Friends, celebrations and reflection time

Whilst we waited out hurricane season in the Caribbean Sea—and also waited to continue traveling west due to the dramatic lightning storms rolling through Panama—we were lucky enough to revisit two of our favorite places in Colombia. This time, we also had the joy of bringing along of our most favorite kids, Annabelle’s friend Addi, who flew out to spend some of her summer break with us.

Sometimes we forget what our day-to-day life looks like from the outside, so it was really special to share a slice of it with her. Not only did she get to experience how we live, but she also had her first taste of Colombia—and South America altogether.

The day after collecting her from Santa Marta airport, we set off for Minca once again. This time, we stayed at Mirador Aires de la Sierra, a remote farm hotel perched about 30 minutes outside of town. Getting there was no small feat: the drive was some of the roughest off-road terrain we’ve ever tackled. A 4x4 wasn’t optional—it was essential. Even then, we lost traction a few times on the wild inclines, laughing nervously as we crawled our way up the mountainside.

We stayed in another biome room, complete with private hot tubs and trampolines stretched over the rainforest canopy. Perched high above the jungle, it felt both exhilarating and completely remote. What struck us most was the contrast—just 90 minutes earlier we had been stuck in the traffic of Santa Marta, and now we were suspended in the wild, surrounded by nothing but nature.

 We had to send them our dinner orders each day by 4pm so they had time to gather provisions and cook for us – it was really good quality, simple Colombian food and juices.

The next morning, we piled into another sketchy 4x4 for the bumpy ride to Marinka Waterfalls, about 40 minutes away. The journey was worth every jolt—the falls were stunning. We spent a blissful few hours swimming in the cool pools and relaxing in the spray, letting the water wash away the heat and dust from the drive.

View from the Mirador Aires de la Sierra hotel by drone.

From there, we made our way back to Santa Marta—back to the boat, and right into the heart of the Santa Marta 500 celebrations taking over the marina! For several days, we had front-row seats to the festivities, with the party practically unfolding around us.

Santa Marta was founded on July 29, 1525, by Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas, making it Colombia’s oldest surviving city and the second-oldest in South America. Its 500th anniversary was a milestone of national pride and history. The city had been gearing up for weeks, with new murals brightening the streets, special offers popping up in shops, and massive stages being built in preparation. By the time we returned, the atmosphere was electric—Santa Marta was ready to celebrate half a millennium in style.

70,000 people watched the concert headlined by Carlos Vivez from the beach, the Marina and the bay from their boats!

It turned into a full-on long weekend—the Colombians’ appetite for partying is truly insatiable: loud, long, and nonstop. We spent the days catching up with friends, but once night fell, the celebrations went on until the early hours.

The grand finale came when the Mayor of Santa Marta threw a massive party in the marina—literally about 100 yards from our boat. The music pounded until 5:30 a.m., leaving little chance of sleep. To their credit, the marina staff were so embarrassed (and yet powerless to stop the Mayor’s private bash) that they offered every cruiser in the marina a complimentary night at the Marriott hotel in town as an apology.

After a few days to recover our ears, we took Addi to Cartagena for a long weekend. We made sure we experienced different parts of the city this time, as well as the beautiful architecture.

The highlight of this visit was that Pete and I visited the Santuario de San Pedro Claver. The church is part of a set of religious buildings that includes the Cloister of San Pedro Claver and the archaeological museum. It was built between 1580 and 1654. Pedro Claver arrived in Cartagena in 1610 as a Jesuit student, spending six years studying theology in Tunja and Bogotá before becoming a priest. Early on, he was shaken by the inhumane treatment of enslaved Africans, who were brought across the Atlantic to replace Indigenous labor in the mines. By this time, the transatlantic slave trade had been operating for about a century. Tens of thousands were captured or purchased in West Africa, especially from Angola and Congo, and shipped to the Americas under horrific conditions. Cartagena became a major hub, receiving around 10,000 enslaved people each year. Though condemned by several popes, the trade was too profitable to stop, and it flourished.

Claver dedicated his entire ministry to the enslaved. Over 40 years, he is estimated to have personally taught the Christian principals of, and baptized around 300,000 people. His commitment went beyond the act of baptism—he followed up to ensure they were recognized as Christians and granted their rights. His work also extended into the wider community: he preached in city squares, to sailors and traders, and led country missions. Each spring he returned to visit those he had baptized, checking on their treatment and offering spiritual care. Wherever possible, he rejected the hospitality of slaveholders and instead lodged in the same quarters as the enslaved, sharing in their lives.

In his final years, Claver himself endured great suffering. Too ill to leave his room, he lingered for four years, neglected, abused, and starved by the ex-slave hired to care for him (photo of the room with its original floor boards below). He bore this in silence, accepting it as penance for his sins. He died on September 8, 1654.

And now, as we wrap up our time in Santa Marta and prepare to head to Puerto Valero about 60 miles away, for some boatyard work, I thought it would be nice to hear a different perspective. I asked Addi to share what she thought, learned, and enjoyed during her stay with us. Here are her reflections from her time away::

 “Recently, from (July 23rd - August 4th), I flew from Pennsylvania to stay with the Woottons in Santa Marta, Minca, and Cartagena. My time with them on the boat was incredibly special, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. Not only did I get to visit a country I had never been to, but I also had the chance to see a way of life that was completely new to me.

Even the daily tasks, like cleaning the boat, which I thought would be tedious, turned out to be fun. They gave me a glimpse into how Annabelle and her family care for their boat while still managing to make it an enjoyable experience.

Exploring Colombia was also eye-opening. The Woottons had clearly done their research, and it was inspiring to see how respectful they were toward both the locals and the environment, while also creating their own friendly communities of fellow sailors.

One unexpected surprise was the Latin music festival on the bay, celebrating the 500-year anniversary of Santa Marta, that we could hear from the boat all night long. A lively (and loud) experience I’ll never forget! Thankfully, the festivities ended, and we went up to Cartagena, giving us a bit more rest. Overall, the trip was an incredible adventure. The boat made it truly unforgettable, and I am so grateful I got to experience it.”

(and I bought myself a beautiful Hummingbord door knocker….. now I need to find a door to fix it on :)…….)