Expedition Overland - 2015 Season

[1leglance]

I thought the production quality was even better than the high quality stuff from before....

The giggle I got was from the Drama Queen comment in the opening credits about "one of the most feared places to travel....Central America" or something like that....

Baaaaahhhaaaaa

Really? Costa Rica doesn't even have a military, I have never, ever had a bad experience between the USA and the Darien Gap....not sure what scale would make Central America so scary compared to all the places in the Middle East, Africa or some of the 'stans...and even those are not as scary as people think.

Again very well done show, I just wish Clay and team would drop the drama notch a bit and show people that travel is epic for its own sake.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I'm sure you figured how it works on your way through the Baja. My neighbors and their kids were stopped on their way South at a military checkpoint. They guys tried to talk to Mike, he just pointed to his wife. She probably speaks a better Spanish than they did even if she was born in Germany. They opened up one cooler for inspection and Mike passed out bottles of water. On their way back North, all of the soldiers were sitting in the shade of the truck. Smiles and waves as they drove by. A bit of a modita but it cost them less than a dollar to be able to continue.

Yup, we worked through borders with a variety of tactics. Stickers, cold drinks, smiles, and jokes

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...That said, I was a bit worried that the drama was going to be a bit overplayed.... what was the reason for all the last minute worrying and running around? They didn't decide out of the blue to go on this trip, so would've thought a bit more time would've been allowed for vehicle docs and prep and mods and such.

Great question. The vehicles took a bit longer to acquire than was planned... like weeks longer, this delayed start time, title docs, etc. On top of that the West Coast shipping port strikes had delayed several containers including those with suspension and Eezi-Awn/National Luna products. When Paul @ Equipt Expedition Outfitters came to the realization the needed container wasn't going to get through the port strike, he worked with the fine gents at Eezi-Awn in South Africa to get an air freight of parts which isn't easy and isn't overnight. Paul was an absolute rock-star in making it all happen despite the port strike. Add the usual "rush" of getting out of town particularly for several months and seconds counted.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Hey Kurt, why no snorkels on the 4Runners?

Timing and the desire to keep them looking clean and true to the 4Runner form as this is an important marketing venture with Toyota for the 4Runner platform.

Except for the 1% who actually need one, snorkels are for posers... I'm glad the new show's trucks do not have them, they won't need them.

They were in fact not needed for our trip, thankfully. With heavy rains in Costa Rica and the area in general, there were absolutely opportunities to use them had we proceeded deeper into some areas but we made conservative decisions knowing we had to finish the trip and couldn't afford downtime from a soggy motor.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

When does the next show come out?

I believe it's once a week for 12 weeks.

Correct, every Wednesday

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I thought the production quality was even better than the high quality stuff from before....

The giggle I got was from the Drama Queen comment in the opening credits about "one of the most feared places to travel....Central America" or something like that....

Baaaaahhhaaaaa

Really? Costa Rica doesn't even have a military, I have never, ever had a bad experience between the USA and the Darien Gap....not sure what scale would make Central America so scary compared to all the places in the Middle East, Africa or some of the 'stans...and even those are not as scary as people think.

Again very well done show, I just wish Clay and team would drop the drama notch a bit and show people that travel is epic for its own sake.

Lance, take a step back and remember there are people that have not traveled to these areas... and they absolutely do consider it to be one of the most feared places to travel, simply put. Even members of our own team were apprehensive. Nobody said Costa Rica was the most feared place, it is the region in general. I sat on the CenAm roundtable at Overland Expo, security was a hot topic amongst our participants, it's a common theme and an absolute worry for folks planning travels there. I've traveled a fair bit around the globe, when folks hear of Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, etc... they instantly have a story to share about a friend of a friend who was robbed or assaulted. I've never had anyone say the same about travels in Africa, Columbia or even Russia.

By the numbers, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador and Guatamala are 4 of the top 6 countries with the highest homicide rates including Honduras being the #1 spot. Other CenAm countries make the top 50 list.

Now let me be clear I too have never had a bad experience with months on the ground in MX/CenAm but that doesn't change the perspective many have and I can only hope the entire season proves that to be the case, i.e. shows people that it is an extremely hospitable place. Keep in mind there are threads on this forum about perimeter security for camping in the ConUS and others swearing off the Baja as dangerous... To them traveling in CenAm is likely one of the most feared

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Honu, I see you deleted your reply. I though it was great and spot on!

 

[Honu]

Honu, I see you deleted your reply. I though it was great and spot on!

OK sorry about that was just not wanting to get into the whole argument with some that travel there and take away from your great show hahahahah
since I lived in Honduras for a year I got to see the good and bad of it all and really way more good than bad
but here it is again but a bit changed maybe

places like Honduras are very dangerous
and places like Costa Rica are quite safe
top 3 out of 5 dangerous places in the world are in Central America !!!

when I lived there I did get held up at knife point at the airport
I witnessed only two gun fights one was huge with military against bad guys and the bad guys lost ! nothing like being in the same building as a all out gun fight whhhheeeeeeeeee

took a month off and traveled Guatemala by public bus some of the most amazing beautiful scenery and people but also some danger
quite a few of my friends have been attacked and even held hostage ! so Honduras has its really dark side
bandits in Honduras exist I have first hand knowledge of this my Hondurano buds also can say the same since I left that road bandits are on the rise
but again balanced with the fact some of the folks are the nicest most amazing people I have met


top 15 most dangerous in the world Central America has quite a few on the list ! it is DANGEROUS

1 San Pedro Sula, Honduras had 171.20 homicides per 100,000 residents.
2 Caracas, Venezuela had 115.98 homicides per 100,000 residents.
3 Acapulco, Mexico had 104.16 homicides per 100,000 residents.
4 João Pessoa, Brazil had 79.41 homicides per 100,000 residents.
5 Distrito Central, Honduras had 77.65 homicides per 100,000 residents.
6 Maceió, Brazil had 72.91 homicides per 100,000 residents.
7 Valencia, Venezuela had 71.08 homicides per 100,000 residents.
8 Fortaleza, Brazil had 66.55 homicides per 100,000 residents.
9 Cali, Colombia had 65.25 homicides per 100,000 residents.
10 São Luís, Brazil had 64.71 homicides per 100,000 residents.
11 Natal, Brazil had 63.68 homicides per 100,000 residents.
12 Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela had 62.13 homicides per 100,000 residents.
13 San Salvador, El Salvador had 61.21 homicides per 100,000 residents.
14 Cape Town, South Africa had 60 homicides per 100,000 residents.
15 Vitoria, Brazil had 57 homicides per 100,000 residents.

look forward to watching the show and IMHO why we travel and do the things we do on this forum !!!! its about the experience of life and travel
that all said driving in Phoenix is flat out scary to hahahahahahah

 

[unkamonkey]

Lance, take a step back and remember there are people that have not traveled to these areas... and they absolutely do consider it to be one of the most feared places to travel, simply put. Even members of our own team were apprehensive. Nobody said Costa Rica was the most feared place, it is the region in general. I sat on the CenAm roundtable at Overland Expo, security was a hot topic amongst our participants, it's a common theme and an absolute worry for folks planning travels there. I've traveled a fair bit around the globe, when folks hear of Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, etc... they instantly have a story to share about a friend of a friend who was robbed or assaulted. I've never had anyone say the same about travels in Africa, Columbia or even Russia.

By the numbers, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador and Guatamala are 4 of the top 6 countries with the highest homicide rates including Honduras being the #1 spot. Other CenAm countries make the top 50 list.

Now let me be clear I too have never had a bad experience with months on the ground in MX/CenAm but that doesn't change the perspective many have and I can only hope the entire season proves that to be the case, i.e. shows people that it is an extremely hospitable place. Keep in mind there are threads on this forum about perimeter security for camping in the ConUS and others swearing off the Baja as dangerous... To them traveling in CenAm is likely one of the most feared

My niece just spent several months in Costa Rica as an exchange student and had no problems at all, even in some of the neighboring countries. She is only 22. My brother and wife went down to visit, no problems. Some friends were down there around a year ago, no problems. As long as you understand the culture and aren't the arrogant American tourist, You should be fine. It does help if you speak some Spanish. Depending on the country, Portugese is needed, but generally you can find somebody that speaks some form of English. When i was in Cancun, our favorite waiter said he wouldn't be there there the next day as he was taking his family to a resurection at the bull fight arena. The following morning at breakfast I asked him how it was. He gave me a strange look and was amazed that I actually cared about his life and family.
My neighbors go to Los Algodones several times a year and always get food from the same street venders. Petra will ask about how their children are in Spanish and they will reply in English. Then they ask about how their children are doing as well. Petra is known as La Professora in that town.
Just saying, If you treat people with respect.Usually, you get it back.

 

[oscar the grouch]

just catching up on the series. I love this videos.

 

[falfrenzy]

For those doubting the nightmare that South American travel "can" be, pick up a copy of "Two Wheels Through Terror" by Glen Heggstad. I used to be a big dualsport guy, and I think I read the book 8 years ago, and the content still sticks with me today. I think he was held prisoner for over two years and had to find a creative way to escape.

 

[fireball]

Great question. The vehicles took a bit longer to acquire than was planned... like weeks longer, this delayed start time, title docs, etc. On top of that the West Coast shipping port strikes had delayed several containers including those with suspension and Eezi-Awn/National Luna products. When Paul @ Equipt Expedition Outfitters came to the realization the needed container wasn't going to get through the port strike, he worked with the fine gents at Eezi-Awn in South Africa to get an air freight of parts which isn't easy and isn't overnight. Paul was an absolute rock-star in making it all happen despite the port strike. Add the usual "rush" of getting out of town particularly for several months and seconds counted.

Hi Kurt - thanks for the reply and backstory. I was almost certain there was good reason for everything and not just manufactured drama for the sake of drama, but a quick line or two describing the above would've been a nice touch. Not just because it would've put my wife at ease that we weren't watching Alaska Off Road Warriors, but as a real-world example of how the best laid plans....do whatever they do!

That said, I've met Paul before and he looks like he has an excellent back stroke. Had push come to shove he could've swam that container across the pond!

 

[stingray1300]

I'm just glad everyone made it back safely...
.
As far as safety in CenAm, I rode the "3 Flags Classic" motorcycle rally 10 times on my Honda STs (1100 and a 1300). We would start in Mexico at a border town (TJ, Mexicali, Juarez, etc.) and ride to the finish line in Canada 3-4 days later. A check with the State Department was made each day before the start to determine the "climate" for Gringos. In 2010 they decided to run backwards (Canada to Mexico). There was such an uproar from the "regular" participants that they changed the finish from Puerto Penasco, SON to Tucson, AZ. I and a few other regulars boycotted and didn't ride that year. A 35 year annual event saw fit to never start or finish across the southern border again.
.
Many have no problems, that we get. I have a number of dear friends in Puerto Vallarta that I haven't seen in years. But who wants to be the ONE who plays the game of roulette and loses down there? I'm not that adventurous with my or my family's life(s). Maybe THAT'S why I enjoy watching OTHER people do it so much!!! But I do enjoy "north" much much better than "south" anyway. 'cept for the food...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...look forward to watching the show and IMHO why we travel and do the things we do on this forum !!!! its about the experience of life and travel
that all said driving in Phoenix is flat out scary to hahahahahahah

Great notes and thanks for watching!

My niece just spent several months in Costa Rica as an exchange student and had no problems at all...

Great thoughts, respect gets one a long ways regardless of location.

just catching up on the series. I love this videos.

For those doubting the nightmare that South American travel "can" be, pick up a copy of "Two Wheels Through Terror" by Glen Heggstad. I used to be a big dualsport guy, and I think I read the book 8 years ago, and the content still sticks with me today. I think he was held prisoner for over two years and had to find a creative way to escape.

I'll have to check that out. I'm personally headed back to South America later this year for a different expedition... I've had wonderful experience there in the past but it's naive to think the danger doesn't lurk. I'll check out Glen's story.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Hi Kurt - thanks for the reply and backstory. I was almost certain there was good reason for everything and not just manufactured drama for the sake of drama, but a quick line or two describing the above would've been a nice touch. Not just because it would've put my wife at ease that we weren't watching Alaska Off Road Warriors, but as a real-world example of how the best laid plans....do whatever they do!

Believe me when I say this show is about as unscripted as they come. At most we dropped camera crew ahead and circled back for photos but we were never coached in things to say or do. Clay and crew are of uber-high moral caliber. When 7 guys can spend a few months traveling together and not have more than some light ribbing... you know you've got a great team.

That said, I've met Paul before and he looks like he has an excellent back stroke. Had push come to shove he could've swam that container across the pond!

Very true. Paul probably make 1000 phone calls to resolve all this and was literally waiting at the airport with is trailer for the plane to be unloaded. Delta freight knew him by name by the end of this ordeal. Top notch!