1. Quit your job

2. Build a campervan

3. Travel

At least this is what Mike Hudson would tell you if you ask him.

He started doing a lot of dreaming in 2013 – he wanted to live in a van and travel the world. Unlike many similar dreams that are born and die every minute around the world, this one actually turned into reality. Mike quit his job, moved out his house in Sheffield, UK, gave away the furniture and… bought a big old van.

“The first few days I was overwhelmed with things I needed to do. The van was a mess. It got worse the more time I spent with it; more rust, holes in floor, oil leaks, bodge after bodge. It was a write-off and it even had forklift truck marks underneath where it had probably been shifted about some scrap yard,” he tells the story in his blog.

March 2014, the van conversion was complete, the journey began.

Two years later Mike is in Morocco – relaxing by the coast in a secluded spot – and answering our questions:

I travel by van because… it lets me live a simple happy life of freedom, adventure and experience variety every day.

Turning a dream into reality is… a human thing that we are all wired to do.

Quitting my job to travel was a decision that now I see as… the best decision of my life.

The first thing I do when I arrive at a new destination is… stop and observe.

I never travel without... a positive mindset and a healthy outlook on the world.

The place I would come back again and again is… Greece, Greece, Greece.

The strangest thing that ever happened to me on the road was… I really don’t know what is strange and what is not any more. Even crazy coincidences are kind of normal now, although I don’t take them for granted.

Actually I never have time for… the radio and the disgusting music they feed us.

My last destination was… I’m in Morocco right now. I’m by the coast in a secluded spot with some other vans.

My next destination is… I’ll go south down the coast. I heard about this valley full of vans and homes of wheels with cool people.

5 tips for travelling by van… laugh, live, be nice to locals and police, don’t plan too much, let curiosity lead the way.

If I have to share something inspiring with you, it would be… the night sky.

The bench with the greatest view in the world is in… I love this question but I’m afraid I haven’t travelled the world so how can I say? But I’ll say Athens, Greece on Filopappos Hill at sunset with a bottle of wine.

This interview was originally published on TravelBench.net.

The post The recipe for a perfect life? Quit your job, buy a van, travel! appeared first on 203Challenges.

This kind of lifestyle has been used by many throughout history. There were, and still are, nomads who travel around with no constant place to stay. Or people who live on the boat and can sail away anywhere they want. One of the more popular styles of living on the move, that most people can afford, is living in a van. Find out what this kind of life has to offer with this short insight.

It does not come without challenges

People are often obsessed with this kind of living thinking it is totally carefree and that there is nothing that you need to worry about. This kind of ideal thinking needs to be toned down a bit with some real facts. There will be things that you need to take care of and it will not always be a smooth ride.

Before you start, it is better to start out reading or watching other people’s experiences. Finding beginner guides online, as the ones that can be seen over at optoutliving.com can help out a lot if you are starting with this alternative lifestyle. The power of the internet is very useful when it comes to doing research, as it is now easier than ever to find the pieces of information that you are looking for.

Sleeping

Even though sleeping comes at the end of the day, it is still important to think ahead of time about it. Sleeping is very important for many health reasons, and you need to get some good night’s rest in the van. You will need to be comfortable with the fact that where you are sleeping is going to be the place where you do everything else. Unless you have a very big van where you can have a separate room with a bed, your bed will be in the main part of your van. This is not a problem for some people, but for others, it may be a bit claustrophobic. 

Also, these kinds of beds may not be super comfortable or very big. So you will need to add some extra layers to make them softer. If you plan on sleeping in a parking lot, you will still be surrounded by other people. Only the walls of your van separate you from the outside world, even when you are sleeping. But if you are not, you will get some of the best sleeping sessions, far away from everyone, in your little moveable home. That feeling when you wake up from that kind of sleep will truly be worth it. 

Hygiene

Keeping good hygiene is very important when you live in a small space such as a van. Keeping your van clean may not seem like a big job, and it is not at all. You will just need to do the tidying up on a regular basis, so be sure to make that your habit. Especially if you are in a van with your pet companion, with a dog for example.

Being in a clean van does not mean that you can forget about your hygiene. Some vans can be equipped with a bathroom, but again that means extra space and more money to spend. Using public restrooms will probably be your go-to option for your basic needs. The best place to look for a shower would probably be local recreational centers. You can also put in a workout while you are there and you will be satisfied with the cleanliness that these centers often have.

These three points that were mentioned are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more things that lie in this kind of lifestyle. It was important to mention these basics as they are often forgotten when you fantasize about selling everything you have and starting anew. These problems do not have to be something to be feared.

The challenges in the small things you take for granted will serve as something important to keep in your mind. You will become a lot more grateful for these everyday basic needs once you start getting them the hard way. Your perspective of life will change, and that is the point with this kind of life.

And one more thing – when you are alone or far away from your home, you change your mind, your vision and design for life :), your priorities, and you can find new skills, and a new 3D model for all around you 😉

The post Living In A Van: What Is It Like? appeared first on 203Challenges.

Here’s the inspiring story of Lexis Noelle and her little converted blue-bus “Lola”:

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– Who is Lexis Noelle and what does she dream of?

– My name is Lexis Noelle, I am a 19-year-old girl from New York with a strong desire to travel and explore new places. I was never the college/bookwork type so after I graduated High school I went to my mom and told her I need to do something that I’m going to love doing and sitting in school was not it. She knew who I was and what I loved so we decided since I love camping and exploring new places, why not get something that would make traveling a lot easier and fun to do! And that is where “Lola” came along. My biggest accomplishment so far was being invited by “Girl Camper“ (Janine Pettit) to be in the Rhinebeck NY, “Country Living Fair”. For years I had the “Country Living Magazine” delivered to my house and I remember flipping through the pages and looking at all the awesome décor and content they had. I never thought that “Lola” and I would be a part of the fair! Going to the fair really made me realize what I accomplished and it made me look at things so differently. Talking to women/men about why I bought a bus instead of just going to a dealer and buying a brand new camper, and what she is capable of made them look at my idea in a totally different way than they could imagine. It was a 3-day fair with a lot of questions, a lot of answers, and a lot of pictures. It was an experience I will never forget.

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– Who is Lola and how (and when) did she come into your life?

– “Lola” is a 1989 Canadian blue-bird short bus that my mother and I turned into a “glamper” on wheels. I was looking around for something that would suit my needs, and would be practical for me to handle driving. After months of looking for the perfect vehicle I was giving up hope on finding the right one. I stopped looking for little bit and went online one day just to see if maybe something came up, and there she was. A light pastel little blue vintage bus with endless possibilities. I contacted the seller and he was a few blocks away from my house in the same town!!! My mother and I hopped in the car, went to his house, took her for a test drive, and the rest is history. She was mine.

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– How long did it take to renovate and furnish your bus?

– My mother and I did the conversion together, being that she already had her own bus conversion. She knew how to lay a floor and do all the stuff I didn’t know how to do. She helped me with the layout and the “hard” parts and told me the rest was up to me to decorate and make my own. The conversion took about 3 months of sleepless nights, late night shopping runs, and a lot of laughs.

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– What was the hardest part?

– The hardest part was choosing how I wanted my layout. What would be most practical for me, and utilizing the most space I could.

– What was the fun part?
– The fun part was definitely the decorating! I had tons of ideas and seeing those ideas come to life was amazing.

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– What are the perks of living a bus life?

– The perks of living a “bus life” is escaping the everyday norm that a lot of people have a hard time separating from. Living a “bus life” means you can literally take your little home on wheels anywhere and always have a place to hangout, cook, sleep, shower, go to the bathroom in. The feeling of being able to open your back door and having a different view of wherever you go, whether it is mountains, a lake, a sunset, a beach is something you cannot even put a price on.

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– What was one thing you hadn’t realized about living in a bus before you actually did it?

– Right now I am currently part time “bus life” working to save more money to be comfortable hitting the road full time in “Lola”. I travel on my weekends off and my vacation days, always with a plan to see or explore something new.

– How do you find living with so little stuff?

– One thing about “bus life” is that you seriously realize how much you don’t need. There is no better feeling than having only what you really need and not having the burden of clutter on your shoulders.

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– What’s the trip that has changed you the most?

– My trip to Rhinebeck NY has been my favorite, seeing and meeting so many people and encouraging them to think outside the box gave me such an amazing feeling. Also watching them take a inside tour of “Lola” and seeing their reactions to how a short bus can fit a kitchen, bathroom, dining room and a full sized bed and still have a ton of space to move around freely completely shocked them.

– Many people dream of breaking the routine and start living in a van or converted bus. What would you tell them?

– I would tell those people if it is something they really would love to do, then they should 100% go for it. Make sure that the vehicle you want is going to suit your needs and comfort the best, watch a ton of Youtube videos on others living this lifestyle and most important have fun with it!

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– What’s one inspiring thing you’d share with us?

– I am beyond happy that I have “Lola” and that she came out to be exactly what I wanted. I can’t thank my mother enough for pushing me to accomplish this goal, and always motivating me to go beyond my comfort zone .

– One challenge for everyone reading this?

– Go somewhere that you’ve always drove past, biked past or even walked past and always wanted to stop and see and take pictures of but never took the time out to do

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Are you inspired? Here’s more from Rohan:

Who are you and what do you dream of?

I am a 27 year old New Zealander. For the last 2 years, I have been a primary school teacher in Germany but I am now a full time traveller and blogger. My partner and I both love to meet people so look forward to making friends with locals and hope to spend some time volunteering in communities in our future travels. My dream is to create a lifestyle that means I can travel often.

My latest adventure is… In July 2017, my partner and I sold all of our stuff and began our biggest adventure yet. We are travelling by van from Germany to Azerbaijan. We will then sell the van and continue with our backpacks through Iran and Asia. We plan to keep travelling the world until our money runs out!

Courtesy of Travels of a Bookpacker

A common misconception about living in a van is… That you need to be the outdoor type. I’m a total city kid and while I’m OK with peeing in the bushes, I also like to have the comfort of a real shower and some wi-fi every few days. We mix up free camping with campgrounds and even AirBnBs to relax and do some washing. The great thing about van life is that you have the freedom to choose!

The first thing I do when I arrive at a new destination is… crack open a beer! Whether we’ve been in the hot van all day or just arrived in a new country and need to try the local brew, you can never go wrong with a cold beer!

I never travel without… my phone. It’s old and slow but it’s my map, my camera, my clock, my translator, calculator and connection to my friends and family.

Courtesy of Travels of a Bookpacker

The strangest thing that ever happened to me on the road was… when Zlatan Ibrahimovic sat next to me at an airport and I had to ask him who he was!

Before setting off I always… have a practice pack. I get this from my mother who is chronically organised. A few days before a big trip I like to make sure everything fits into my bag, make lists of the things I need and often cut out some unnecessary items!

The trip that changed me… would have to be my first solo travel. At 21, I packed a bag and spent 5 months backpacking Europe alone and ended up living in Edinburgh for 18 months. This trip gave me so much independence and forged my first connections with Europe where I have spent most of my adult life and will continue to return to.

The most helpful thing I’ve learned on the road that could be used in everyday life… appreciate your home as much as you do foreign places. I have spent a lot of my adult life away from New Zealand but I have developed a new understanding and love of the place that I will always call home. It’s not perfect but it is one of the best countries on Earth and I plan to spend more time getting to know it next time I’m home!

The place that surprised me the most… Kazakhstan. We had very few expectations before travelling here and didn’t know many people who had been. But we were constantly wowed by the architecture, history, affordability and kindness of the people.

Courtesy of Travels of a Bookpacker

The place I would come back again and again is… Edinburgh! I’ve spent a total of 2 years living in this amazing city and yet every time I go back I discover something new or have a whole new appreciation for the beauty, vibe and character that make this such an incredible place to be. I will always think of Edinburgh as my second home.

The most challenging trip I’ve been on… was to Cuba. This country is beautiful and incredibly interesting but lacks a lot of tourist infrastructure outside of Havana. Travelling independently and on a budget was really challenging. Thankfully, I was not alone and my partner speaks Spanish so we got by. Had I been alone, I don’t think I would have lasted the month!

My recipe for turning dreams into reality is… Don’t have dreams, just have plans! If you start telling people you’re going to do something, it’s much more likely you’ll actually do it. I also set myself a date as this makes it so much more real and gets me excited working up to it!

If I have to share something inspiring with you, it would be… one of my favourite sayings: ‘never try, never know’. It can be applied to all kinds of situations from trying the odd sounding cocktail at a bar to moving into a van with your partner to travel the world!

One travel challenge for everyone reading this… Make an effort to befriend some locals on your next trip, it will entirely change your experience of a place. Whether it’s chatting to a person at the local market, striking up conversation in a bar or staying with some Couchsurfing hosts, most locals are more than happy to chat with you about their hometown and life in their country!

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Follow Travels of a Bookpacker on facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Rohan has recently reviewed “203 Travel Challenges”, so make sure to read her review here.

The post Inspiring travel bloggers: Rohan from Travels of a Bookpacker appeared first on 203Challenges.

They didn’t have much money, so they bought an old van for 600$ and turned it into an adventure travel car.

They are only 27 years old but they have visited over 50 countries on 5 continents in the last 6 years.

For 8 dollars a day.

Before the trip Karol was studying computer science and robotics and Alex was studying political science. Now they work as travel bloggers and book writers and they have a youtube channel.

Just a look at their travel blog busaroundtheworld.com and you feel the urge to pack your stuff and just go explore the world.

Read a part of their story here:

When we told to people in Poland, that we want to go on such a journey… they said that we were crazy and that we cannot live like this. But we did it – our live has become a journey. Every day we wake up in the morning feeling free and happy. Now we believe that you do not need much money to start traveling and fulfill your dreams. Now we know that every dream we have can become a reality.

We travel by bus around the world because… it is really cheap. The car is also our home on wheels. The main cost is the fuel – that’s why other people travel with us and share fuel costs. We travel slowly and often stay in one place for a few days, so we save on fuel. We do not pay for accommodation because we sleep in the van or in tents – on beaches, cliffs, mountains. Often, strangers invite us to their homes. Polish people living abroad often help us. We buy food from supermarkets and we cook – we do not pay for restaurants. For example, in Australia we ate kangaroo steaks because it was the cheapest meat.

When the car breaks down… we repair it, because during the trip we have learned how to do this. And when we need mechanics, they very often do not take money from us because they are impressed by our trip. They just want to help us and be part of our adventure.

The first thing we do when we arrive at a new destination is… we find a place with a nice view, we take out chairs and a grill from the car, enjoy the view and talk with the locals. Our car is so unique that in a few minutes we meet a lot of people.

We never travel without… duct tape to fix our car.

The place we would come back again and again is… West of the US and Australian deserts.

The strangest thing that ever happened to us on the road was… in Australia we lost a wheel while driving – we got stuck in the desert in a place with no mobile coverage, and with little supply of water.

We always takes passengers on board our bus… because it s more fun in group and in case of breakdown they are pushing the car 🙂

We never have time for… complaining.

Our last destination was… Iceland.

Our next destination is… Georgia.

If we have to share something inspiring with you, it would be… Don’t make your life harder, and live simply.

The bench with the greatest view in the world is…. on the West Fjords in Iceland.

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