Isla Fuerte, Columbia – Rejuvenation

Two days before leaving Buenos Aires for Bogotá, Columbia, I got a call from my friend Emma (who lives in Bogotá, and whom I was going to visit upon leaving Buenos Aires) asking if I wanted to go to a little island off the coast of Columbia for the weekend. She had been invited, but had refused as I was visiting…only to be told “bring your friend with you!”. So when she asked if I wanted to go (no pressure, we didn’t need to go…), I have to say that was a very, very easy YES! on my part. Great decision Lise…great decision!

We took an early flight from Bogotá to Montería, where we were met at the airport by Andrés’ friends. A few hours later, after doing some grocery shopping, a stop at the home hardware store, meeting up with more people, a road-side stop for lunch, and an army checkpoint along the country road we shared with cows, chickens and roosters, we found ourselves at a little village called La Rada on the northern coast. Here, Andrés’ boat awaited. It required a little repair, then we were off.

Our boats to Isla Fuerte, just off the coast at La Rada.

Our captain, and host.

It’s a 30-minute boat ride to Isla Fuerte. Beautiful open air on the Caribbean. During the boat ride Andrés informed us that Isla Fuerte used to be home to pirates who plundered along the Panama coast and just off Cartagena. This is where they rested, partied and enjoyed their spoils. I can understand why they decided to call it home. It’s a beautiful, little tropical island.

Andrés’ home. Simple, beautiful, cozy, warm and welcoming.

The perfect place to sit and relax.

Andrés had invited Emma (and subsequently me) to come to the island because it was the weekend of their ‘sport event’. Once a year the island hosts athletes from two other small communities on the mainland – Paso Nuevo and La Rada. Events range from track (running) to football (soccer), baseball, boxing, swimming and canoeing. There is also a cultural component, with each community putting on a small show. To put this into context there are about 400 locals on the island (at most). The other two villages are about the same size, I think. Every morning people from Paso Nuevo and La Rada pile onto boats and come to the island for the day. And the locals party late into the night, with music being played at great levels. We arrived Friday afternoon, the day of the opening ceremonies.

The Armada performs the national anthem.

Welcome to the Games.

The lighting of the Cauldron. Done by a local runner, who has competed at the world championships.

The head table during Opening Ceremonies.

Everybody surrounds the pavilion where the Opening Ceremonies are taking place. The children are beautiful.

Opening Ceremonies performances.

Love these children!

The athletes from the 3 communities marched into the opening ceremonies.

I would have happily mingled with the locals to watch the Opening Ceremonies, however I was invited to sit inside the pavilion. So I sat and watched mesmerized by the beautiful faces around me.

On Saturday, after a morning of snorkeling and swimming in the Caribbean, we made our way back to the Games to watch the boxing matches.

Boxing in the heat of the afternoon - it was well over 30 degrees. Thankfully the ring was placed under a large tree, giving a little shade.

Boxing in the heat of the afternoon – it was well over 30 degrees. Thankfully the ring was placed under a large tree, which provided a little shade.

Look who else has come to watch the boxing!

Once the boxing was done for the day, it was time for the kids to jump in and practice. Stars in the making?

I loved watching the races. Everyone would be in the middle of the track and follow the racers, running across to see who won.

Congratulating the winner, from Isla Fuerte.

Everyone celebrates a win. Doesn’t matter who won.

The track that surrounds the football/baseball field. And they run barefoot!

We headed back to the boat and the next thing I knew we were approaching the shore close to the heart of the village, where everyone was gathered. It was time for the swimming events. All of a sudden, some 15 “boys” jump into the boat with us.

Waiting for the swimming events. Why not take advantage of the clear blue water and jump in?

We are joined by the male swimmers.

Relaxed before their race, we take them out to the start.

This boat was anchored, and provided the starting point of the men’s swimming race. We dropped them off in front of it where they lined up, waiting for Andrés to officially start the race.

And they are off!

Next up was the women’s swim race.

The women hop onto our boat.

So pretty! And what you can’t see is that her suit for the race consists of cut off jean shorts and a tank top…

We didn’t want to take them as far out as the men (proved difficult for some), so we went out into the water, then they jumped overboard and hung onto the boat for Andrés to start the race. As they pushed off the boat to swim, we nearly lost Andrés!

The leaders get to shore and run it in.

Given that the swimming events meant open-water swimming in the Caribbean, the Columbian Armada was on hand to pick up any athlete who ran into trouble.

The Armada are officially invited to the event, giving them and the locals a positive encounter.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better…the canoeing race started.

One of the boats sank almost immediately, and a few of the others did have to bail out water, but they made it to the finish.

The final race of that day was a relay – the first athlete ran from this section of the beach to another, down by the main port. There a canoe with two people took the next leg, canoeing to the ship where the men’s swimming start had been. Then the person in the canoe who wasn’t rowing jumped into the water and swam to shore – finishing the race. Fantastic!

After a full afternoon of Games, we headed out on the boat to see other parts of the island.

The sun was starting to go down – providing an even more glorious backdrop for the evening boat ride.

There’s no beating Mother Nature. Sunset over the island.

One part of the island is a bird sanctuary.

After the boxing finals on Sunday came the closing ceremonies. This time Emma and I were invited to sit at the head table. And we were asked to judge the cultural performances by the three communities, along with another of the guests at the head table. It was amazing to watch the three communities perform. Very much African tribal, with a hint of Latino hip swaying.

Isla Fuerte performing.

La Rada performing. Their performance was best. We had to consider the music, costumes, dancing, enthusiasm, etc.

Paso Nuevo performs.

A close-up look at Paso Nuevo’s performance.

Once the speeches were made, the trophies were handed out for all of the events. Unfortunately, when the podium was brought into the middle of the floor, it pulled the cable for the sound system. The announcements of the winners were made by a man yelling into the crowd. Priceless! We were asked to hand out the trophies. So now I know what it’s like to be the one presenting the athlete with their medal/trophy!

At the end of each day the athletes from La Rada and Paso Nuevo would pile back onto their boats and go home. We missed them the first two nights, but managed to see it happening after the Closing Ceremonies.

It was amazing to watch them wave their trophies, sing and laugh.

This is the biggest event that happens on what is normally a quiet little island. It was a privilege to see it, and something I will not soon forget.

The children are so beautiful. I could easily have done nothing but watch them and talk to them.

It was just what I needed after Buenos Aires. The land on which the pavilion was built, and on which the football/baseball field and track are located, was purchased for this event with a grant given to the community by the International Olympic Committee when Juan Antonio Samaranch was its President.

It felt good to see some of the positive impact the IOC can have on a small community – giving its residents and those of La Rada and Paso Nuevo opportunities they would not normally have.

Our last night on the island gave us a tropical storm – wind, rain, thunder and lightning. Fitting I thought – after all, this adventure would not have been complete without a tropical storm! Thankfully though, the skies cleared up in time for our very early departure on Monday morning. (What was it with all the 4:30am wake-ups for flights that week – a total of 3!)

Sunrise. So pretty. It was difficult to say good-bye to this place.

Sunrise. So pretty. It was difficult to say good-bye to this magical place.

All I can say is thank you Andrés. Thank you for giving us such an amazing adventure and opportunity. Emma and I talked about this a lot, it was exactly what we both needed to see, and it was such a privilege to be a part of it. Rejuvenated indeed. Muchos, muchos gracias my friend!