Just Lies !
By michele luporini (not verified) - Posted on March 3rd, 2010I was in the trip Matthias is speacking about. He is just saying lies and there is a reason. let's see
1. the boat is not painted, that is true, but she is not dearty at all, at least it was not when we left, and has to be said that in the boat everythingh, EVERY works perfectely
2. It is true on the EPIRB there is the old label of 1998 but there is also the new of the 2003 ant it is valid for 10 years, the same for the liferaft.
3. Leonardo choose to have two lighter anchors on the same chain instead of one heavy. the result is exactely the same (perhaps better) but it is much easier and faster to lift it up.
4. Every one knows that when your are anchoring some time the anchor does not get into the mud and you have to anchor again. that happens quite often. What is important is that once finished the procedure of anchoring the boat does not move anymore. It is excatley what happened and the boat never moved after finished the anchoring procedure. In all the anchorages (many) were we have been.
5. The GPS worked perefctely. The GPS is a GPS receiver which send the information to the computer and the data are seen on the computer. The computer was working, some time, on his own batteries so some time he went in sleep mode. Leonardo had to "wake it up" and to establish the comunication with the GPS receiver again. Routine, simply ordinary routine.
6. Yes at a moment he made trhe mistake to poor water in one of the 5 diesel tanks. No one is perfect in the world! any how we had another 4 tanks and we had diesel enough to go and to come back.
7. Every one had to cook in the boat. That had been said from leonardo to everyone before we pay, every one knew and accepted that before going!
7. Every one had a bed ! if some one was sleeping on a matterass on the floor was because leonardo said that this was the best place to fight against the seasickness
8. Every one was allowed to have a shower every two days (in all the sail boat the water is limited). His girl friend the same. as far as I know!
9. His girl friend: Leonardo is not 62 but 52. Minellys, is girls friend is 25. That's true there is a big difference in age, but believe me, Matthias shows just to be a stupid jalous man: it was very evident to every one that the girl was full in love with leonardo. it could look strange but after knowin leonardo you can understand: he is really a special person!
Finally why Matthias write so bad about leonardo? Note that usually the price for the bike, in ALL THE BOAT, is the same as for the person and leonardo took his bike for 100 dolars less because Matthia claimed not to have money. so why to write so bad about him? the reason is simple. Beacuse the old german (as Matthias) couple. They were the worst people I met in my life. They had the best cabin (huge and full of comfort) in the boat in reason of the age. They never helped in any thingh, they never cooked, they never wasched dishes. They never did anythingh in the comunity. but everytime the meal was ready (an italian couple mainly cooked) they were there to get the food. some time they said "thankyou", some time. But never NEVER they helped in any thingh. The maximum was when the man was seasick and had to vomit. All of us we were sick and vomit out of the boat or in the sink: he vomited on the feet of leonardo who was stearing, and just in face of the italian girl who was near by. Umbelivable! and he did not apologize. Leonardo Had to clean his vomit from the floor of the cockpit!
The contract was for 5 days and 4 night. After the 5th day Leonardo asked them to leave the boat and to go sleep in some hostal (it is perfectly normal and obvious after the 5 full days payed) waiting for the day after to download the bike, they said they had no money to pay the hostal (can you believe that?) so leonardo let them to stay one night more in the boat....but with really a bad face: after 5 days of work he wanted back his cabin and he could not just because they did not want to pay an hostal for a night out of our contract!
The German couple were not speaking any english or spanish....just german, so theyr "connational" Matthia toke the charge! poor Matthia !
I was in the trip Matthias is speacking about. He is just saying lies and there is a reason. let's see
1. the boat is not painted, that is true, but she is not dearty at all, at least it was not when we left, and has to be said that in the boat everythingh, EVERY works perfectely
2. It is true on the EPIRB there is the old label of 1998 but there is also the new of the 2003 ant it is valid for 10 years, the same for the liferaft.
3. Leonardo choose to have two lighter anchors on the same chain instead of one heavy. the result is exactely the same (perhaps better) but it is much easier and faster to lift it up.
4. Every one knows that when your are anchoring some time the anchor does not get into the mud and you have to anchor again. that happens quite often. What is important is that once finished the procedure of anchoring the boat does not move anymore. It is excatley what happened and the boat never moved after finished the anchoring procedure. In all the anchorages (many) were we have been.
5. The GPS worked perefctely. The GPS is a GPS receiver which send the information to the computer and the data are seen on the computer. The computer was working, some time, on his own batteries so some time he went in sleep mode. Leonardo had to "wake it up" and to establish the comunication with the GPS receiver again. Routine, simply ordinary routine.
6. Yes at a moment he made trhe mistake to poor water in one of the 5 diesel tanks. No one is perfect in the world! any how we had another 4 tanks and we had diesel enough to go and to come back.
7. Every one had to cook in the boat. That had been said from leonardo to everyone before we pay, every one knew and accepted that before going!
7. Every one had a bed ! if some one was sleeping on a matterass on the floor was because leonardo said that this was the best place to fight against the seasickness
8. Every one was allowed to have a shower every two days (in all the sail boat the water is limited). His girl friend the same. as far as I know!
9. His girl friend: Leonardo is not 62 but 52. Minellys, is girls friend is 25. That's true there is a big difference in age, but believe me, Matthias shows just to be a stupid jalous man: it was very evident to every one that the girl was full in love with leonardo. it could look strange but after knowin leonardo you can understand: he is really a special person!
Finally why Matthias write so bad about leonardo? Note that usually the price for the bike, in ALL THE BOAT, is the same as for the person and leonardo took his bike for 100 dolars less because Matthia claimed not to have money. so why to write so bad about him? the reason is simple. Beacuse the old german (as Matthias) couple. They were the worst people I met in my life. They had the best cabin (huge and full of comfort) in the boat in reason of the age. They never helped in any thingh, they never cooked, they never wasched dishes. They never did anythingh in the comunity. but everytime the meal was ready (an italian couple mainly cooked) they were there to get the food. some time they said "thankyou", some time. But never NEVER they helped in any thingh. The maximum was when the man was seasick and had to vomit. All of us we were sick and vomit out of the boat or in the sink: he vomited on the feet of leonardo who was stearing, and just in face of the italian girl who was near by. Umbelivable! and he did not apologize. Leonardo Had to clean his vomit from the floor of the cockpit!
The contract was for 5 days and 4 night. After the 5th day Leonardo asked them to leave the boat and to go sleep in some hostal (it is perfectly normal and obvious after the 5 full days payed) waiting for the day after to download the bike, they said they had no money to pay the hostal (can you believe that?) so leonardo let them to stay one night more in the boat....but with really a bad face: after 5 days of work he wanted back his cabin and he could not just because they did not want to pay an hostal for a night out of our contract!
The German couple were not speaking any english or spanish....just german, so theyr "connational" Matthia toke the charge! poor Matthia !
I was in the trip Matthias is speacking about. He is just saying lies and there is a reason. let's see
1. the boat is not painted, that is true, but she is not dearty at all, at least it was not when we left, and has to be said that in the boat everythingh, EVERY works perfectely
2. It is true on the EPIRB there is the old label of 1998 but there is also the new of the 2003 ant it is valid for 10 years, the same for the liferaft.
3. Leonardo choose to have two lighter anchors on the same chain instead of one heavy. the result is exactely the same (perhaps better) but it is much easier and faster to lift it up.
4. Every one knows that when your are anchoring some time the anchor does not get into the mud and you have to anchor again. that happens quite often. What is important is that once finished the procedure of anchoring the boat does not move anymore. It is excatley what happened and the boat never moved after finished the anchoring procedure. In all the anchorages (many) were we have been.
5. The GPS worked perefctely. The GPS is a GPS receiver which send the information to the computer and the data are seen on the computer. The computer was working, some time, on his own batteries so some time he went in sleep mode. Leonardo had to "wake it up" and to establish the comunication with the GPS receiver again. Routine, simply ordinary routine.
6. Yes at a moment he made trhe mistake to poor water in one of the 5 diesel tanks. No one is perfect in the world! any how we had another 4 tanks and we had diesel enough to go and to come back.
7. Every one had to cook in the boat. That had been said from leonardo to everyone before we pay, every one knew and accepted that before going!
7. Every one had a bed ! if some one was sleeping on a matterass on the floor was because leonardo said that this was the best place to fight against the seasickness
8. Every one was allowed to have a shower every two days (in all the sail boat the water is limited). His girl friend the same. as far as I know!
9. His girl friend: Leonardo is not 62 but 52. Minellys, is girls friend is 25. That's true there is a big difference in age, but believe me, Matthias shows just to be a stupid jalous man: it was very evident to every one that the girl was full in love with leonardo. it could look strange but after knowin leonardo you can understand: he is really a special person!
Finally why Matthias write so bad about leonardo? Note that usually the price for the bike, in ALL THE BOAT, is the same as for the person and leonardo took his bike for 100 dolars less because Matthia claimed not to have money. so why to write so bad about him? the reason is simple. Beacuse the old german (as Matthias) couple. They were the worst people I met in my life. They had the best cabin (huge and full of comfort) in the boat in reason of the age. They never helped in any thingh, they never cooked, they never wasched dishes. They never did anythingh in the comunity. but everytime the meal was ready (an italian couple mainly cooked) they were there to get the food. some time they said "thankyou", some time. But never NEVER they helped in any thingh. The maximum was when the man was seasick and had to vomit. All of us we were sick and vomit out of the boat or in the sink: he vomited on the feet of leonardo who was stearing, and just in face of the italian girl who was near by. Umbelivable! and he did not apologize. Leonardo Had to clean his vomit from the floor of the cockpit!
The contract was for 5 days and 4 night. After the 5th day Leonardo asked them to leave the boat and to go sleep in some hostal (it is perfectly normal and obvious after the 5 full days payed) waiting for the day after to download the bike, they said they had no money to pay the hostal (can you believe that?) so leonardo let them to stay one night more in the boat....but with really a bad face: after 5 days of work he wanted back his cabin and he could not just because they did not want to pay an hostal for a night out of our contract!
The German couple were not speaking any english or spanish....just german, so theyr "connational" Matthia toke the charge! poor Matthia !
Well let me first say I admire you guys. Really, I am about to take a trip from san diego to seattle and after reading your blog I am begining to think I may want to do what you have done after I finish this trip. I have a question for you though. Why did you not go all the way to the tip of south america? Just wondering since you came from the top of canada. Cant wait to see what you two have planned next.
Shannon
I just came back from a sailing trip with the Zao and captain Leonardo.
First the good things: We arrived in Panama on time and San Blas is amazing!
But there are a few things that anybody should know before getting on the Zao. The Zao is not in a good condition. It's dirty and the security items have been checked last time 1998 (You could see that on the label at the EPIRB). We had no autopilot and the GPS wasn't working properly. So we had to make 2h-shifts and navigate with only a compass. We arrived in San Blas, but I don't want would have happened if we there would have been a storm or any other problems. The anchor is also to light for the boat and Leonardo knows that. But he doesn't want to buy a new heavier one. But that is really dangerous because one time we were anchoring but the current drove us into an other ship. We saw it and could prevent any damage, but if that would have happened at night...
Leonardo is also not a good captain. Without GPS he couldn't find the islands we wanted to go (San Blas consist of nearly 400 islands), so that we had to drive around for one hour and he really lost the orientation. And that in an area he says he traveled more than 150 times... He also mixed up the fuel with the water tank and filled water in it. Thanks god that we had good wind conditions and didn't need the engine.
One other thing is that he is a really strange character. If he likes you then you won't probably have any problems, but if not it will be an horror trip for you. I had no problems with him but I saw how he treated a old German couple. He even wanted to kick them out of there room, so that there would have to sleep outside on the deck (both being over 60 years old!). He finally didn't do it, but only because it was starting to rain... He also pointed out that he hates to work with backpackers, but he has to because of the money. Sometimes you feel that this is the only thing he interested in!
We also weren't allowed to take any showers during the five days because we had to safe water. No problem with that, but his "girlfriend" took a shower every day and even he took one. The food was OK, but we had to cook be ourselves. We all paid 350$ for the trip and between 250 and 350 for a motorbike. That's a lot if you think of that one guy even had to sleep on the floor because there was no bed for him. All in all if you compare that to the service of other boats that are sailing between Cartagena and San Blas than its really a bad deal.
So if you have a choice then don't go with Leonardo! If you don't have a choice then try to talk with him about the price...
One ting that also really annoyed me, but that is now my personal opinion and has nothing to do with the trip itself, is his poor "girlfriend". She only 17 and pregnant and Leonardo is 62!!! He was kissing and touching her all the time and everybody could see that she didn't enjoy that at all. She is really a child and Leonardo in my view a sick pervert!...
I just came back from a sailing trip with the Zao and captain Leonardo.
First the good things: We arrived in Panama on time and San Blas is amazing!
But there are a few things that anybody should know before getting on the Zao. The Zao is not in a good condition. It's dirty and the security items have been checked last time 1998 (You could see that on the label at the EPIRB). We had no autopilot and the GPS wasn't working properly. So we had to make 2h-shifts and navigate with only a compass. We arrived in San Blas, but I don't want would have happened if we there would have been a storm or any other problems. The anchor is also to light for the boat and Leonardo knows that. But he doesn't want to buy a new heavier one. But that is really dangerous because one time we were anchoring but the current drove us into an other ship. We saw it and could prevent any damage, but if that would have happened at night...
Leonardo is also not a good captain. Without GPS he couldn't find the islands we wanted to go (San Blas consist of nearly 400 islands), so that we had to drive around for one hour and he really lost the orientation. And that in an area he says he traveled more than 150 times... He also mixed up the fuel with the water tank and filled water in it. Thanks god that we had good wind conditions and didn't need the engine.
One other thing is that he is a really strange character. If he likes you then you won't probably have any problems, but if not it will be an horror trip for you. I had no problems with him but I saw how he treated a old German couple. He even wanted to kick them out of there room, so that there would have to sleep outside on the deck (both being over 60 years old!). He finally didn't do it, but only because it was starting to rain... He also pointed out that he hates to work with backpackers, but he has to because of the money. Sometimes you feel that this is the only thing he interested in!
We also weren't allowed to take any showers during the five days because we had to safe water. No problem with that, but his "girlfriend" took a shower every day and even he took one. The food was OK, but we had to cook be ourselves. We all paid 350$ for the trip and between 250 and 350 for a motorbike. That's a lot if you think of that one guy even had to sleep on the floor because there was no bed for him. All in all if you compare that to the service of other boats that are sailing between Cartagena and San Blas than its really a bad deal.
So if you have a choice then don't go with Leonardo! If you don't have a choice then try to talk with him about the price...
One ting that also really annoyed me, but that is now my personal opinion and has nothing to do with the trip itself, is his poor "girlfriend". She only 17 and pregnant and Leonardo is 62!!! He was kissing and touching her all the time and everybody could see that she didn't enjoy that at all. She is really a child and Leonardo in my view a sick pervert!...
Hi fellows,
I just had a marvelous trip with my bike from Panama Portobello to Cartagena on the Sail Vessel Zao and his Capt Leonardo. I was not entusiast about taking this boat because some bad stories on internet.....but was the only one at that moment, just 5 days, I tought. So I went. we were 8 people plus Leonardo, but the boat is so roomy that we felt perfectly comfortable (sorry for my english!). I must say that it is true the boat needs some cosmetics and a pair ow windows were liking when raining, yes, but all the important part for sailing are in more then perfect shape. Sail, rigging, engine, rudder etc. I repeat the boat is very comfortable. Leonardo is a special person. Full of knowledge (he was prof of physics at the university of Paris and Rome) and looks to be a very good sailor, he is always sure of what is dooing, and very important is completely sober, no alchool, no drugs, and this is not very usual in this environment. He has a special character, thats true. He is almost so nice with nice people as I think he can bad with people who he does not like. But an excellent sailor, I always felt very safe with him. We paied 375 for person and 375 for the bike, but we had a very nice tour in many (7 or 8) islands, we have been to Sapzurro and then to cartagena, 7 days in total. The food was ok, not luxury but very abundant. Finally, overall I feel right in advising him to all my bikers and backpackers friend traveling beteween cartagena and panama.
saludos
fritz
Thanks Ivana for the comment and checking in to the site. To answer your question. How does it feel to be back home. It is wonderful to have the same place to lay our heads down every night, have a place to plant a garden which is huge. and we have more then one pair of paints. We are still transitioning back into the local culture step by step which is kind of scary. We even bought a car, a very old car but still a car. We are enjoying seeing our famaily and having warm showers everyday. We miss the road and maybe ready in a year to do some more traveling but right now it is great to be back home.
congratulations on your great journey. I love the statistics above, you have proved once again that biketravelling is the only way to go and see the world and meet its wonderful people.
As mentioned by Bill, we often refer people to your website and will be reading your great stories a lot ourselves as we are slowly following your footsteps (now in Southern Baja California, about to cross over to Mexico).
Enjoy the rest, looking forward to the book of paintings, they look wonderful
Hi to everybody,
I am sailing my 50 foot yacht to Cartagena to start taking passengers from Cartagena through the San Blas to Panama or at least to the airstrip at the north of the Sanblas.
Could you please supply as much info as possible as to a route and the papers required.
Thanks
Hey, you did it! Isn't it amazing how far you can go by bicycle?
Stretch your legs and relax.
Cheers, Christian
PS. I have still in mind that you convinced me to join you on the junction somewhere east of Rocky Mt NP in summer 2002 to ride north towards Yellowstone NP.
You may or not remember me. I wrote to you a few times and rode my bike from Iowa to Panama City. Came back last month because of a knee injury. Recovering, will continue in the fall if all goes well.
Your photos on Flickr and the watercolors are nothing short of awsome.
If you have a chance, write me to the email above, cll me on my cell 319-594-2059 or contact me through my blog
Sailing betwen Panama and Colombia across San Blas
Hello
I am Javier Martin, Captain of the sailboat Twyla.
We are browsing through the Caribbean 3 years and the last 2 years we have been sailing between Panama and Colombia, often with passengers.
Initially between Cartagena and Portobelo, now Sapzurro / Capurgana and Miramar Panama.
We will be around another year on this route, then we have plans to make the route between Mexico and Cuba.
Actually we are the ones that we are opening this route. Because until now very little was known of Capurgana and Sapzurro.
Our guests, through distributing information and recommendations have contributed greatly to our best ever go this route.
For those interested in traveling with us, leave it the contac.
Hi Nancy,
My friend Anne and I met you along the side of the road in Costa Rica near Terimbina Rainforest Preserve. You stopped to talk to us and discovered that you and Anne knew some of the same people in Colorado. Congratulations on finishing your amazing trip. You are both an inspiration!!!
Joan
Thank you for sharing your experience. I was turned on to your web site from a couple I hosted last week Harry & Ivana who are amazing people & as you probably now are on a very similar Journey.
Thanks for the note. It has been an amazing trip. The bike touring bug is a great bug to have but nothing can be done about it but bike touring itself.
Just Lies !
By michele luporini (not verified) - Posted on March 3rd, 2010I was in the trip Matthias is speacking about. He is just saying lies and there is a reason. let's see
1. the boat is not painted, that is true, but she is not dearty at all, at least it was not when we left, and has to be said that in the boat everythingh, EVERY works perfectely
2. It is true on the EPIRB there is the old label of 1998 but there is also the new of the 2003 ant it is valid for 10 years, the same for the liferaft.
3. Leonardo choose to have two lighter anchors on the same chain instead of one heavy. the result is exactely the same (perhaps better) but it is much easier and faster to lift it up.
4. Every one knows that when your are anchoring some time the anchor does not get into the mud and you have to anchor again. that happens quite often. What is important is that once finished the procedure of anchoring the boat does not move anymore. It is excatley what happened and the boat never moved after finished the anchoring procedure. In all the anchorages (many) were we have been.
5. The GPS worked perefctely. The GPS is a GPS receiver which send the information to the computer and the data are seen on the computer. The computer was working, some time, on his own batteries so some time he went in sleep mode. Leonardo had to "wake it up" and to establish the comunication with the GPS receiver again. Routine, simply ordinary routine.
6. Yes at a moment he made trhe mistake to poor water in one of the 5 diesel tanks. No one is perfect in the world! any how we had another 4 tanks and we had diesel enough to go and to come back.
7. Every one had to cook in the boat. That had been said from leonardo to everyone before we pay, every one knew and accepted that before going!
7. Every one had a bed ! if some one was sleeping on a matterass on the floor was because leonardo said that this was the best place to fight against the seasickness
8. Every one was allowed to have a shower every two days (in all the sail boat the water is limited). His girl friend the same. as far as I know!
9. His girl friend: Leonardo is not 62 but 52. Minellys, is girls friend is 25. That's true there is a big difference in age, but believe me, Matthias shows just to be a stupid jalous man: it was very evident to every one that the girl was full in love with leonardo. it could look strange but after knowin leonardo you can understand: he is really a special person!
Finally why Matthias write so bad about leonardo? Note that usually the price for the bike, in ALL THE BOAT, is the same as for the person and leonardo took his bike for 100 dolars less because Matthia claimed not to have money. so why to write so bad about him? the reason is simple. Beacuse the old german (as Matthias) couple. They were the worst people I met in my life. They had the best cabin (huge and full of comfort) in the boat in reason of the age. They never helped in any thingh, they never cooked, they never wasched dishes. They never did anythingh in the comunity. but everytime the meal was ready (an italian couple mainly cooked) they were there to get the food. some time they said "thankyou", some time. But never NEVER they helped in any thingh. The maximum was when the man was seasick and had to vomit. All of us we were sick and vomit out of the boat or in the sink: he vomited on the feet of leonardo who was stearing, and just in face of the italian girl who was near by. Umbelivable! and he did not apologize. Leonardo Had to clean his vomit from the floor of the cockpit!
The contract was for 5 days and 4 night. After the 5th day Leonardo asked them to leave the boat and to go sleep in some hostal (it is perfectly normal and obvious after the 5 full days payed) waiting for the day after to download the bike, they said they had no money to pay the hostal (can you believe that?) so leonardo let them to stay one night more in the boat....but with really a bad face: after 5 days of work he wanted back his cabin and he could not just because they did not want to pay an hostal for a night out of our contract!
The German couple were not speaking any english or spanish....just german, so theyr "connational" Matthia toke the charge! poor Matthia !
I was in the trip Matthias is speacking about. He is just saying lies and there is a reason. let's see
1. the boat is not painted, that is true, but she is not dearty at all, at least it was not when we left, and has to be said that in the boat everythingh, EVERY works perfectely
2. It is true on the EPIRB there is the old label of 1998 but there is also the new of the 2003 ant it is valid for 10 years, the same for the liferaft.
3. Leonardo choose to have two lighter anchors on the same chain instead of one heavy. the result is exactely the same (perhaps better) but it is much easier and faster to lift it up.
4. Every one knows that when your are anchoring some time the anchor does not get into the mud and you have to anchor again. that happens quite often. What is important is that once finished the procedure of anchoring the boat does not move anymore. It is excatley what happened and the boat never moved after finished the anchoring procedure. In all the anchorages (many) were we have been.
5. The GPS worked perefctely. The GPS is a GPS receiver which send the information to the computer and the data are seen on the computer. The computer was working, some time, on his own batteries so some time he went in sleep mode. Leonardo had to "wake it up" and to establish the comunication with the GPS receiver again. Routine, simply ordinary routine.
6. Yes at a moment he made trhe mistake to poor water in one of the 5 diesel tanks. No one is perfect in the world! any how we had another 4 tanks and we had diesel enough to go and to come back.
7. Every one had to cook in the boat. That had been said from leonardo to everyone before we pay, every one knew and accepted that before going!
7. Every one had a bed ! if some one was sleeping on a matterass on the floor was because leonardo said that this was the best place to fight against the seasickness
8. Every one was allowed to have a shower every two days (in all the sail boat the water is limited). His girl friend the same. as far as I know!
9. His girl friend: Leonardo is not 62 but 52. Minellys, is girls friend is 25. That's true there is a big difference in age, but believe me, Matthias shows just to be a stupid jalous man: it was very evident to every one that the girl was full in love with leonardo. it could look strange but after knowin leonardo you can understand: he is really a special person!
Finally why Matthias write so bad about leonardo? Note that usually the price for the bike, in ALL THE BOAT, is the same as for the person and leonardo took his bike for 100 dolars less because Matthia claimed not to have money. so why to write so bad about him? the reason is simple. Beacuse the old german (as Matthias) couple. They were the worst people I met in my life. They had the best cabin (huge and full of comfort) in the boat in reason of the age. They never helped in any thingh, they never cooked, they never wasched dishes. They never did anythingh in the comunity. but everytime the meal was ready (an italian couple mainly cooked) they were there to get the food. some time they said "thankyou", some time. But never NEVER they helped in any thingh. The maximum was when the man was seasick and had to vomit. All of us we were sick and vomit out of the boat or in the sink: he vomited on the feet of leonardo who was stearing, and just in face of the italian girl who was near by. Umbelivable! and he did not apologize. Leonardo Had to clean his vomit from the floor of the cockpit!
The contract was for 5 days and 4 night. After the 5th day Leonardo asked them to leave the boat and to go sleep in some hostal (it is perfectly normal and obvious after the 5 full days payed) waiting for the day after to download the bike, they said they had no money to pay the hostal (can you believe that?) so leonardo let them to stay one night more in the boat....but with really a bad face: after 5 days of work he wanted back his cabin and he could not just because they did not want to pay an hostal for a night out of our contract!
The German couple were not speaking any english or spanish....just german, so theyr "connational" Matthia toke the charge! poor Matthia !
I was in the trip Matthias is speacking about. He is just saying lies and there is a reason. let's see
1. the boat is not painted, that is true, but she is not dearty at all, at least it was not when we left, and has to be said that in the boat everythingh, EVERY works perfectely
2. It is true on the EPIRB there is the old label of 1998 but there is also the new of the 2003 ant it is valid for 10 years, the same for the liferaft.
3. Leonardo choose to have two lighter anchors on the same chain instead of one heavy. the result is exactely the same (perhaps better) but it is much easier and faster to lift it up.
4. Every one knows that when your are anchoring some time the anchor does not get into the mud and you have to anchor again. that happens quite often. What is important is that once finished the procedure of anchoring the boat does not move anymore. It is excatley what happened and the boat never moved after finished the anchoring procedure. In all the anchorages (many) were we have been.
5. The GPS worked perefctely. The GPS is a GPS receiver which send the information to the computer and the data are seen on the computer. The computer was working, some time, on his own batteries so some time he went in sleep mode. Leonardo had to "wake it up" and to establish the comunication with the GPS receiver again. Routine, simply ordinary routine.
6. Yes at a moment he made trhe mistake to poor water in one of the 5 diesel tanks. No one is perfect in the world! any how we had another 4 tanks and we had diesel enough to go and to come back.
7. Every one had to cook in the boat. That had been said from leonardo to everyone before we pay, every one knew and accepted that before going!
7. Every one had a bed ! if some one was sleeping on a matterass on the floor was because leonardo said that this was the best place to fight against the seasickness
8. Every one was allowed to have a shower every two days (in all the sail boat the water is limited). His girl friend the same. as far as I know!
9. His girl friend: Leonardo is not 62 but 52. Minellys, is girls friend is 25. That's true there is a big difference in age, but believe me, Matthias shows just to be a stupid jalous man: it was very evident to every one that the girl was full in love with leonardo. it could look strange but after knowin leonardo you can understand: he is really a special person!
Finally why Matthias write so bad about leonardo? Note that usually the price for the bike, in ALL THE BOAT, is the same as for the person and leonardo took his bike for 100 dolars less because Matthia claimed not to have money. so why to write so bad about him? the reason is simple. Beacuse the old german (as Matthias) couple. They were the worst people I met in my life. They had the best cabin (huge and full of comfort) in the boat in reason of the age. They never helped in any thingh, they never cooked, they never wasched dishes. They never did anythingh in the comunity. but everytime the meal was ready (an italian couple mainly cooked) they were there to get the food. some time they said "thankyou", some time. But never NEVER they helped in any thingh. The maximum was when the man was seasick and had to vomit. All of us we were sick and vomit out of the boat or in the sink: he vomited on the feet of leonardo who was stearing, and just in face of the italian girl who was near by. Umbelivable! and he did not apologize. Leonardo Had to clean his vomit from the floor of the cockpit!
The contract was for 5 days and 4 night. After the 5th day Leonardo asked them to leave the boat and to go sleep in some hostal (it is perfectly normal and obvious after the 5 full days payed) waiting for the day after to download the bike, they said they had no money to pay the hostal (can you believe that?) so leonardo let them to stay one night more in the boat....but with really a bad face: after 5 days of work he wanted back his cabin and he could not just because they did not want to pay an hostal for a night out of our contract!
The German couple were not speaking any english or spanish....just german, so theyr "connational" Matthia toke the charge! poor Matthia !
Well let me first say I admire you guys. Really, I am about to take a trip from san diego to seattle and after reading your blog I am begining to think I may want to do what you have done after I finish this trip. I have a question for you though. Why did you not go all the way to the tip of south america? Just wondering since you came from the top of canada. Cant wait to see what you two have planned next.
Shannon
Gracias Dick, por todo el apoyo por haber hecho esta pagina, nos ha dado mas amigos..siempre son bienvenidos en Queretaro
www.ciclonautas.com
Hi,
I just came back from a sailing trip with the Zao and captain Leonardo.
First the good things: We arrived in Panama on time and San Blas is amazing!
But there are a few things that anybody should know before getting on the Zao. The Zao is not in a good condition. It's dirty and the security items have been checked last time 1998 (You could see that on the label at the EPIRB). We had no autopilot and the GPS wasn't working properly. So we had to make 2h-shifts and navigate with only a compass. We arrived in San Blas, but I don't want would have happened if we there would have been a storm or any other problems. The anchor is also to light for the boat and Leonardo knows that. But he doesn't want to buy a new heavier one. But that is really dangerous because one time we were anchoring but the current drove us into an other ship. We saw it and could prevent any damage, but if that would have happened at night...
Leonardo is also not a good captain. Without GPS he couldn't find the islands we wanted to go (San Blas consist of nearly 400 islands), so that we had to drive around for one hour and he really lost the orientation. And that in an area he says he traveled more than 150 times... He also mixed up the fuel with the water tank and filled water in it. Thanks god that we had good wind conditions and didn't need the engine.
One other thing is that he is a really strange character. If he likes you then you won't probably have any problems, but if not it will be an horror trip for you. I had no problems with him but I saw how he treated a old German couple. He even wanted to kick them out of there room, so that there would have to sleep outside on the deck (both being over 60 years old!). He finally didn't do it, but only because it was starting to rain... He also pointed out that he hates to work with backpackers, but he has to because of the money. Sometimes you feel that this is the only thing he interested in!
We also weren't allowed to take any showers during the five days because we had to safe water. No problem with that, but his "girlfriend" took a shower every day and even he took one. The food was OK, but we had to cook be ourselves. We all paid 350$ for the trip and between 250 and 350 for a motorbike. That's a lot if you think of that one guy even had to sleep on the floor because there was no bed for him. All in all if you compare that to the service of other boats that are sailing between Cartagena and San Blas than its really a bad deal.
So if you have a choice then don't go with Leonardo! If you don't have a choice then try to talk with him about the price...
One ting that also really annoyed me, but that is now my personal opinion and has nothing to do with the trip itself, is his poor "girlfriend". She only 17 and pregnant and Leonardo is 62!!! He was kissing and touching her all the time and everybody could see that she didn't enjoy that at all. She is really a child and Leonardo in my view a sick pervert!...
Cheers,
Mathias
Hi,
I just came back from a sailing trip with the Zao and captain Leonardo.
First the good things: We arrived in Panama on time and San Blas is amazing!
But there are a few things that anybody should know before getting on the Zao. The Zao is not in a good condition. It's dirty and the security items have been checked last time 1998 (You could see that on the label at the EPIRB). We had no autopilot and the GPS wasn't working properly. So we had to make 2h-shifts and navigate with only a compass. We arrived in San Blas, but I don't want would have happened if we there would have been a storm or any other problems. The anchor is also to light for the boat and Leonardo knows that. But he doesn't want to buy a new heavier one. But that is really dangerous because one time we were anchoring but the current drove us into an other ship. We saw it and could prevent any damage, but if that would have happened at night...
Leonardo is also not a good captain. Without GPS he couldn't find the islands we wanted to go (San Blas consist of nearly 400 islands), so that we had to drive around for one hour and he really lost the orientation. And that in an area he says he traveled more than 150 times... He also mixed up the fuel with the water tank and filled water in it. Thanks god that we had good wind conditions and didn't need the engine.
One other thing is that he is a really strange character. If he likes you then you won't probably have any problems, but if not it will be an horror trip for you. I had no problems with him but I saw how he treated a old German couple. He even wanted to kick them out of there room, so that there would have to sleep outside on the deck (both being over 60 years old!). He finally didn't do it, but only because it was starting to rain... He also pointed out that he hates to work with backpackers, but he has to because of the money. Sometimes you feel that this is the only thing he interested in!
We also weren't allowed to take any showers during the five days because we had to safe water. No problem with that, but his "girlfriend" took a shower every day and even he took one. The food was OK, but we had to cook be ourselves. We all paid 350$ for the trip and between 250 and 350 for a motorbike. That's a lot if you think of that one guy even had to sleep on the floor because there was no bed for him. All in all if you compare that to the service of other boats that are sailing between Cartagena and San Blas than its really a bad deal.
So if you have a choice then don't go with Leonardo! If you don't have a choice then try to talk with him about the price...
One ting that also really annoyed me, but that is now my personal opinion and has nothing to do with the trip itself, is his poor "girlfriend". She only 17 and pregnant and Leonardo is 62!!! He was kissing and touching her all the time and everybody could see that she didn't enjoy that at all. She is really a child and Leonardo in my view a sick pervert!...
Cheers,
Mathias
Hola Nancy y Randy. Me alegra saber que esten bien y que recuerden a mi pais con tanto afecto. Nosotros aca los recormadomos mucho
Un Abrazo
Hi fellows,
I just had a marvelous trip with my bike from Panama Portobello to Cartagena on the Sail Vessel Zao and his Capt Leonardo. I was not entusiast about taking this boat because some bad stories on internet.....but was the only one at that moment, just 5 days, I tought. So I went. we were 8 people plus Leonardo, but the boat is so roomy that we felt perfectly comfortable (sorry for my english!). I must say that it is true the boat needs some cosmetics and a pair ow windows were liking when raining, yes, but all the important part for sailing are in more then perfect shape. Sail, rigging, engine, rudder etc. I repeat the boat is very comfortable. Leonardo is a special person. Full of knowledge (he was prof of physics at the university of Paris and Rome) and looks to be a very good sailor, he is always sure of what is dooing, and very important is completely sober, no alchool, no drugs, and this is not very usual in this environment. He has a special character, thats true. He is almost so nice with nice people as I think he can bad with people who he does not like. But an excellent sailor, I always felt very safe with him. We paied 375 for person and 375 for the bike, but we had a very nice tour in many (7 or 8) islands, we have been to Sapzurro and then to cartagena, 7 days in total. The food was ok, not luxury but very abundant. Finally, overall I feel right in advising him to all my bikers and backpackers friend traveling beteween cartagena and panama.
saludos
fritz
Thanks Ivana for the comment and checking in to the site. To answer your question. How does it feel to be back home. It is wonderful to have the same place to lay our heads down every night, have a place to plant a garden which is huge. and we have more then one pair of paints. We are still transitioning back into the local culture step by step which is kind of scary. We even bought a car, a very old car but still a car. We are enjoying seeing our famaily and having warm showers everyday. We miss the road and maybe ready in a year to do some more traveling but right now it is great to be back home.
It is a beautifull post ! thanks so much ! How does it feel to be back at home?
Hi Randy & Nancy,
congratulations on your great journey. I love the statistics above, you have proved once again that biketravelling is the only way to go and see the world and meet its wonderful people.
As mentioned by Bill, we often refer people to your website and will be reading your great stories a lot ourselves as we are slowly following your footsteps (now in Southern Baja California, about to cross over to Mexico).
Enjoy the rest, looking forward to the book of paintings, they look wonderful
All the best,
Harry & Ivana
www.WorldOnaBike.com
Hi to everybody,
I am sailing my 50 foot yacht to Cartagena to start taking passengers from Cartagena through the San Blas to Panama or at least to the airstrip at the north of the Sanblas.
Could you please supply as much info as possible as to a route and the papers required.
Thanks
Julian
Hey, you did it! Isn't it amazing how far you can go by bicycle?
Stretch your legs and relax.
Cheers, Christian
PS. I have still in mind that you convinced me to join you on the junction somewhere east of Rocky Mt NP in summer 2002 to ride north towards Yellowstone NP.
gracias, por tus comentarios, te agradesco que nos envies tus comentarios, y queretaro tambien esta a tu disposicion.
Nancy,
What wonderful paintings, and what a wonderderful way to preserve this trip and share it. You amaze me.
Merle
Randy and Nancy,
You may or not remember me. I wrote to you a few times and rode my bike from Iowa to Panama City. Came back last month because of a knee injury. Recovering, will continue in the fall if all goes well.
Your photos on Flickr and the watercolors are nothing short of awsome.
If you have a chance, write me to the email above, cll me on my cell 319-594-2059 or contact me through my blog
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?o=3Tzut&doc_id=4246&v=gc
I am uploading my photos to flickr too
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mauroheck/
Best to you
Mauro Heck
We've been silently folowing you over the years.
Jeez!
Who'd think that, after our meet in 2003 you'd go for a similar American Experience.
We hope you had fun.
We also hope that you will enjoy the memories!
kisses
Dick and Els
and yes... we will meet again!
Sailing betwen Panama and Colombia across San Blas
Hello
I am Javier Martin, Captain of the sailboat Twyla.
We are browsing through the Caribbean 3 years and the last 2 years we have been sailing between Panama and Colombia, often with passengers.
Initially between Cartagena and Portobelo, now Sapzurro / Capurgana and Miramar Panama.
We will be around another year on this route, then we have plans to make the route between Mexico and Cuba.
Actually we are the ones that we are opening this route. Because until now very little was known of Capurgana and Sapzurro.
Our guests, through distributing information and recommendations have contributed greatly to our best ever go this route.
For those interested in traveling with us, leave it the contac.
To put out to sea
http://toputouttosea.googlepages.com
Hacerse a la mar
Hacersealamar@gmail.com
Greetings.
Hi Nancy,
My friend Anne and I met you along the side of the road in Costa Rica near Terimbina Rainforest Preserve. You stopped to talk to us and discovered that you and Anne knew some of the same people in Colorado. Congratulations on finishing your amazing trip. You are both an inspiration!!!
Joan
Congratulations guys, glad to hear you made it safe to the end!
Cheers
Steve and Jen
Thank you for sharing your experience. I was turned on to your web site from a couple I hosted last week Harry & Ivana who are amazing people & as you probably now are on a very similar Journey.
Hum. I like the idea. Will you join us?
Thanks for the note. It has been an amazing trip. The bike touring bug is a great bug to have but nothing can be done about it but bike touring itself.
See you in Colorado soon.
Congrats on making your trip guys! I think I've caught the traveling bug from you guys and it's not going to be letting up anytime soon :)