March 8th is a special day. Thank you, Barbie and Ben and the universe for bringing Bill here. Celebrating his arrival was especially fun this year. This spectacular morning rainbow arcing over Alembic promised us a good day.
Renting a moto (a motor scooter) allowed us to explore all of Providencia. We arrived here the day before and were eager to see the many beautiful destinations. We drove or hiked down to every beach and poked our heads into the many simple restaurants. Roland’s was a perfect choice for us to stop for lunch. Here we enjoyed a magnificent meal of grilled King while we watched a horse swim with its master and locals fly off a rope swing into the water.
After lunch, we found mangroves growing in a bright pink water which is a naturally occurring phenomenon. Locals gave us mixed answers as to why this happens. Some said it is high in iron, others said the orchids cause this, and still more were sure that the roots of the mangroves leach this color when the water levels get too low. More research is needed here by me.
Back in town, we had an amusing experience getting our Yellow Fever shots. Admittedly, this isn’t a great birthday activity, but we actually have been looking for months now, so getting the shots and the proof card was actually a gift. We have found clinics which offer the shots, but don’t give the proof cards. Cards are necessary for admittance into some countries and we don’t want to be refused! With no fee and no waiting, and smiles as the only language, this visit was quick and simple.
The young man spoke not a word of English, and we not a word of medical Spanish. This could never happen in the US. Liabilities are a show stopper there. If anyone is allergic to eggs, too old, or possibly sick, they shouldn’t get this shot, and clinics would never deliver without these and many other questions. The simplicity in Colombia has its advantages.
To top off the day, we had a lovely dinner at Miss Lucy’s with three other couples who live on their boats. No rally members are in this harbor yet, so we are enjoying meeting new people.
The cake I made in the morning, using fresh pumpkin and red wine, was adorned with silly candles that the waitress scored. She shouted into the street to flag down a friend on a passing moto and asked him to go find candles. After back and forth shouting, and a ten minute space of time, two candles, reading the number ten, arrived on the cake! Typical for cruising: never exactly what you expect, but fabulous improvisation results.
We dinghied back to Alembic in the dark, happy, full, tired, and ready for another good year.
Alembic Adventures 
Happy belated, Bill. I suspect you are used to getting the news and birthday greetings late.
Have a great year with smooth sailing and great adventures.
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Happy Birthday Bill
I have been really enjoying reading about your trip. I am very glad you and Helen are having a good time.
Fair winds and following seas
Tony
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