Archive
One night in Mostar
On our drive along the Adriatic coast, we made a detour to the Bosnian town of Mostar, which is known across regional borders for its symbolic bridge.
On the Adriatic Highway along the Croatian coast
The winding, narrow and especially busy coastal road “Jadranska Magistrale” brought us from the peninsula Istria in the north to Dalmatia in the south of Croatia.
Green, greener, Slovenia
Having finally set off to our big trip, we were looking forward to the first country on our route. Slovenia surprised on the one hand with an idyllic Alpine landscape, on the other hand with a Mediterranean flair.
The final countdown
On your marks, get set, go! Hard to believe, but true, on May 10th we actually depart to our world trip.
From the port of Hamburg to Vienna`s Praterstern
Heading home from our trip through Europe, we transited Germany in a couple of days.
More than IKEA - Sweden
Our 10 days in Sweden were limited to the south of the country; the north had to wait until our next visit to Scandinavia.
Norway - a love story
It can not be denied - we fell in love with Norway. The country has cast us under its spell and didn't let us go for four weeks. Or maybe we could not let it go?
O like in Oslo
Despite the long stay in Norway, a short visit to its capital was inevitable.
On touristy paths - from Trollstigen to Geiranger
The section between the famous serpentine road Trollstigen and the imposing Geiranger Fjord is a must for all visitors to Norway.
Unforgettable Lofoten
The archipelago knows how to enchant. Those who have visited the Lofoten, rhapsodize about it.
Save the whales - whale watching in Andenes
With the observation of sperm whales along the Norwegian coast, a childhood dream came true.
71° 10′ 21″ - The fascination of the North Cape
What's actually at the North Cape to see what you can't find elsewhere in Norway? A breathtaking view in the midst of a gigantic setting with the sea, cliffs and an endless horizon one can also experience in many other places in gorgeous Norway.
Kiitos, Finland - lakes, sauna and Santa
More than 1.600 km lie between Helsinki, from where we started our journey through Finland, and the Norwegian border in Finnish Lapland. So much land, so many trees - but we never felt bored while looking out of the window.
The leap over the Arctic Circle
An invisible line runs through Finland, Sweden, Norway, Russia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Iceland - the Arctic Circle. North of it, the midnight sun never sets during the summer months, while in the dark polar nights in winter the sun never rises.
Helsinki city / Helsingin kaupunki / Helsingfors stad
In Finland, a tongue twister lurked on every corner. Learning the Finnish language seems to take a century, while the country with its amazing capital wowed us immediately.
Pienas, Piens, Piim - the Baltic States. A summary.
The three Baltic countries are in culture and language similar but not identical.
Crisscross through Estonia
Estonia is one of the most sparsely populated and densely wooded countries in Europe. Free access to the forests and its use as a recreational area is a national good - the so-called "everyman's right" applies, of which we also made use.
The underestimated magnificence of Latvia`s shore
In Latvia we traveled along its Baltic See coastline - starting from the popular seaside resort of Liepaja, passing the port city of Ventspils, we headed to Latvia`s capital city Riga.
Lithuania - the unknown enthuses
Lithuania was for us a blind spot on the map. Only the fact that it is the southernmost and largest country of the Baltics we did remember from school days. Everything else was like the conquest of a great unknown.
Poland from south to north
Our journey through Poland led us from the country's south to its north. Skipping big cities, we drove along idyllic villages, juicy green meadows and uncountable small lakes populated by an army of mosquitos.
Between selfie-sticks and commemoration
Thoughts on our visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
Up and down in Slovakia or: “Here is Johnny”
The first country through which we traveled on our journey through Europe had many steep curves ready for our car and reminded us of a horror movie. Slovakia is definitely worth a visit.
When do you depart?
We could not stand this question anymore. We had no answer. Not anymore. Our departure date had already been postponed several times.
Panta Rhei - Everything flows!
Our vehicle has two water sources. Neither of them is inside the vehicle.
More than just a piece of fabric - Shower curtain and awning
What does a shower curtain and an awning have in common? Normally not too much. In our case, our awning is also our shower curtain and vice versa.
Troublemaker pop-up top
Of all things in and on our vehicle, the pop-up roof strained our nerves the most. We lost sleep over it. In the course of the modification of the car, we left no stone unturned to mitigate the situation a bit.
A new tail for easy entry and exit
The genesis of the device on the rear of the vehicle is a typical "one thing leads to another" story. Initally, there was just the wish to get in and out easily.
A perfect spot for the traction boards
Where to put them? The first question we asked ourselves after we had decided to take a pair of traction boards with us.
Mission: Sewing
Sewing the textiles for our adventuremobile was a welcomed alternative to all the grinding, hammering and screwing.
The black pipe - our water tank
The obvious black pipe, which runs from the front to the rear of our adventure mobile, causes a lot of questions from outside observers.
A baby bathtub, but no baby on board?
In the course of rebuilding the car, we also transformed an initially useless compartment into a unique asset. Nickname included.
Come drive with me - the cockpit
When traveling, the cockpit is inevitable the place where most of the time of a day is spent. In case of our vehicle, the cockpit wasn't a comfort zone.
Outside of the G - Jerry can and outdoor sockets
In the course of rebuilding the car, also on its outside some alterations had been made.
Sweep it under the carpet
Of all the different materials that we have utilized in the course of remodeling the car, one has proved to be particularly useful.
Let there be light - additional outside headlights
We can claim to have sufficient light sources (both mobile and installed) indoor, but the outside of our vehicle required an update.
On the top of the G
The remaining area around the centered roof hatch has been used meaningfully with the installation of boxes and solar panels.
Let us cook!
The cupboard for food and kitchenware was the last piece of furniture we manufactured. Also, the space on the inside of the rear door had been used for a small hanging box.
Big enough - the cupboard
The main cupboard should provide a lot of storage space. At the same time, it shouldn't be a monstrosity that causes claustrophobia when being inside the car.
A piece of furniture for water and electricity
Two elements that typically do not fit together, are unified in one piece of furniture. The cupboard accomodates both, water canisters, as well as various electrical stuff.
3-in-1 bench, bed and storage space
The construction of the bench was challenging. Aim was that it consists of a pull-out slatted frame to use as bed and in addition, the bench should provide some storage space.
Straight from scratch - planning the furniture
The moment we bought the car, we started planning in our minds how the interior should look like. Bringing the plans to paper was then much more difficult.
Keep me warm - the installation of the air heater
The upcoming installation of the air heater worried us a bit. Wrongly, as we soon found out. The process was smooth and easier than initially thought.
A solid basis - the floor plate
A 12 cm thick plate of durable and resistant phenolic plywood serves as floor at the "living area" of our car.
Shade and shelter - the awning
The mounting of an awning was unquestionable to us. On sunny days, we escape into its shade; on rainy days, we hide there from the wet.
A tale of two seats
The mission seemed easy, but the execution failed: interchanging driver's and assistant driver's seat.
All good things come from above - a new roof hatch
As a preventative measure we replaced the old roof hatch. Nothing worse than a leaking window or one that doesn't open reliably.
Above all - a new roof lining
After removing the original roof lining, we decided to not reassemble it. Instead, we designed and built our own ceiling that is tailored to our requirements.
Sleep well - our slatted frame
Like in seventh heaven we sleep on our self-made slatted frame.
Cutting and glueing - insulation and paneling
The necessity of insulating the roof and the walls was beyond all question. The insulation material applied on the walls is hidden behind our self-made paneling.
From door to door
We can just guess how many times the car's doors had been opened and closed in the course of its more than 30 years of existence. But it was obvious, that they would require a reconditioning.
All the glamor is gone
After a couple of weeks of removing the rust inside and outside, the car looked pitiful. We had no other choice than a new varnish.
We see red - fighting the rust
Rust - our new best enemy caused us a lot of headache and sleepless nights, but we met the challenge.
Everything must go!
A big clean up was on the agenda. Getting rid of the old interior was liberating, but what surfaced was less pleasant.
Adventuremobile? Found!
We found a vehicle for our big journey. Let the adventure begin!
Why a world trip?
Ready to live a life less ordinary.