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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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. :(

[diesel toyota]

Hey, thanks for asking. It has been good this past week as storm "Kenneth" went by heading north, but today it went to like 2 feet, and now higher winds are here. I think it will stay flat for a bit now. I switch to fishing and paddling when there no good waves, or head into the hills in the Cruiser. reading up a bit on Guatemala and having been there before I wanted to do a bit of a jungle trip in the Peten area. Today I found a map in a guide book I own that has the 4x4 route from the Flores area to El Zotz ruins, then onto Tikal, and out. Also reading on Nicaragua and Panama and getting excited about both so may now add them to the trip for Jan/Feb. 2012 from here.

[diesel toyota]

More pictures of the road trips thru Mexico. Funny, looking at these, I saw almost the same exact photos used in the last Overland Journal...

[diesel toyota]

Today was a blast; started off just doing maintenance on my BJ74 changing fuel filter, air filter, cleaning up a bit. Then decided to go exploring in the desert. Came across the marked course from the BAJA 250 Race. Drove it for many miles up in the high mountains/desert northwest of San Jose Del Cabo and back towards Cabo San Lucas. Excellent drive, and would have only been better if I was on a motorcycle, but being in a lifted, and locked 70 series Toyota;it was like a dream! the track had been freshly graded and is so smooth and switch-backed;it was superb!

[diesel toyota]

This afternoon I got my truck back after 3 weeks of waiting for parts from the USA to show up. Dec. 23 rd we went surfing at a local break and as we exited the hi-way I noticed the temp. gauge way hot. Turned out that a 110 volt freeze plug style heater had worked it's way loose and leaked out all antifreeze. This turned into a 3 week ordeal involving 2 countries Christmas Holidays plus New Years too~ Long story and 1 freeze plug, water pump, thermostat & gasket, and 1 radiator cap later, it's fixed and I am within a week of leaving for Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guatemala and more.
After 3 weeks of being truck-less, and walking for groceries, water, etc. I have a new appreciation for the automobile! More soon to come.

[diesel toyota]

We are now in Chiapas (Tuxtla) for the night. We ferried over to Mazatlan, and had a great drive down thru parts of Mexico we had not been to before. The town of Tequila was awesome! Oaxaca City was nice to see again, and I even ran into a good friend of ours in Tehuantepec today! Funny thing is he was only there for ten minutes, and we had just stopped for agua, and some handmade/homemade tamales. I parked in a lot, and walked the dog, then I look up and here comes Pepe or good friend from Barra De La Cruz, Oaxaca; the SURF SPOT. I had unknowingly parked next to his car, and he recognized the BJ74, and was all smiles~ Small world or destiny, not sure which.
The newly replaced water pump and thermostat sure made a big difference as now the temp gauge never moves from it's position, and peace of mind in my truck is everything heading into the jungle of Guatemala soon!
Pictures and details soon. I love Mexico! We keep talking about the coast of Oaxaca as a great possible future home, we'll see. Keeping an eye out for the Equipt guys down here too. My truck is getting the best mileage ever at over 600 km's per tank~ it loves the "old" sulfer diesel running thru it's veins!
Have fun!

[diesel toyota]

Just noticed the Equipt expedition experiencing water soaked ground and unussually late seasonal rains where we are headed, so hope it dries up , and FAST! Off to San Cristobal De La Casa today, then Guatemala!

[diesel toyota]

Photos mexico trip 2012

[mochodurazo]

I met you at San Carlos, Sonora. I asked about your superv RIG! I even remember our conversation, you told me that your toyo is Japanese specific and talkerd about you PROCOMP XTREAM MT tires. I even suggested to re-gear lol.:sombrero:

[benedmonson]

Mike it was really great to meet you yesterday on Lago de Itza. Thanks for putting out the effort to look us up! Your BJ74 is very inspiring and my wife loved it.

Safe Travels my friend....

Team Equipt

[diesel toyota]

We are still here near Tikal. Keep extending our time... Ran into the Equipt team, and will post pictures soon, what a great group of people! 4x4 trip into waterlogged jungle yesterday to El Zotz ruins. Used both lockers to get in, no winch needed! Love Guatemala, and yes it is safe! Cheers.

[diesel toyota]

Yes Amigo I remember you too! Hope all is well for you! Mike

[lostworldexpedition]

Nice to see you on the road! Just subscribed. We loved Guatemala and should've spent more than the 6 weeks we spent there... Make sure to check out Semuc Champey among many, many other places. If you want a nice break and great food stay at Finca Ixobel for a couple of days. Stoked to read more about your life as you go.

BTW did we meet at Proffit's in 2009?

[diesel toyota]

We ended up staying in Casa de Ernesto at Lago Peten Itza for 9 days. Visited many Mayan ruins and got DEEP in the mud! Blown away by what my truck can do with factory lockers and 35 inch tires! Never needed the winch! Going back to Peten after Semana Santa for the real dry season to visit more ruins!
We went thru Antigua, and are now back ion Oaxaca surfing, and looking for land... Surfing Puerto this week, then searching this area for a lot to maybe build a casa on, here. Changed some plans after seeing landslides and closed roads everywhere in Guatemala. and seeing some house get taken out by mudslides...
Enjoying the slow pace again, and a tropical fruit diet! Fishing and surfing is the routine now. Wanted to go further south, but I found what I was looking for here in Oaxaca coast, and have many good friends here as well to help me along. Pictures soon, computer issues...

[diesel toyota]

Oh yeah, planning to get the KLR 650 and then go further south!

[diesel toyota]

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[diesel toyota]

We are back now in San Jose, Baja from ferrying over. We love Mexico and Guatemala, and have narrowed down our spots for future homes to Oaxaca near huatulco or here on Baja in remote area; or next trip down to Nicaragua look for a lote or 2. Doing
891618916289163 maintenance on my truck, and resting up before heading to the beach today. Life on the road is great!
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