It is good to be back and writing. As is the norm, remembering what is involved to succeed in putting ‘pen to paper’ had become somewhat ‘misty’ over time, a refresher was called for. Yesterday, during ‘practice’ I was horrified to find that the “plugin” I use to get the map in my post no longer functioned. A great deal of time was spent trying to find an alternative, successful however it takes longer to get it in the post.
Having departed Port Everglades, Florida, on Tuesday, we made our way south, through the Old Bahama Channel, the stretch of water which lies between the reefs of the Bahamas and the north coast of Cuba.
We rounded Cuba’s eastern tip, passing west of Haiti and thus entered the Caribbean. The weather had not been kind to us; sandwiched between 2 weather fronts, we experienced a gale force 8 and rough seas most of the way, so much for azure blue and calm Caribbean.
Now we are at peace, in this sheltered harbour on the north coast of Colombia. Our guests are ashore, however we continue to work; the morning being taken up with briefings for our next leg of the voyage, to the San Blas islands and then a drill involving all crew, involving first response emergency teams and then an abandon-ship, lowering boats into the water and taking them for a ‘jaunt’ around the harbour.
Our boats swung out and ready to lower
One of new tenders
As with many of the ports we visit, there are few with dedicated Cruise terminals and, more often than not, a cargo berth is assigned. No exception today, we are alongside a coal berth, however the authorities have done their best to tidy it up for us.
Wind can be a challenge here, as a consequence, an enormous wind-break spans the gap in the higher ground.
We depart here this afternoon and make our way to San Blas tomorrow, followed by our Panama Canal transit. I leave you with some photos of Santa Marta, more later………..
Arriving into the Bay
The sun rising, the city through our sun-screens
Welcome back! I’m following this worldwide voyage for the fourth year! Safe travels to all aboard!
Hello Captain Jonathan, I’ve been a loyal follower of your GWV Cruise blogs for several years now . I’m thrilled to be finally going on one with you in 2020. The itinerary sounds amazing! In the meantime I’m following this years voyage and dreaming of next year’s with great delight and anticipation.
So good to hear your voice again from the captain’s chair. How we enjoy our virtual travel with you when we cannot be actually aboard. I thought the world voyage left in early Jan. Hm, guess not so this year. Anyway, so glad to be coming along with you this way again. So look forward to this new season for you and yours.
Great to see your journals again. Wish we were with you on the Amsterdam Grand World Voyage. The Grand Asia was good and as always, it’s the crew that makes it extra special.
Hi Captain. Welcome back!! It has been a long time since your last post in October and I have been having withdrawal symptoms as I so enjoy the armchair travel with you.
Looking forward to your future blogs with much anticipation. All the best to all onboard the good ship “Amsterdam”.
Kind regaards
Ted
Good to see you back in action on his front Jonathan..
Nice your back in the fold of things. Will enjoy your postings and comments about stuff. Like Carol Bednarck posted,I also visited San Blas islands 1987 Sitmar Fairwind . Back when they took you to several islands.Next time we were only at one island and they brought their wears to sell there. Had no idea cruise ships still stopped there or is it because of the WC?
Charlotte know her through my DAR chapter. Great to be a descendent. Of the Mayflower .