I arrived at the port of Cartagena eager to meet the people who where on the boat... There was an Australian couple from the states who where half switz, then princess and the frog... He was French, she was half Mexican and Spanish, both living in Mexico, and good old mick Wohlman from England, who is an Englishman an who misses England and speaks English..!! Haha I was no where near as confused as they must have all been... Anyway il reveal the princess and the frog theory later on...
So we all boarded the 36ft sailing boat tango and was given a short but sweet briefing by captain David.. He was French too... We had our rules of this and that, washing up was our duty, he would cook, sail and then sleep for 6 hours at night leaving us 6 hours to divide amongst ourselves from 12 to 6am to sail the boat... But before all this fun could unravel we had a good 41 hours of open water to combat first.. We all sat around and watched as Ralph the switz/Aussie put fishing lines out for us to hopefully catch tuna, snappers or what ever else the deep had to offer that lives under the sea in-between colombia and panama... So far things where good and I sat and listen to iPod and read into the wild, while frog boy jumped around the boat looking for jobs and ways to impress captain David. I just looked on smiled watching as he would rub the princesses back and feet, give her the only cushion on board and fetch her drinks. It was poor viewing but I wouldn't let it ruin my trip for sure. This was pretty much the progress the first day, David made a great pasta dish and was the excellent cook I had read about.
So.....??? He says, 6hours between 5 of you, 2 hours each.? That ment me on my own, so who would shout man over board if I went over at night in the dark, 3000ft deep sea.? Oh your be ok he says and smiles in his french/English way. He gives everyone a run down of what's expected and what to do then we prepare and I snooze saying I'm having the first shift as on my own of 12-2am.
So 12 on Friday 28th/29th of September, here I am at midnight sailing a 36ft sailing boat tango, me mick Wohlman of good old blighty, scared of deep dark open water in control of a boat making Its way from one continent to another in the Americas. Have to admit it was pretty scary with just the sound of water, wind and the boats strange noises. Within 30 minutes I realised that nothing was gonna happen as long as I kept look out. The 2hours where easy going and Ralph came on deck early eager to start his turn.
We sailed the whole of the next day and again I had to watch the frog run around trying to impress the captain and also keep princes happy, again was poor viewing but I just bit my tongue and listen to music. Was a good time to reflect on my trip, what had been and what was coming. Made me realise I have had such a great adventure. My 2nd shift was again at midnight and again pretty quiet. I woke on the 3rd day around 6am to see we had made it across and land was in sight.
We arrived at the first island around 7:30am had breakfast and they all jumped into the crystal clear water to make it to the near by island. It was tiny and looked like something from a postcard or a screen saver back ground on you computer. I just sat looking out, wanting to go but struggling with the idea. If you don't know I'm scared of deep dark open water, this water was clear but the thoughts going through my mind just kept me stuck like glue to the steps of the boat. I was asked over and over "are you going in" yes give me time I repeated but they didn't understand it. It's not a case of just scared it terrorises me, as soon as I hit the water I panic, can't you swim the frogs shouts, a lot better than you frog boy I reply and he shuts up. It took me about 20mins to do it, when I was left alone they where all on the island, David was checking the boat over. I saw where I had to get and could see it was clear, I was at the top end of the boat, with a deep breath and a huge spring I jumped the three meter drop into the cool, clear caribbean ocean.!

Next chapter: island hopping, fishing, lobster and Panama City..

Peace out much love Micky xxx