1967 Land Rover series 11a 109 Travelling Canada to Panama

[Justin & Nadine]

Hello Everyone

Just want to say love the forum and following everyones travels.

My wife and I have just began our own adventure. We are taking a slow drive from Canada to Panama. We are currently in Baja Mexico. If anyone is interested check out our blog http://ouryearaslandrovers.blogspot.com/

[geovalue]

Another Canadian overlander. sounds like you are having fun. We are heading into Baja within a few days, perhaps we will meet you somewhere on route. take care and travel safe

[Justin & Nadine]

Hi
We are excited to run into you along the way, had a quick look at your website and looking forward to hearing about your adventures. We will be in Baja tell beginning of January then we move on to Sayulita ten km's north of Puerto Vallarta

[Josh]

We'll keep an eye out for you.. though you've got a bit of a jump on us. We'll be leaving for Mexico from our home in Alaska shortly after the new year in our 1970 109.
Take care and enjoy!

[benedmonson]

We head to Baja from Arkansas where we are currently visiting relatives Dec. 26th. Hope to see others there!

[Justin & Nadine]

Hi Everyone

Just made it from Baja to San Blas. The roads are definitely different so is the traffic.
The 1967 Land Rover is running like a top, a large portion of the engine break in complete. The power has definitely improved our diesel mileage is averaging about 22 mpg. The benz 3.0 litre was a perfect choice for our journey. (check our Blog for the stats on the Land rover)
The only complaint is the steering and the narrow track of the wheels its causing the truck to change lanes constantly making long journeys on the highway tiring.
We are going to follow the coast for awhile and track down some surf time before going inland to Guadalajara.
Looking forward to running into all you travellers in Mexico.
http://ouryearaslandrovers.blogspot.com/

[diesel toyota]

I have friends in Oaxaca, on the coast, in Barra De La Cruz, 20 km south of Huatulco. Go there, get a cabana from Pepe. Surf here, relax.

[coydogsf]

Hey Guys,

We're a little ways ahead of you in San Cristobal de las Casas and heading towards the Yucatan before continuing to Panama -> South America. Maybe we'll cross paths at some point.

We really loved the interior of Mexico (Guanajuato, San Miguel, Paztcuaro) so you're heading into great country. Check out our site if you're interested in what's coming up or DON'T and have fun figuring it out yourselves!

Dave and Ann

[Justin & Nadine]

Was doing some truck checks yesterday and found one part had failed. Went to fix it and found I was sold the wrong parts. Now we have to hang out in a surf town for couple a days (we hope) waiting for them to arrive from Canada.

[Wiley]

Looks great, I will be watching this one. Thanks

[Justin & Nadine]

Hi Everyone

We need to change our route and will have to drive the coastal highway through Michocan. We have been told by some we should avoid it at all costs. Anyone driven there lately and is it safe?

Thanks

[AmericaOverland]

http://ouryearaslandrovers.blogspot.com/


Your web site and others like Trans World Expedition are how web sites are supposed to be done. You mix the stories within the photos so that we can keep everything straight in our heads and not have to jump to separate photo pages. You also make it easy to find the beginning of the trip and pick any year, month, and day of the trip. I've gotten so jaded from reading journals like this that if it's not done the way you do it, I won't read it, no matter how famous or epic a trip it is.

Great job! I can tell, even though I haven't read a word yet (I have the blog up on another tab next to this thread, though. That tab is going to stay up as long as the trip is ongoing or I read to the end of it. I've done that with TWE and several others.

[Justin & Nadine]

Hello Everyone

I know we are traveling at the wrong time of year but is anyone in the Guatemala Area.
We can say we have not seen one person in months!

Justin & Nadine

[unURBAN]

Sorry.... We are now in Colombia with www.toyotours.com and www.nordsued.ch .... You guys are taking your time! :-) Which is good! And we also found Guatemala to be one of the nicest countries in Central America!


Just checked your blog and saw that your last post was from Tikal area, so I'm guessing you are driving west across the mountains..? You can have a lot of fun in Lanquin at a guesthouse called Zephyr. This is a party place with lots of backpackers. Fun for a couple of days, and close (9 kms) to the spectacular Semuc Champey. They let you park/camp outside. To meet other overlanders, make sure you stop at the Tourist police compound in Antigua. They let you camp for free in the middle of town. If you don't meet other overlanders there, you truly are alone........ ;-)


If you need coordinates have a look at our campsite list at www.unurban.no/unurbancamp.html


Safe travels!!
E&M

[Justin & Nadine]

Hey Malin and Espen

Thanks guys, we'll go check out the compound.

Its really strange, we haven't seen any overlanders at all since we've been in the Yucatan. Its funny about the time, we really don't know where it goes. We thought we would be in Costa Rica by now but we seem to meander along so slowly! and still we don't see everything we want to see!

Thanks for those gps locations - they'll be a great help!

Take care and have fun in Colombia!

[RMP&O]

Hi Everyone

We need to change our route and will have to drive the coastal highway through Michocan. We have been told by some we should avoid it at all costs. Anyone driven there lately and is it safe?

Thanks


I drove it in January of 2010. No problems whatsoever, except being bribed in Acapulco. Just follow the normal rules, get off the road before dark, find a safe low key place to stay for the night before dark and you will be fine.

Avoid the tourist areas like PV, Acapulco and so forth. Move through those areas quickly but don't break any traffic laws. 2Aroundtheworld drove down the Mex200 in January-ish of this year, I believe they had zero problems.

I realize your post I quoted is old and you are no longer in the area but hopefully you didn't pass up one of the most fantastic stretches of Pacific Coast in this hemisphere!

As far as not seeing other overlanders, well winter in the north is when you will see the most down south, it is now spring/summer up here. And an open time limit where you just wander where ever you feel like it, there is no better way to do this trip!!

[Justin & Nadine]

Hey Everyone,

We're finally made it down to Nicaragua. Loving this country! The beaches are empty and the surfing is great. Enjoying the rainy season, always happy to see the clouds roll in - we'll never get used to this heat. We've been through a lot of border crossings in the last month - have to say, Honduras is a lot of fun to cross :yikes:

Still haven't seen any other overlanders, I think we're all alone out here. I guess we'll catch a fresh new batch of them on the way back to Canada.

Justin and Nadine


http://ouryearaslandrovers.blogspot.com/

[coydogsf]

Hey Justin and Nadine,

Sorry it feels like you're out there alone! We really liked Laguna de Apoyo for a little escape from the cities. Also Playa Aserradores for a beach hang out. Granada felt a little like a slightly rundown, a bit more overtly touristy, Antigua to us but sitting on a pedestrian promenade with music and vendors is always fun. Our Nica stories are at http://www.advodna.com/1999/12/index-of-stories.html#Nicaragua if the info helps.

Be safe and be sure to let us know when you're passing back through California on your way north. BTW. Sounds like our experience has talked you out of shipping home?!

Dave

[Justin & Nadine]

Hi Everyone

So I woke up yesterday with the rear door adjar. with further inspection

1) they bent the top of the door back breaking the window but the window guards slowed them down they jammed a prybar in the door and popped it open.

2) then they had to remove the rear deck over my steel lock boxes

3) they then had to cut 2 boron abloy lockes from the steel boxes

4) then they took my hundred lbs tool box which sucks because every tool I needed to fix every possible thing that could go wrong is gone.

All my british standard wrenches and sockets for my pre metric land rover

All my Mercedes Benz engine special tooling

These tools are useless to anyone who doesn't own a pre metric british vehicle

They were so stupid they left behind a $500 dollar Snap-on torque wrench

The real kicker the gear oil I had a hard time finding that I bought in Belize they took that too all twelve liters replacement is $25 a liter here in Costa Rica.

this sucks but at least I have my truck still

Justin

[Ruined Adventures]

That's terrible Justin, very sorry to hear the news.

But hey, look at the bright side!
1. like you said, at least you still have the Land Rover
2. the vehicle is still drivable
3. you've dropped a few pounds so you will save $$$ on fuel (trying to be optimistic here)
4. the adventure can continue!

Try not to think of the would/could/should have's and think about how you can prevent it from happening next time

[discotdi]

Sorry to hear about the theft. I like to think there is a special place in Hell for thieves like that.

[CRJeepin]

Wow, sorry to hear about the theft. Hope that Rovers North can help you replace the special tools....

I'd make a list of the "bare minimum" needed to continue (required to check brakes, change oil, service hubs) and try to get that re-established.

I'd cry if my 3lb hammer got stolen....have some specialty sockets and stuff, but that hammer has been with me since the beginning, somehow still looks like its brand spankin new, and has never broken anything I've beat on with it....I swear it's a magic hammer.

Good luck and stay safe!

[Justin & Nadine]

Thanks guys - for your kind words!!!

As for an update, we've been partially compensated for our losses and damages by the owner of the condo complex. Its not much but were thankful none the less. Actually we still can't believe that we received anything at all!

Just waiting on gear oil to get here from San Jose and after that we'll hit the road!!:jumping:

Justin

[defrag4]

Stinkin thieves, oh well, your still in action! keep up the good work!

[syke]

Just found your website. I'm almost caught up to real time. Great adventure and photographs.
Good luck and safe travels. :sombrero:

[Justin & Nadine]

Het Syke

Thanks for reading!!