We've enjoyed our visit to San Andrés, yet after 4 weeks we are past-ready to move on. The weather dictates our next move. The winds and waves have remained high throughout the Caribbean, testing the patience of many a sailor. So still, we wait...
The crazy street grid in el Centro and the telecom company labyrith are no longer a mystery to us. There is a dog in every doorway and a scene on every beach.
On a day with reduced winds we finally got out to have a snorkel and saw the el acquario setting with its beautiful blue waters where people are taken each day by boat go for a swim.
The patch reefs weren't great, but there are always a few usual suspects...
We get around town quite efficiently now, went to the dentist for a teeth cleaning and have determined the least painful way to recharge our Claro SIM data card for internet.
To just get this SIM card took Mark visits to 3 different companies (MovieStar, Tigo & Claro), modem, computer and passport needed and waiting for his number to be called in so many lines to make a DMV experience in the States look like a model of efficiency. It was infinitely easier to get a data card at the grass hut in Kuna Yala!
Now that we're into another week of waiting, each day feels and sounds like Groundhog day!
6AM: Exercise on the public pier ~ "UNO... dos... tres... quattro... cinco... seis... siete... ocho... nueve! UNO... "
8AM: Jet-skis and fishing boats buzzing by to head to the fuel dock behind us
10AM: Playground or demonstration at the pier, lounging at the beach, plus general milling around after breakfast.
Noon to 3 PM: All quiet ~ everything closes down.
4PM: Load-up the tourist boats to the tune of "Buffalo Soldier", followed by "Red, Red Wine" ~ cue DJ & cheering
6PM: School band practice with drums and xylophones tinkling ~ Ding-ding-ding-ding. Ting-ding. Ting-ding. Ting-ding... & repeat... & repeat
7PM: Tour boats return with colorful lights, matching the resort building as it too flashes neon Green... Blue... Purple...
8PM: Evening exercise class on public pier ~ "UNO... dos... tres... quattro... cinco... seis... siete.. ocho... nueve! UNO... "
10PM: DJ at local resorts playing dance music ~ At least it's not as loud as Puerto Rico...
& REPEAT
~ If Tuesday ~ Add Policia calisthenics at 5AM with marching songs and a morning run
~ If Sunday ~ Add church singing at 10:30AM
We're into a pretty predictable routine on Reach as well. Surprisingly, there are little to no cruising boats passing through here, perhaps others are also held captive by weather? Two other boats have been here since we arrived and two have since left.
After a few decent lunches and breakfasts in town, we found the [touristic] restaurants overpriced. You can't get away from a simple lunch for under $30 at the typical place. Even both fisherman's cooperatives we ate at served $10-12 meals. Yet we did manage to find some very local places by observing which ones were packed and had a huge lunch meal (soup, chicken, rice, beans, plantain, drink) for about $3 each. Big difference in target clientele.
San Andrés is definitely a good place to provision for cruisers going to Panama; grocery stores abound. We find clothing also extremely expensive in Colombia. Despite good name brands and lots of surf/dive shops, clothing prices in the $50-100 range always strike me as beyond what is reasonable.
This waiting game can become dangerous, since the longer we stay, the more we discover we need! The other prevalent type of store in town is appliance and electronics. We succumbed and purchased a new laundry machine of the type that is often used by cruisers if you can find the space and water supply. Here is where that foldable cart comes in handy!
It is essentially a glorified bucket with agitation cycle next to a spin-dryer (think salad spinner) that removes the water, which is important to get the clothes ultimately clean and allow for quick line-drying.
We'll store it in the "garage" where it fits on a seat ~ but does block our closet ~ and use it in the cockpit to drain water overboard.
Especially for liveaboards, laundry is very important and can be a difficult chore, or a cost that adds up if you pay each time.
Is it weird that I'm looking forward to this weeks' laundry day?