Legacy Sailing
Photo Gallery 67
Pirate's Hangout - Isla Providencia
We departed the San Blas with a mixed weather report -- reasonable seas, but winds too much on the nose. And we got pretty much what we expected. A slightly rough ride a little too close to the wind, but we arrived right on schedule 48 hours after we left. In the early morning hours Isla Providencia was visible on the horizon rising out of deep waters all around. We motorsailed up the shore of the island to the harbor entrance buoy and in the channel. We were a bit nervous because our draft is 7 feet and the US charts show the harbor as mostly 6 feet deep. The cruising guides showed it as closer to 9 feet and proved to be correct. We made our way into harbor and anchored in about 8 and a half feet of water. Clearance has to be done through an agent, Mr Bush, who is a friendly fellow and great source of information and advice. Isla Providencia is a pleasant throwback to quieter times in the Caribbean. There is tourism, but it is low key and the hotels reasonable sized. Other than taxis and delivery trucks, most of the traffic on the island is scooters and motorcycles. The Jamaican accent in conversation and the bright colors of the buildings give the island a definite Caribbean feel.

A Heavenly Island - Isla Providencia
We realized as we approached Isla Providencia in the early morning hours that this was the first island landfall we had made where there was no large landmass near by. The mountainous island rises up out of 1200 foot deep waters.	The old town on Providencia from across the harbor on Santa Catalina. There are no roads on Santa Catalina but there are nice paved walkways to the homes and sights.
Providencia is the first place we've been to with a real Caribbean feel to it. The use of colors and the Jamaican lilt to people's English is a change from the Spanish speaking lands we've been in. We liked the seahorses and other critters incorporated into this railing along the water.	The malecon opposite the main town runs along the edge of the harbor. It is paved with wavy lined tiles which tend to induce vertigo if looked at too closely. The illusion of a rippled sea floor is remarkable.
All along the malecon were these crab motif benches. Chris takes a break on one flanked by the grrlz.	The walkways and paths were marked with signs touting the pirate heritage which included Henry Morgan as a resident of the island.
The hill overlooking the harbor was used as a lookout and gun battery by the pirates. It also provides a great view of Split Hill, known locally as "Morgan's Ass." Legacy is anchored in the center.	Some trees were just too attractive to displace for the walkway so they just built around them.
On the approach to the foot bridge to Santa Catalina we found this wonderful articulated wind vane in the form of a barracuda.	The two grocery stores are directly across the street from each other at a Y intersection. With scooters lining the sidewalk, cars and buses parked alongside the scooters and drivers that dash forward into any opening one gets completely grid-locked traffic!
The entire harbor at Providencia averages only about 9 feet deep. Since we draw 7 feet it gave us pause. Imagine the skipper of this small freighter leaving the harbor at high tide (1 foot range) and hoping not to ground.	The ship made it through the shallows and into the slightly deeper entrance channel leading to the sea just as the sun set.
Tony, a Canadian sailor brought his 16 foot "micro-cruiser" Miss Cindy down from the Sea of Cortez to Nicaragua, trucked to Lake Nicaragua, sailed across the lake and down the river to the Caribbean and on to Providencia. This is certainly the smallest cruising boat we have encountered.

Updated 4/21/2009