[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DWr9dwxqAaQ/UX00paGXOgI/AAAAAAAAU-M/xtprz_hHq0I/s144-c-o/P4240021.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage14Colombia2BoarderPanamaToBoarderVenezuela#5871907375146285570″ caption=”My night paddle sessions were quite pretty in the bright moonlight” type=”image” alt=”P4240021.JPG” ]
Pos: here
Loc: behind Puerto Aramatka
Acc: tent
Dist: 40,6 km
Start: 2:00 End: 12:20
I fell asleep early last afternoon, due to the one hour of sleep only the night before and due to the time shift of my biorythm. Getting up again at 1.15 am was after that good rest no problem. The moon was almost full and it was quite light out there. The only thing missing at 2 am agreed time were my coast guard boys! Well…I am already so used to their presence… 🙂
Actually, I am paddling about 10m from the sandy beach with easy landing possibilities almost every single meter…can’t really say I feel unsafe here…I am waving at every single person on the beach, all poor fishermen living on the margin. I actually wonder if and from where and when and how often they are getting something other than fish? Even their fresh water resource is a miracle for me here in the desert…do cactus contain enough water? Those are plenty here and high ones…sometimes even a full forest of cactus.
My boat showed up eventually at 11 am, when I was almost done with my day. I better asked them to pass me my last three water bags and the large gas bottle they still have on board… for the latter they had to search for half an hour. Who knows when or if this boat comes again? Probably the next one comes from Puerto Bolivar.
The night paddle was calm and easy with wind around 10 knots, but it also had for 1/2 hr more. Still I am not at my most powerful paddling at night…but I will start again next night at 1 am, and will finish hopefully right before Cabo de Vela to start the next night at 4 am to be there at the point at first light. Who knows how hard it will blow around the corner this time…
[pe2-image src=”http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3sBv1Y8m_So/UX03R-_gwPI/AAAAAAAAU-M/IZUm93Xquts/s144-c-o/P4240024.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage14Colombia2BoarderPanamaToBoarderVenezuela#5871910271267684594″ caption=”Some conical white piles of salt around the dry salt lake, ready for pick up and commercial use” type=”image” alt=”P4240024.JPG” ]
I am camping in the middle between distant houses, and two locals already came to see who the new neighbour is… all I’ve got is my signature card for those guys! And my Spanish is good enough now to tell always the same information.
[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Fqe3mtpxI-8/UX03KsSw-9I/AAAAAAAAU-M/-RBygAtaIpI/s144-c-o/P4230019.JPG” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/112133179186774955122/SouthAmericaSection2Stage14Colombia2BoarderPanamaToBoarderVenezuela#5871910145989082066″ caption=”Behind the beach and a stipe of green shrug started the now dry salt lake with it’s own beach” type=”image” alt=”P4230019.JPG” ]
Time to rest! In two days, I will be at the coast guard station in Puerto Bolivar and will check how and when I may be getting to a regional airport flying me to Bogota for an international flight. I hope to paddle all the rest of Colombia, at least to the corner where the coast turns eventually south to be done with the headwind section (for now). The crossing of the Golf of Venezuela is out of my mind in these weather conditions. It’s not the distance, it’s the strong regular headwind every afternoon with according high seas. No good.
5 comments on “Wed 24/04-2013 Day 463”
Mark Harrison is correct when he says there are always westerlies. He’s of course correct – that is the normal prevailing wind direction. The big difference is the intensity, which for a paddler makes the difference between a wind that is refreshingly cool and one that batters and frustrates all your efforts to get where you’re going. As an “island person” I can assure you that your new schedule will give you a run through the Caribbean that will be more to your liking. I expect you will make up enough lost time to perhaps eventually re-think your schedule.FR
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How about a vote for our girl in the female paddler categories? I think the expedition is not yet complete, so it’ll have to wait a year 😉
I always loved SAILING at night. The big stuff usually with at least one other crew to do a 4 on 4 off rota. Coastal navigation is so easy with GPS these days, even on a big boat it can be done safely. But there is a serenity to being at sea alone on watch at night. it can be almost spiritual. Galapagos to Fatu Hiva. 3200 Nautical Miles. Of perfect trade winds…… And the quiet calm sense of personal achievement after the landfall.
Is THAT why we all do these crazy things?
Freya I am glad you are planning a break. You might not admit it but it sounds like your body needs a rest.
I have sailed this bit in the other direction. There will ALWAYS be westerlies. It is inescapable. The only way to do it is bit by bit , and take advantage of a moonlit paddle when you can. And above all else, get back to the sheer joy and beauty of any day travelling on the sea. Its is a challenge and dangerous and hard bloody work at times. But dont we love it ……..In all its aspects….
Hello, I regret that the meteorological conditions are helping you not, I hope you get better soon. It is definite that at this time you do not come to Venezuela?
Hola, lamento que las condiciones metereologicas no te esten ayudando, espero que mejoren pronto. Es definitivo que en este momento no vienes a Venezuela?
I’ve never done any serious paddling mileage at night.Just occassional outtings on local lakes.I plan on doing some on the continuation of my river trip beginning next Saturday.I’ve got two weeks off to finish 300 miles remaining of the 631 mile trip I began last spring.May the next two days find you strong;well rested and happy to be heading for a home rest stop.We’lll miss you but rest in knowing you will return eager and fearless once again.Safe paddling
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