Originally Posted by mollydog

I would read ... and possibly contact Sjoerd Bakker. Read his advice here on
crossing Honduras. post #3 and #5.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...083#post465517

Originally Posted by markharf

Honduras is fine. Take that for what it's worth to you, but by the time you've been riding around for a while you're very likely to wonder what all the fuss was about. If in doubt, the northern routes are a lot easier and less hassle than the PanAm.

Mark

Originally Posted by haggis

I hope to be on same ship same day. Since I'm leaving the HUBB meet in late Sep in California, would you reckon I could make it to Panama without 1000km days?

Originally Posted by Peter Bodtke

Here are the link and some thoughts:

The Stahlratte
Some say it expensive, I say you get what you pay for. In my opinion you get a well oiled machine and a good reputation comes from year of service. I sailed with them twice, including the voyage to Jamaica and Cuba. I wish the boat was running when you need it...
http://www.stahlratte.org/27.0.html?&L=1

The Independence
I don't know much about this boat. It looks nice and I was thinking about taking it at one point. Dunno.
http://www.independence-ms.com/#!bikes

Jacqueline Catamaran (Fritz the Cat II)
I can't seem to find a website to make a reservation directly with Fritz. Your mileage may differ. This website is through a good hostel in Cartagena, the Mamallena. I stayed there. They require a deposit.
Panama City Hostels - Mamallena backpackers, Panama City | Panama City Hostels - Mamallena backpackers, Panama City

Below are some link to reviews for Jacqueline Catamaran (Fritz the Cat.) The boat is ~55 feet long vs. the Stalhratte 124 feet. Buy motion sickness pill either way and take them before the boat start moving. Some reviews talk about getting sea sick on Fitz the Cat. I don't remember anyone having problem on the Stalhratte going to Colombia, but a few had problems in the stronger seas going from Colombia to Jamaica. Motion sickness pills can make some people sleepy, but I recommend taking them.

The food is reported to be very good on Fritz as he was a chef. Meal on the Stalhratte were good, included lobster on my trip. Some reviews complain about over crowding on Fritz the Cat.

Positive blog post
Riding the Dream: Sailing on Fritz the Cat from Colombia to Panama

Mixed reviews
Sailing on the "Fritz on Jacqueline" from Panama - Cartagena Forum - TripAdvisor

I wouldn't book passage on the ferry given the stories that were posted on on the South America forum of the HUBB. I wish it was otherwise. I haven't seen any posts after the first voyage.

There is a recent post on the South America forum that details the steps and cost for airlifting from Bogota to Panama with Girag. Cost was $1030 per bike. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-bgo-pty-75383

If you airlift, you still have to buy a airplane ticket for yourself. By all reports a sea voyage is cheaper and more fun. Airlift is for those that get sea sick or have more money than time.

Originally Posted by TravelBugBlues

Yes, a lot of times I do wonder what all the fuss is about. But, I'm already a really experienced traveler, and have been since I was a teen. I've now ridden in Latin America for 17,000km, and as a soon to be solo-female motorcyclist on this trip, things are different than for a man... I was nearly kidnapped in Guatemala at 17, and sexually assaulted there at 21 (thank god I got away both times, unscathed except for some psychological trauma), and held at gunpoint in Brazil at 20, where I was born- and I'm a really careful traveler. I love Guatemala, but I hear Honduras is even worse!

I'll check out the northern routes. Any more info on that? Thanks!

Originally Posted by norschweger

Holy moses, you are a tough one!
Sorry to hear that you had all these incredible incidents!
from what I experienced (a bus ride from San Salvador to Utila, back via San Pedro Sula, then with the bike straight from the north to Nicaragua. No problems at all. If I remember correctly I was stopped by a cop when riding fast on the side of the road, passing others. He only advised me not to do it cause of the danger of getting a flat tire : )!
Suerte!

Originally Posted by norschweger

a pretty tight schedule I would say. I hope you are not riding a KTM, cause then you will need MOOOOOORE time. (at least if you need help or parts, do not think that the so-called dealers along the way know what they do or have parts, very few...)
Good luck!

Originally Posted by mollydog

yea, I agree, pretty tight for sure.
I think Steve will be on another Triumph, but not sure.

But that only allows about 20 days. If in a rush & have no interest in Mexico or any of the Cent. American countries ... then YES, you could make it, but you won't get many rest days.

Figure a day for every border ... so roughly 7 days there. With no mechanicals or weather delays ... you could make it but you won't see much along the way. Keep in mind you'll still be in rainy season ... late Sept./Oct. famous for Huge Natural Disasters in Cent. America. Roads/Bridges fail, Huge flooding, sometimes roads are closed for WEEKS.

Maybe take some time in Mexico (most under appreciated country in the region, IMO) So much variety in geography, flora/fauna: Beaches, Jungles, Mountains, Deserts. All there in spades. By November the best weather comes (once rain stops). Coolest time of year. Each country in Cent. America has it's own character ... and each has a Pacific side and a Caribbean side .. which are night and day different. Many a Garden of Eden to be discovered ... if you only take the time!

Originally Posted by TravelBugBlues

....things are different than for a man...I hear Honduras is even worse!

I'll check out the northern routes. Any more info on that? Thanks!