I'm going to say that if you're planning to travel to Cartagena via ship you simply can't go wrong with the Stehlratte. The Stehlratte was built in 1903 originally designed as a shipping vessel. Now it's part of a collective with it's stated mission to circumnavigate the world. It started doing crossing between Panama and Cartagena to raise funds for the non profit ship. Captain Ludwig told us the monthly maintenance cost are approximately $6,000 to keep the ship running.
There were 11 motorcyclist and because of the time it takes to organize all of us we got an extra night on the ship.
The first night on the ship was spent on the San Blas Islands interacting with the Kuna tribe who seem to be the caretakers of the islands. Speaking with the natives, who were extremely kind and friendly, told me that in 20 years they are planning to evacuate the islands because of global warming. While visiting the island the guys got involved in an impromptu soccer game with kids a third of our ages and size. What they lacked in size they made up in skill and beat us 5-4 A game that came right down to the final moments.
The first night we were treated to food and dance by the Kunas.
The second day we waited for the backpackers to join us. There were two really good looking germans, but both were unavailable. Probably for the best, nothing worst then 9 guys fighting over 2 girls. The second night we were treated to a beach bbq on the San Blas islands with unlimited amounts of rum punch. That night I decided to swim back to the ship at some strange hour. I don't know what I was trying to prove. Alcohol.
The third day was chill, everyone had hang overs to get over.
Once we started sailing early on the forth day almost everyone succumbed to sea sickness. First it was rider from England but one by one everyone threw up at one point. I was lucky that the worst I felt was a little hung over and we all know that I'm able to function like that. I just ate and eventually I was fine. I absolutely loved the motion of the ship. Before I climbed on board I thought I would grow restless, need to get off but I felt at peace. I had nothing to worry about. It was exactly what I needed after my week previous. The hardest thing about the ship was there were no available woman so my mind often wondered back to memories of girls past to occupy my imagination. I was fortunate to see pods of dolphins and flying fish. The sail was a dream.
The final morning I was disappointed when I awoke and the ship was motionless and chugging into harbour. Seeing land and knew it was coming to an end.
