Canals, hats, more beaches, monkeys, sloths, Harry Potter, what more can you ask of from a country? So after lazing around in Bocas Del Toro for a few days, hanging out in Boquete and catching up with civilisation in Panama City we hit the road (or sea I should add) to Colombia.

There are three options in getting to Colombia from Panama. One is you fly. Two you take the boat. Three you travel overland but will certainly die as nobody makes it out the otherside alive. We opted for option two aboard a 31 foot sailing boat called the "Sailing Koala". Before you ask the captain is Colombian and not Australian as you may think.

The trip involved a six day voyage through the idyllic San Blas islands and then out onto the open sea for a hellish 48 hour crossing (or so we were told). The San Blas islands are home to the Kuna tribe. The Kuna are one of the most protected tribes in the world, having fought hard for their own rights and political stands on what is rightly their own land handed down through the generations. They mainly live on one of the 400 islands which make up the San Blas archipelago; many still living as they once did in rural communities living off the fruits of the land and sea for food.

Our journey took us through the three islands of Porvenir, Chichime and Maoki. Fabian, our captain, started the trip between Panama and Colombia some 14 years ago so is well known within the Kuna families. This meant we had the unique opportunity to spend time with them, playing with the kids and eating amazing freshly cooked seafood. Among the delights we had were lobster, crab, fish, octopus etc. Truly amazing grub. Spending time with the Kuna reminded me of some of the traits of the Akha tribe I had lived with in Thailand. It is amazing to think that these two tribes, which are millions of miles away from each other, share such similar habits.

We shared our Kuna experience with Jason, an American university lecturer and Janvi, a Dutch come Spanish guy. It was great there was only a few of us on the boat as made the trip so much better.

So after spending four amazing days lazing in palm fringed waters, we hit the open sea. The 48 hour trip, which actually was only 40 in the end was fine. It was a little bit rough but no seasickness from me, even on the night shift watch, which we all took turns to do, the rough seas gave a refreshing breeze aiding any nausea.

Lo and behold we made it to Cartagena, Colombia. There are many boats that do the trip between the two countries so we were warned to be careful in our decision as stories of drunken captains and food of PB and J for 6 days were floating around. Luckily we were blessed with our decision. Sailing Koala made the trip what it was and I would totally recommend it to anyone thinking of doing this journey.

So now in Colombia, the last stop before home. Argh!