Check out http://www.vanagon.com/journeys/caravana/

Maybe you can join them.

BTW - due to the Darian Gap, you cannot *Drive* all the way down.  You have
to have the car shipped a portion of the way.  (There are no drivable roads
for a portion in south america)

Good luck - sounds like quite an adventure!

Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy
Santa Barbara, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Jason Willenbrock [mailto:pooncerelli@HOTMAIL.COM]
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2000 3:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: driving to rio (little vanagon content)

hello all,
i have an opportunity to possibly go cook in rio de janeiro as an extern
through my culinary school. if i did this i would most definetely drive my
westy.  anyways, before i am set on doing this i was wondering if any
listees have ever driven their vans, or any vehicle for that matter, to
brazil, or close to it (ie: costa rica, panama etc..)?  by this summer my 82
westy should be up to par and ready for a trip like this. it would be a
westy experience of a lifetime, let alone being able to work in rio for a
while.  so if anyone has any knowledge that they could pass on like road
conditions, dealing with border patrols and officials, regulations on
bringing my dog, what to bring in my van that i may not be able to get down
there, good surf spots along the way, local bars, and most importantly, how
to speak portuguese. any thoughts, inputs or ideas would be greatly
appreciated. the time frame i am looking at would be either this summer to
next winter or next winter to the following summer. opportunity of a
lifetime and i am very stoked. but i need knowledge before i commit to
anything. thanks in advance for your wisdom and humor.
jason
82 westy
90 gl
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