Ah, travelling! The one activity that can simultaneously boost your serotonin levels and send you into a panic-induced frenzy. It opens your mind while also threatening to close it with all the “What was I thinking?” moments. I mean, who doesn’t want to wake up in a different place every day, right? Welcome to the wild world of off-road travel, where the roads are bumpy, the weather is unpredictable, and your sanity is tested daily!
The Tourist vs. The Traveller vs. The Off-Roader
Let’s break it down.
The Tourist:
They have a schedule, a guidebook, and a penchant for taking selfies in front of landmarks. They’re the ones who proudly declare, “I’ve seen the Eiffel Tower!” while eating a croissant from a chain bakery.
The Traveller:
They venture a little deeper, seeking hidden gems and local flavours. You might catch them in a quaint café, sipping coffee and pretending to read a book while secretly Googling “cool places to visit nearby.”
The Off-Roader:
This is where the fun begins. Imagine waking up in a new location every day, surrounded by nature, armed with nothing but a map, some questionable snacks, and a car that looks like it just survived a zombie apocalypse. You have to be a modern-day explorer, part MacGyver, part survivalist, and part comedian to cope with the absurdities you’ll face.
Before you embark on this off-road escapade, prepare for an adventure of its own—packing! Months, or even a year, before departure, you’ll have your head buried in maps and travel blogs, planning your route like you’re the next Indiana Jones. You’ll also need to tackle the paperwork, which is more extensive than a novel.
Then comes the packing. You’ll need to become a master minimalist. Forget your “just in case” items; you’ll be living out of your car! As I prepared for my year-long adventure, I realised I could either bring my entire wardrobe or face a fashion crisis in the middle of the Sahara Desert. Spoiler: I wentaring the same five shirts for three months.
Once you hit the road, it quickly becomes clear that off-roading is not for the faint-hearted. You’ll find yourself navigating deserts, scaling mountains, and dodging the occasional herd of bewildered goats. Always have a backup plan—or two! Water becomes your most prized possession. We often parked beside rivers, using the water to wash dishes and clothes rather than tapping into our precious tank supply. And let me tell you, sleeping next to a river feels nothing short of miraculous.
Let’s not forget the moments that demanded a bit more bravery. Many asked whether I was scared, especially as I entered Mexico. Admittedly, I wasn’t. I had complete trust in my partner, who was the driver and navigator of our adventure. Still, some moments tested that trust, such as finding ourselves in the territory of a narco cartel deep in the Guatemalan jungle, or being stranded with an empty secondary diesel tank in the middle of the Gobi Desert. Those experiences certainly made the heart race!
Oh, and we can’t skip over the time we battled -42 degrees in Canada and -28 degrees in Norway without a heating system! Driving behind the tanks in Chechnya also sent a shiver down my spine. I looked like a ghost, bundled up in layers, trying to fend off the chill. Reflecting on it, I’ve had several moments when I felt scared, but in the end, everything turned out fine.
If you’re a true traveller at heart, it’s essential to relax and embrace spontaneity. Engaging with locals, trying their food, and shopping from them is the best way to experience the authentic essence of the places you visit. By connecting with the community, you’ll gain invaluable insights and recommendations for what to see and do in their homeland.
Every day is a new adventure—until it isn’t. Waking up in a different place sounds picturesque, but it can also feel like you’re living in a never-ending episode of “Survivor: Road Edition.” Halfway through my journey, I started to feel like an alien. My fully-packed vehicle made me stand out, and I was constantly greeted with stares. Let me tell you, nothing says “welcome” like locals looking at you as if you’d just landed in a UFO.
Travelling is exhausting. There were days when I hit the road with a fervour only to find myself yearning for a couch and a Netflix binge. Yes, I was living the dream, but dreams sometimes come with a side of exhaustion and a sprinkle of existential dread.
I could write about off-roading all week, and it still wouldn’t be enough to capture everything on my mind.
In the end, my off-road adventure taught me valuable lessons about life. So, if you’re considering diving into the wild world of off-road travel, arm yourself with humour, pack wisely, and prepare for the ride of your life. Just remember to leave some room for sanity—because you might need it!
