San Blas Islands

Day 102 to 105 Sailing, Oct 12-15, 2013

The guy I did meet when I was going to Panama City is from Spain and he is on an Around The World trip his name is Marcos Verges Tortras and has a blog:

 www.mundo-en-moto.com

Marcos is an absolute great guy and has been to a lot of places and has a lot of very interesting stories, please take a look at his site if you can.

 

Marcos on the Lancha.

 

We stayed last night on the  San Blas Islands had breakfast in the shack. Later on we were taking back to the boat where we did meet the other 16 passengers. Once on board Captain Michel gives his welcome speech and instruction on proper toilet use because this will be of major importance if we wish to arrive without issues.

Then we sailed for about 2hrs to this little group of islands where we could snorkel and swim to the islands and this is also where we will stay for the night, by late afternoon the first Halloween party started amongst the young crowd and that was some party. Us older generation guys were more laid back but we were the one to finish the party.

 

Me on the Lancha with a big relieve and not believing we actually made it with the bikes.

 

Day 103 Sailing, Oct 13, 2013

Did some more swimming and got a good sun burn, the sun out here is brutal. We sailed for 1hr to the next group of Islands where the Immigration officials did come on board and we are cleared to leave the country, later that afternoon we are brought by speed boat to the biggest Island for a BBQ meal and of course more party time.

 

The young crowd in there Halloween costumes.

 

On board the boat I share a bunk bed cabin with Marcos and it is very warm under the deck because none of the windows are allowed to open. Luckily there is a fan above your head to provide some cooling or it would have been imposable to stay in there.

 

Day 104 Sailing, Oct 14, 2013

Sailed to the final set of Islands before the big crossing and Marcos giving his thumps up.

 

Captain Michel gives his speech about how rough the sea can get and safety instruction. The crossing for the Independence usually takes 30hrs but could be in heavy weather an extra day. So time to batten down the hatches and prepare for some excitement, this of course is enough reason for the young crowd to really start a good party inside and that was according to the Captain one for the books. Luckily the sea remained very calm and we had no head winds at all.

Day 105 Sailing, Oct 15, 2013

This morning we are told that this will be the fastest crossing ever and before night fall we will see land. That afternoon the Captain decides to stop the boat since we are making such good time so that we can go swim in the sea once more and get to feel how this is because the water is only 3km deep. Around 5pm we see land and come to port around 9pm, the Captain confirms that the total sailing time was 23hrs and this was his fastest trip ever, the sailing gods were in our favor.

Saying goodbye to the Island.

 

 

San Blas Islands, Boat Independence

Day 101, Oct 11, 2013, 121km

Made it to Cartagena, Colombia, and this is the continuing of day 101, before we sailed.

Good news for anyone travelling the Darian Gap towards the end of this month, according to one of the Captains a new Ferry service will be in operation.

First thing this morning I started to compact my large amount of gear to a somewhat more manageable size. I haven't camped since San Diego so this would be the thing to downsize on and in the hope that I would not need it in this next leg of my journey I removed my Winter Sleeping-bag, Stove, and  Thermos can plus some small things that were taking up space. After repacking all this I ended up with one less dry sack to carry or lug around. I did throw all this stuff on the free rack at the Hostel and locking back after about 5 min, all of it was gone, someone must of wanted it and I hope it comes to good use.

This morning it was poring rain so we waited and hoped it would clear up by noon, only thing is if we did this it would not give us any spare time before heading to San Blas. We decided to wait and of course the rain did not stop. The fastest route was over the Corredor Sur where we come to a toll both that says $1.40, when I try paying the attendant, he says where is your card, because you need to swipe this first, I ask the attendant what do you mean? there is no sign saying that I need a card, it only says $1.40.

By now the cars are starting to honk and the lady calls the supervisor over and all this makes is for more honking. The supervisor says you cannot get through unless you show one of these cards and he pulls a bunch of the cards out of his pocket that you can buy for $8.00. I tell the guy that nowhere is there a sign saying this and I will wait here until doomsday if needed, so he better be prepared because this will be the start of an international incident right here right now, you should have seen this guys face by now, the cars are honking like crazy, and drivers scrambling to find other gates, luckily one Panamanian guy gets out of his car and says to the supervisor I will let them through by swiping my card, we pay the Panamanian guy $3 and we go through, of all things stupid the supervisor could have done the same, but no.

The last part of the road towards San Blas is one crazy up and down, twisty road and a real treat for us after riding in the rain the whole time it now starts to clear up, and we did have to pay the $13 to be able to continue through Kuna territory. We make it to the Barzukun River and we see the Lancha boat that will take our bikes to the Independence. After the Kuna Indians try different ways to see how it would be best to get the bike on the boat they tell us to bring the bike down the steep grassy embankment towards the boat where they will lift it up over the railing. Six guys fumbling and a lot of lets see how this goes gets the bikes in and away we go after paying them $15 per bike for there services.

When we get to the Independence they lower the Dingy and then hoist our bikes up, then across the deck and tied down towards the railing and deck, here is where they will stay until we reach the other side

We stowed our gear inside the boat and then we were taken to the Carti Island where we will stay the night amongst the Kuna Indians. The sleeping arrangement is in a loft above one of the many shacks that are on the Island and it has no sink or toilet so if you need to go just head out to the shack with the toilet hanging out above the ocean, our as they call it the Kuna toilet, for some strange reason this whole thing makes me feel like I'm in the movie Water World, and find it really cool.

After diner we did buy a bottle of Cola and that with the duty free Rum made for a small party as we talked the night away.

 

The Kuna live from the fishing and tourist that come here and ask $1 for everything, including taking pictures with them, a very simple life and they seem to be happy with it, but from my perspective I would only wish that they had more pride in there surroundings because it looks like a dump in many places, including the sea bottom around the piers.

I will respond to your post’s and more pictures to come with the rest of the story.

 

Miraflores Locks

Day 100, Oct 10, 2013, 42km

The Hostel Villa Vento Surf was booked full for today so we had to change to the Mamallena Hostel. This is also run by the same booking agency as the boat.

This afternoon we headed to the Miraflores Locks and did see this marvellous wonder in operation. We did see some small boats go through the locks, and we could have waited a couple of hours for a big boat but decided to go to the Flamenco Island instead.

The Island is reachable by this long causeway and has a great view of the city from a sea point of view, plus it has a duty free zone.

Tomorrow we will take the bike’s to San Blas for loading onto the boat and then stay overnight on the Carti Islands.

Apparently there is no Internet for the next 6 days or until I reach Cartagena, Columbia, you will have to wait for the updates, wish me luck. Bon-Voyage.

Panama City from Flamenco Island

 

Panana City

Day 99, Oct 9, 2013, 301km

Had a great stay at Cmnthead's place. It was very peaceful and I was able to walk along the beaches for miles on end. There's nothing like the sound of the never ending waves hitting the shoreline and the salty smell in the air to clear your head, all this makes for a great relaxing day.

The locals are very friendly and when I went out that night everyone was greeting me as if I belonged there. They were saying your the one staying at the Canadians place and nice to see you.

Had a fantastic dinner at one of the local places for only $4.25, and a Panama beer that only cost $0.75 at the diner, you can't beat that.

Today I headed towards Panama City and did meet another rider (Marcos) that is going on the same boat. So we headed into town together and are staying at the Hostel Villa Vento Surf.

 

 

A shot of the City.

 

Las Tablas

Day 97, Oct 7, 2013, 349km

Yesterday I was able to ride through the countryside of Panama, and apart from some hills and the mountains in the far background  it was mostly farm country. At some spots I could swear I was back in Ontario. I did ride from David to Las Tablas on an invitation from ADV inmate Cmnthead to stay at his place, after I confirmed with him I fond out that he's not there himself but it won't matter, he gave me directions on how to get the key and I was helped by Michelle who is a good friend of his. This is absolutely great from him to just say go ahead anyway. When travelling you meet and encounter the nicest people and I feel that I have been truly blessed during this trip.

 

Day98, Oct 8, 2013

Will stay another day here and enjoy the beach before heading to Panama City.

Sunset at Playa Uverito.

 

 

This mornings beach at sunrise in front of Cmnthead's place. This ones for you Phil.

 

Panama Border, David

Day 96, Oct 6, 2013, 248km

Today I headed to Panama alone because Wei wanted to stay another day in Costa Rica. We will meet in Panama City before I head out on the boat to Columbia.

 

The border crossing was a piece of cake, it did take 1 hour from start to finish. I was lucky that the people were friendly enough to point me to the right locations, and not off on some goose chase.

One thing you should know: Make sure you have $500 on you or a bank statement showing that you have enough money on it. The guy at Panama Immigration wants this before he will give you an entry stamp.

At the Costa Rica side exit both offices are in the same big blue and white building that is on the Left, and I did not have to pay anything.

At the Panama side I parked under the big roof that covers the offices, if people hassle you for parking there just walk on as if you don't hear them and they will go away. Get your entry stamp and then get insurance at the small office that is behind the building to the left when facing Panama, it says Photocopies on it, he will give you the insurance papers and also copies of it, then go back to the building and go upstairs with your insurance paper so that the Lady there can stamp it, then back down to Aduana and hand them Insurance, Passport, Registration copy, they will do all the paper work for you, and give you a stapled bunch of papers back, with this head to the door that is behind you and next to all the chairs, this is where the Inspection guy sits, he will walk with you to the bike and you give him $2 for this service. Then get on bike and ride about 25' to the white building on the right for tourist paper and fumigation that cost $1, then off to the final border check that is about 1 km up the road.

Curently in David, Panama and staying at the Bambu Hostal for $13.

 

 

Another picture from Manuel Antonio Park