Woman Restores Old Van To Travel Around The World With Her Dog
Marina Piro has a serious case of wanderlust. She was born in Italy, she lives in the UK, and now she’s traveling around the world with her rescue dog, a labradoodle cross called Odie, in a old van called Pam. The vehicle is a 5-door 2001 Renault Kangoo, and she restored it herself after researching the project for two months. She ripped out the interior before turning the blank canvas into her very own cozy space complete with a bed, curtains, a kitchenette, some LED lights, and even some houseplants (car plants. Whatever). Marina said that the total cost of restoring the van was about £500.
How long will they be on the road? “I will travel for as long as I can,” Marina told Bored Panda. “Whether it’s with Pam or with a different means of transport. My plan is not to see as many places as possible but to really experience and get to know the places I go.” And how is Odie enjoying the journey so far? “Odie is loving it. He gets spoiled wherever he goes and loves being out in the fresh air each day.” Read on for more of our interview with Marina, and check out her blog and Instagram to keep up to date with their travels.
More info: Instagram | Pam the Van (h/t: designyoutrust)
Marina Piro has a serious case of wanderlust
She was born in Italy, she lives in the UK, and now she’s traveling around the world with her rescue dog, a labradoodle cross called Odie, in an old van called Pam
The vehicle is a 5-door 2001 Renault Kangoo. She restored it herself after researching the project for two months
Marina knew nothing about car renovation before she started her project. “For real, I learnt everything on the spot,” she told Bored Panda
“The van works in fact aren’t perfect (I cannot cut anything straight and I always get my measurements wrong), but it serves me just alright”
She ripped out the interior before turning the blank canvas into her very own cozy space. She installed LED lights…
A floor…
Curtains…
A comfy bed…
And even a little kitchenette
She said that the total cost of her renovations cost around £500
When asked about her favorite place so far, Marina said: “I adored the lake of Xonrupt-sur-longemer in France. It’s a lovely lake surrounded by pine trees”
“It was super quiet and no tourists whatsoever, the perfect spot for spending a couple of days”
“I also particularly enjoyed Brighton in the UK, and the whole region of Valle d’aosta in Italy as it has incredible views and it’s perfect for hiking”
“Odie is loving it. He gets spoiled wherever he goes and loves being out in the fresh air each day”
“My plan is not to see as many places as possible but to really experience and get to know the places I go”
“I would like to spend 2-3 weeks in each new place I visit, possibly by doing some WWOOFing or volunteering. I would love to visit Spain and Portugal this year”
“I will travel for as long as I can, whether it’s with Pam or with a different means of transport”
“My main aim in the creation of Pamthevan‘s blog and Instagram page is to really empower women more than showing how “cool” my life is”
“I believe that every choice of lifestyle is “cool” if it’s what you truly want to do whether it’s travelling, being a home mum or throwing yourself into a finance career”
“The blog was really created to make women feel like they could convert a van if they wanted to, even if they are alone/clueless/manless”
“Many women tell me “I wish I could do it, but would have no idea of where to start” or “I’m not brave enough to follow my dream.” Well, they now have no excuse!”
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That's seriously cool. I too have a dog with whom I travel a lot because of our work (we are search and rescuers), which is voluntary based, so you get no pay. It's not only a hustle to use public transportation, but it's insanely costly. Actually to get just me and my dog to our main training facility, located at just 385 Kms by train (no buses accept dogs in my country) it costs the same as going by car. Now imagine having to carry around 80Kgs in equipment and another 20 in food, clothing, small necessities on your back + dog (Thank God I don't have to haul his 15Kg cage as well, since he is a work dog!). Plus you can even sleep in it comfortably, which is a HUGE asset when you can be expected to work for 36 hours non stop. So the sourpusses can pipe down. It's super cool to see someone be able to do this all by themselves.
This is great. Where are you from? (no dogs in buses?!g
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Well done, I love the idea and may your travels be amazing. I love the DIY attitude.
This looks like an amazing opportunity. Would love to have the financial freedom to have such adventures!
I was also in love with similar ideas. We went on 12 months tour (mostly south-western Europe), and 6 months for USA Route 66. It was soooo great experience, the best decision in my life. I learnd so much about each country's culture, (I was drawing, and wrote for myself only), and the most important, I've learned even more about myself. It was great, reach, intense experience. I'm thinking do it again, but different path this time. <3
Load More Replies...
If more women and men, would just, 'get out', follow the dream. They can do it! 'Gypsying' around is great, and you meet good souls on the road. I love your whole deal, and the fact, 'you did it! Happy dog, happy you. Hope you 'found your music'...and many more!
Does anyone have the name for their instagram account? None of the links work on here for me
this is weird here I am feeling smashed by a long life of issues culminating in unemployment and forced early retirement and was fantasising the other day of going on a road trip with my dog. So I kind of jyst typed in single woman going on road trip with dog and this comes up. This young lady is awesome and has resurrected one older womans buried and forlorn once wild woman. There r issues when u r older that u need to factor in but hopefully if anyone over fifty has done this they can send me info and hints.
But how do you make money? Does she get it from blogging? You need money for food, gas, insurance, etc. All that would add up fast. I would do it if I could sustain myself. The only thing I can think of is becoming a drug dealer and traveling around going to festivals and selling acid, but I do not feel I would enjoy being a drug dealer. Does anyone know how they pay for it?
I love the idea of living in a small house, and living in a van sounds the coolest! I really would love to do this!
Amazing! Your such a lucky girl and I admire you for making your dreams a reality. A massive road trip is at the top of my bucket list. How much did you spend? What do you do to afford this?
A Renault Kangoo... it says so in the text above one of the pictures
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Congrats on the van conversion!. There's nothing better than having a travel companion with manners. Dogs who are allowed to be unleashed get snake bit and shot on the trail. Start using a rigid leash that keeps the animal exactly where you want him and not where he wants to be. After awhile, he'll get the idea and be at your side always. A dog may not save you if attacked so if you can't carry a gun, carry Alaskan-grade bear spray and you can travel the world fearless. Be safe and enjoy the outdoors!
I did it in the United States. Took 3 years, bought an old truck, made it a camper. Slept out from one end of the country to another and every state in between. Drove up and over the BC Rockies and in Alaska. Worked on a fishing boat in Alaska and the trekked through Central America by myself. It was an awesome trip. I was 45. DO IT. DO IT. DO IT. The fear is just in your head. Nothing bad happened to me. And when it got close one night I handled it and so would you. Don't give other people power over you, ever.
I feel empowered just by the pictures. You and Odie and Pam are an inspiration for sure!
I laugh at one thing, old van my a*s.... this is slightly irrelevant to the post but the perspective irks me! the writer may need to understand what "old" is... that or go look at the life span of vehicle of that year... people must be out of their domes to deem that machine old, that vehicle is from the 2000's and that aint s**t in the time line! I live in a vehicle that is 10 years older than that (1988) and i must live in a steam powered contraption by that time perspective... side note: lady you rock! props to you living in a decently insulated van! living in a van is easy, if you can consolidate and challenge your self to. You also eliminate heavy lifting of clutter of items like couches, hutches, tables, beds, etc.... also if you are a bad a*s you make you own fixtures and earn comfort/convenience step by step. oh and solar is your friend :) all you need is a 3/8 drill (i used a 1990 black and decker AC one), circular saw, jigsaw, metal/wood screws, and some scrap wood...
Surely there are ways to get followers and attention that get less attention. Do people have to stop doing anything for fear of being accused of getting too much attention?!
Load More Replies...
People who try to make everything about race problems. What an ignoramus.
Load More Replies... That's seriously cool. I too have a dog with whom I travel a lot because of our work (we are search and rescuers), which is voluntary based, so you get no pay. It's not only a hustle to use public transportation, but it's insanely costly. Actually to get just me and my dog to our main training facility, located at just 385 Kms by train (no buses accept dogs in my country) it costs the same as going by car. Now imagine having to carry around 80Kgs in equipment and another 20 in food, clothing, small necessities on your back + dog (Thank God I don't have to haul his 15Kg cage as well, since he is a work dog!). Plus you can even sleep in it comfortably, which is a HUGE asset when you can be expected to work for 36 hours non stop. So the sourpusses can pipe down. It's super cool to see someone be able to do this all by themselves.
This is great. Where are you from? (no dogs in buses?!g
Load More Replies... Well done, I love the idea and may your travels be amazing. I love the DIY attitude.
This looks like an amazing opportunity. Would love to have the financial freedom to have such adventures!
I was also in love with similar ideas. We went on 12 months tour (mostly south-western Europe), and 6 months for USA Route 66. It was soooo great experience, the best decision in my life. I learnd so much about each country's culture, (I was drawing, and wrote for myself only), and the most important, I've learned even more about myself. It was great, reach, intense experience. I'm thinking do it again, but different path this time. <3
Load More Replies... If more women and men, would just, 'get out', follow the dream. They can do it! 'Gypsying' around is great, and you meet good souls on the road. I love your whole deal, and the fact, 'you did it! Happy dog, happy you. Hope you 'found your music'...and many more!
Does anyone have the name for their instagram account? None of the links work on here for me
this is weird here I am feeling smashed by a long life of issues culminating in unemployment and forced early retirement and was fantasising the other day of going on a road trip with my dog. So I kind of jyst typed in single woman going on road trip with dog and this comes up. This young lady is awesome and has resurrected one older womans buried and forlorn once wild woman. There r issues when u r older that u need to factor in but hopefully if anyone over fifty has done this they can send me info and hints.
But how do you make money? Does she get it from blogging? You need money for food, gas, insurance, etc. All that would add up fast. I would do it if I could sustain myself. The only thing I can think of is becoming a drug dealer and traveling around going to festivals and selling acid, but I do not feel I would enjoy being a drug dealer. Does anyone know how they pay for it?
I love the idea of living in a small house, and living in a van sounds the coolest! I really would love to do this!
Amazing! Your such a lucky girl and I admire you for making your dreams a reality. A massive road trip is at the top of my bucket list. How much did you spend? What do you do to afford this?
A Renault Kangoo... it says so in the text above one of the pictures
Load More Replies... Congrats on the van conversion!. There's nothing better than having a travel companion with manners. Dogs who are allowed to be unleashed get snake bit and shot on the trail. Start using a rigid leash that keeps the animal exactly where you want him and not where he wants to be. After awhile, he'll get the idea and be at your side always. A dog may not save you if attacked so if you can't carry a gun, carry Alaskan-grade bear spray and you can travel the world fearless. Be safe and enjoy the outdoors!
I did it in the United States. Took 3 years, bought an old truck, made it a camper. Slept out from one end of the country to another and every state in between. Drove up and over the BC Rockies and in Alaska. Worked on a fishing boat in Alaska and the trekked through Central America by myself. It was an awesome trip. I was 45. DO IT. DO IT. DO IT. The fear is just in your head. Nothing bad happened to me. And when it got close one night I handled it and so would you. Don't give other people power over you, ever.
I feel empowered just by the pictures. You and Odie and Pam are an inspiration for sure!
I laugh at one thing, old van my a*s.... this is slightly irrelevant to the post but the perspective irks me! the writer may need to understand what "old" is... that or go look at the life span of vehicle of that year... people must be out of their domes to deem that machine old, that vehicle is from the 2000's and that aint s**t in the time line! I live in a vehicle that is 10 years older than that (1988) and i must live in a steam powered contraption by that time perspective... side note: lady you rock! props to you living in a decently insulated van! living in a van is easy, if you can consolidate and challenge your self to. You also eliminate heavy lifting of clutter of items like couches, hutches, tables, beds, etc.... also if you are a bad a*s you make you own fixtures and earn comfort/convenience step by step. oh and solar is your friend :) all you need is a 3/8 drill (i used a 1990 black and decker AC one), circular saw, jigsaw, metal/wood screws, and some scrap wood...
Surely there are ways to get followers and attention that get less attention. Do people have to stop doing anything for fear of being accused of getting too much attention?!
Load More Replies... People who try to make everything about race problems. What an ignoramus.
Load More Replies...
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