Ends of the Earth Expedition: Central America
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
JRhetts
Adventurer
The Fifth Wheels [sic] - Tam & John in Post 33
Scott introduced us in absentia in the photo at Post 33. We are the (very) late, fifth vehicle addition to the EOTE group - and therefore the 'fifth wheels' - having been doing photography of petroglyphs in the SW corner of AZ when we got a call from Stephanie as they were headed to SoCal for Christmas.
We are a pair-o-docs (paradox?), Tam an MD and John a psychologist. We were planning to drive - but not camp - to Guatemala from mid-Jan to mid-Feb to volunteer for a second time in a remote Mayan village hospital on Lake Atitlan.
Three years ago, after "settling our affairs," we began to establish an annual pattern of medical volunteering and adventure traveling as a means to fulfill our need to give back and to explore new places. Last year we were in the same Mayan village; the year before in Guyana traveling by dugout canoe for two weeks doing cervical cancer treatment and research; in 2005 in Rwanda in a very rural hospital doing surgery and teaching about the psychology of genocide.
Scott's invitation was truly irresistible, as it tapped into a dream of a lifetime for John. In the early and mid 1960s I was wandering around West Africa in a CJ7, harboring a fantasy of driving Africa West to East (which would probably have killed me if I had actually set out with the lack of knowledge I possessed at that time.)
Almost 50 years later, Scott's invitation initiated a scramble - to outfit our stock Jeep in 3 weeks for what we would have preferred to have at least 3 months to prepare for. Major additions were roof rack and roof tent. Then came all the stuff that one needs or thinks he/she 'needs' to go exploring.
With generous help from Scott, Stephanie, Chris and Jeremy, we actually got out of Prescott in time to keep our commitment in Guatemala. We took 6 days to drive down the east coast of Mexico to Chiapas, and and across into Guatemala. Especially memorable were: the Carne Asada restaurant in Zaragosa, the no-tell motels in Matehuala and Acayucan, seeing Tam (repeatedly) on the Discovery Channel in an Acayucan restaurant promoting the Hospitalito in Guatemala (how in the world did Discovery pick that up?), getting a valid traffic ticket waived in Tuxtla by two very nice cops after I explained why we were traveling through, and two days with friends eating WONDERFUL SEAFOOD in Tecolutla.
Now, having finished our stint in the Mayan hospitalito, and eating obscene amounts of food with our friends Pablo-de-Colorado and Patricia-de-Madrid, we have again managed to slip through the border, along with numerous police and military checkpoints - which have been UNIFORMLY courteous and reasonably efficient - and we are sampling Mayan ruins in Palenque and Uxmal, along with a bit of Hornitos Reposado (muy suave, if you know what I mean.)
By tracking Scott's SPOT we have now rendezvoused with the rest of the group at Xcalak, at Playa de Cocos, with the possibility of bone fishing and the certainty of swapping out our stock suspension for some OME springs and shocks (before we do irreparable damage to the Jeep on the topes, potholes and rutted back roads.)
THE ADVENTURE WILL CONTINUE.
Scott introduced us in absentia in the photo at Post 33. We are the (very) late, fifth vehicle addition to the EOTE group - and therefore the 'fifth wheels' - having been doing photography of petroglyphs in the SW corner of AZ when we got a call from Stephanie as they were headed to SoCal for Christmas.
We are a pair-o-docs (paradox?), Tam an MD and John a psychologist. We were planning to drive - but not camp - to Guatemala from mid-Jan to mid-Feb to volunteer for a second time in a remote Mayan village hospital on Lake Atitlan.
Three years ago, after "settling our affairs," we began to establish an annual pattern of medical volunteering and adventure traveling as a means to fulfill our need to give back and to explore new places. Last year we were in the same Mayan village; the year before in Guyana traveling by dugout canoe for two weeks doing cervical cancer treatment and research; in 2005 in Rwanda in a very rural hospital doing surgery and teaching about the psychology of genocide.
Scott's invitation was truly irresistible, as it tapped into a dream of a lifetime for John. In the early and mid 1960s I was wandering around West Africa in a CJ7, harboring a fantasy of driving Africa West to East (which would probably have killed me if I had actually set out with the lack of knowledge I possessed at that time.)
Almost 50 years later, Scott's invitation initiated a scramble - to outfit our stock Jeep in 3 weeks for what we would have preferred to have at least 3 months to prepare for. Major additions were roof rack and roof tent. Then came all the stuff that one needs or thinks he/she 'needs' to go exploring.
With generous help from Scott, Stephanie, Chris and Jeremy, we actually got out of Prescott in time to keep our commitment in Guatemala. We took 6 days to drive down the east coast of Mexico to Chiapas, and and across into Guatemala. Especially memorable were: the Carne Asada restaurant in Zaragosa, the no-tell motels in Matehuala and Acayucan, seeing Tam (repeatedly) on the Discovery Channel in an Acayucan restaurant promoting the Hospitalito in Guatemala (how in the world did Discovery pick that up?), getting a valid traffic ticket waived in Tuxtla by two very nice cops after I explained why we were traveling through, and two days with friends eating WONDERFUL SEAFOOD in Tecolutla.
Now, having finished our stint in the Mayan hospitalito, and eating obscene amounts of food with our friends Pablo-de-Colorado and Patricia-de-Madrid, we have again managed to slip through the border, along with numerous police and military checkpoints - which have been UNIFORMLY courteous and reasonably efficient - and we are sampling Mayan ruins in Palenque and Uxmal, along with a bit of Hornitos Reposado (muy suave, if you know what I mean.)
By tracking Scott's SPOT we have now rendezvoused with the rest of the group at Xcalak, at Playa de Cocos, with the possibility of bone fishing and the certainty of swapping out our stock suspension for some OME springs and shocks (before we do irreparable damage to the Jeep on the topes, potholes and rutted back roads.)
THE ADVENTURE WILL CONTINUE.
Scott Brady
Founder
We are on the Caribbean coast, and will spend a few days relaxing.
Here is a picture of our first jungle camp. It was awesome.
.jpg)
I woke up early this morning, and hiked into the Calakmul reserve, and walked the paths with huge turkeys and howler monkeys. Sitting on top of the pyramid and looking out over the canopy, green parrots flying around me - incredible.
Here is a picture of our first jungle camp. It was awesome.
I woke up early this morning, and hiked into the Calakmul reserve, and walked the paths with huge turkeys and howler monkeys. Sitting on top of the pyramid and looking out over the canopy, green parrots flying around me - incredible.
Colorado David
Explorer
That is an ocellated turkey. They make a very un-turkey-like call that cannot be recreated by the usual means of calling turkeys; slates, mouth calls and box calls. Because they live in jaguar country, when they fly down from their roost tree, they wait for bright daylight. Then they choose to fly down to, first a lower branch and then to a clearing, road or trail. They are a beautiful bird.
Scott Brady
Founder
Yes, they were incredible. The call was awesome, especially when combined with the howler monkeys.
viatierra
Explorer
Man, I'm diggin' your Spot page and Stephanie's blog!
Why is the map so blocky at the end of the Yucatan near the Belize border? Is the definition between land & water ambiguous?
Edit:
I think it's the international border... The main Spot map just looks weird here. The other versions make sense.
Why is the map so blocky at the end of the Yucatan near the Belize border? Is the definition between land & water ambiguous?
Edit:
I think it's the international border... The main Spot map just looks weird here. The other versions make sense.
Last edited:
Scott Brady
Founder
Belize
A new country for us today, as we cross into the northern border of Belize. After a simple camp/hotel tonight we head into the Hummingbird preserve and a lake called Five Blues.
We will likely have internet tonight, and then nothing but the BGAN for about a week! Perfecto :sombrero:
A new country for us today, as we cross into the northern border of Belize. After a simple camp/hotel tonight we head into the Hummingbird preserve and a lake called Five Blues.
We will likely have internet tonight, and then nothing but the BGAN for about a week! Perfecto :sombrero:
grahamfitter
Expedition Leader
That would be sending the wrong message: After Scott gives you to a corrupt policeman in lieu of paying a small bribe word will spread and then everybody else will be expected to travel with a couple of sacrificial lawyers. :sombrero:
Cheers,
Graham
Trail Monkey
Adventurer, Overland Certified OC0014
Well i just got a nice high speed connection at the Black Orchid Resort outside of Belize City.. We are all ahppy to find this place as the hotels in the area were all packed. It's perfect in everyway. Cant say i miss New York or PHX right now... :victory:
Scott Brady
Founder
Belize!
We have successfully crossed the border into Belize, which was quite organized and efficient. Everything is in one office, and there was no cost for entry (other than the $5 for spraying our vehicles).
So far, I am extremely impressed with Belize, which has a great vibe to it, very friendly people and a wonderful mix of cultures.
One of the team members is flying out of the airport at Ladyville today, so we needed to grab a hotel... But why just go with the typical Best Western when an exotic option can be had (thanks James)? Just outside of Belize City is an incredible little eco-resort called the Black Orchid, which is laid out in a plantation style, with beautiful grounds and positioned on the shores of a huge river. Some big critter was scurrying about our roof this morning.
Oh, I nearly forgot... Another thing that makes the Black Orchid very cool, is the fact that the proprietor drives an EX-UN 105 Land Cruiser!
I highly recommend a stop here.
We have successfully crossed the border into Belize, which was quite organized and efficient. Everything is in one office, and there was no cost for entry (other than the $5 for spraying our vehicles).
So far, I am extremely impressed with Belize, which has a great vibe to it, very friendly people and a wonderful mix of cultures.
One of the team members is flying out of the airport at Ladyville today, so we needed to grab a hotel... But why just go with the typical Best Western when an exotic option can be had (thanks James)? Just outside of Belize City is an incredible little eco-resort called the Black Orchid, which is laid out in a plantation style, with beautiful grounds and positioned on the shores of a huge river. Some big critter was scurrying about our roof this morning.
Oh, I nearly forgot... Another thing that makes the Black Orchid very cool, is the fact that the proprietor drives an EX-UN 105 Land Cruiser!
I highly recommend a stop here.