Jun 28, 2011

Welcome!


We are currently preparing for our upcoming adventure through Central & South America.

Unfortunately, we won't depart until January. Until then, please have a look around at some of our content and see what we've been up to. We will do our best to keep you updated as we prepare for the journey to come. 

If you want to follow along, click on the "Subscribe to Email Updates" on the right side of this page. Future posts will then be sent directly to your inbox, and you can unsubscribe at any time if we start to annoy you.

We are very excited to start this new chapter in our lives and we hope that you join us via the interwebs.

Cheers,
Brenton & Shannon
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Border Crossing & Shipping info

Border Crossings
We will be crossing anywhere from 12 to 20 (maybe more) borders on our drive, depending on which countries we decide to include. Each border presents it's own challenges and the more prepared you are, the better your experience.  Check out BorderHelper and WikiOverland for the latest info on each border crossing.

Shipping Around the Darien Gap
the Panamericana roadway system stops in Yaviza, Panama and then reappears 150km south in Colombia. While others have braved the infamous Darien Gap by vehicle, the region is filled with narcotraffickers and bandits so most travelers avoid the potentially suicidal trip by shipping their vehicle.

We were contacted by a French couple who we first met in Guatemala, and decided to share the costs of a 40' freight container with them. Vehicle shipping can be a lengthy and complicated process, which is usually considered the worst part of a Pan-Am overland journey but overall it wasn't that bad for us.  We shipped our vehicle with Evergreen Shipping via Tea Kalmbach (tea.kalmbach@gmail.com).  While waiting for the vehicle to arrive in Cartagena, we decided to sail to Colombia via the San Blas islands on an 85 foot boat called The Independence. After calculating the costs of hotel rooms, food, and transportation, sailing ended up costing the same as just flying directly to Cartagena.  If you decide to sail to Colombia, be sure to do lots of research because not all boats are created equally and sailing is not for everyone.

Ferry Service Around Darien Gap
There has been much buzz the past few years about a new ferry that was rumored to begin voyages between Panama and Colombia, shuttling travelers across.  This is honestly a difficult task to pull off, since the company involved has a ton of impossible red tape to take care of before their first voyage.  Pan-Am travelers are still crossing their fingers with high hopes, the rumored maiden voyage is scheduled to be May 31, 2012.  Err, nevermind...I wouldn't count on that happening anytime soon.

For more information...
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Helpful Websites


Toyota Technical Research:
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Other Travelers

Once we started searching, it was amazing how many similar stories we discovered online.  We're obviously not the only folks who decided it would be fun to drive the Americas...

We have found so much inspiration through their stories. Facing their fears and leaving it all behind, they've found the courage to explore the darkest corners of the earth and find out what is waiting over the horizon. Against inconceivable odds, these individuals have designed the life of their dreams...and for that we salute them.

This is obviously not a complete list.  There are hundreds more out there.  If you don't see your adventure listed below, please add it in a comment.  We hope to see you on the road...
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Campsite Log





Affordable accommodations from previous trips to Mexico:
Monkey Hostel: Campeche, Yucatan
If you ask nicely, they'll even let you sleep in a tent on the roof top terrace...best view in the city. 
Sacbe Bungalows: Santa Elena, Yucatan
The perfect homebase for exploring the Ruta Puuc Ruins. 


Mexico and Central America camping logs from other travelers
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