After an overnight sail from San Blas we arrived in Cartagena. It is necessary to ask permission from the Port Captain to enter the port. We were told that we could not enter due to Covid lockdown. I asked once more in surprise, and yes, we had to leave the port entrance.
As we had spent the past night in a very protected lagoon circa 15 miles south of Cartagena, we decided to head back there and reconvene. The whole situation came as a big surprise, as we had very limited news while staying in the San Blas Islands.
The second day after anchoring in the bay, the navy boat came and approached us. Besides routine checking, they also asked if we had water and food. We were lucky and very thankful to the Navy to be able to stay in this lovely lagoon. Other boats were asked to move to the nearby islands.
As navy informed that we were allowed to stay in the water without going to the land. Realizing we were totally isolated with no resources at all. I had decided to drive the dighy around to get help. Fortunately I met a Colombian-Austrian couple who help us get a sim card and groceries.
Several days later, a young man came with panga introduced himself and asking us if we needed food. God sent us a real angel, we ended up having a delicious snapper and home made cold fruit drink. We were in a little shock, tears running into our eyes and hearts.
Soon we learned more about this beautiful young man. His name is Eric, went to Miami learning helicopter pilot program and returned home for gold mine business. He and his wife, sister in law and parent in law came from Medline for quarantine. Their vacation home in on a little island where about 200 feet from our boat. Veer soon we became friends and were often invited to join the family dinner even mother-in-law’s birthday celebrations.
Invited for dinner.
Our sail boat Providencia is the only boat left in the bay for two and half months. Without options of going on the land, anxiety and worries slowly climbed up while resource of food and water declined.
