Sailing from Cartagena to Panama (part I)
Sea sickness, vomit, lack of food, and some of the most beautiful islands in the world
The passengers consisted of Mike and I, Robby and Katie a hilarious couple from Czech Republic and Australia, and Andrea and Patricio from Cordoba Argentina.
Our crew was Monse, a horrific cook that caused a sever loss of appetite, Salvador her husband who was a mega control freek, and Marc their son who was smoking weed pretty much the entire trip.
Let’s just say that what was promised at the beginning of the trip (before they got our money) was vastly different than what we received (after they got our money). I would NOT recommend the Lycka Boat run by the crazy family form Spain. Luckily we had two other awesome couples with us that helped make the trip fun.
The San Blas islands are some of the most beautiful islands in the world, with crystal clear water, white sand beaches, and untouched marine life, what more could you ask for.On top of that Mike got to serve 4 months of his mission on these islands teaching and helping the people.
Sharks anyone?
Along the way from Cartagena to San Blas Islands we did some deep sea fishing. We caught our first fish which they considered to be small (I thought it was huge) within the first half an hour. We got the fish on the boat and then threw the line back in to catch some more. Not more than 10 minutes later we hear the line reeling out. Yes, another fish! This one seemed a lot bigger because it was putting up one heck of a fight and the rod looked like it was going to snap into two. As the fish was almost to the boat it suddenly got a lot easier to reel in. What the heck, a shark had eaten the fishes body and just left us with his head.
Lessoned learned: if the boat capsizes then yes we are going to get eaten by sharks and die
Fish #1
Fish #2 Shark Attack
Finally after 2 days of sailing, half the crew vomiting, eating crap food we have finally arrived! Beautiful uninhabited islands full of all you can eat coconut.
Crystal Clear Blue Water
The Arrival of the Kunas
What is a Kuna?
Kunas are the indigenous people of Panama and Colombia that live on the San Blas Islands. While serving a mission in Panama for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Mike lived among the Kunas for 4 months. Their houses are bamboo, string, and leaves. They sleep in hammocks. Their day consists of finding food to sustain them and their families for the day. These people are an extremely primitive civilization that doesn’t change from their ancient traditions.
The Kunas showing us there molas, hand sewn fabric designs.
Some of the Kunas were nice enough to let us camp on their island for the night, it was fantastic (mainly to be on land and off that crappy boat lol)
Fabulous Katie and Rob with Mikey
Day 1-3: Sailing, fishing, Kunas, & camping
Wow, that is so amazing! What an adventure to be so isolated from civilization. Just imagine, that lady has probably never even seen a computer and I spend most of my day on one! It blows my mind that some people still live like that and I have to say, in a way, I am jealous. Something about the simplicity of that kind of a life is appealing, though I think I would get bored too. Sounds like you are having a typical adventure, though, with the good and the bad - weird people and weird food and all that. Nick doesn't handle it too well, that's why he says no more trips with hostels, haha. Nick cannot fathom how you guys are affording to even eat! I'll tell him you're eating fish heads! HAHA!
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