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27 Nov 2007
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Managua, Nicaragua
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gatogato missing in Panama... does anyone have news???
I just got this message this morning:
Hello,
I work with Geoff Tayner's (gatogato) father in Des Moines, Iowa and they have been unable to contact him for quite a few days now. I was wondering if you had anymore info than we have right now. It seems that it has been over 9 days since the last contact and he was to be taking a ship to Columbia. Do you think you could ask around and maybe find out some info? His parents are pretty worried.
We are hoping he is fine and just doesn't have access to internet. Please let us know if you have any info. Thank you.
Derrick
Gatogato stayed with me in Nicaragua a week. he is a 23 y/o who was traveling on the cheap side and taking several risk that where not necessary. the one that comes to mind is him sleeping outside of Managua at a gas station with no guard on the bed of a pick-up truck 
His website was last updated on the 12th of November. last i heard was that he was looking for a boat ride to Colombia and had heard of a guy that would take him for $250 including the bike. normal rate is around $550 and i told that $250 seem like a scam to me...
anyway... can any one help get news on him?
thank you!
S.
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27 Nov 2007
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Location: Hulme or India, this year
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Gatgato last posted here a week ago - which is more recent than his last blog update, no?
Last post on advrider was on November 18th and says 'hopefully catching a ship out of Colon tomorrow'
Hopefully he's somewhere in the Kuna Yala, blissfully unaware of the panic at home...
__________________
Que el cielo exista, aunque mi lugar sea el infierno...
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27 Nov 2007
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Hopefully, he is here.......
 lorraine 
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Location: Nomadic, currently in Peru
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invite to Colan, Northern Peru
Anyone coming down from Ecuador, or up from Lima, I'm staying at a kind of 'animal shelter' for at least the next week and a half. I have the run of the place, it's two blocks from the ocean, one street from the main drag. You can't miss my white Chevy van, parked outside. If you do, just ask for the animal place. It's a tiny resort town and the tourists don't arrive for another month, yeah! The only downside is there's NO internet here. So don't write me an email, just stop by.
Lorraine
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www.OnaMissionFromDog.com/dogblog.htm
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Hi Lorraine, I am currently in Panama City and am waiting until Monday to catch a ship to Columbia. If I make it to Peru before you leave I would like to stay with you. Thanks for the invite.
Geoff Tayner
The above are copied and posted from posts on this site, I hope this is where he is, having a  with Lorraine, In any case your in our thought and Prayers fella! Hope your safe
Martyn
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27 Nov 2007
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Update
The last his father heard is a customs guy recalled seeing him getting on a boat in Colon , taking a boat to Puerto Obaldia in the Darien Region of Panama with the intent to ride into Columbia . They are checking with the customs people in Puerto Obaldia to see if they recall seeing him come through. The customs guys advised that is isn’t advised to ride through this area as it is pretty rough. He was planning on camping or staying with people from couch surfer’s, with the intent of heading all the way down to Argentina .
If anyone has any info it would be great. Thanks for all your help so far.
Derrick
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27 Nov 2007
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If he went into the Darien Region he is taking a needless risk. It is not a safe region of Colombia. On the other side it is isolated so it maybe that he has no access. Dont know the sea conditions at the moment, but the boat from Colon would take approx 3-4 days depending on if they stopped at San Blas. If the sea is bad and its a small craft, you might add a day or two. Then Assuming a landing in Darien it could be another 3 - 4 days before he surfaces. So after 10 days I would start getting worried. Hope the dude is ok.
Just a suggestion but his family could check with Colombian Customs if the bike and his visa were registered. That way they will know at least if he arrived in Colombia.
Kev
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28 Nov 2007
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My last crossing from Panama to Cartegena took 8 days due to bad weather, maybe's he's still in San Blass. Either way, hope the dude's all-right, regardless of his bad desisions on leaving from Colon and entering the Darrien.
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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 19:35.
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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gatogato missing in Panama... does anyone have news???
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