Saturday, November 15, 2025
At 9am we met our host for the day, Gustavo. We drove through the city to the marina where we walked to our yacht, Sea Devil, and headed out into the bay.
The wind was at our back and the skipper managed 13 knots all the way to our destination, the Rosary Islands, where we went swimming and snorkeling. The water was pleasant, but the coral was in very poor shape and the fish were few. Anyway, we enjoyed being in the Caribbean Sea.
Then we motored to nearby Sakai Island for a swim in the fresh water pool near the beach side restaurant. That was super as the water was clear and refreshingly cool. Then we had a delicious lunch of ceviche and French fries.
When we got back on the yacht, there was engine troubles and we bobbed around while the crew sourced the problem and, thankfully, got the engine going again. The wind was in our face all the way back to Cartagena and we were completely covered in sticky salt. But the wind kept the air cool. We could barely wait for showers when we returned to the hotel at 5:15.
Cleaned up and in fresh clothes, we walked the half mile to our dinner restaurant, Carmen. We arrived right at 7pm and were, as usual, the first people to walk in the door. By the time we left, however, the place was full of diners. We remembered to take photos this time and for you foodies, here is what we ate.
For starters we had Chorizo Del Mar—shrimp and fish sausage, sweet corn and local Costeno cheese cake, Caribbean crème fraiche, and coastal palm berry foam.
Mark’s entry was; Pez Palma—artisanal Colombian fish, coconut rice, fresh Amazonian heart of palm with peach, palm sweet and Sauer sauce.
Julia had; Cordero—Andean lamb collar and ribs cooked on the embers, hummus, cucumber, Caribbean sesame seeds.
It was all quite tasty, except the lamb collar, which was not as interesting as I had hopped.
The streets were packed with revealers enjoying the last night of the Independence Festival. Caribbean music was in the air everywhere.
I would have loved to see some salsa dancing, but there was no place nearby and we were both tired. Our air conditioned room and bed were a bigger draw.
Sunday, November 16, 2025
Departure day. We enjoyed a relaxed morning as pick up for the airport was not until noon. I took a walk into Santo Domingo Square, half a block from our hotel, found a place to sit and watched the scene. There were no tourists at first, but slowly more people came through the square.
In the square is a sculpture of Botero’s Gorde Gertrudi’s, where people pause to take photos, especially with three local ladies, wearing Caribbean costumes with fruit filled hats and looking for photo donations.
From looking at a photo of the church, I noticed that the church tower was crooked. A sign in the square confirmed it. Eventually, the Church of Saint Domingo’s doors were opened and I went in to find a very pretty church, with many burial stones covering the floor and an interesting statue of Saint Claver with the slave he converted as well as a striking statue of Jesus on the cross. Finally, it was time to head for the airport.
The concourse was full. People waiting for delayed flights plus on time flights. Even the lounge was full and taking no more people. We found single separate seats in the public waiting area and waited. It was 12:50 and our flight was scheduled for 2:20pm. Eventually some lounge space opened up and we moved.
Although it’s time to come home, I am ambivalent. It has been a wonderful experience and a happy time for the two of us as a couple. We agree that we will do more traveling, but with longer stays at each stop. We are already working on our next trip back to Uganda in March with time in southern Africa before or after Uganda.
Mark wants me to speak about my observations and feelings about our travels. Every trip, I observe that people are friendly, welcoming and generally happy being alive, wherever they have been planted. Even the poorest people smile and laugh and ask about us when language permits. The saddest part about traveling for me is the inability to communicate. Clearly there is a mutual desire to connect, but language differences inhibit both of us. I am grateful for the many English speaking guides we have had on this long adventure. We connected well with most of them, especially the ones with whom we spent several days. Without them and their knowledge and English skills, our adventures would have been much less rich and rewarding. Everywhere we go, we are asked which is our favorite country or place and we always give the same answer. Our favorite place is the one we are currently in. We have not found a country we did not like, although there are some, like Uganda, we will continue to visit. It is mostly about the people, and we have friends and now even family, our goddaughter Julianah, in Uganda.
And so this adventure ends. I hope you have enjoyed reading about our journey and adventures and will join us again wherever the next trip leads us.
Blessings to you all, weather you travel in body or only in spirit.
With Love,
Julia and Mark
Adventures with Julia 