Island Life

We have now been on San Andrés for three days and have already adjusted well to the island and its customs. Patience is required here; everything moves a bit slowly. Even in the morning, it's not always certain whether the usual routine will be disrupted by a power outage (which has happened twice since we've been here)... No showers, no flushing toilets, no air conditioning, no internet. Complaining doesn't help; patience does... and to wake up, a jump in the pool.

The breakfast here at the accommodation is simple but good, though it does take a little while for the friendly lady to get going. No problem, we have time.

After breakfast, the power is back on. As soon as the group is ready, we hop into our Mule and continue exploring the island with a rumbling sound.

The first stop is Rocky Cay. The small island lies about 200 meters off San Andrés and can be reached on foot over a sandbank at low tide. The water here is mostly waist-deep. Once we equipped ourselves with appropriate footwear, we strolled through the 27-degree Celsius warm water. Just off Rocky Cay lies the stranded freighter 'Nicodemus,' rusting away since the 70s. The sight is imposing, and it is said to be a great snorkeling spot.

Next stop: Capi Beach. The small beach club with an attached restaurant offers truly delicious seafood, which we thoroughly enjoyed. When we noticed that a DJ was setting up his equipment, it was clear we would be staying a little longer. Tasty drinks and loud Latino sounds encouraged dancing in the white Caribbean sand. Moreover, the location offers a breathtaking view of the sea and coastline.

After several rounds around the island, our journey took us further into the interior of the island. The destination: Laguna Big Pond, the freshwater reservoir of the island. For an entrance fee of 5000 COP (1 EUR), you get a 'tour' thrown in. The Rasta people who have declared this place the only true reggae paradise on the island live in their own rather hazy world. Thus, it was not surprising that the 'tour' yielded little of interest. Well, we got a cold drink and saw a small alligator, which scared my girls enough to leave the place quickly. Conclusion: Not a must-see.

On the return trip across the island, we stopped at a higher viewpoint. The islanders are particularly proud of their 'Sea of Seven Colors.' The color palette ranges from deep blue to light turquoise and bright green and is best admired between 12 and 2 PM. Even though we didn't quite see the seven colors together, the view was beautiful nonetheless.

Tomorrow we will enjoy the last full day on the island before heading to Cartagena on Monday.

Stay tuned!