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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 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
We started our trip through Europe discovering new places with a motorbike
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
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
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
Continuing the silk road through Uzbekistan
Until at last, we reached our beloved mountains in Tajikistan
We stayed at his beautiful lake for a couple of days
Hindukush rising above more than 7000m on the border to Afghanistan
And this was our first big milestone of the trip
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
Freedom – that´s what you get in Central Asia
Riding horses in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan
Surrounded by millions of Edelweiss
Ger, so called yurts, are all over Central Asia
On high mountain passes you still can find snow (even in summer)
Tien Shan Mountain Range
Bizarre landscapes and huge canyons welcomed us in the Stan countries
Beautiful Russia
Nothing better than campfires under the milky way
Camping spot from a different perspective
It is always an incredible experience to meet people from different cultures, for example, this Eagle Hunter
Or this Nomad in the Steppe of Mongolia
Sometimes you have to take risks to keep going
And yes, we had a lot of scary situations like this
Did I mention that we love skiing?
No words needed…
Mongolia was probably the most surprising country we´ve been so far
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
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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What do you think ?
Randy Poehlman 5 years ago
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!
Leander Nardin (Post author) 5 years ago
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 5 years ago
GORGEOUS photos! what an awesome way to live. now do a story on the truck you converted--that's what brought me here!
Sharon Conway 5 years ago
Unbelievable photos. I am 71 and this was my first chance to see that part of the world. Thank you so much.
Mike Ahern 5 years ago
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 5 years ago
@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 5 years ago
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 Beltcher 5 years ago
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 5 years ago
Cannot understand those who criticize the lucky few who manage to live this life - Jealousy and spite
Full Name 5 years ago
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 5 years ago
This is the best education your son can get. What an amazing start in life you have given him. Well done!
Xiaolaohu 5 years ago
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...
Dorothy Parker 5 years ago
So totally beyond my ken, and so incredible. Thank you for letting me be an armchair traveler.
Valerie Lessard 5 years ago
i'm sure they've figured out the whole education thing for their son, people. This kid isn't even school aged yet. I bet he'll end up more gutsy, worldly and experienced than most 20 year olds
Full Name 5 years ago
I know. People getting all concerned for the kid like he's going to end up uneducated and feral. I'm quite sure they parents are making sure he's not a moron.
Load More Replies...
Renae Hislop 5 years ago
I found all of these pictures stunning. To hear about parents who truly let their child live and doesn’t just teach them just how to make a living is amazing.
BusLady 5 years ago
My favorite is the woman walking on the sand and carrying a light.
Load More Replies...
Carol Emory 5 years ago
I'm more worried about the safety issue. Some of the areas they are traveling through are still torn up by wars. Just keep the family safe on your journey and keep those beautiful photos coming!
Aveesh Kumar 5 years ago
This is more than super awesome. Congratulations. Waiting to hear how and why Vladivostok and where to from here? Is India on your itinerary - would love to help/meet. Best. And like everyone else here - waiting to hear from about your truck!
Angga Setya 5 years ago
Awesome. . . . Enjoy your time, traveling around the world as much u can. Never mind about money. Money can be found but no time . . So enjoy your time . . .
Alusair Alustriel 5 years ago
I am really impressed by the journey and happy for you, however such endeavours always arise questions in me: 1. Your son is 4 years old, so he will not remember everything vividly. I would probably wait around 3 more ears to do it, but I understand it would interfear with school. 2. You sold everything, so how are you making money now to sustain yourselves? You are not working, you don't have retirement funds, you have no funds for your son's education and growing up. Don't you find this lifestyle short-sighted? Please do not take my wuestions as an attack, I am simply interested, how you see it all work out in the long term. I get that you probably make some money from blogging/vloging etc, but is it enough?
Carol Emory 5 years ago
Who says he's not finding work along the way? Plenty of odd jobs out there for a man with varying skills. He may also have a blog that's generating money from advertising or he may be selling his photos. Just because he's not throwing on a suit or work boots and going to a regular 9-5 job doesn't mean he's not making a living. My husband is a Web Developer. He could do it from anywhere in the world as long as he has a lap top and a Wifi hot spot. I wish people could think outside the box and realize that not everyone lives a cookie cutter lifestyle. You can actually live on very little if you know what you are doing.
Load More Replies...
Sean Leong 5 years ago
@Leander, this is amazing, I wish I had the opportunity to do this. Looking forward to some more pics. I'm curious to see how the truck is setup. I'm trying to plan a drive across the US with the family but will have to do it as frugal as possible lol.
Morena Pardes 5 years ago
I can almost feel the heat, the sand and the rain through your photos. Inspiring.
Margo Green 5 years ago
thats amazing but like,, he won't remember much of it when he's older rip
Keuthonymos 5 years ago
Despite the beautiful pictures and cultural advantages your son will have, I still hope you are schooling him properly. I'm sure he won't want his only job option to be a tour guide. Other than that, props.
Chaney Garner 5 years ago
Imagine the mpg on this beast. Show your kids the world and destroy it simultaneously.
Mr. Re-in-act-ment 5 years ago
These are truly amazing! Today we have these kids who are spoiled (like me) with basically everything they want. Well this kid already haves what he wants
Samantha Comerford 5 years ago
Wow. I wonder how much it would cost to do something like this. I feel so inferior, when I see people able to achieve such amazing adventures. Unfortunately for me, I’d never be able to afforded this wish. Good luck and be safe. I wonder if you have ever come across people that are a threat or deemed as so.
JustABobcat 5 years ago
Amazing photos and an excellent start to your young one's education too! I have a question though, in case I ever get a chance to travel overseas, where is the place that you said reminds you of Avatar located?
John Louis 5 years ago
As a professional magician I have said that it is great to follow your dreams but not everyone can do this. 99% of the population has to keep society running with what are considered mundane jobs. When people announce their independence from mainstream society I always see it as a form of arrogance. The pictures are nice but we don't really need to hear about how great your nonconformist life choices are.
Little letitia 5 years ago
Wow. After reading your comment, I fear I may have genuinely stumbled across someone who is quite clearly a very bitter, very jealous person. No doubt due to a complete lack of positive fulfilment and any level of joy within your own pitiful existence. Your statement reminds me of a chapter from the classic Roald Dahl story: The Twits. I'm pretty sure someone with so much pent up bitterness and so many ugly thoughts when confronted with another human beings joy and positivity, couldn't have possibly read or ever heard of the key message within The twits, so allow me to enlighten you. An excerpt directly from The Twits: " A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. If a person has ugly thoughts, it begins to show on the face. And when that person has ugly thoughts every day, every week, every year, the face gets uglier and uglier until you can hardly bare to look at it." - Roald Dahl, The Twits. My Dear Legion, I do sincerely hope that you take away even the smallest piece of advice from said excerpt, and if so maybe some day your face too will shine with the aforementioned light and loveliness that quite clearly can be seen radiating from this families each and every photograph.
Load More Replies...
Randy Poehlman 5 years ago
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!
Leander Nardin (Post author) 5 years ago
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 5 years ago
GORGEOUS photos! what an awesome way to live. now do a story on the truck you converted--that's what brought me here!
Sharon Conway 5 years ago
Unbelievable photos. I am 71 and this was my first chance to see that part of the world. Thank you so much.
Mike Ahern 5 years ago
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 5 years ago
@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 5 years ago
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 Beltcher 5 years ago
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 5 years ago
Cannot understand those who criticize the lucky few who manage to live this life - Jealousy and spite
Full Name 5 years ago
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 5 years ago
This is the best education your son can get. What an amazing start in life you have given him. Well done!
Xiaolaohu 5 years ago
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... Dorothy Parker 5 years ago
So totally beyond my ken, and so incredible. Thank you for letting me be an armchair traveler.
Valerie Lessard 5 years ago
i'm sure they've figured out the whole education thing for their son, people. This kid isn't even school aged yet. I bet he'll end up more gutsy, worldly and experienced than most 20 year olds
Full Name 5 years ago
I know. People getting all concerned for the kid like he's going to end up uneducated and feral. I'm quite sure they parents are making sure he's not a moron.
Load More Replies... Renae Hislop 5 years ago
I found all of these pictures stunning. To hear about parents who truly let their child live and doesn’t just teach them just how to make a living is amazing.
BusLady 5 years ago
My favorite is the woman walking on the sand and carrying a light.
Load More Replies... Carol Emory 5 years ago
I'm more worried about the safety issue. Some of the areas they are traveling through are still torn up by wars. Just keep the family safe on your journey and keep those beautiful photos coming!
Aveesh Kumar 5 years ago
This is more than super awesome. Congratulations. Waiting to hear how and why Vladivostok and where to from here? Is India on your itinerary - would love to help/meet. Best. And like everyone else here - waiting to hear from about your truck!
Angga Setya 5 years ago
Awesome. . . . Enjoy your time, traveling around the world as much u can. Never mind about money. Money can be found but no time . . So enjoy your time . . .
Alusair Alustriel 5 years ago
I am really impressed by the journey and happy for you, however such endeavours always arise questions in me: 1. Your son is 4 years old, so he will not remember everything vividly. I would probably wait around 3 more ears to do it, but I understand it would interfear with school. 2. You sold everything, so how are you making money now to sustain yourselves? You are not working, you don't have retirement funds, you have no funds for your son's education and growing up. Don't you find this lifestyle short-sighted? Please do not take my wuestions as an attack, I am simply interested, how you see it all work out in the long term. I get that you probably make some money from blogging/vloging etc, but is it enough?
Carol Emory 5 years ago
Who says he's not finding work along the way? Plenty of odd jobs out there for a man with varying skills. He may also have a blog that's generating money from advertising or he may be selling his photos. Just because he's not throwing on a suit or work boots and going to a regular 9-5 job doesn't mean he's not making a living. My husband is a Web Developer. He could do it from anywhere in the world as long as he has a lap top and a Wifi hot spot. I wish people could think outside the box and realize that not everyone lives a cookie cutter lifestyle. You can actually live on very little if you know what you are doing.
Load More Replies... Sean Leong 5 years ago
@Leander, this is amazing, I wish I had the opportunity to do this. Looking forward to some more pics. I'm curious to see how the truck is setup. I'm trying to plan a drive across the US with the family but will have to do it as frugal as possible lol.
Morena Pardes 5 years ago
I can almost feel the heat, the sand and the rain through your photos. Inspiring.
Margo Green 5 years ago
thats amazing but like,, he won't remember much of it when he's older rip
Keuthonymos 5 years ago
Despite the beautiful pictures and cultural advantages your son will have, I still hope you are schooling him properly. I'm sure he won't want his only job option to be a tour guide. Other than that, props.
Chaney Garner 5 years ago
Imagine the mpg on this beast. Show your kids the world and destroy it simultaneously.
Mr. Re-in-act-ment 5 years ago
These are truly amazing! Today we have these kids who are spoiled (like me) with basically everything they want. Well this kid already haves what he wants
Samantha Comerford 5 years ago
Wow. I wonder how much it would cost to do something like this. I feel so inferior, when I see people able to achieve such amazing adventures. Unfortunately for me, I’d never be able to afforded this wish. Good luck and be safe. I wonder if you have ever come across people that are a threat or deemed as so.
JustABobcat 5 years ago
Amazing photos and an excellent start to your young one's education too! I have a question though, in case I ever get a chance to travel overseas, where is the place that you said reminds you of Avatar located?
John Louis 5 years ago
As a professional magician I have said that it is great to follow your dreams but not everyone can do this. 99% of the population has to keep society running with what are considered mundane jobs. When people announce their independence from mainstream society I always see it as a form of arrogance. The pictures are nice but we don't really need to hear about how great your nonconformist life choices are.
Little letitia 5 years ago
Wow. After reading your comment, I fear I may have genuinely stumbled across someone who is quite clearly a very bitter, very jealous person. No doubt due to a complete lack of positive fulfilment and any level of joy within your own pitiful existence. Your statement reminds me of a chapter from the classic Roald Dahl story: The Twits. I'm pretty sure someone with so much pent up bitterness and so many ugly thoughts when confronted with another human beings joy and positivity, couldn't have possibly read or ever heard of the key message within The twits, so allow me to enlighten you. An excerpt directly from The Twits: " A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. If a person has ugly thoughts, it begins to show on the face. And when that person has ugly thoughts every day, every week, every year, the face gets uglier and uglier until you can hardly bare to look at it." - Roald Dahl, The Twits. My Dear Legion, I do sincerely hope that you take away even the smallest piece of advice from said excerpt, and if so maybe some day your face too will shine with the aforementioned light and loveliness that quite clearly can be seen radiating from this families each and every photograph.
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