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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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 Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 10:06 pm Post subject: |
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We shall call today: Aaron Running The Extortion Gauntlet
Leaving Honduras the Honduran customs told me that despite my vehicle permit being valid for 3 months (which it clearly stated), my tourist visa was only valid for 3 days... (Because that is completely logical *rolls eyes*). They tried to tell me I needed to pay $200USD to leave Honduras or they wouldn't process my papers. Long story short I was able to talk them down to a $20.
Had zero problems with Nicaraguan customs thankfully. However I was pulled over 4 times today for phoney moving violations. Each time the officers tried to extort $20 from me. Luckily I came up with a steadfast system for not getting extorted by the police. It involves a little lying, acting, and patience. I will detail my system fully in a blog on HippieVanMan.com in the next couple days.
Long story short, I made it to Grenada, Nicaragua today. Decided to splurge on a $12 hotel room to ease away the stress of a long day on the road.
_________________
1979 Bay Window 2.0L FI
www.HippieVanman.com
www.facebook.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.instagram.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.youtube.com/thehippievanman |
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notchboy
Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2002
Posts: 22448
Location: Escondido CA
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richparker
Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2011
Posts: 6979
Location: Durango, CO
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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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Gib_Gas
Samba Member
Joined: January 12, 2014
Posts: 55
Location: NYC
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| Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 8:05 am Post subject: |
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Those are sweet shots. I love pics of a bus at night lit up on the inside.
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1979 Deluxe Westfalia 2.0 FI |
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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 11:04 am Post subject: |
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The Hippie Van Man needs your help to fulfill his dream, continue his philanthropic endeavors, and continue to spread smiles and good vibes 1km at a time.
After driving across America and taking my mom to Burning Man, 14 days of blood, sweat and beers rebuilding my engine, and navigating my way all the way down to Nicaragua, the Hippie Van Man is in need of some help!!
See more here on my IndieGoGo Campaign
http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hippie-van-man-pan-american-adventure/x/3852984
Other Ways You Can Help
Not everyone has spare money to donate, and that's understandable. Do you really like the project and want to contribute in another way? Here are some ways you can help.
-Follow @thehippievanman on twitter, facebook, youtube & Instagram. Potential sponsors like to see that you have a following.
-Share the project and/or the Indiegogo with your friends & family.
-Know someone looking for a website? Refer them to me. I'm a freelance web developer and I can always take on more projects to help fund the adventure.
-Know of a company that might want to sponsor the project? There are plenty of ways we can promote companies (companies that align with the projects philosophy of course). Either refer the company to me or me to the company. [email protected]
_________________
1979 Bay Window 2.0L FI
www.HippieVanman.com
www.facebook.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.instagram.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.youtube.com/thehippievanman |
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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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| Posted: Sat Feb 22, 2014 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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I took care of shipping my vehicle from Panama last week. I put it in a 40ft container with someone I met who was shipping their car as well.
I'm going to write a detailed blog post about the costs involved and process. I flew to Cartagena, Colombia today and my bus should be arriving at the port tomorrow or monday 
Everything went pretty smoothly on the Panamanian side (as smooth as things can go when dealing with government agencies). The only hick up was that I was under the impression I would be able to load my bus into the container, however I had to hand the keys off to a worker at the port. Hoping he took the keys out of the ignition (as I instructed) after her parked it in the container, otherwise at very least I'll have a dead battery, or worse my amplifier will be fried.
My shipping agent, Amy. Definitely not hard on the eyes.
My bus right before the sniffer dog sniffed it out.
_________________
1979 Bay Window 2.0L FI
www.HippieVanman.com
www.facebook.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.instagram.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.youtube.com/thehippievanman |
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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Feb 27, 2014 11:11 am Post subject: |
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Retrieved my bus in Cartagena, Colombia two days ago. After a cluster f@#$ of a goose chase and bureaucratic nightmare, I have my bus back thankfully. Although when I picked it up, someone had riffled through my car and stole some money, my leatherman pocket knife, power inverter, and phone charger. Too bad but I guess it could have been worse.
Now enjoying Colombias Caribbean coast and heading to Carnaval in Barranquilla this weekend.
Last night I slept in the bus and I was awoken at 430am by some dude who was totally strung out, trying to steal the empty gas cans I have on my roof. I quickly pulled out my machete, pulled back the curtains, gave it a few taps on the window and stared the guy down. As soon as he saw me, he about shit his pants and ran away. Took off with my elastic tie downs but luckily gas cans and bicycle lock are still there.
_________________
1979 Bay Window 2.0L FI
www.HippieVanman.com
www.facebook.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.instagram.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.youtube.com/thehippievanman |
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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2014 8:59 am Post subject: |
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6 days left in my Indiegogo campaign. The Darien gap shipping really set me back. If you feel like contributing check out http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/hippie-van-man-pan-american-adventure-help-needed/x/3852984
There are lots of cool perks for contributions;
$25 - Handmade post card
$50 - Handmade alpaca socks or mits
$75 - 1kg of premium south american coffee beans
$100 - Handmade alpaca socks + mits + 1kg of coffee
$200 - Handmade Hammock
$550 - Coffee table photo book with photos from my adventure
Don't have extra couch money lying around? Other ways you can help support my journey:
Follow @thehippievanman on twitter, facebook, youtube & Instagram. Potential sponsors like to see that you have a following.
Share the project and/or the Indiegogo with your friends & family.
Know someone looking for a website? Refer them to me. I'm a freelance web developer and I can always take on more projects to help fund the adventure.
Know of a company that might want to sponsor the project? There are plenty of ways we can promote companies (companies that align with the projects philosophy of course). Either refer the company to me or me to the company. [email protected]
_________________
1979 Bay Window 2.0L FI
www.HippieVanman.com
www.facebook.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.instagram.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.youtube.com/thehippievanman |
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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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curtis4085
Samba Member
Joined: July 22, 2011
Posts: 4806
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2014 5:23 am Post subject: |
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Find a auto shop and barrow a tap and die set to clean the threads
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Special Thanks to:
Headflow Masters - Vista, CA
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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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| Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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Haven't updated this post in ages, although the trip hasn't stopped. Thought I'd drop an update.
I'm now in Cali, Colombia
My bus is doing great. Probably going to wet sand it and apply a couple new coats of clear (as the clear I have on is starting to peel in a few spots due to the extreme heat it's been exposed to.
Here is my most recent video update from the road
Link
For those who contributed to my IndieGoGo a couple months back a huge thanks again! I have sent out most of the perks besides the coffee and Alpaca socks and mitts (which i'll be picking up in Peru or Bolivia).
I made up the first found of custom post cards and sent those out a week or two ago. These will be made available for purchase via my website for any who are interested in having a post card sent to them or a friend.
Here are some more recent pics from the journey
Lots more photos, videos and general updates on the facebook page -> https://www.facebook.com/TheHippieVanMan
_________________
1979 Bay Window 2.0L FI
www.HippieVanman.com
www.facebook.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.instagram.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.youtube.com/thehippievanman |
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Das67bus
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2008
Posts: 242
Location: Prescott, AZ
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| Posted: Fri May 30, 2014 5:01 pm Post subject: Off Subject Question |
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| borninabus wrote: |
i was going to say something knee-jerk, but i watched the vid & i like where you're coming from.
if you need some place or someone to work on that beast roll through Prescott, AZ.
you are going to HAVE to go to east jesus 
although, august/september is not the time i'd recommend going.
we helped another young man get to toronto in his T3.
http://www.arjunmehta.tumblr.com/ |
We are moving to Prescott and bringing our '67 bus. I am hoping to find a good mechanic who knows how to work on these oldsters.
Who would you recommend?
Thanks!!!!!
m |
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TheHippieVanMan
Samba Member
Joined: July 07, 2011
Posts: 152
Location: Toronto, On, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 9:14 am Post subject: Re: Off Subject Question |
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| bikerbus wrote: |
| borninabus wrote: |
i was going to say something knee-jerk, but i watched the vid & i like where you're coming from.
if you need some place or someone to work on that beast roll through Prescott, AZ.
you are going to HAVE to go to east jesus
although, august/september is not the time i'd recommend going.
we helped another young man get to toronto in his T3.
http://www.arjunmehta.tumblr.com/ |
We are moving to Prescott and bringing our '67 bus. I am hoping to find a good mechanic who knows how to work on these oldsters.
Who would you recommend?
Thanks!!!!!
m |
might be better to send borninabus a direct message, not sure if they will see your reply here.
_________________
1979 Bay Window 2.0L FI
www.HippieVanman.com
www.facebook.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.instagram.com/TheHippieVanMan
www.youtube.com/thehippievanman |
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Das67bus
Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2008
Posts: 242
Location: Prescott, AZ
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| Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:14 pm Post subject: Re: Off Subject Question |
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| TheHippieVanMan wrote: |
| bikerbus wrote: |
| borninabus wrote: |
i was going to say something knee-jerk, but i watched the vid & i like where you're coming from.
if you need some place or someone to work on that beast roll through Prescott, AZ.
you are going to HAVE to go to east jesus
although, august/september is not the time i'd recommend going.
we helped another young man get to toronto in his T3.
http://www.arjunmehta.tumblr.com/ |
We are moving to Prescott and bringing our '67 bus. I am hoping to find a good mechanic who knows how to work on these oldsters.
Who would you recommend?
Thanks!!!!!
m |
might be better to send borninabus a direct message, not sure if they will see your reply here. |
Good idea! Thanks!
m
_________________
SLOW RIDE........TAKE IT EASY!!!
-Foghat
COMFORTABLY NUMB!!
-Pink Floyd |
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