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 http://s3.amazonaws.com/advrider/eek7.gif

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.

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...

Hopefully, he is here.......
 

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub.../Animal013.gif lorraine http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...er_offline.gif
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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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1 Week Ago
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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 beer with Lorraine, In any case your in our thought and Prayers fella! Hope your safe

Martyn

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

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

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.

Geoff Tayner
 

Mike and I left Geoff in Portobelo on Nov 14/07.We had booked the Melody to Catagena on the 15th.He wanted to find a cheeper way to get to Colombia.I think he may just be unable to post because of no internet access.He wanted to meet up with us in Colombia,so I am also waiting to hear from him.I am sure he will turn up save and sound soon!........Wayne Adamson

Lorraine here, no, I have not heard from him either, but I would also quell panic. If he's taking an alternative route, it will take longer. This is the huge problem with email. If this was ten years ago, people would only expect postcards occasionally and no one would be worried for months. Hopefully, he's having the kind of adventures I had at 23!
Lorraine

Lorraine,are you the same(dog lady) that Mark and Paola from the Melody talked about while we were at sea?I am working my way to Peru and down to Argentina.I would like to meet you if our paths ever cross.............Wayne

Hope this fella works everything out alright. I'm bad about not really contacting family folks back home when im away, but they expect something every day... im a once a week kind of person.

I'm planning a trip to the Darien Gap from Louisiana in May. I plan to go as far as I can, but don't care to get caught up in something risky like this guy is doing.... I'm only 21 but hell, I've traveled a decent bit of Central America already and have a pretty good knowledge of what to expect. I plan to see the interesting stuff and travel adventurously, but NOT take the unneeded risks like this fella.

Geoff, I hope you read this when you finally get back to civilization. You should realize that at your (our) young age, we do have a bit of naive-ness that we cover with our adolescent ego. You need to figure out how to balance that with your safety and your awesome experiences. There's no need to put yourself in a situation that can get you killed or screwed up for the rest of your life. Not to mention your family. Do you know how upset, worried, frustrated they are?

I had a two-day mishap in Nicaragua that caused my family to contact embassies and stuff... Nothing happened except a LACK of communication and a long bus ride.
Geoff, I contacted you through your website a few weeks ago... and you told me not to take the trip, especially not at my age and alone. I think you might have been using your experiences to tell me that? Why did you tell me that anyways?

Make it home safe, Vaya con Dios, and keep the rubber side down! Tell us the story when you get back.
Scott

from Geof parents.

PLEASE chech the latest development on ADV

gatogato missing in Panama. does anyone have news??? - Page 4 - ADVrider

I just sent a letter to Leonardo Cerrito, a captain that sails from Cartegena to Portobelo regularly. I explained the situation to him, maybe he can provide some intel. If anyone else out there is still in contact with their captains, maybe do the same and fire off an e-mail to them, this may help.

Does anyone know any of these individuals?
 

I hate seeing posts like these, brings back bad memories of my brother missing in Kashmir for a while. But again I also started travelling before we had the net so god knows what my parents went through.

Can I make some very 'basic' suggestions to family; you might have already done this ....

1. Check ATM records via his bank.
2. Get into his e-mail account.
3. Log onto Couchsurfing (as he seems to use it) and make contact with people there, I've just been on myself trying to see if there's any 'sign' of things that would help and there's a long piece about the ferry from someone on the ground who might be able to help with names of boats, captains etc. CouchSurfing - Panama
4. Go on other forums if you haven't already. I will post on the Thorn Tree now for you with a link to this thread.

Best of luck, I'm sure he's out there somewhere 'far' from a computer!

Kira

Sorry, I've taken this down for now!

Please email me this contact info
 

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

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

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

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).

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

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!

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

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. :thumbup1: I am very pleased with the help.

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"


:thumbup1:

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

Geoff is ok and safe
 

Geoff posted on Adv.Rider, he is safe and sound. He will most likely post here as well. :mchappy::clap:

Great News!
 

That is Great News!:clap:


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

Yes!!!
 

Great news. Nice to see so many kind people out there helping out... :thumbup1:

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

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

Chiris

He's safe & alive


Why he's not posted on here is beyond my comprehenson but he's OK

Kira

He posted on Av-Rider, fairly miffed with his mother as he had warned her he would be out of touch for a while. Apparently the official reception committee waiting for the boat to dock numbered in the hundreds... There's a link somewhere else on the HUBB to that post. Can't find it right now.

Regards

Nigel in NZ

Apparently safe and well and blaming foreigners for not speaking English. And no, I can't understand why he hasn't had the manners to post here.

I'll never forget how Vanna's shiny blonde hair and cute breasts bounced when I screamed my guess of "exaggeration" to Alex.
There's no way they would be willing to split the loot that many ways....

Hanging onto the side of the tiger might be OK for a few rides. Two, Three and Twelve don't come up that often.
When you ride on his back, he always comes back alone.

Great stuff, really....

Hey guys, sorry for not posting here earlier. Thank you to everyone who searched for me. I really appreciate your concern.

The Cafes de Cyber that don't allow you to smoke while transferring thoughts to worn keys can make it tough in getting beyond a simple sentence or few.

Be safe....

This is a bit of a anti-climatic ending to what was likely a wonderful adventure. This 23 year old, (who I don't know) decided to do something different. He didn't blindly follow the Lonely Planet guidebook. He decided to cross the Darien Gap in a way most people don't. At some point, you have to trust a person for them doing what they think is best. My hat is off to him. I hope he continues living life to the fullest, and sets an example to others to take a few steps off the beaten track.
Lorraine

Abso-bleedin-lutly,Dang tootin!!!

The story
 

http://www.pix8.net/pro/pic/15199SLKAI/1082817.jpg

GatoGato's thread on ADVrider about the adventure crossing the Darien Gap. CLICK HERE

Good going shipmate!
 

It's a bitch when you tell your parents that you will be out of contact for a while, and they take no notice.
It's hard for them to understand, so I would say the lesson is:-
tell them, then tell them what you just told them and then repeat it a bit later.

Nice pics BTW over there on that other webpage.

ps "many of the man hole covers are missing from vandals trying to make a quick buck recycling them" - this happens in the UK regularly (also road signs and church roofs (lead) disappear overnight); the world price of metals is sky-rocketing.

That is terrible, I thought it was only a third world country problem with the sewer covers. In the U.S. we are having a problem with people stealing copper pipes from gas furnaces and the gas furnaces leaking and houses exploding on rare occasions.

Yep, it's the same old story the whole world over; you don't actually have to travel very far to see life in the raw! :rolleyes2:

Maybe I should have mentioned the guys who strip the copper cable from the railway track signalling, causing the signals to fail and the trains to halt.
Aluminium, Copper, Lead - it's all the same to them.

Anyway, now you are using Skype, you can phone home more often - good luck with the travels and watch out for the "person-hole" covers (or lack of).