Couchsurfing in Russia (Where are We – Russia 5)
Our stay in Komsomolsk-on-Amur is a great example why we enjoy Couchsurfing in Russia so much. A warm home, and welcoming and wonderful hosts.
Hiking the Great Wall Away From the Crowds (Where Are We – China 1)
Broken-down sections first attract tourists off the beaten track, then the inevitable hawkers, then the renovators and safety consultants who often strip away much of the historical charm along with … Read more
7 Adventurous, Cultural & Inspiring Road Trips in Brazil
Our 600 Days of travel in Brazil have included a couple of fantastic road trips that we would like to share with you…
Visiting the Nadaam Festival (Where Are We – Mongolia 3)
Mongolia’s most important celebration, the Nadaam Festival is a summer event held throughout the summer and in every corner of Mongolia.
The Most Adventurous Road Trips in Australia (guestblog)
Vast, empty and diverse, here is a heaven for overlanders. To prepare for your trip, check out these 6 awesome road trips in Australia.
Enjoying a Festival at the Amarbayasgalant Monastery (Where Are We – Mongolia 1)
Our conversation stopped and we listened to our surroundings. “Yes. I hear the chanting, let’s go take a look,” we both said. We packed the camping chairs away, put the … Read more
The Paucartambo Festival: Masked Devils, the Virgin and Everything in Between
One of Peru’s most authentic, dramatic, fun and spectacular festivals: the Paucartambo Festival, with 17 traditional troupes honoring the Virgin of Carmen.
How to Deal with Police Officers when Overlanding
1. Trust people; trust officers. This, and 6 more tips on surviving police checks on the road.
Rough Camping along Lake Baikal (Where Are We – Russia 3)
It’s May 15 and Lake Baikal still has not entirely melted. The ice surface roars and groans, mesmerizing me. Among the most bewitching places we’ve been in Russia, we take our time to rough camp along Lake Baikal but almost lose the drone.
Windshield Views from the Far East (Russia)
Hop in the Land Cruiser, buckle up and enjoy the windshield views of Russia’s Far East as if you are behind the wheel or riding shotgun. Can you feel the energy of the trusty diesel coming to life at the turning of the key? Enjoy the ride – we have some 2,000 kilometers to go.
Inaugurating the Taiga Pitch Overlanders’ Campsite (Where are We – Russia 2)
New and promising, a new overlanders’ campsite on the crossroad of the overlanders’ route in East Russia, Ulan Ude. We inaugurated the Taiga Pitch Offroading Camp during a week-long stay with ticking off items on our to-do list and enjoying bonfires. Here’s what this great project is all about.
Hiking the Jordan Trail (part 2)
Starting the new year in Ais, part 2 of hiking the Jordan Trail leads from Ais, via Dana and Petra to Wadi Rum and Aqaba, totalling the 650 kms adventure on foot.
How to Start an Off-road Adventure in Russia (Where Are We – Russia 1)
Half an hour off the asphalt and the wheels go spinning in Russia’s thick, clay-like mud. Friends from Vladivostok join our adventure for the weekend and, for the fun of it, we show them how to do it properly and stupidly: getting stuck.
Our Favorite Hiking Gear – the List After 2 Thru-Hikes
After two thru-hikes, the Baekdu-Daegan in South Korea and the Jordan Trail, we have learned what hiking gear we need and want and put this overview together for you.
Being Spoiled at the Romance Factory (Where are We – South Korea 11)
Romance Factory in South Korea not only saved our day, but our trip, and potentially lots of other vehicles. Through persistence they found the solution to the Land Cruiser’s failing brakes.
The Jordan Trail Hike (part 1)
Part 1 of the Jordan Trail hike, which covers 650 kms of trails from north to south Jordan, with the first half starting in Umm Qays and meandering through agricultural countrysides and Ajlun to Iraq al Amir.
Sightseeing in Vladivostok
Another pleasant surprise on our journey and we wished we had more time to stay and explore. For one day we made the best of sightseeing in Vladivostok.
Feeling Welcome in Vladivostok
Vladivostok: from a new, flashy and organized airport into maddening traffic, but most of all into the welcoming home of new friends.
The First Dakar Rally in South America – a Flashback
A flashback to the Dakar Rally’s first event in South America. In the company of Argentineans we found a perfect spot to watch the spectacle.
Driving Dunes and Beaches in Northeast Brazil
Photos of an off-road adventure in Brazil where we drive through shifting sands of dunes and beaches, and cross rivers on rickety, hand-powered ferries.
Starting the Jordan Trail Thru Hike (Where are We – Jordan 1)
We are on our way to Jordan to hike the 650-kilometer Jordan Trail, which runs from the far north of Umm Qais to the Red Sea near Aqaba in the south.
Thank You Japan!
What a journey it has been! 9 months, 11 islands, 12,000 kilometers from Kyushu in the south to Hokkaido in the north. We kept you updated through our ‘Where are … Read more
The Falaza Trail Run (Russia)
A one-week visit to Vladivostok includes train ride to the countryside where Coen will run his first marathon trail run in the Falaza Mountains.
Watching Korean Beach Life (Where Are We – South Korea 10)
Japan kicked us out two months earlier than we had hoped for and anticipated. Customs and immigration (in any country) have nothing to do with each other, which meant that while … Read more
The Story of Sponsoring, Gifts & Sharing
Originally published 2012 / Updated October 2017 I could have added this topic to the Frequently Asked Questions. People often want to know if companies are sponsoring us. However, I realized … Read more
Of Course You Can Hike a 465-mile Mountain Trail!
I was giving up. I didn’t want to do this anymore. My clothes were soaked with sweat, my legs and arms covered in scratches from overgrowth taller than I was. … Read more
Books on Overlanding
A list of popular books on overlanding by car or motorcycle: around the world, through the Americas, and in Africa, Asia and Europe.
The Death Road Calendar
Bolivia’s Death Road is also known as the World’s Most Dangerous Road. We drove it, took pictures, and made a calendar.
Overlanders Inspired – Free E-book
Debunking all excuses for not going on an overlanding trip! This free e-book Overlanders Inspired shares stories of overlanders from all walks of life.
Why Overlanding in Japan is Fun, Easy, and Affordable
We said goodbye to Japan with pain in our hearts. Nine months were not enough to see and experience it all. The country is too large, too diverse, too interesting, … Read more
A Glance into the Lives of the Mennonites in Paraguay
We are lucky to have a peek into the lives of the Mennonites in Paraguay, in a moderate community as well as a conservative community.
From a Typhoon to Okhinohama Beach (Where Are We – Japan 11)
August 15, 2017: Chased from Japan’s inland by a 4-day typhoon and rising rivers, we return to the coast and camp at Okhinohama Beach, one of Japan’s most beautiful beaches. But our visa is running out so we’re spending our last two weeks in Kyushu before returning to South Korea.
Enjoying Summer on Shikoku (Where are We – Japan 10)
July 25, 2017: Shikoku has been welcoming is with rain showers and warm temperatures, with empty beaches, good company of our friends Dan & Kyoko, and our first wilderness campsite in Japan!
Visiting the Land Cruiser Factory & Automobile Museum (Where Are We – Japan 9)
June 15, 2017: After a five-week stay with our families and friends in the Netherlands, our days in Japan have been on a rollercoaster. We visited the Toyota Automobile Museum in Nagoya (so awesome that Coen took 200 pictures) and thanks to the Land Cruiser community in Japan we could visit to the Land Cruiser’s factory of birth in Toyota.
Hanami in Japan – The Celebration of Cherry Blossoms
What better announcement of spring is there than sakura – the cherry blossom season?
Watching a Glassblower in Japan at Work (Where Are We – Japan 8)
April 20, 2017: We were fortunate enough to stay with Peter Ivy, a glassblower who makes stunning pieces of functional art in his studio in Toyama.
Behind the Fences in the World’s Biggest Wetland: the Pantanal (Brazil)
After an hour of fruitless trying piranhas were suddenly flying into the boat. We had hit a school of them and reeled in one after the other. Pablo carefully removed … Read more
Admiring Wildlife on Hokkaido, in Winter (Where Are We – Japan 7)
March 17, 2017: Fabulous pics of animals we spotted in the heavy snow of Hokkaido.
The Sapporo Snow Festival on Hokkaido (Japan)
It’s as awesome as all the travel blogs and sites promise: Sapporo’s Snow Festival.
Exploring Honshu Island & Replacing the Clutch (Where Are We – Japan 6)
January 22, 2017: As we weave our way through urbanized Honshu, we stop in Hiroshima, make new friends and kill the clutch in the middle of the highway.
Don’t skip Paraguay on Your South America trip. Here is Why.
Paraguay has more than enough to offer for overlanders to check it out.
10 Experiences You Can Only Have in the Guianas
Rocket launches, sloths, winti rituals, gold mines and car rallies are among the experiences that make traveling to the Guianas unique.
Hiking on Yakushima Island (Where Are We – Japan 5)
December 27, 2016: We packed our backpacks, took a ferry, and hiked on Yakushima Island.
11 Ultimate rough camps for overlanders in Argentina
Argentina has many campgrounds but the beauty is that you don’t depend on them. Boondocking is allowed and very common indeed. Many magnificent camping spots are in the back of … Read more
Visiting Kyushu Island & 4Friendee Auto Workshop (Where are We – Japan 4)
December 14, 2016: We hoped for magic things in our Land Cruiser’s country of birth, Japan, but what is happening is beyond expectation. A look into 4Friendee Auto Workshop.
Why Hike the Baekdu-Daegan? (South Korea)
“To walk nature is to witness a thousand miracles.” ~Mary Davis
Loving Kyushu Island & Repairing our First Fender Bender (Where Are We – Japan 3)
November 29, 2016. We make new friends, admire hellish-looking ponds, and have our first car accident in 13 years on the road.
Thank You South Korea!
When writing our last newsletter (Yes, I want to receive it too!) I was reminiscing about our 6-month stay in South Korea and started thanking people whom had helped us in … Read more
Hiking the Baekdu-daegan Mountain Ridge (Where Are We – South Korea 9)
October 22, 2016: Some 230 kms and 17 days of strenuous hiking along the Baekdu-daegan in South Korea. And that’s just a third of the total distance we hiked! Here’s an impression of stage 3 of our great Korean adventure.
9 of South America’s Most Legit Road Trip Routes
Ship your vehicle (or rent a car) and explore some of the best road trips in South America. Here are our 9 favorites.
A Visa Run to Tsushima Island (Where Are We – Japan 1)
August 28, 2016: The idea was a quick one-day visa run to Japan. It turned into a 24-hour trip, with enough challenges to fill a blog post.
4 Places in Northeast Brazil You Have Never Heard Of
The GPS is clueless; we trust the instructions of farmers. We have swapped the white beaches of the Atlantic Ocean lined with palm trees for the little-explored Sertão, as the … Read more
Sightseeing Seoul (Where Are We – South Korea 8)
August 14, 2016: We sought the Olympic spirit at Seoul’s Olympic Park but melted away in the heat, as we did anywhere else outside aircon spaces. From temples and tombs we moved to massive and fascinating museums.
Hiking in Jirisan National Park (Where Are We – South Korea 7)
July 25, 2016; At the southern end of the Baekdu Daegan Trail we started hiking in Jirisan National Park and continued farther north, totaling 135 of of the 735-km trail.
Hiking in Seoraksan National Park (Where Are We – South Korea 6)
July 11, 2016: A 3-day hike in Seoraksan National Park had us blown away. The views, the trails, the sites along the way, the meetings with Koreans all contributed to a new passion: hiking.
10 Under-the-radar Spots to Check Out in Western Brazil
Visit a Brazil few travelers have seen and check out these 10 under-the-radar spots for sightseeing and outdoor adventure.
Visiting the Demilitarized Zone (Where Are We – South Korea 5)
June 26, 2016: Why drive from Seoul to the East Coast in a couple of hours when you can take oh, let’s say, ten days?
13 Places in South America Where You Will be Dwarfed by Nature
From glaciers to deserts, from the Amazon Rainforest to vast wetlands, and from waterfalls to salt flats, South America has a number of places where you feel how insignificant we, … Read more
Why Drive the Pan American Highway?
What’s the lure of the Pan Americana? I asked a number of overlanders what made them drive (parts of) the Pan American Highway that links Alaska with Ushuaia.
9 Dramatic Mountain Passes in South America
With the Andes Mountains stretching from the far north of Venezuela all the way down to South America’s southernmost point in Argentina, covering seven countries and 4,300 miles in the … Read more
Visiting Seoul (Where Are We – South Korea 4)
June 10, 2016: After a month of visiting family and friends in the Netherlands we returned to Korea. Back to good companionship, food, and a beautiful country – it feels good being here again.
New Continent, New Country: South Korea
When traveling from one country to the next, let alone to another continent, it’s hard not to compare. And while doing that, we tend to focus on what we like about the … Read more
Exploring the South Coast (Where Are We? – South Korea 3)
April 28, 2016: Checking out the famous cherry blossom, and colorful temples with golden buddha statues, towering gates and frightful guards in scenic mountainous landscapes.
The Philippines by Boat
Beach, snorkeling, sunsets, outrigged boats, lazing, reading a book and more while exploring the Philippines by boat.
The Philippines on Foot and a Bike, by Bus, Jeepney and Tricycle
Mountain runs, hanging coffins, rice terraces, and old colonial towns.
Backpacking the Philippines – a Reflection
Why we prefer overlanding over backpacking – a reflection on backpacking in the Philippines.
Overlanding in Guyana – Tips on Where to Go
“Guyana? Where is that?” “Guy… what?” “Is that an island in the Pacific?” Clearly, Guyana is not the best-known country in the world, and even among South Americans you’ll find many … Read more
Owru Yari in Suriname – Blasting Away Evil Spirits
Suriname’s Owru Yari in photos, a unique event in the world.
Impressions of Georgetown (Guyana)
Architecture, transportation, food and people: there’s enough to see, watch and admire here.
Meet the Venezuelans!
One of things that makes any journey to Venezuela unique is its incredibly kind, helpful and hospitable people…
Where The Road Ends (Venezuela)
When studying the map of Venezuela my eye was constantly drawn to one particular corner: that of the Orinoco Delta. The drawback for an overlander: there are no roads or … Read more
Watching Sea Turtles in South America – Where, When & How
Sea turtles are among the animals that characterize South America’s wildlife. Where you can see them? We show you a couple of places.
Overlanding in Venezuela
Overlanding in Venezuela: making new friends and becoming part of Destinos Inteligentes for a weekend.
Where to Go in Argentina – Our Favorite Places and Activities
Our journey in Argentina took about a year. Here we share a number of stories on our trip.
The Ultimate Road Trip in Venezuela
For those who love off-roading to the back of beyond, add Pauji to your list of road trips in Venezuela.
Venezuela, Third Impressions: The Gran Sabana
Our #1 destination in Venezuela: the Gran Sabana. Lots of space, tranquility, off-road and rough camp opportunities.
Venezuela, Second Impressions: The Andes Mountains
The Andes Mountains: stunning, friendly, clean, and pleasant temperatures. What’s there not to like?
Venezuela, First Impressions: Los Llanos
Staying with indigenous people, welcomed in a workshop, invited to visit hatos and being part of one of the country’s biggest festivals. Yes, we like Venezuela.
5 Awesome Off-the-Beaten-Track Road Trips in Colombia
Colombia has a zillion opportunities to drive away from the Pan Americana and explore the countryside. Here are our favorite road trips.
Signboards in China – The Funniest Translations
Maybe it’s not fair to laugh. We all make mistakes, especially in languages that aren’t our first. On the other hand, there’s no reason to take life too seriously either … Read more
Taking Risks? – A Trip to Colombia’s Chocó Region
When we were in Medellín we originally had the idea to directly return to Bogotá. Until we studied the map. “Why not take this loop via Ciudad de Bolívar to Quibdó … Read more
Having Fun on the Road – The Amagá Railroad Bridge (Colombia)
Hey there, do you like this post? Consider supporting us on Patreon so we can continue sharing great content with you. Enjoy the ride! A photo somewhere on the Internet … Read more
Signboards in Pakistan
Enjoy an impression of Pakistan through road signs, bill boards and other texts found along the way.
Boating to and around La Selva Eco Lodge in Ecuador
The treasure of La Selva Eco Lodge in Ecuador is that you can only reach it by boat, plus watching animal life around the lodge is done by boat as well.
Signboards in Iran – Religious & Western Influences
Signboards in Iran are intriguing: the influence of Khomeini is visible, what do all those birds mean, and what about western penetration?
Reasons to visit Cali, Colombia
Cali is a city in Colombia known for its salsa and night life. We didn’t see any of this but enjoyed our stay for many other reasons.
A World of Oil and Indigenous People (Ecuador)
The 120-km-long Vía Auca goes deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon. We indadvertedly leave the main road and meet the Huoarani indigenous people.
The Border Crossing of San Miguel (Ecuador – Colombia)
We crossed the little-used border crossing of San Miguel between Ecuador and Colombia, and drove across Putumayo to Mocoa.
From Landcruising to Seacruising
We swap our landcruising adventure for a Galápagos cruise and to see whether seacruising would for us.
Off-roading and Rough Camping at the Páramo of Zuleta
We off-road to the wilderness and rough camp at the protected páramo of the Zuleta community in the Andes Mountains at 4,000 meters.
Road Travel in Peru, Part 2 – Paracas, Lima, Cordillera Blanca, Huanchaco, Cajamarca
Road Travel in Peru continues with photos on and along the road from Arequipa to Lima via Paracas, plus the Cordillera Blanca and Cajamarca region.
Road Travel Peru (Part 1) – Lake Titicaca, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Arequipa
Photos and impressions of Landcruising Adventure from the Bolivian border to the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Arequipa.
Natural Beauty – National Parks in Ecuador
Driving from south to north we traverse a couple of national parks in Ecuador. Hiking around volcanoes and crater lakes, and the visit of a deer and fox.
The Three Kings Celebration in Saraguro, Ecuador
Saraguro is the center of an indigenous community in Ecuador. It’s known for its Sunday Market and we returned on January 6 for its annual Three Kings Celebration.
First Impressions of Ecuador – Destruction & Hope
Our first impressions of Ecuador give reason for despair as well as hope. Who to blame for all the deforestation and can the damage be undone?
New Year’s Eve in Ecuador
Fire works, driving around with effigies and burning them at night, having your body cleansed with herbs and an egg – all is part of New Year’s Eve in Ecuador.
Peru’s Historical Past & Beach Pleasures – From the Cordilleras Blancas to Huanchaco
Impressive ruins, mountains without tops, and a beach with sunny weather; a nice mixture in north Peru.
