Author Archives: PeterFlorczak

Smart phones– Can’t live with them, and can’t live without them. 

Posted by PeterFlorczak on

2017-02-21
Isla Grande, Colombia

Hotel La Cocotera

It’s amazing just how much we have all come to rely on our smart phones. Were we are staying there is no electricity. There is a light in the middle of the group hut, but it is run by a 12 volt car battery and only from 6 to 10 pm. 

There is a small tienda where they will charge your electronics for 1500 pecos (about 50 cents). I left my phone there for 3 hours and only got up to 21%. I also have an external battery pack which charged my phone up to 53%. 

Yesterday we went to where the rich people stay, and found on outlet and tried to charge our phone, but we had limited success. I think something has happened to our batteries so that they will not hold a charge. Bummer!

On this trip we decided to leave all paper books and magazines behind as well our iPads. It took some getting used to, but now with limited use we find ourselves just mostly staring off to the horizon as all of our books are also on on iPhones. 

On our walks I am so used to using GPS to find our location and direction that without it and without paper maps we are like children wandering in the desert. Fortunately the island is only 3 miles long so we can’t get too lost. Ok I’m staring to panic so I think I’ll have another rum punch. 

Kim standing in front of a a house along one of the paths

In search of a new place. 

Posted by PeterFlorczak on

2017-02-19
Isla Grande, Colombia

Hotel Eco Campo Verde
Today we were on a mission to find a new place. Somewhere on the beach and to find the town and buy some groceries, but first we decided to take a nice long swim and the dry off in the morning sunshine. 

What a great place for a swim.


After a bucket shower we had a nice breakfast and walked off to find our new home, but first there was this cute young couple from Chile that was attracted to Kim by her pink hair. We probably spent an hour talking to them. By then it was already getting late but we hit the partially shaded trails that ring this 3 mile island. 

Our place

Rich folks place, but at least we can have a beer.


We really only found one interesting place but we probably looked at 6. It was getting very hot so we skipped town and came home for well deserved rest in our hamacas. 

Kim poses at a fixer upper.

Isla Grande is not so big

Posted by PeterFlorczak on

2017-02-18
Isla Grande, Colombia

Hotel Eco Campo Verde
We let Playa Blanco this morning at 8:30 am. The water was calm for the 1-1/2 hour boat ride here. It only got more beautiful as we approached Isla Grande. 

I think that that was Pablo Escobar’s house?


Our hotel is not right on the water. It is about a 5 minute walk. Perhaps we will move in a few days, but for now we are very content. So far we have not heard many English speaking people. Most of the tourists seem to be upscale Colombians. 


The water is crystal clear and blue like the sky, and the beach is glowing white sand. We have only explored a small part of this island. If there are cars here we have not seen any, so except for the chatter of the people it is very quiet. Just the way we like it. 

Birds in the mangroves

Another perfect day in paradise. 

Posted by PeterFlorczak on

Nothing new to report. Just the usual. Swimming and sunning and walking the beach and eating. 

Here Kim enjoyes another meal at the rich people’s beach. The staff remembered us and shouted out a “ola” as we approached. I guess that large tipping comes in handy?


Tomorrow we leave by boat to what we hope will be an even more perfect island called Isla Grande. I am not sure if there is any cell service or even electricity. We shall see, but one thing I do know is that it will be an Adventure in Paradise.