I have just returned from a week long jaunt on the Colombian caribbean islands of San Andres and Providencia. Located closer to Nicaragua and cause for a reasonable amount of strife between the two nations the two islands are very very different and it will come as no suprise that I preferred the less built up, national park of Providencia over the tax free zone of San Andres.

Providencia is a place to relax and kick back. I got there last week with my Colombian girlfriend (she had neither been here) and the 15 minute flight from San Andres - you can only reach Providencia this way unless braving the ocean crossing - took us over the wide open caribbean until we saw the rugged hills of the island.

Yes, turquoise blue patches of ocean, long stretches of white sandy beaches, verdant hillsides and palm trees lining the streets. In their lilting english the islanders made us feel at home. Over the five days we were there we rented a moped to explore the island, lazed on deserted beaches, drifted in the breeze in hammocks, slept late and enjoyed some cold ones with the locals. It was a cliche, it was paradise.

San Andres is the opposite - I warn you now. There are obvious hideaway places that one can retreat to, but the principal town is one long bargain hunt for shoppers. I felt like a fish out of water and was less than impressed. It was oppressive and overbearing. Although the day I most enjoyed was fun. Alba and I rented yet another moped to explore the other side of the island...there, exclusive resorts, quieter beaches and diving lodges beckon. This was the place we needed to be, at least away from the town.

It was a great week away and now I am back to the cold hard reality of needing to earn some money, catch up on some overdue commissions and basically get back to the grind...but only for a week though, next week I am off to review parts of the Colombian pacific for further articles...expect to hear more about them here

Oh yes, the BBC editor has declared that they will publish my article on Aracataca on their website next week - providing of course there are no major news breaks! Expect further updates and articles to appear here.