Paul,

When you were at Corilina did you work with Jennifer Archbald or Elizibeth Taylor? Jennifer has been in conctact with us through our friend the marine biologist. Brian said he worked with Elizabeth when he was down there.

Thanks.

Kent

When I was working in Coralina, June Marie Mow was the Boss. Now Elizabeth Taylor is the Boss. She is a good woman. very very smart!

Jennifer Archbold is the president of Ecoastur, that is a Non government Organization devoted to tourism. She was part of the committee that evaluated the Action Plan where I was working (Ecoutourism Action Plan for Old Providence and Santa Catalina). Personally she is a wonderful woman, very clever too!

When was brian there?

Coralina is an Autonomous Regional Corporation created to act on the specific area of the islands and the reefs, looking for sustainable development in the Region. It is supposed to be for the islanders, since they are the ones who have the knowledge and the power to keep it going throughout time... It is nice to see that people from abroad take their time to work with this corporation.

I worked with a Canadian Guy, a biologist, and a british girl, and helped them with their Limits of Acceptable change stud for the Islands of providence and Santa Catalina during the second semester of 2002.

When you get there you are going to notice that the conservation of the island is amazing and the idea is to make of it a wonderful place in which not everybody, but those who know how to ecotravel, can have a chance to experience this wonderful caribbean hideaway.

Massive tourism will never be the solution, plus it is simply not possible. If I remember the Carrying capacity for the island is of about 600 toursits at once...
but there is a restriction: during the high season, there are only about four dayly flights, each carrying a maximum of 19 passengers... so you can do the math... at some point it will be full, but people tend to stay there for 3 to 4 days. My advice? stay there for at least one week.

Security in the Islands:

These Islands are one of the most secure places I've ever met. I've been to the US (Washington D.C. New York and Baltimore), I've been to Europe (Barcelona, Roma, Ladsipoli, Cerbeteri, Florence, Venice, Paris, Hambur, Koln, Stuttgart, Munchen, Garmish Partenkirchen, and London), and Ecuador, Brasil, Venezuela, Peru, Panama, Aruba, and I have to insist on this. It is a very safe place.

Providence counts with no GUERRILLAS, meaning no gun fights, no poverty, and therefore no need to rob!

When you go there consider the following: There is one ATM that will work for all Cirrus cards (mastercard), there are three Banks there: Granahorrar, Banco Agrario and Banco de Bogota. These banks will change US currency. Do not, and I repeat: do not show your green ones. Colombian currency will do just fine. Its not a matter of getting ripped off, its a matter of not even giving people the chance to make that little extra. Yes prices are cheap but why pay 1.50 Dollars, for a beer when it costs 50 cents?

Another thing to keep in mind: San Andres is much bigger and there are money exchange houses there. So you might consider planning to arrive to San Andres early, have lunch there and then go to Providence, but consider the fact that in these islands from 12 to 2pm no one will work. That is time for lunch and the hammock!

Traveller checks are always a good option when traveling. I will find out who deals with exchanging travelers checks in Providence. Just to make it safe!

Please carry your valuables in your carry - on luggage. Its not because it might get stolen but because your bags might get a bit shaken!

the idea is to basically walk around there with some money in a pocket and that is all. You can get there, go to your ohtel, go to the ATM (which is in the place called Santa Isabel or el Centro - downtown) and get enough money for everyday food. Those pockets that sohrts have, you know the ones on the inside right from the border are ideal. you carry some money there and that's it. Don't worry about people ripping your purse if you are walking on the street. it will not happen, it just won't.

Another very important thing: THERE IS NO TERRORISM IN PROVIDENCE! forget what you see in TV about Colombia... that is only parts of the territory.

Providence has both a police and an Army station. Plus there's the Navy and coast Guard Station too! Just so you know!

Again, thanks for all the great information!

I'll have to find out when Brian was last down there. The reason he is so interested in the model of Coralina is because it operates without politics or influence. He is in discussions with CNN to do a special on Coralina and show that this is the only model that will work. If politics and influence are allowed to play a part, then the results will not be the same - there will be comprimise.

I gotta tell you about this trip Im planning. And I would love if people get interested.

We go on a fishing trip with a friend of mine named Boongoosh and his brother mike. There are some reefs off to the north of the Colombian Marine territory. the place is called Queena Reef.

The trip for five of us will cost about One million pesos (roughly 400 dollars) for six to seven days. Now this trip is not for soft stomachs.

we will be sleeping on the boat, and we will be taking the essential to survive. The idea is to come back with a bounty in ocean products.

I forgot to tell you guys. When I go to the islands, I work with them as a fisherman, this is why Im sharing this with all of you.

What we do is not on an industrial level. AS you all know it IS NOT ALLOWED to extract coral from the OCEANS AROUND THE WORLD. and this trip is done with the sole intention of getting fish, congs, and lobster, nothing else. The selling will bring money to survive for a month to each of us.

But here's the interesting part. This place has no dry Land. You will get to spots in which the water will reach below your knees.

The place is nothing but life. Starting with Sharks , reef sharks, hammerheads, tiger sharks, white tip sharks, etc. Moreels in every crack, all sorts of fish, huge groupers, snappers, dolphins on the way, ocean turtles, etc. Not to mention Spiny lobster, Ocean crab, and Congs, all around.

Fishermen dont go there every day, since there is a need to balance what you take and how fast it grows back. There are seasons in which we are allowed to fish certain species. But the most impressive thing is to see real fishermen (i'm just an amateur if you hadn't figured this by now) that will tell you what they will get before they get it out of the ocean and they will most certainly tell you where to find which species in the vast ocean.

Now I've gone through all this just to extend an invitation. I have spoken to Boongoosh and he is willing to take people out there on shorter trips, so you can get to a unique place in the world, were you will see nature at its best!

PM me for further information.

Here's another Idea for when you get to providence...

You can do this during the morning or after 3 pm (you dont want to get a lot of sun).

Take your snorkeling gear and go to The Lover's cove Bridge. Once there go to Santa Catalinas small and Protected beach. While you get up to see the little beach appear in front of you, take a look aht the old cannons that once protected the Catalina Bay. They were brought by the Providence Company (merchantile company that belonged to Count Warwick). It has been said that they were also used by Pirate Francis Morgan to defend his treasures from annoying spaniard vessels. Once you are at the beach, get ready to snorkel...

Oh one thing I forgot to mention. Take an islander with you. for obvious reasons, and one that knows his way around Catalina. And take some comfortable shoes too. (slippers will do)

you will be able to snorkel all the way to Morgan's Head (about two hundred meters. Make sure you look in every crack, for there are lots of octopi , small lobsters and sea crabs. On the way you will be able to stop and Drink some fresh coconut water and eat some sugar mangoes. No extra charge. Once you are about thirty meters from Morgan's head you will see a volcanic formation with a couple of caves ( about three meters deep - 10 feet Tops) if you feel like it, adventure in.

Morgan's head is a volcanic rock formation carved by the breeze and the water. Go around it and stay there in that natural pool for a while. It wont be long before you see large barracudas and schools of Jack swim close to you. After that its up to you if you decide to use morgans head to jump in to the water, people like those jumps. If not, then just climb out (its not hard at all), and walk your way back to the bridge that connects Providence and Catalina (there is where the islander comes in handy).

You will be able to see a wild vegetation (relax, the only snakes in providence are Boa constrictors, and they definately get away from islanders who like beheading them.)
you will see iguanas, lots of Black crab (only to be found here) from which you can make a wonderful soup. or eat its crab claws with garlic sauce. to sumthis up, it is a wonderful plan to relax, and SAVE MONEY!

Its the best time of the year for Providence. Long summer evenings with great parties! its time for the "Iguana Carnival" It is a three day holiday in which you will be able to expreience an authentic culture in the middle of the caribbean. Lots of dances, great music, all with a great afro/caribbean flavor.

The language is not a problem since all islanders practice use their caribbean accented english! There's no chance of missing out on something because of that language barrier.

Get ready to wine and dine, and wine a bit more!

You can't miss it. It has to be something to do in the future. This island is one of the few paradises left in the caribbean.

Always enjoy your informative posts. I actually looked earlier this morning to see if you had posted anything new. I can't wait to get down there - looks like October. I think our marine biologist friend is coming to Key West this week for some diving with us - maybe we will firm up details then.

That sounds wonderful. I only wish I could be there with you guys. It is a little paradise you only share with people who are ready to enjoy something true and I can't wait for you guys to get there.

I already spoke to Boongoosh and told him that there is a possibility of you guys coming over in october. He told me that he will be ready as well as all the island! You will have a great time.

Good to hear from you again.

I'll keep you guys posted. bye!

Paul

Thanks!

Kent

We planned on flying in through Panama becuse we are nervous about flying through the mainland of Columbia. The State Department warns against American tourists in Colombia. What do you think? If you advise flying through Colombia, what destination would you recommned? We will fly from Miami.

I understand the Department of State issuing these warnings. I have dug a bit into the web, and to answer a previous question you asked about why more canadians fly to colombia and seem to know more about it... well basically its becasue their counsulate offices here, keep their warnings updated. There you will find that Cartagena is a perfectly safe place for Foreigners, as well as cities like medellin (yes, the old Pablo escobar's medellin emporium), that has been totally transformed and has a tourism infrastructure that most would envy, or Bogota.

I would base my decision one one single fact: what is cheaper and what gets me faster to Old Providence. If you have a couple of days to spare( and plan on spending a little extra for the pleasure of knowing a different place), I would most definately consider Miami-Cartagena or Miami-Bogota. Cartagena for its historical position in the caribbean with some of the best preserved Spaniard Ruins. bogota, because Im here and I would enjoy showing you a little about this town, just before you go there. If definately you want to get there, the important thing is finding out about connections and the possibility of spending the least time in airplanes.

Let me know. Oh, by the way I can also find out about pricing, with the sole purpose of you establishing a comparison. All I need to do is contact the owner of the travel Agency I use (who used to be a professor of mine the university) and I can get a tentative itinerary with prices.

Just let me know!

Keep in touch!

I just thought you should know. I posted a forum on
colombia. Maybe you want to check it out. the idea is to let people know that Colombia is a place worth visiting. And it might ease your mind in terms of having to come here to go to Old providence.

currently I have some american contractors, who are friends of mine, from the US. I will be talking with them pretty soon, to see about the possibility of getting their thoughts about Colombia.

Im sure that you will hear all kinds of stories. But the truth is that the media will never show the right side of things around here...

Thanks. Good to know your thoughts on Colombia.

Where ever we fly through we want to spend a couple of days either b4 or after Providencia and the opposite end, just fly straignt throug. Flying through Panama requires an overnight stay to make connections, perhpas through Colombia we can make it all in one day. Will let you know.