Tropicbird…more like Tropicturd

So I met Captain Julian at my hostel and he seemed so laid back and easy-going. His price was a little higher per night than a hostel, but I thought, “Wow, I’ll be getting a sailing experience!” I promptly agree to a 2 day sailing cruise in the San Blas Islands. 2 days later, we haven’t even gotten 2 hours from the Panama coast due to engine problems. Suddenly 2 days looks like it’ll turn into more like 5, which I guess is just as well, this was the leg of my Panama trip that I was most anticipating.

Except the trip has been a bit too odd. The roach-infested Tropicbird is really more like a Tropicturd, and laid-back Captain Julian has quickly become Captain Jekyll. You might manage to boil some water between swats with your chanclas at the cucarachas (seriously, did they really follow me here?). Like most sailing trips, you have to work, but the captain has given us no instruction and gets angry at the drop of a hat when something is done incorrectly. The sailing cruise has turned into a horrible family vacation where dad is in a bad mood and threatens to pull the car over. Actually I wish that he would pull this boat over, but at this point we’re off the grid and at the mercy of time and the captain, so I’m hoping Wednesday morning comes quickly! I haven’t used the internet since last Thursday, so there’s probably some family member somewhere thinking I’m lost at sea. No, I’m just lost to the mercy of a self-righteous captain with a dilapidated boat, same difference. After throwing up not once, not twice, but three times on the way to the Chichime Islands and getting 2nd degree burns (no joke) on my face while in the shade, the end unfortunately can’t come soon enough. I’m counting the hours.

written by

kate_hansen2005 on July 2, 2010 from Portobelo, Panama

from the travel blog: Confessions of a Flashpacker, A California Girl’s Search for the Perfect Beach…

tagged Tropicturd and CaptainJekyll

Send a Compliment

hey i was trying to find a review on Julian before embarking on a long journey with him.. thanks for your review- its not the only negative one ive come across- i think you may have saved me a real hassle.

written by casey jib on July 20, 2011

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