San Blas Islands

The Caribbean and San Blas islands are wonderful and things on the cat are mostly good.  However, it turns out of Captain has a reputation for overbooking his boat and I don't exactly have a bed on board.  No worries.... I sleep in on the trampolines in the front, but think ahead to the open ocean with a little anticipation.

I'm not about long before we have some indigenous people "Kuna's", coming along side selling some hand crafts with their children aboard.

Paz from Israel & Zoe from Australia.

Our lovely Aussie Couple Zoe & Nick.  At first they didn't really want to get into the water and swim, but when they finally realized it was quite safe, we coxed them in.

A popular activity while the cat is motoring or at sail.

Chris, Dom, Nick, & Johnas.

A Kuna fisherman comes up trying to sell his catch, but some of his lobster are too small and we send him away.

We see a few dolphins off the bow, but only for a short while.

It turns out Fritz isn't the only one that play the trumpet and Connor entertains us for a bit.

Nick chillin on the foredeck.

Eva & Steph having a chat.

The English boys reviewing their recent shots.

The rods been set for awhile and there is finally something on the line.

Its turns out to be a medium sized grey shark.

I would of preferred it was turned lose, but honestly, I'm not sure that was possible.

1st Mate Jose looking happy in the kitchen.  A friendly guy and hard worker.

I'm looking quite happy in this shot.

Martin rightfully looking quite please with himself.

A red red sky over the Caribean.

The sun goes down on another beautiful day.  After 5 days on the cat we finally reach Cartagena, but it turns out I can't get the bike off the boat until the next day.  Fritz is full of surprises, but for some reason I still trust him with the bike.

Crossing the Gap.

The next morning is woke up a bit late from the very tiring ride the night before.  I packed up quick and hit the road again, stopping only for a very quick breakfast.  I wanted to stop in Corcovado, which is supposed to be pristine rain forest, but urgency and the rain kept my riding.  I got to the border about lunch time and it was hot, but bearable.  It took about 2 hours to get through this one and then I rode and rode.  It got dark and I was breaking the rules again, but I was on mission to get to Panama City.  I rode over the canal in dark and didn't see anything.

At one point I saw someone waving a flashlight in the centre of the road, but I ignored it and kept on riding.  The Panama police finally caught up to me and told me that I was speeding.  The alleged infraction: a 100km/h in a 60km/h zone.  I explained that I didn't see a sign, but I was only showed the reading on the radar gun by his partner.  I asked if I could pay this "fine" there and he said yes and wrote the number 60 on his hand.  I said I would be broke if I gave him 60 and he said I could keep 20.  We shook hands and he asked my about wireless cellur networks  and metal detectors back in Canada. 

I got to Panama City in the dark and thank god I had a Hostel programmed into the GPS which led me right to it.  On the way in I helped a lovely lady bring her luggage up the stairs and it turns out she ended up taking the last bed in the Hostel!!!  haha I guess nice guys do finish last, but at least I feel good about myself.  I got directions, but it still took me 2 hours to fine the new place, and that was with the kind help of some really friendly Panamanian kids.


The hostel was clean, low key and even had a pool...very nice.  


The next day I got up late and take a little walk around Panama City.  Very cosmo and lots of large towers with some really interesting designs.

I decide it's time to chop the hair back down to respectable.  Turns out my barber name is Alejandro and he's a rider too. He tells me about bike night in Panama city tonight, but it looks like rain.  Maybe on the way home.

That night I socialize a bit at the hostel with some cool folks and set my alarm for 4:30.  I wake up at I'm out the door by 5am to dodge the traffic.

It's smooth sailing, but I second guess weather or not I've passed my turn until I get to a gravel road and pass an unmistakable landmark.

My turn off and then the road gets crappy.

Beautiful rolling hills with some fog settling in.  It feels like I'm really a long way from home.

I finally arrive at Carti.  I see Fritz the Cat, and flash my lights a few times, but the boat doesn't move.

Fritz the Cat is anchored off shore and i signal them, and wait and wait and little do I know they are having breakfast while I roast in the Sun.

Colorful clothes of the Kuna people.

As you can see, some of the Kuna's don't like having their picture taken.

After a bit of wrestling with the tiger it's finally aboard the cat and secure.  I make sure I soak it down good with WD-40.

Here's captain Fritz at the helm.

So far, things look pretty good.  The bike looks safe, the people on board seem nice and we head off into the sunset.  More again soon.