termed a flat hike. What could go wrong?
Here we are in the river portion of the trip...still all happy!
The hike's beginning. Nice! Shaded!! This is for me! It looks like I made the right decision. My gut feeling was no, but I decided I'd better try to look athletic!
OK, this isn't good! I don't like this sort of bridge, but I manage.
Here's a better view...slippery and narrow. Right after this, my first sandal falls apart. 5 minutes later, the other. Thankfully George has string in his pack...I trudge on.
This is the path...notice we're walking on the sides since the path is flooded. After awhile, we just gave up and trudged through the water.
We have to ford a river to reach the actual village. This wouldn't be so bad if your sandals weren't filling with water and wanting to float downstream with the current. As well, I had such big holes in my heels, from the rubbing sandals, that I could barely walk. Eventually, I put moleskin (from George) on the sorest parts and hoped it would stay on in the water and muck.
Some people were having a good time in the river, even if I wasn't.
I could have taken an horse back to the boat...but, with the way horses and I get along, and the muddy ride back...I was caught between a rock and a hard place. I opted for pain and walking on my own.
Like I said, some people in the river by the village were having a great time!
She was busy doing her laundry in the "laundry ulu?" There were several of these boats here and they looked to be only used for laundry. This village has no road, only the path we came up and limited river access.
In town, we paid the Saila for our visit and talked to the kids outside the school.
As if I wasn't having enough fun, we all purchased a fine meal of fried plantains and sardines in tomato sauce...mmmm!! All for $2 each!
What a charming little restaurant!
The fellow in the red is our leader, Justino. The other is the "cook".
These are my tevas after the hike. The band-aid on the side is to stop the sandal from rubbing more skin off. Both soles are completely off and held on only by string. These were hardly worn sandals...I feel a nasty letter to Teva coming on!! To add insult to injury, the next day Southern Belle called, by radio, and told us they had found ticks on themselves. We did a check, and sure enough we had them too!!
The kids here came by the boats every day, peering in the windows and asking for candy. Here they're at Southern Belle.
It's hard to imagine an existence like this one. These island have no water and have to bring it from the rivers on the mainland.
The met ulu-loads of kids and people getting water or doing laundry.
These were the others in the "laundromat".
Ralph and Greg helped these girls carry water to the ulu.
Finally, they get to do our own laundry...here Greg is demonstrating the power agitator!!
When they bring it back, we hang it all aboard to dry. Are we having fun yet? 
