Another Journey South in the diesel Landcruiser

[diesel toyota]

We have been on the road now since July 2nd, 2011. Left Colorado, dropped down to New Mexico spent a lot of time there with our Native American friends over a few months, visiting the Pueblos and going to many "Feast Days", Markets, and Sacred Dances. Wound up mtn. biking a lot in Zuni Mtn.s outside of Gallup, camping and loving the serenity there. Left for Lake Havasu in September, and stayed a week camping in 112-116 degree heat; even at night it was in the 90's! Headed from there down into Mainland Mexico to Los Mochis where we caught the BAJA-FERRIES daily float from there to La Paz, Baja California. Next stop was the East Cape stand-up paddle boarding/surfing, fishing, and relaxing on the Sea Of Cortez. Bigger swell came and we headed to Scorpion Bay for some epic surfing on the great waves.
We are now in Cabo San Jose for a few months, living with the locals, and the many gringos that winter here before we move onto another ferry ride over to Mazatlan and then travel down to see old friends in Chiapas, Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, and a jungle trip to Tikal thru the Alta Verapaz and Peten rainforest in Guatemala. May see Copan in Honduras.
Going with the laid back traveling spirit and have no agenda other than a "basic plan". January/February is timeframe for the trip to Mazatlan down into Guatemala, and beyond. We have been down this way annually and each trip has been wonderful, and I have learned what to bring and do, and what not to! Even switched from our "Expedition built" 5 speeded FJ62 to the current heavily prepared 1987 BJ74 burning the "good old fashioned diesel" that they have in countries south of the border, and really enjoying having a properly modified rig, slow pace, and using my spanish.
Fishing, surfing, exploring, and learning more about "ancient cultures and traditions", the local people wherever we go, is the theme, always.
Hoping to be able to post pictures, and will try and update often.
Buenes Noches!

 

[RMP&O]

Sweet Cruiser! Wish I was doing a similar trip this year...

Enjoy the surf, street tacos and Latin beers!!

 

[Ruined Adventures]

Subscribed! Loving the pictures so far. Does the "basic plan" have a final destination?

 

[diesel toyota]

Final destination?

Glad to say to this often asked question; No... We have no clue where it will end or when/where the turn around point will be. This is more of a quest than anything; a quest to find a place that we both like so much, has all the required aspects such as mountains for biking, hiking, and exploring "nearby", and is near the ocean for fishing, surfing, and paddling, that we want to make "home", in the future. Over the past 10 years we have been searching, and are now returning to the places that have remained on the list so far(Oaxaca,Chiapas,Guatamala)and going to new spots to check out, surf a wave, get the hook wet, eat the food, meet the locals, learn their history etc...
I love the USA but, after experiencing the changes there recently, and seeing how happy our lives are in some 3rd world countries, we had to leave the land of excess.
Today, talking to a shopkeeper just East of San Jose while searching for a better/more recent map of Guatemala, the talk of "best places" this gentleman has lived/visited over his past 45 years of traveling, came up. Immediately and enthusiastically he stated "Nicaragua and Cuba, hands down". He shared tales of times past he spent in both places, and then also came back to why he lives here as well, which is; the weather, closeness to family in California, and small town charm of rural Mexico. So, right away I knew about Nicaragua from other explorers, and reading up on it, myself. That and I know Managua will be where I buy my next, brand new Diesel Toyota Land-Cruiser Troopy or pick up! Cuba, I was surprised to hear, and am now very curious. He said he knew too that there was a series of laws changed recently there allowing people to buy land there, even foreigners.
So now 2 more places are on the "list" to see, and spend time, surf, and fish!

 

[diesel toyota]

Pictures from the road

A few more favorites.

 

[RMP&O]

I love the USA but, after experiencing the changes there recently, and seeing how happy our lives are in some 3rd world countries, we had to leave the land of excess.

So now 2 more places are on the "list" to see, and spend time, surf, and fish!

I hear that!!

Let me 2nd the tip on Nicaragua. It is in my top 3 favorite Central America countries, along with Guatemala and Panama.

I won't recommend Costa Rica since it has a lot of that excess you are leaving behind. But man....Panama. You really should go there if you have not been. It is a country often skipped by overlanders and tourists often just head for Bocas. There is a lot of what you list you enjoy in Panama, you just have to explore.

And an open end trip to me is the best kind fo trip.

Again, enjoy your travels....I am jealous!

 

[Ruined Adventures]

Great response diesel toyota. I was mostly curious how far south we'll see your travels take you, but I'll just patiently wait and see :sombrero:

~Safe travels

 

[diesel toyota]

Ruined

Thanks. i checked out your website; looks good. We live in the frugal manner you describe, in order to save funds for the travels, and it's been a way of life, that works. Instead of buying tequila, I buy bushings, or replacement parts, filters, whatever in order to keep going.
We are enjoying this "stopover" in San Jose to explore this area further that we have enjoyed on shorter(4 month) trips in the past.
Went to the Sierra De La Lugana and Agua Caliente for a few days recently; love it!
Preparing again now for the next part of the trip to pick back up in mid January-Back to Mainland Mexico, and south to Oaxaca first, and the many towns, and (thousands of speed-bumps) on the way! I get crazy excited researching guidebooks, maps, and forums for tidbits up helpful info. to use on the way. Making friends in foreign countries is priceless, especially when you return years later and meet back up!
Good luck to everyone who decides
~It's time, let's go~

 

[RMP&O]

An excellent surfers travel book is....

Wave Finder: series

http://www.amazon.com/Wave-Finder-Guide-Mexico-David-Small/dp/0958172676

The one on Mexico spends more then half the book going over the west coast and the Mex200. The Central American one is also very good. I highly recommend them both.


The west coast of Mexico from PV to PE is my favorite part of Mexico with Baja being a close second. So many good breaks down the Mex200 and so many small towns to lay low in for weeks if you want.

cheers

 

[diesel toyota]

Gracias

Thanks! We have been down this way before and you are right! I think we took like 2 months surfing from one place to the other.
I will look for the book, thanks. Many pictures to come of the waves!

 

[diesel toyota]

Repairs done for cheap!

I decided to have a few things done to the truck down here and was so glad I did; I got a nail pulled from a tire and repaired, oil and filter changed, and 4 worn out bushings switched out with new ones; all for less than $60 US!
Realizing more and more the reasons why we enjoy other places, and we were disliking what we saw happening back home-the greed, politics, and corruption of government~ugh.
Is all pretty comical now viewing from it here...
Everyone is so happy in the places we visit-poor yes, but genuinely happy with their lives. There's a huge lesson to be learned in the times ahead for some...
The weather here is incredible. Meeting so many helpful, nice, interesting people along our journeys.
Need to say "thanks" to a few people that helped me out in the recent past; Kurt @ Cruiser-Outfitters, Onur @ Larry Miller Toyota in Abq.- and Crushers from IH8MUD forum. Thanks guys!

 

[bernardbarbour]

This post is Awesome! Just what I needed to read to confirm my conviction of getting the heck outta here. I just bought a 94 TLC and doing a build up for a Central America tour with no pressing schedule. I will see you out there my friend, and will be following your progress. Thanks a million. Kind regards, Bernard

 

[diesel toyota]

Go Bernard

Great choice on a vehicle. See you out there.

This post is Awesome! Just what I needed to read to confirm my conviction of getting the heck outta here. I just bought a 94 TLC and doing a build up for a Central America tour with no pressing schedule. I will see you out there my friend, and will be following your progress. Thanks a million. Kind regards, Bernard

 

[diesel toyota]

Whales up close in San Jose

This morning we went stand up paddling out a bit from Costa Azul/Zippers and had a large group of whales come within 50 feet of us in the water. It was pretty amazing to hear them and see them that close up. Too bad I did not have my camera with me.
Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.

 

[RMP&O]

This morning we went stand up paddling out a bit from Costa Azul/Zippers and had a large group of whales come within 50 feet of us in the water. It was pretty amazing to hear them and see them that close up. Too bad I did not have my camera with me.
Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.

Awesome! How is the surf down there right now? Last time I was at Zippers it was flat.