Across the Americas in a FJC

[Shreesh]

Akillez-13 previously said:

Just started reading this thread, this is so cool...This definetly is an expedition for all to enjoy, thank you so much for sharing your adventure for the less fortunate FJ owners (Myself included)....I must ask though, is there anyway you could conjour up a Map containing your past route...This would be very interesting to visually see where you are, your mileage, time-line destination...

We do have such a map on our site, you can get it at
Maps

You can also download a google earth kml file that has the entire GPS track of the trip from the same page.

Shreesh

[Shadow-Warrior]

Shreesh previously said:

What a long strange trip its been! Finally we have negotiated the Darien Gap!

Yesterday we got up mighty early to get all the formalities completed. The first order of business was to get the "final" bill of ladings, which, inexplicably could not be printed until the very day the ship arrives in port. Arriving at the company offices we were told that it could not be printed for several hours! But I waited around, annoying and badgering them and suddenly it was ready!

Then we had to get the importation procedure done at a customs office in another neighborhood, a short cab ride away. Arriving there we found we were at the wrong office and had to go to yet another customs office. Some people were shuttled between three offices before finding the right one.

Then it was back to the docks to wait for the container to be unloaded. After several hours and bad chinese food later a woman rushed in to tell us our container was unloaded! Whoopee!! But wait, the seal had been cracked open and they had also taken the liberty of busting the personal lock we had put on! At this point a hot-headed Argentine lost his cool and started yelling at the port official. Not a very good strategy!

Despite the rape of the lock everything was fine with the cars (we were sharing the container with another van). Then an inspector had to inspect the car, I guess to make sure we weren't smuggling drugs into Colombia

With his clean report we had to hop in a cab and head back the to the first customs office (the wrong one). By this time it was past 5:00 and the dock offices close at 6:00. The boss was on a coffee break and we spent some tense moments waiting for him. We did NOT want to leave the FJ in port overnight! Luckily we got his signature and rushed back to the docks, at about ten to six.

Barely getting in under the wire, the car was free around 7:00, leaving us to negotiate the streets of Cartagena at night. So there you have it, if any of you want to do this!

Wow, talk about the run around...I'm glad nothing was taken in your vehicle since the seal was broken. Did you ever find out who broke the seal and why? Glad your vehicle is intact.

Mike

[Brock]

good call on not trying your luck with the FARC....ELN.....in Colombia or what is left of Sendero Luminosa in Peru.....and all the little start up narco terror groups around....then of course there are the para military which cant decide if they are pro government or anti narco-terror or somewhere in between depending on the loot to be acquired.

[Honu]

Fun Blog to read

I used to live on utila lived there about a year was a scuba instructor there also spent a month traveling Guat
so I know the area quite well

but this was 15 years ago before it was quite as busy and sadly it has gone downhill a bit since then

when I was there was much dif than now and much nicer but fun to read others who have been

to bad about the bad food on utila but trust me I know I lived there now imagine your problem and be in a wetsuit with a class hehehheh

[Shreesh]

Shadow-Warrior previously said:

Wow, talk about the run around...I'm glad nothing was taken in your vehicle since the seal was broken. Did you ever find out who broke the seal and why? Glad your vehicle is intact.

Mike

Nope. They were rather unhelpful in that regard. My guess is that because some of the cars being shipped were being shipped by agents who had specified that their container be vacated by the port, hence, all our containers got opened!

[Shreesh]

Brock previously said:

good call on not trying your luck with the FARC....ELN.....in Colombia or what is left of Sendero Luminosa in Peru.....and all the little start up narco terror groups around....then of course there are the para military which cant decide if they are pro government or anti narco-terror or somewhere in between depending on the loot to be acquired.

Despite all that, it feels *much* safer here than it did in Guatemala. Of course, everything usually goes great, until it doesn't.

[Shreesh]

So far so good in Colombia. It really is an interesting country with lots to offer travelers, and for the past five years it has been relatively quiet. Journeys that would have been death-defying several years ago are now possible and the Colombians try very hard to make a good impression on travelers.

Taking advantage of the security we have been visiting some remote places, such as Mompos, a colonial town in the heart of a swampland. Getting there involves a drive to Magange, ferry to the Mompos road, and a five hour bumpy ride over a potholed dirt track to get out. Then there is the wooden ferry:



These guys were tickled pink that I tried bargain for the ride! The knocked 5,000 pesos off the fare for my pluck!

[FJ-HI]

Sounds great..still watching the thread and blog...

[Shreesh]

The back roads of Colombia are a treat for the off roader. The scenery is beautiful and the conditions require you to take it slow and take in the breathtaking landscapes. Nothing has been problematic for the FJ so far and the rewards of reaching an ancient out of the way archeological site are great.

The road up Purace Volcano is badly potholed and rises to almost 12,000 feet. It was freezing up top! Landslides frequently close major thorough fares. Here is a picture of the scenery on the way to the tombs of Tierradentro:

[Fjamming]

Shreesh, now that you've put quite a few miles during your expedition, what would you consider adding or change to the FJ? Stay safe. We're enjoying your write ups.