Thanks! Yeah the blog does take some time. Each blog post takes 8-10 hours I'd say - to write, upload pics + vids, arrange, etc. Not sure if I can keep up this pace. But if I do I'll have good base material for the Bill Bryson-esque travel memoir I hope to write when I get back to reality.
I already owned the FJ - I've had it since I bought it new in 2007 and am pretty attached to it. I do wish I'd shelled out for skid plates and maybe a custom front bumper with winch though, as those things are hard to come by down here. Although I really have no idea of other places will be as rural and safe as Baja to go 4x4ing - at least in Central America. I know there are lots of fun 4x4 routes in South America. Most of those seem like mud flats and stuff though, so maybe rocks puncturing my oil pan won't be as huge of a concern.
Other than that - I'm pretty happy with it so far. Any kind of camper van would be overkill for one person. I feel pretty nimble in that thing - and I think I can even rig it up to sleep inside with a small twin air mattress I found. The Tuffy locking drawer thing I bought for the back is the best purchase I've made in a long time. So happy with it.
New blog post is up btw. Some architecture, amazing fortune and a boat cameo in this one:
http://ushuaiaorbust.com/2018/01/20/the-mainland/
Next one will be mostly about food as I'm in Puebla for two weeks studying Spanish. The food here is just insane.