3 Mile Hike Into Baru, Columbia

 

The Village of Baru

 

Very poor village, but the people were friendly enough. Kids were constantly begging for "una propina" - a tip. We felt like we had just walked into the local tavern & everybody stops talking to look at the "new folk in town". I don't think they get too many gringos here!

A Local Beach off Cholon Bay on Sunday

 

Cholon Bay

We wake to the cacophony of boobies in the nearby mangroves. The morning is totally still; the winds don't pick up until early afternoon. Because of the stillness, we can hear the ever so strange braying of the donkeys, and somewhere over there, is the distinct sound of a peacock. Things have slowed down considerably since leaving Cartagena. We are in a big, beautiful bay that could easily accommodate hundreds of boats, but there are only 4 of us here at the moment, well, five if you count "Manatee", a big 68 ft. steel hulled motor cruiser recently been put to use as a happy hour bar. Yesterday, we heard the music coming from it & were curious as we had heard that there's not much in Cholon Bay. The self-professed "mayor" of the bay, Robert, (originally from the U.S. but living atop a hill overlooking the bay now) has opened a floating bar for those wanting to meet up with fellow cruisers. We headed over to appease our curiosity & we were instantly invited on board. Apparently, we just missed the pot luck dinner that the other boaters put on every Sat. night. Anyway, we joined them for a couple of beers & that has been our intro into life outside of the big city!
That & the fact that we've been pestered by locals paddling up to us on their boards with everything from papayas, mangoes, mangrove oysters, necklaces and they do not take no for an answer! Phrases such as "No entiendo" (I don't understand) & "No quiera nada" (I don't want anything) could matter less to them - it just means the challenge is on! We've heard that in the San Blas Islands, the women hang off the side of the boat for hours! One couple went down below for a meal & came out to find the Kuna Indian still perched beside their boat). Robert figured out how to say, "I'd like to marry your daughter" when a mother & her 10 year old daughter came up to him, & he claims that that chased them away every time (but one does have to worry that they may just take you up on your offer!)

A Final Farewell to Cartagena - Adios Amiga

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Forms of transportation, statues, doorknockers & street signs

 

 

 

 

A Day at the Hacienda Las Maragritas

It was wash day at the ranch when we arrived; scrubbing on rocks and drying on fences. The neighboring villagers come to the one & only watering hole within walking distance, which is located on the farm known as Hacienda Las Margaritas. Some of the cruisers were asked if they'd like to spend the day with the family who has owned the farm for over 40 years & of course, we jumped at the chance. A new adventure! The area on the outskirts of the ranch is definitely 3rd world; these people live in shacks & have very little by our standards. It was interesting to get out of the Cartegena & see another aspect of Columbia. We brought little gifts for the kids (crayons, stickers, etc.) but were asked not to give them out because then they expect it from all the gringos that they see. Fair enough. After our walk, we took a little side trip on a "chariot" (see pic) to a nearby hot springs/mud hole (different from the previous one I had been to). We didn't go in very far as there was no water to wash up after, except for the small rio a mile or so away. Anyway, it was a very interesting volcanic area. After our little trip in the chariot, we came back to lunch "typico" of sopa (soup) made with carne & pollo (mystery meat & chicken). Later my bonus, I got to check off one of the things I've always wanted to do & that was to go horseback riding in Columbia. The horse's name "Lightning", was anything but! The family was so hospitable & it was a great way to spend the day while we await boat parts in Cartagena.

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Street Vendors in Cartagena