|
05-13-2017, 02:44 AM | |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: L.A.
|
Planning to drive from LA to Patagonia next year (looking for copilots)
Update! Link to my book on Amazon (also available on bookshop.org, Barnes and Noble online, Apple Books, etc): https://www.amazon.com/Land-Without-.../dp/1959099728
The book is a Bill Bryson-style travel memoir of me getting into stupid and sometimes dangerous situations driving from Los Angeles to Panama, including getting stuck on the wrong side of Nicaragua during the uprising of 2018. It also contains a ton of historical information on ancient Mesoamerica and some of the modern politics of Central America—basically, anything that piqued my interest in the year+ I spent researching. Also, I eat a lot of delicious food. Anyone curious about this part of the world should get a lot out of the book as part of a hopefully funny, entertaining read. I hope you enjoy! Link to blog!!! - http://ushuaiaorbust.com/blog/ I better post this before I get banned for welching on my bet and posting in DC. If I'm banned and anyone wants to go for any part of the trip - PM flopnuts or BRC - they know me on twoplustwo.com and can contact me. More eyes and ears are always welcome. I've got one guy who wants to go - but he'd have to quit his job, so obviously nothing is guaranteed. I just got back from a photo trip in Patagonia, where we drove a lot. I LOVE the region and South America in general. Never been to Central America but I've had some great trips in Mexico. I have two jobs and I'm sick of both. I don't think the side job will last much longer, and the day job is about done for me. I probably need to stick it out until the end of year to get my bonus and pay off some 401(k) loans. But unless I get plugged into some interesting projects - I'm gone. I figure there has to be some advantage to dying alone with no kids. This would be the adventure of my life. I'd try to live-blog it as much as possible. Our photo tour guide from the Patagonia trip is planning a 20-day partial boat tour next May that he's calling "an expedition". We'll get into some fjords in Southern Chile that hardly any one's ever been to - much less landscape photographers. So that's my parameter - be in Patagonia by mid-May. I've done some cursory research, and it seems pretty doable. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/35876322/n...nyc-argentina/ http://www.worldlyrambles.com/summar...o-or-not-to-do You have to ship your car across the Darien Gap - which is a PITA. Very rough plan is to drive to Cabo, then take the ferry from La Paz to Mazatlan. Then head South. I'd probably zip across El Salvador and Honduras as fast as possible, enjoy myself in Costa Rica and maybe Nicaragua. I've been to Peru, Columbia, Chile and Argentina and know they're pretty safe. I feel like I'd want to avoid driving in Brazil, Venezuela (govt might seize my car) or the Guyanas. Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia should be fine. I know not to drive at night in sketchy places and find secure parking for my car. I plan to mostly camp and stay in hostels. I can sleep in my car in a pinch. Maybe splurge on a hotel when I want some extra security for my car. On the way back I may either sell my car or ship to LA or Florida from Colombia. Prerequisites:
Big question is whether or not to take my FJ Cruiser or buy an Outback or something for $5k: Pros:
Cons:
Any thoughts or advice is mucho appreciated. I am fine with the idea that I could have everything stolen and have to limp back with my tail between my legs. You don't have an adventure w/o risking something. If I get killed I had a good life. My biggest fears are getting kidnapped or paralyzed in a car wreck. Both seem fairly low probability. Last edited by suzzer99; 07-31-2024 at 10:46 PM.. |
Posts: 27,618
|
02-04-2018, 09:46 AM | #91 |
pie is never free
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: the drivers seat
|
Man alive, its such a foodie paradise down there, I continue to be amazed at how awesome everything looks... and cheap! $1.75 for that sandwich, and McDonalds wants $3 and change for a ****ing Big Mac?
Also continue to be impressed with the architectural and natural beauty down there, Chautla Hacienda and surrounding evirons in particular is very cool The woman at the table in the white tank top, oh my Lord , she is a wet dream come to life |
Posts: 94,284
|
02-04-2018, 09:59 AM | #92 |
Stay down bitch!
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Plano, TX
|
Man I was starting to think you decided to head home. Glad you’re continuing your journey. Your pictures and stories remind me so much of why I’ve become so obsessed with travel. Look forward to reading about Oaxaca.
|
Posts: 9,320
|
02-04-2018, 10:07 AM | #93 |
The 23rd Pillar
Join Date: Sep 2002
|
I don't really understand the love of Mexico, but I love your blog, Suzzer. Enjoy your trip.
|
Posts: 110,871
|
02-04-2018, 10:09 AM | #94 |
pie is never free
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: the drivers seat
|
|
Posts: 94,284
|
02-04-2018, 12:38 PM | #95 |
The 23rd Pillar
Join Date: Sep 2002
|
|
Posts: 110,871
|
02-04-2018, 12:39 PM | #96 |
pie is never free
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: the drivers seat
|
|
Posts: 94,284
|
02-04-2018, 12:44 PM | #97 |
Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
|
You would think with all that available maid service literally everywhere, this wouldn't be the case.
In all seriousness, this is very cool Suzzer. I've always wanted to do something like this. You're living the dream man. Stay safe and pleasant journeys! |
Posts: 649
|
02-04-2018, 06:20 PM | #98 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: L.A.
|
Thanks a lot guys - it's cool to know you're appreciating the blog.
And yeah Mexico is pretty dusty. But it's still great for a lot of reasons - wonderful people, tons of culture and ancient ruins, amazing food, everything is dirt cheap. I'm camping in paradise right now, at a place with perfect weather and amazing food, for $5/night. |
Posts: 27,618
|
02-04-2018, 06:29 PM | #99 |
Stay down bitch!
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Plano, TX
|
Just think, you have enough time to enjoy Central and South America before coming back to Mexico City for the Chiefs game!
|
Posts: 9,320
|
03-03-2018, 11:12 AM | #100 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: L.A.
|
New blog post, lots of food again in this one (Oaxaca): http://ushuaiaorbust.com/2018/03/02/its-oaxaca/
Also suzzer eats a cricket. |
Posts: 27,618
|
03-03-2018, 11:36 AM | #101 |
You Sweetie!
Join Date: Sep 2005
|
this is pretty interesting - thank you for sharing.
|
Posts: 71,691
|
03-03-2018, 11:42 AM | #102 | |
You Sweetie!
Join Date: Sep 2005
|
Quote:
|
|
Posts: 71,691
|
03-03-2018, 12:12 PM | #103 |
pie is never free
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: the drivers seat
|
I always really enjoy these updates, your trip would make a great multi-part special on the Travel Channel
I'd try a cricket, as long as it was well spiced up to kill the bug flavor Whats on the right side of the breakfast plate with your frijoles and huevos, is that like tortilla strips with some kind of tomato sauce and cheese? |
Posts: 94,284
|
03-03-2018, 02:01 PM | #104 |
Consuming CP souls
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: U.S.A.
|
Bring a bug back for Clay!
|
Posts: 71,076
|
1 0 |
03-03-2018, 06:57 PM | #105 |
You Sweetie!
Join Date: Sep 2005
|
|
Posts: 71,691
|
|
|