A few days by the sea...

Last week we spent a few days (June 3-7) by the sea on a little island called San Andres. It is a tiny island in the shape of a sea horse, nestled close to two other islands: Providencia and Santa Catalina. The archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina, identified by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve, is located 480 miles (720 km) northwest from the Colombian Caribbean Coast.

Closer to Nicaragua and Jamaica, how the archipelago came to be a Colombian territory is the result of piracy, wars of independence, slavery, immigration, sugar, cotton and religion.

Originally settled by the Spanish in 1510, the islands were part of the Audiencia of Panama, then part of the Capitanía of Guatemala and Nicaragua. English Puritans and Jamaican woodcutters followed the pirates and it wasn’t until 1821 during the Wars of Independence that Francisco de Paula Santander took the islands and the Colombian flag was raised on June 23, 1822.

Sugar and cotton plantations were the mainstays of the early economy and slaves were imported from Jamaica to work the fields. Even after the islands became Colombian territory, the English influence remained in architecture, language, and religion.The archipelago consists of two large islands, San Andrés and Providencia. San Andrés, at the southern end of the archipelago, is the largest island at 13 km long and 3 km wide. It is mostly flat, with the highest point being El Cliff overlooking El Centro, the local name for the town of San Andrés at the northern end of the island. Most of the tourism and commercial business are here.

The island is walkable, but you can rent a scooter or moped to explore. Providencia is the next largest island, at 7 km long and 4 km wide. Located 90 km north of San Andrés, it was for many years quieter and less affected by tourism. However, it is rapidly becoming extremely fashionable and expensive. It is still a lure to snorkelers and divers who come for the extensive coral reefs and clear water.

And it is no wonder, we took a boat out one afternoon and the water was breathtaking... it is hard to capture on film the intensity and clarity of the sea that was in our sight. The boat ride was likely the highlight of our trip. We had originally planned to join a tour group in the morning, but the rain was pouring when we woke up and decided it was too much to try to venture out with the girls. So, instead, we enjoyed a private tour in the afternoon. As soon as the music came on Isabel started dancing and she stopped only to stare at the water from the edge of the boat. Anaïs was totally relaxed and even took a nap. Joshua and I both got in the water with the manta rays... and unbelievable experience. They were so slippery and slimy as they swam by; and there were so many of them swimming the waters between our feet. Huge and yet so graceful in their movements. It was as if they were dancing at our feet.

This trip marked the first time Anaïs was at sea level, and her first swim in the salty Caribbean Sea. We were blessed with beautiful weather and enjoyed playing on the beach from morning until night. Isabel was in heaven playing in the sand, splashing in the water. And both girls made friends with everyone at the hotel -- which was a blessing for me as I was able to enjoy time with one or the other while some gentle soul held Anaïs so I could take a swim with Isabel; or watched over Isabel so I could take a stroll with Anaïs.

This vacation was such a treasure... the sun revitalized my spirit, the sea refuelled my soul. It was hot, hot, hot; and I will admit that by the final day I was ready to go back to the more temperate weather in Bogota. But it also gave me a taste of how nice it is to take a vacation with the two girls... and the many beautiful memories we will be making along the way as we travel the world.

It's amazing what a sense of peace even a short vacation by the sea can offer. Though San Andres might not be our destination of choice for a longer trip. It was just what we needed to recharge our batteries!! You can find more photos from out trip at http://picasaweb.google.ca/jpstories/SanAndresJune37#