HEADING FOR SANTA MARTA IN COLUMBIA

From the island of Bonaire to the town of Santa Marta on the Columbian coast is one of the most harrowing trips you can make in the Caribbean. Skirting along the North sides of Curacao and Aruba you have to then round the North headland of the Columbian peninsula called Guajira, then South West along the coast through amazing katabatic wind conditions under the great Sierra Navada, one of the highest mountain ranges in the world that borders a coastline.
Arriving in Santa Marta on February 4th at 13.00, was like arriving in 'Mordor'..!  Horribly high winds with extremely craggy coastline. All locals covered their faces in masks to protect themselves from flying grit and sand. The heat was unbearable, but we managed to get a berth in the Santa Marta marina.

green water off one of the rivers in Columbia

There is snow ontop of those peaks..

Approaching Santa Marta the sea gets rough

Santa Marta bay beach

Kwanza on her berth

This was a quiet day.. Usually we had 40 to 60 knot winds and gusts..!