4 “y é PAGE : ARIBBEAN COMPASS C LU MARCH 2010 eing landlocked for the first winter in five years has stirred bits of nostalgia in me and has inspired me to tell a story of one of our favourite places in the world, Club Nautico in Cartagena, Colombia. My wife, Barb, and I were introduced to this amazing part of the world when delivering a 45-foot yacht from Costa Rica to Colombia a few years back. It comes into focus today because of factors that I shall explain. A few months ago, as I was sifting through some old bookmarks on the laptop, I clicked to the Panama Yacht Club. This yacht club used to be yachts’ first stop after going through the Panama Canal, arguably the wrong way, from the Pacific to the Atlantic side. The yacht club building was old and tired. Yet, the life that it provided was as vibrant as an artificial reef. Cruisers from countries all around the world, and speaking every language imaginable, gathered to discuss great sailing experi- ences, both past and future. Some were going east and some were going west, and only a few were stay- ing. The article described the destruction as the bulldozers leveled the yacht club to make way for container storage and how, within eight hours, decades of history were removed from the face of the earth. At the time, I did not think much of it as 1 was in Brazil on another adventure. I thought that the newer marina across the way was probably a better option for everyone, anyway. This morning I was doing the random bookmark thing again, when my attention was piqued. Club Nautico in Cartagena is in danger of suffering the same fate at the Panama Canal Yacht Club, for no other reason than political posturing between old families and the modern city fathers. Barb and I had learned about this some years ago when we were moored there. Club Nautico’s possible demise is heartbreaking to Barb and me, as our future plans include cruising to Cartagena and spending time on our own yacht there. So, before it is gone, let me tell you about this gem on the world’s cruising crown. When you sail into Cartagena, you are met with a statue of the Virgin Mary that stands guard over the harbour, welcoming mariners who have either beat their way from the magic of the Rosario Islands or made the challenging passage from Aruba. Even the most crotchety old sea salt has had to have his jaw lifted from the floorboards after this magnificent entry into the harbour. We sailed right up to the designated area of Club Nautico and, with little effort, proceeded to set the hook amongst the 30-plus vessels around. Once we were safely anchored, we discovered that we were in the middle of the Sunday sailing races, which drew every serious sailor in Colombia to match wits and skills with the two or three vessels operated by the Colombian Naval Academy. The idea of one-design racing really hasn’t caught on, so we were sur- rounded by vessels that varied from sleek Beneteaus to Captain Ron’s wooden Formosa, as well as a few sloops, ketches and catamarans, all chasing around the harbour. The anchorage seemed to provide some tactical advantages as the racing vessels weaved in and out through the anchored vessels. The boats were close enough for everyone on board to learn the Se ye In Cartagena, alluring and inexpensive dining options abound Spanish for “starboard”, “raise the spinnaker” and those other choice words that cannot be printed in a family publication. After a few weeks of settling in, Barb and I were invited to race on one of the fastest boats in the fleet and mastered enough Spanish to contribute to the general chaos. The check-in process in the countries we have sailed to varies from the sweet and simple in Bonaire to an absolutely mind-numbing three-day ordeal in Brazil. In Colombia, the process was very straightfor- ward and, thanks to the help of Club Nautico, very easy. An agent came out to the vessel dressed ... —Continued on next page A walk around the old city's fortifications is both historical and romantic, giving us (inset) a chance to play honeymooners = Seru Boca Marina, Curagao’s finest private harbor, has openings for dockage. Located outside the hurricane belt in the protected waters of Spanish Water Bay, Seru Boca Marina is considered one of the finest and safest yacht anchorages in the Caribbean, SERU BOCA ® The most advanced design on Curacao. ® Floating docks engineered in Holland. ® Accommodation for 68 yachts up to 150 ft. / 15 ft. draft, ® Electrical power (127 and 220). MARINA ® Cable T.V. and potable water available. ® Marina staff monitors VHF radio channel 67 and are available to assist boaters in docking and leaving the Marina, as well as to assist in locating appropriate services as needed. ®Seru Boca Marina is a safe harbor that offers 24 hours security, For information on rates and facilities, call (599 9) 560-2599 : Porta Blancy, PO, Box 4816, Curacao, NA, Tel. (399 9) 767-0042, fan (599-9) 767003 E-mail: stharba@ attglobal.net www. santabarbaraplantation.com ‘Ba sara ics, AL SPANIS 6 WATES