Kent,

I'll be here. Just tell me whatever is best for you, and I will gladly help you out.

Just another piece of good information in terms of getting to this paradise. The State Airline has recently started a direct flight from Bogota to Providence. I think the airplane is a FOkker (it carries around 47 passengers and takes two hours and 15 minutes). This will favor the island in terms of opening the possibilities for ecotourists to visit old providence. At first I was a little scared since more flights mean more people, but there is a lot of pride from the islanders to keep their islands safe, and laws are rally strict around there, so it means a better chance to get to this little island.

Carnival Confirmed. Starting on June 23 and all the way to Junen 26. The weather right now promises a deep blue sky, constant ocean breeze and very calm waters until the end of this month. After this the weather will change, the wind will be sronger and it will be a perfect time for Kite surfing (yeap its something people are doing there now).

Very appropiate time for deep sea fishing too. And by this time of the year, a lot of sailboats reach the island coming back from the upper caribbean on their way to Panama (for the pacific). Others are on their way to Isla mujeres or Roatan in honduras.

This is the time of the year that the sun hits real nice, with nights that go beyond all senses! A new invitiation to visit this incredible paradise.

Both Scuba Town and Felipe's dive shops, are getting ready for this season in which the warm waters offer the best of Old Providence's underwater wildlife.

Sounds like a great time to be there.

Hi there! I would appreciate some help on how to properly place a picture in this thread. I feel pictures could really do some good, and awaken the intrest of people towards these islands...

thanks a lot!

I just heard from the islanders, that the wind is blowing nice and steady around there. According to the weather reports. It will be a windy June and July, but safe fromthe paths of Hurricanes. Its been more than 40 years since the last hurricane hit the island.

Good for us.

The fishing is good and since the currents have changed lots of deep see snappers are getting closer to the islands. Its a perfect time for fishing!!!

Hi everyone... I have done some research in the web, trying to find good pictures of Old Providence, and I have this address for you all...

http://groups.msn.com/BigJuicesSanAndresIsland/oldprovi...catalina.msnw?Page=1

There are several pictures and I Think you will find them very attractive. the pictures named Morgan's Gun, Capt, Morgan's defense and Santa Caltalina, are located in Santa Catalina, and all that coast you see there is where you can snorkel until you get to Morgan's head.


I hope these pictures work out for you guys, and I will try finding some more...

Boom! we are into the Hurricane season. I have continously spoken to my friends and relatives in Old Providence Island, and just like last year by this time, the weather has changed, in terms of water currents, and stronger Breeze (do not think of 20 mile winds!!!)

the days are hot and sunny, and the fishing is good. Just Yesterday, an uncle of my wife, went out fishing, and came back with about 60 pounds of Yellow tail!

So this is one new invitation for those who still have not decided to come visit. And those who are already planning to visit, there is no need to worry!!!

Cheers!

Hi everyone!

Here's a bit more about this islands. It was found in some documents that Both Coralina (the government regional corporation) and Conservation international released in early 2003 on the Island's facts:

The islands of Old Providence and Santa Catalina possess a number of attributes that greatly enhance their value for ecotourism. All three major marine ecosystems, coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves are represented and are in relatively good condition. The windward barrier reef, with a length of 32 km is the second largest barrier reef in the Caribbean, and covers a total area of 255 km2. The lagoon enclosed by the barrier reef has extensive seagrass beds with three species of seagrass. There are six major mangrove swamps and four species of mangrove are present in most locations. Old Providence and Santa Catalina have five main beaches and a number of small, more isolated beaches.

The built-up area of OP/SC is relatively small. Most of the land (about 70%) is covered by shrub vegetation. The dry tropical forest covers just over 7% of the land area and contains both mainland and Antillean elements. It is among the best preserved dry forests in the Caribbean and the number of species – more than 60 species per 1,000 m2 – indicates that it is an important center of biodiversity (Gentry, 1993; cited in CORALINA, 1998). The dry
forest appears to be approaching climax stage. Endemic species include 2 species of fish (one freshwater and one marine species) and 15 species of birds, most of which are endemic subspecies. Four of the endemic subspecies are restricted to Old Providence and Santa Catalina. Seventy-six (76) species of migratory birds have been recorded in the islands.

That's something important to consider if you are really planning on a good vacation...

Kcweimer!

october is getting closer. Have you already planned something?

Paul,

It looks like plans may change and delay our trip.to Providencia. Several factors. 1. We have already suffered several close calls with hurricanes this year - Dennis, Katrina and Rita. Rita had 100 mph winds blowing steadily just 6 miles off the coast of Key West. That's a long explination about why we don't want to leave town until the hurricane season is well past. 2. Brian, the marine biologist we intend to come down with has a new engagement on the gulf coast of Florida that is keeping him busy. 3. I have to travel up to Tampa for some business several times and the schedule is up in the air. Anyway, we have to put off our trip to paradise. Will let you know when we have definate plans.

Keep the good info coming!

Kent

Kent,

I understand your situation and I am totally simpathetic with it! My family has also been touched by this, since some of our relatives live in Florida. I have some friends in Florida and Texas too, and they have suffered. But beyond that, I believe it should touch everyone who has feelings.

I hope that your house, your family and your friends have luck and I certainly hope that the hurricane season ends fast and calmed.

I'll be lloking forward to hearing from you!

Paul

Thanks for the kind thoughts. The other good news is tourist season is coming which means people in this paradise tourist town can start earning a living again. July - September is tough.

Hope that tourist season gets spirits up as well. I know things are hard, and I can't tell you I've been through that ever, because I haven't, but its at times like this when you think about how fragile we all are, and how tight we all oughta be!

Please keep me posted!

Keep us all posted!

Paul

Well,

I guess it's time I kept you guys posted on the Beta/OP situation. Yeap. After 43 years a hurricane got to the island again... It decided to park itself less than 15 Km of the northeastern shore with winds of over 125km per hour, for around 14 hours, turning from tropical strom to hurricane class one... I have not heard about my family there since last thursday, when we got a final communication at around 10pm Central time. My wife and I have been trying to reach the island, but so far every effort is useless.

Yesterday some friends of ours traveled to San Andres, hoping they can reach Old Providence today, and then try to contact us.

Although the official reports don't show any dead, and only two people with minor injuries, which is a Miracle!!!!, there is a lot of devastation and I have already heard of friends of mine who have lost their houses.

Now, for all those who are currently reading this and read my previous post, one thing remains: no matter what hits us, we will remain tight. That is the Colombian way, and I am proud to say right now that, although tragedy has struck the Island, this paradise had a shinning sun yesterday in the news, and you could already see the people cleaning up and working hard to reestablish things.

They do it because its their town, their island... They do it because they know that although time passes slowly there, there's no time to lose... they do it because they still want to share this little piece of land with everyone who wishes to visit it!

Everyone will face hard times, but it's in the way you face them and how you act upon them, that you will only find your true being...

Bravo for all the islanders of Old Providence... for hard working people that will get their island back in no time...

This should only be an invitation for all of you to go and visit this wonderful place, filled with wonderful people, like those in Cancun, or New Orleans, or Florida... The ones that will never give up!!!

And we shall never give up on them...