Hello, Colombia!

We made landfall in Colombia after an easy sail in what is, by reputation, supposed to be the fourth worst section of the world’s oceans.  We were lucky, only sighting four waterspouts, with, otherwise, light winds and relatively flat seas.

Prominent hydro poles, one street, one storey town as viewed from Milly

The juxtaposition of Aruba to Cabo de La Vela, Colombia was clear even from a distance.  The bay we anchored in was huge and our fleet of three boats were the only recreational boats around.  The small local fishing boats were paddled or motored, several coming out immediately to quietly move around us with family on board to take a look.  Again, after experiencing the Caribbean islands where the only boats approaching Milly would be attempting to sell us something, the curiosity of the locals was a welcome change.  Although the topography was similar to the dry, desert of the ABC’s, the bay was lined by single story, brown dwellings instead of the high developed Aruban coast.  The highest points in “town” were the very obvious hydro poles which although wired were void of electricity.

Town

The bay was full of fish traps and nets, so much so that getting into the bay on Milly was a challenge.  I was on the bow pointing a winding, narrow course for Peter to follow.  It's this kind of anchorage that makes our trip!

We stayed in Cabo de la Vela two nights, went on two hikes and explored the town which is worth noting.  It was a one street town which ran along the bay and was made up of primitive - very - eateries and eco tourist lodges all in the same indigenous architecture made of split and dried cacti.  The uneven cacti left long cracks of air as natural AC.  The lodges were open lofts with hammocks - we were glad to be on luxurious Milly. 

Ubiquitous architecture and building materials.  

Eco tourism lodge.  This was luxurious compared to our accommodation later on our Colombian adventures - coming soon

The bar where we had beers for less than a dollar (American).

The towns tourism, apparently thriving with Colombians during December and January, is based in it’s consistently strong winds - except when we were there - for kiteboarding. The few tourists in October were young, hardcore travellers looking for some good wind to while away the afternoon.  

The intrepid hikers at the top

Natural graffiti as viewed from the top

Hiking on the highway out of town.  Four by fours and motorcycles only vehicles on town although we were followed for awhile by two kids on bikes.

Steve and Dave heading down.  Janice and I are waaay down there. Just a little barren!

The beach.

 After Aruba, I was thrilled to be back in South America wandering around the town.  So very different.  There were no cars, only motorcycle traffic scooting back and forth along the visible tires treads in the sand which comprised the road.  Speeding was kept in check by speed bumps of thick rope laid across the road.  

Speed bump on main (only) street.  

The cemetery had family tombs and, we think, what were shelter or cooking areas for each family.  Given the immense number of bones around - goat, we assumed - we surmised that there were regular celebrations or feasts to honour the dead. Maybe?

We loved it and had a good taste of rural life before heading south to the metropolis of Santa Marta where we had numerous Colombian adventures.

Happy to be back in South America!