I'm turning 40, and I want to spend it the way I'd want to spend anything.
On a boat and an island, with the people who made the first forty worth it.
And you are invited.
Five days. We start in the walled city, then sail out to a private island in the Islas del Rosario that is ours alone. Pirates, a rival crew, a jacuzzi on the top deck, tambores, and treasure hidden in places you would not think to look.
My biggest treasure is having you as part of this crew! Come play.
— Nelly
The Route
Five days
IWed Jan 13
Walled city
La Arribada
A colonial house inside the walls
Afternoon
Llegada
Check into the house inside the walls. Drop the bag, find the pool, meet whoever got here first.
Evening
La Primera Cena
An intimate dinner with the pioneers, the ones who got here first. One table, nothing formal, cooked in the house.
Midnight
The fourth decade
Wait up for midnight with me. That is when it officially opens.
After
Noche libre
Out into the old city if you have it in you, bed if the flight took it out of you. Nobody is counting.
IIThu Jan 14
The actual birthday
The Walled City
A real salsa bar, a live band, and no tourists in it
All day
Yours
The old city, the sea wall, a long lunch, a nap. Nothing on the schedule you can't skip.
Night
Salsa
No details yet. Just be ready to dance all night.
Note
Crews are drawn
Somewhere in the night you get handed a side. Pirates or natives. It matters on Saturday.
IIIFri Jan 15
Cartagena to the Rosarios
The Crossing
Six hours of open water, one dance floor
10:00
We sail
Two decks, a jacuzzi, a DJ, open bar and lunch on the water. Dress code coming soon.
Afternoon
Islands and secret spots
We navigate around the Rosarios, past islands most people never stop at, and anchor where the water is worth getting into.
16:00
El Desembarque
The boat drops us on the island and goes home. Find your room, unpack, swim, sleep, whatever you need.
Dusk
Let the game begin
Between exploring and discovering the island, the pirates and the natives compete for the treasures. Be ready to win.
Night
Dinner and a fire
We meet again at one long table. Low music, a fire on the sand, and nowhere else to be.
IVSat Jan 16
The island, all of it
La Conquista
Two crews, one table, then the fire
Morning
Yoga and meditation
Over the water, then breakfast by the chef. Optional, but you'll want it.
Midday
Choose your own
Paddle boards, snorkelling, the mangroves, or a boat out to explore the other Rosario islands. Or the hammock. That counts too.
Dusk
The plankton
Out on the water after dark to watch it light up underneath you.
Dinner
La Conquista
Pirates and natives put the war down and sit at one table to eat together. One long table, candles, barrels, fire.
Night
Caribbean Burner
Then the island turns. DJs, live tambores, fire on the sand, and no reason to stop.
VSun Jan 17
Back to port
The Return
The last morning
Morning
Slow breakfast
Nobody rushes anybody. The island is still ours until the boats come.
11:00 & 15:00
Boats to Cartagena
Pick one. Book your flight for the evening, or stay another night in the city.
Reserve your spot
By 15 October
Three ways to come: all five days, just the weekend on the island, or just the boat. Pick yours in the form below.
On money: prices are per person in US dollars, and they cover what's on the list: the house, the island, the boat, the food and the bar. Flights are yours. It gets paid in two halves: half by 15 October to hold your place, and half in cash, handed to me in Cartagena. The exact number, and how to send it, are in the form below. There are 5 private rooms in the whole trip, and they go in the order people pay. Everybody else shares, and honestly that's the better half of it.
To reserve your spot, follow the instructions below. If you already RSVP'd, look yourself up with your email or your WhatsApp number and it brings back everything you told me. Change whatever you like before you send the deposit.
