Sailing from Panama to Colombia

Monday, 03 May 2010 00:00 |

Written by Dave |

Cycling from Alaska to Argentina Travelogue - May 2010 Travelogue

Sailing from Panama to Colombia on the Sailing Koala

The four wheel drive came to pick me up at 04.30 from Zulys hostel in Panama City. The driver was almost as sleepy as I was, and roping the bike and trailer on top of the four wheel drive seemed to take a very long time! Just as well he tied it on well though, as he then drove like a maniac for the next 4 hours to the coast !

The road was one that would have been possible to ride, but it would have been pretty unpleasant cycling, with constant killer ascents and descents, not to mention some rough sections and a waist high river crossing. I in no way felt guilty for taking the four wheel drive option !

At the coastal town of Carti, there were some brief formalities to go through, and I was greated by Fabian, the captain of the Sailing Koala. The Sailing Koala at just over 30 feet, is not the biggest boat on the ocean, especially when six passengers complete with backpacks and of course my bicycle and trailer are loaded on board. Lets call it cosy !

The first island we visited was little more than an hour from the mainland, which gave us all a chance to get used to the boat, and each other.On board the Sailing Koala were Roger (Mr. Aquadump) from Holland, Adrian from Germany, Jennel and Laura from Canada, and Marlon also from Holland. On such a small boat, you make friends quickly, and the Sailing Koala crew was a solid one from beginning to end!

The first island we headed too, as all the islands in San Blas we visited, is home to members of the Kuna tribe. Fabian prides himself on his contacts with the Kuna community, and it gave us a brief insight into the way they live, eat and are educated.

Simple houses

After landing, we had a walk around the island and an impromptu basketball match with some of the kids took place.

That the Kuna, one of the smallest races of people on earth should play basketball was quite amusing, but what they lacked in height, they made up for in skill and aggression !

Lunch was in one of the Kuna houses, and the staple of rice, beans, potatoes and fish would become a familiar feature over the following days.

The following day, we headed to another island... and what an island it was !!

Remarkably, they even had cold beer.... that came in handy !!

This island was home to a couple of families of Kuna, who offered great hospitality as we walked, swam and snorkled around the island for a couple of days.

You may feel a touch of jealousy at these pictures... but thats ok !!

Slighty better than Skegness.

A perfect castaway island.

I really felt like staying there for a month !!

At night, a few little drinkies seemed to be in order, which led onto lots of little drinkies and then drinking games. Great fun !!

I have to say that this little sailing trip was one of the highlights of my cycling expedition so far, probably because it didnt involve the bicycle at all !! Making new friends, sharing stories, having new experiences and learning a little along the way is why I enjoy travelling so much.

The Sailing Koala

Eventually, it was time to make our way to Colombia... 40 hours of non stop sailing. Being in a little boat in the middle of the ocean is a bit of a crazy experience, especially when the auto pilot breaks, and you have to take shifts in steering the boat through the night as it is rocked by waves, and lightening cracks the sky overhead. I actually faired a lot better than i thought I would (thanks to some travel sickness pills), and towards the end, I had found my sea legs. Dolphins accompanied us some of the way, and at one point, Marlon was almost hit by a flying fish in the middle of the night that had decided to land in the Sailing Koala.