Did you also look at the Trabants and say to yourself, “I want to do something like that too”? We were just the same! Slightly bored of our stereotypical life in corporate jobs, constantly looking for at least weekend adventures and 3 weeks of vacation a year, we just weren’t short. Our goal was clear, to travel the world on four wheels in one go!
We are Eliška and Mehdi, a Czech-French couple in their early thirties with one big common travel dream – to travel the world before we settle down (as they rightly say in the Czech Republic).
How did it all start? From long dreaming to harsh reality
Before the trip, we lived in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, where beer flows and life is 100% alive. We were happy, but something was still missing – adventure. Our plan was given. We set off on a trip around the world before thirty!
After more than two years of hard investigation and less than six months before departure, our accounts certainly did not reach the imaginary ideal amount. We have already bought one-way tickets to Canada. Family and friends, everyone was already well aware of our travel plan and we had our heads in the air.
Meet the world |
Basically, there were two options. Postpone the journey indefinitely until we save or stick to the original plan and figure out what to do with it. And because, when you want something a lot, there is always an answer to the question “how”. And so we chose the second option.
One December evening, after a few pints of good Irish beer, we figured it out – we’ll be working “online”! I mean, not that we know exactly what it means, but they say a lot of travelers are going to this strategy, so why couldn’t it work for us? Note: None of us worked in this industry at that time. She taught Dalibor the hardships. We came up with a company name for the beer that evening and the next day we ran to register the company.
There was no time to waste and we have less than six months to simply learn something we have never done in our lives and to feed us along the way. In the evenings after work and all weekends, we sipped as much as we could. Soon came small projects for friends, then the first successful mini-orders and before departure even a couple of stable clients who went with us “online” on a trip around the world.
Which car to go on a trip around the world?
Every piece of advice here is expensive. From the style you want to travel (less accessible places versus well-known tourist destinations). From the purpose you expect from the car (just a vehicle that gets you from place A to place B or even the living space when the weather is not right). After the availability of parts and the speed of their delivery in various countries of the world (buying a real American truck is impressive, but can they fix it somewhere in Africa?). After all, the price also plays a big role. Not everyone in their early thirties can afford to choose the fungl of a new 4×4 with full equipment. Not to mention the subsequent budget for travel itself!
In exotics, avoid drinking ice, be curious and vigilant, advises a travel medicine expert |
And how did we have it? One of the reasons why we want to travel the world on four wheels is the availability of those less touristy places and remote areas where the human foot can hardly get. As we mentioned above, our “online business” embarks on a journey around the world with us. The car will therefore not only serve as a means of transport, but also as a mobile office. And regarding the availability of spare parts and international knowledge of the selected vehicle type?
We decided to choose one of the more well – known brands (about the history of Mitsubishi pick – ups read here. Last but not least, our budget, which was far from the amount of our originally planned budget. After tens of hours of browsing the Internet, we decided to go on a trip around the world with an imported Japanese 4×4 van Mitsubishi Delica. A reliable ATV with plenty of space and relatively easy access to spare parts along the way. Mitsubishi Delica is basically a Mitsubishi Pajero in a “delivery package”.
We are (unfortunately) still here in Canada for five weeks or a year
Our expedition start was number one. On the very first day, we managed to buy Jumba – our new home on four wheels. During the first 2 weeks, we put him in a pile with my friend Filip in Vancouver, including an interior installation, and then just waited for Eliška’s parents to test him a bit in the Canadian wilderness. Fully loaded with four adults and supplies to stay in remote Canadian areas, pampered by European asphalts, without prior knowledge of the word offroad, after a few minor and major breakdowns during our 3-week adventure, we decided we wouldn’t go that far and do anything but Jumba all the time. to repair.
With the beginning of autumn, with the fact of several weekly delivery times for new parts and the knowledge that we don’t want to travel twice during the winter, we decided to spend the winter in Vancouver and put Jumba together!
How we survived the winter in Vancouver without a single dollar to rent
We didn’t want to spend our savings twice on rent in one of the most expensive cities in the world, so we found a stable background for babysitting people on vacation or so-called “snowbirds” who leave Canada and travel during the winter months through the Trustedhousesitters application. to warmer regions of the USA, Mexico or Europe. Thanks to this app, we managed to survive the winter in Vancouver. What did we do? It was different. From weekly babysitting in downtown Vancouver’s skyscrapers, to several months of caring for a llama farm on its outskirts. And in the meantime, we could put Jumba pretty nice!
But there was another snag. Our six-month tourist visa ended in mid-January 2020. However, this would not be a case for the Czech visa, so as not to tell us that our tourist visa can be extended for another 6 months. It took a bit of paperwork, but in the end we managed to extend it!
Lessons from your own mistakes – preparation of Jumba no. 2. This time forever!
After several months of staying in Canada and new acquaintances among off-road and overland enthusiasts, we are already beginning to have at least a little of what such preparations for a trip around the world entail. Among the locals we also found the mechanic Lole, a specialist in Mitsubishi Delica (in the Czech Republic, this delivery occurs under the designation L300, note. red.), which helped us with the more demanding modifications. And what did we do? Taken from the outside – we lifted the Jumba by a little, added a second 75 l tank (now a capacity of 160 l / approx. 1100 km), fitted the front bumper with winch, then the rear bumper with a reserve holder, replaced all four wheels including tires with a rougher pattern , they installed a snorkel for the fords and bought a proper garden on the roof, which can carry the necessary spare parts and everything that does not fit inside. The icing on the cake was the installation of a solar shower and awning.
And what did we edit inside? Anyone who has already prepared the preparation for their camper knows that the biggest problem is electricity. And if a person lives, but mainly works off-grid, it pays twice as much! The basis is to store heavily produced energy somewhere. We use two 6 V deep cycle batteries connected in series with a capacity of 230 A. And where do we get that energy? When we drive, our batteries are charged by the engine, we have a 100 W solar panel on the roof, and since even this configuration was unfortunately not enough for us, we invested in a small 1000W Honda generator, which serves us especially when we are on site for a long time and is cloudy. We convert DC 12V to AC 120V with a 2000W converter. Another addition is a 40-liter Dometic refrigerator, an independent diesel heater connected to our second diesel tank, a Maxx Fan roof fan, a water filtration system and a signal amplifier, because we have all the internet connection via a local mobile operator. Last but not least, a tedious but necessary preparation was to replace all the “worn” parts of Jumba.
We’re ready, but Covid overtook us
The car is ready, we are almost packed and the last thing on the list is processing the paper for Jumba and interviewing us at the US Embassy. The paperwork for Jumba took longer than we thought, and our American visa was eventually denied. Covid has probably figured out what role Covid probably played for himself.
There are probably worse places in the world to spend quarantine because of Covid (the story of the Czechs stranded in Morocco can be found here) than Canada. Disease-waiting waiting has tested our equipment 100%. We sometimes spent a few weeks in its wilderness and without the touch of civilization. We are currently waiting for the opening of the Canadian – American border. To do this, we have applied for an extension of Canadian visas and are waiting for a new date for our US visas. So keep your fingers crossed for us, let’s finally leave soon!
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