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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