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2 Dec 2007
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Sorry, I've taken this down for now!
Last edited by TT-Kira; 5 Dec 2007 at 20:35.
Reason: Personal reasons
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2 Dec 2007
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Please email me this contact info
Quote:
Originally Posted by TT-Kira
Hi Kira
My friend and I were booked on the Melody to leave Portobelo on 15th also, but my friend's bank unexpectedly cancelled her card so we got put off the boat and had to wait for the next one, the Ailsa Craig that was leaving 4 days later. When we were getting on the Melody at 6am on 15th, a guy turned up on a motorbike and asked Mark the captain if he had any room. Mark was already overbooked and said there was no room. He advised the guy who I assume to be Geoff, to go to Bocas and hang out for a while until another boat left, or to go to Colon and try his luck asking around there. I never spoke to Geoff but saw him riding in Sabanita when we got in on the bus, and then the next morning at the dock. We stayed in the tiny town of Portobelo for the next 4 days and were walking around frequently and never saw him again so I imagine he left straight away, I guess for Colon.
I am still in contact with the Captain of the Ailsa Craig who seems to know everyone in the business in both Panama, Colombia and on the San Blas. I also know some guys that were on my boat and stayed in Cartagena for a while, so maybe they might know something. Maybe you should start a new thread and if you need me to email anyone let me know.
Finn
I CAN'T AUTHENTICATE THIS BUT IT MIGHT BE WORTH SOMEONE LOGGING ONTO THE THORN TREE & FOLLOWING IT UP ... IF IT HELPS Panama to Colombia Boat Trip feedback ... - Thorn Tree Travel Forum - Lonely Planet
Kira |
Kira,
Can you send me Finn's info so we can get his contact info for the Captain of the Ailsa Craig. This is good information and I know that Geoff's parents would like to talk with Finn as well as his contacts.
Thanks for all of your help. With all of the lines in the water we are sure to get a bite or two!
Derrick
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2 Dec 2007
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Derrick,
Could you please check your e-mail ASAP, Finn sent one to me & I've forwarded it on ... it was definitely Geoff he saw apparently
Kira
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3 Dec 2007
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Update
This email came today. We have sent out emails to those listed in this post and are crossing our fingers.
Thank you again for all your support. We will let you know if we hear anything new.
Derrick
Quote:
I am Finn that Kira from Lonely Planet posted my message on the rider sites. I can't post on them but googled and found your email. I saw the photo and it was definitely Geoff that we saw first in Sabanita and then in Portobelo trying to get on the boat on 15th. I have emailed a couple of guys that may have spoken to him in Portobelo, that were on my boat. If you want, I can contact our captain because he lives in Portobelo and owns the local restaurant El Drake where all the sailors hang out and where backpackers go to ask about boats leaving soon. They might know something there if Geoff was asking around. The captain is probably on his way back from Cartagena to Portobelo now so might be out of touch for a few days.
Also you could try Stuart and Lee, they organise most of the boat trips for backpackers out of their hostel Mamallena in Panama City. They know of most of the captains and boats and might know those 4 people you listed because they might have sent them there. They should have records of all the people they send on the boats because they write it up and give receipts for the deposits etc.
We came into Cartagena and had to wait in the yacht club the entire day to get our passports processed with the agent, a guy called Manfred that was mentioned on one of the forums, but it didn't sound like Geoff was headed for Cartagena if he wanted to ride across the Darien.
Let me know if I can be of anymore help and let's hope it's all a big fuss for nothing.
Finn
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3 Dec 2007
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We know the name of the boat!
We just got this information a few minutes ago from the Embassy in Panama:
Quote:
The captain's name is Thomas Martinez, the boat's name is M/N Lya
Del Mar, and it is a Panamanian flagged boat.
Inspector Cummings said today that the boat has not returned to Colon. He has put out a bulletin to all area immigration offices to be on the lookout
for this boat and its captain so that he can question the captain about
the boat's whereabouts over the past several weeks (and to inquire about Geoffrey's welfare and whereabouts).
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They are going to let us know as soon they get any information.
Thanks for all the positive thoughts. Lets keep those fingers crossed for more info.
Derrick
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3 Dec 2007
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Excellent! I trust Geoffrey is going to be very embarrassed when all this is over. But, better that than folks not caring!
Lorraine
PS Adamsonwd you've got a message in your mailbox. Yes, I am the dog lady!
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5 Dec 2007
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Newest Update on Boat Transportation
We have many more details now. We were able to find out that Geoff and the other three passengers had their passports stamped at Puerto Obaldia on November 25th. Next, they had their passports stamped at Capurgana--I'm not sure if it was the same day or not.
Apparently, you would have to get on another boat to get to Capurgana from Puerto Obaldia. Geoff's was the only motorcycle. The German fellow and the Colombian girl seemed to be a couple.
We were not able to speak with the inspector at Capurgana today and hope to reach him by phone tomorrow.
Hopefully we can find out what boat he took into Colombia or what his destination was.
Thanks for all the support,
Derrick
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5 Dec 2007
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Thank You Derrick
Once he gets to Columbia there are people that will help. If we get his location down to a day or two things will be better for everyone involved.
It is nice to see a global and Internet collaboration to find him.  I am very pleased with the help.
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5 Dec 2007
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For those of you following along, this was posted earlier today on advrider:
"
Waiting for Geoff to call
We have confirmation (almost 100%) that Geoff is currently in route from a small island into port. We are not for sure when he will be arriving but he will be told, when he arrives, to contact his family.
We will update for sure to confirm 100% that he is safe and what his plans are for the rest of the trip, after we get the phone call, but until then, Geoff's family would like to thank EVERYONE for their support and help in locating him. This site as well as others have been a great resource as well as "support" group for everyone involved.
Thank you and have safe travels,
Derrick"
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6 Dec 2007
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Waiting for Geoff to call
We have confirmation (almost 100%) that Geoff is currently in route from a small island into port. We are not for sure when he will be arriving but he will be told, when he arrives, to contact his family.
We will update for sure to confirm 100% that he is safe and what his plans are for the rest of the trip, after we get the phone call, but until then, Geoff's family would like to thank EVERYONE for their support and help in locating him. This site as well as others have been a great resource as well as "support" group for everyone involved.
Thank you and have safe travels,
Derrick
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7 Dec 2007
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Geoff is ok and safe
Geoff posted on Adv.Rider, he is safe and sound. He will most likely post here as well.  
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7 Dec 2007
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Great News!
That is Great News!
His Family arent gonna know weather to Hug him or Hit him! Finally his Mum can get some sleep.......
Glad he is safe though
Martyn
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7 Dec 2007
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Yes!!!
Great news. Nice to see so many kind people out there helping out...
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7 Dec 2007
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As a newcomer to horizons its fantastic to see how every body chipped in and helped with this,
a mate told me all about this on the way to the Bike show at the NEC last week and I have followed the tale as it unfolded.
You all deserve a pat on the back, I bet his parents are so relieved
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12 Dec 2007
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Can someoen please post...is he found? I wa on that boat...
Guys,
this is bringin back the darkest point of my own trip. A Captain named Tomas, a german (pig, paedophile this guy...) named Andre who owned half the contrabnad on the boat and got em in shitloads of trouble trying to extort money from me.
They don't dock in Colombia because they run contraband. They sell tickets to Cartagena (i paid $200) and then unload in a town called Monito West of Lorica.
Thye refuel legally in San Blas Islands at a common island, then go to a second island and wait for phone calls to verify the movements of the Colombian Coast guard.
The Kuna won't let the contrabandistas on the island but chage them for dockage. The let me and a Russian who was also on the boat as a traveller on the island, and treated us very well.
I am quite concerned for this lad if he was on this same boat.
Hope all is hunky dory, I eagerly await the good news.
Chris
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