Final entry…

…for a long travel. Not for this blog of course, but somehow I feel I have to close the topic to be able to continue with the new stories in the pipe.

You surely can imagine that there is so much more to tell and perhaps one time I will write a book or select some pictures and add some text. This blog and my photo stream on Flickr featured only a tiny fraction.

[PHOTO: El Troll (Unimog) at port in Antwerp]

The last todo was to pick up brave El Trol after his journey over the Atlantic in Antwerp. This time it was summer and I enjoyed the city. It’s amazing but not surprising how profitable the monopoly in trading diamonds is. It was surprising how easy it was to reclaim El Trol. After all it was a huge amount of personal goods from Columbia. No check, no full-body x-ray, no customs clearing, just driving out.

Tips in a nutshell

Take less stuff with you

Nothing new for backpackers, I learned it the hard way. Regarding trekking equipment I was equipped for an expedition in unknown territory. That was what I was looking for. Unfortunately there is no unknown territory left. This equipment rule is of course not true for photo equipment. Take whatever you can carry with you. You will not regret it. 😉

Take more money with you

Buy what you need along the way. It’s cheap and easy to get. This rule is of course not true for photo equipment. You will not be able to buy any significant non-trivial component.

Do not plan, especially not the end date

The most wonderfull times I had, were those when I have been far away from any strict date.

Install a 100% redundancy for mission critical parts

I had this for my foto equipment and it kept me very relaxed. I did not had this for the compressor and was quite often fear driven and full of adrenaline when the pressure started to drop. Of course always in the must unsuitable situations. But after all: I wanted adventure, I got adventure and this definitely added to the intensity.

The closing statement: why the hell are so many Germans driving with extreme off-road vehicles through Latin America? It is comfortable to have your own room with you but you never spend much time in it. Even in the most remote sections of the Bolivian Altiplano you will find enough hostels or places for some uncomfortable but survivable nights. A jeep would have been more then enough and much faster. No blame on El Trol, he is relaxing and waiting for a trip through Kalahari and Okawango.

One more closing statement: Latin America is safe! This is of course depending from the personal viewpoint and most important. It depends on how you approach other people. I had local trampers with me. Several times I was totally depending with everything I had on locals. I never felt insecure!