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We Sold Everything And Moved Into An Old Truck To Travel And Show Our 4-Year-Old Son The Beauty Of Our Planet
We Sold Everything And Moved Into An Old Truck To Travel And Show Our 4-Year-Old Son The Beauty Of Our Planet
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We Sold Everything And Moved Into An Old Truck To Travel And Show Our 4-Year-Old Son The Beauty Of Our Planet

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We are a family of three from Austria that sold all of our belongings and converted an old military truck into our new home.

Sick of the daily rat race and busy western world, we wanted to have much more time together with our son, educate and show him the beauty, diversity, and fragility of our planet and decided to hit the road for an undefined time.

Although the idea, overlanding the world sounds pretty romantic, a lot of organization, bureaucracy and lots of technical troubles with our truck were involved.

Means, traveling this way can be extremely exhausting and annoying, but… it can also be so rewarding with impressions, landscapes and people you only see and meet this way of life!

We have been on the way for 2 years now, driving through 24 countries and on our way to Australia.

This is our story in pictures from our first year, driving overland from Austria to Vladivostok.

Stay tuned for more!

More info: akela.world | stocksy.com

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    We started our trip through Europe discovering new places with a motorbike

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    What we also discovered was a great love we had for the outdoors

    Our first skiing stops were magnificent Greece and Turkey

    This surreal place that reminds of Avatar is still one of our favorites

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    This was a perfect spot for the night. Better yet, in the morning we were awoken by hot air balloons grazing the sky right above us

    This is a photo capturing the moment we entered Stars Valley in the Middle East

    Getting stuck in the middle of the desert (where temperatures reached up to +50 degree celsius) coupled with sandstorms were just a few challenges we had to face

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    A blissful ride through the Iranian desert

    Even the little one has his work to do on a worldtrip

    Never expect to be on vacation when you are overlanding the world. It is often more exhausting than a life back home. Challenges and troubles with our truck soon became a daily routine. Broken gear box, near engine damage, broken power steering, ripped radiator or broken subframe were just a few problems we had to fix

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    Continuing the silk road through Uzbekistan

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    Until at last, we reached our beloved mountains in Tajikistan

    We stayed at his beautiful lake for a couple of days

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    Hindukush rising above more than 7000m on the border to Afghanistan

    And this was our first big milestone of the trip

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    The second highest mountain pass in the world on the Pamir Highway with 4657m

    You can almost see the lack of oxygen on our faces

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    Freedom – that´s what you get in Central Asia

    Riding horses in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan

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    Surrounded by millions of Edelweiss

    Ger, so called yurts, are all over Central Asia

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    On high mountain passes you still can find snow (even in summer)

    Tien Shan Mountain Range

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    Bizarre landscapes and huge canyons welcomed us in the Stan countries

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    Beautiful Russia

    Nothing better than campfires under the milky way

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    Camping spot from a different perspective

    It is always an incredible experience to meet people from different cultures, for example, this Eagle Hunter

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    Or this Nomad in the Steppe of Mongolia

    Sometimes you have to take risks to keep going

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    And yes, we had a lot of scary situations like this

    Did I mention that we love skiing?

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    No words needed…

    Mongolia was probably the most surprising country we´ve been so far

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    The winter is coming and it is getting colder on the shore of Lake Baikal

    Crossing Siberia with lots of corrugated pistes and temperatures at -30 degree celsius

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    Until we arrived at the end of the world in Vladivostok. That was the first year and the first part of our journey. Stay tuned for the next part!

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    Leander Nardin

    Leander Nardin

    Author, Community member

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    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

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    Leander Nardin

    Leander Nardin

    Author, Community member

    This lazy panda forgot to write something about itself.

    What do you think ?
    Randy Poehlman
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had the pleasure of meeting Leander and his family while I was traveling in the Altai mountains of Russia, and I invited them to come and visit me and stay with me in Kyoto, Japan... and they made it here about six months later. They are amazing people. I love their adventure and it inspires me!

    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thanks for your kind words Randy! You are an amazing person and it was a pleasure and honor meeting you! Hope see you soon - somewhere ;-)

    Load More Replies...
    Lilly
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    GORGEOUS photos! what an awesome way to live. now do a story on the truck you converted--that's what brought me here!

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree. I would love to see the interior.

    Load More Replies...
    Nikki D
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You are raising a true citizen of the world! So cool and inspiring.

    Sharon Conway
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unbelievable photos. I am 71 and this was my first chance to see that part of the world. Thank you so much.

    Mike Ahern
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't it fantastic that there are people in the world who have the sheer guts and nerve to take on such a wonderful adventure .Better than any education for their son. Well done guys ,keep the photos coming.

    krnr58
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    @Little letitia what grace and restraint you have shown in your reply to Legio. Speaks a lot about the person you are inside!! Now on to more pressing matters... You're a brave family. I have 3 daughters, and I literally never let them leave the front driveway without my eagle eyes on them. My youngest—now 28 and no children—is full of wanderlust. She worked at two National Parks here is the USA. She's gone of innumerable month long road trips. The moment she became 18 she said "C YA!" LOL My other two have children, but are still adventure seekers!! My mom was an adventurer. I was made afraid of EVERYTHING by my father...sadly. Someday I want to be like you—as free as the wind!! Bless your beautiful spirits!!! 😘

    diane a
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also in response to Legio. dont think it takes that much "privelige" to be able to live such a remarkable and free life. What is the costs of maintaining even a modest home? With regard to fossil fuel - how much does it take to heat and run an average house and support 2 people's 50 mile daily commute to a job they probably hate? These guys are living the dream.

    Load More Replies...
    bob
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It takes a lot of courage to do this. So lots of respect to this family! I wish I could do that, but I'm far to lazy.

    Bob Beltcher
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awesome pictures. Wish western society would enable people to travel more. Seems like the first 5 years of life we get some freedom and then you get 12 - 18 years of school and then 45 years of work. If your luck and didn't die before that then you get some freedom back. Unless your poor or disabled and then you still can't enjoy freedom to explore.

    diane a
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cannot understand those who criticize the lucky few who manage to live this life - Jealousy and spite

    Full Name
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Luck ain't got nuthin to do with it. That said, if you can't understand the critical people, who wrote the end of your comment?

    Load More Replies...
    Bumble
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the best education your son can get. What an amazing start in life you have given him. Well done!

    Xiaolaohu
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I'm sure his parents aren't homeschooling him (sarcasm) his home just moves around, he will have met people who live a thousand different ways, I think he'll be able to figure out how to relate to any one. Open your eyes and embrace that everyone is and can be different and how we live is as infinite as the landscapes and people this family has and will encounter.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
    Randy Poehlman
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I had the pleasure of meeting Leander and his family while I was traveling in the Altai mountains of Russia, and I invited them to come and visit me and stay with me in Kyoto, Japan... and they made it here about six months later. They are amazing people. I love their adventure and it inspires me!

    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thanks for your kind words Randy! You are an amazing person and it was a pleasure and honor meeting you! Hope see you soon - somewhere ;-)

    Load More Replies...
    Lilly
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    GORGEOUS photos! what an awesome way to live. now do a story on the truck you converted--that's what brought me here!

    BusLady
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree. I would love to see the interior.

    Load More Replies...
    Nikki D
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You are raising a true citizen of the world! So cool and inspiring.

    Sharon Conway
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unbelievable photos. I am 71 and this was my first chance to see that part of the world. Thank you so much.

    Mike Ahern
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Isn't it fantastic that there are people in the world who have the sheer guts and nerve to take on such a wonderful adventure .Better than any education for their son. Well done guys ,keep the photos coming.

    krnr58
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    @Little letitia what grace and restraint you have shown in your reply to Legio. Speaks a lot about the person you are inside!! Now on to more pressing matters... You're a brave family. I have 3 daughters, and I literally never let them leave the front driveway without my eagle eyes on them. My youngest—now 28 and no children—is full of wanderlust. She worked at two National Parks here is the USA. She's gone of innumerable month long road trips. The moment she became 18 she said "C YA!" LOL My other two have children, but are still adventure seekers!! My mom was an adventurer. I was made afraid of EVERYTHING by my father...sadly. Someday I want to be like you—as free as the wind!! Bless your beautiful spirits!!! 😘

    diane a
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also in response to Legio. dont think it takes that much "privelige" to be able to live such a remarkable and free life. What is the costs of maintaining even a modest home? With regard to fossil fuel - how much does it take to heat and run an average house and support 2 people's 50 mile daily commute to a job they probably hate? These guys are living the dream.

    Load More Replies...
    bob
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It takes a lot of courage to do this. So lots of respect to this family! I wish I could do that, but I'm far to lazy.

    Bob Beltcher
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awesome pictures. Wish western society would enable people to travel more. Seems like the first 5 years of life we get some freedom and then you get 12 - 18 years of school and then 45 years of work. If your luck and didn't die before that then you get some freedom back. Unless your poor or disabled and then you still can't enjoy freedom to explore.

    diane a
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cannot understand those who criticize the lucky few who manage to live this life - Jealousy and spite

    Full Name
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Luck ain't got nuthin to do with it. That said, if you can't understand the critical people, who wrote the end of your comment?

    Load More Replies...
    Bumble
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the best education your son can get. What an amazing start in life you have given him. Well done!

    Xiaolaohu
    Community Member
    6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I'm sure his parents aren't homeschooling him (sarcasm) his home just moves around, he will have met people who live a thousand different ways, I think he'll be able to figure out how to relate to any one. Open your eyes and embrace that everyone is and can be different and how we live is as infinite as the landscapes and people this family has and will encounter.

    Load More Replies...
    Load More Comments
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