What's your name, how did you meet Louise and Doeke, how long ago?
Hello, I’m Hilla, a 5-year-old from the Netherlands. During my previous travels, I journeyed through Central America with a family and their kids. When they opted for a larger vehicle, I met Doeke and Louise.
I remember the moment vividly; it was October 2022, and it was love at first sight. I was seeking adventurous travel companions, and they were in search of a Toyota Hilux suitable for rugged terrains. Fortunately, I was fully equipped for off-roading with a snorkel, a large LED bar, a winch, a spacious fuel tank, steel bumpers, and metal bottom plating. It was a perfect match.
Instead of a rooftop tent, they loaded a pick-up camper on my back. This camper boasts extra-large beds of 1.60m x 2.10m —ideal for tall Dutchies— along with a sitting area, a kitchenette with two stoves, a fridge and a freezer, a toilet with a shower, and an outdoor shower. The cabin is excellently insulated and even features central heating, perfect for the colder climate they were bringing me. Plus, this little house on my back can stand on its own legs — pretty cool, right?
They made some final tweaks like giving me larger mirrors and upgrading the suspensions. They outfitted the cabin with solar panels, additional batteries, and a battery charging system connected to my motor. This way, we’ve become self-sufficient, capable of going off the grid for almost a week. After the modifications, they packed me up, and off I went!
On December 31, 2022, I set sail from Antwerp to Buenos Aires.
What a way to start the new year!
Are you the first vehicle in their lives?
The first overlanding vehicle, indeed!
Doeke and Louise have lived and travelled all over the world, but due to their love for islands and scuba diving, this was often while backpacking. They also did many roadtrips all over Europe, camping with just a tent or opting for rented accommodation.
It was during their trip through Iceland with a rented 4×4 that their passion for off-roading and exploring remote locations really ignited.
They were dreaming about roadtripping without limits, ideally with the freedom of their own accommodation.
Their inspiration struck during a skydiving adventure in Slovenia when they spotted another pickup with pick-up camper, and everything fell into place.
Reaching extreme altitudes above 5000m, enduring temperatures from -17 °C to + 49 °C
Where have they taken you and where do they want to take you?
From Buenos Aires we drove to the Southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia, and from there we made our way up North. We explored every corner of Argentina and Chile before venturing into Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, and Brazil.
I relaxed at a campground when they flew to Easter Island and Colombia.
We drove about 30.0000 Km together and it was one grand adventure.
I achieved numerous milestones: reaching extreme altitudes above 5000m, enduring temperatures from -17 °C to + 49 °C, driving various terrains including sand, mud, clay, salt, conquering steep hills, crossing questionable wooden bridges, even boarding wooden rafts which they call ‘ferries’.
We saw so much wildlife together, it was the best.
We are now in Brazil, and the journey ahead leads us through the Amazon rainforest to Manaus and across the Amazon River into Peru.
We intend to explore more of Peru, Ecuador and Colombia before I embark on a ship to Panama. From there, we will travel through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and all of Mexico.
During potential trips to the Galapagos, Cuba, Jamaica and some other islands, I’ll likely hold down the fort.
Do they plan or improvise?
Well, there used to be a plan, 13 months ago.
A plan to make a roadtrip in 8 months and then go back home to the Netherlands. Midway that period we dumped the plan and just went with the flow. Now we don’t plan anymore, as my travel buddies have gained the overlanding wisdom that nothing will go as plan anyways.
We usually travel based on experiences of other travelers which we meet on the go. For specific things we might ask the community, do a quick Google or ask an AI chatbot, haha!
About an hour or two before dinner we check the iOverlander app for a good spot to spend the night; if there is none, we find one ourselves.
We have come to the realization that some desired places do not live up to the expectations, while some overlooked places turn out to be the biggest surprise. It’s the unplanned experiences that make the memories.
What hobbies, passions, neuroses... are your travel companions?
My travel companions have a lot in common with me; we love driving together, exploring and seeking remote places. We also all love offroading so much! The landscapes, the views, the wind in my snorkel, it is the best.
They are photographers and videographers and their passion is capturing beautiful landscapes, nature and wildlife. Another big passion besides traveling is scuba diving. Too bad I cannot join them, because as I know from them, the underwater world is pretty wild, too!
Our happiest moments are being in nature, wildcamping, spotting wildlife and watching sunsets. Besides going on adventure with me, they do daily workouts, running and mountain biking. They also like taking walks and just being outdoors, packed with their cameras.
Any scare or breakdown?
Nothing scary really!
One of my relatively old batteries exploded due to a heatwave in Brazil, and I had a worn tire nearing the end of its life.
Bolivia presented some challenges due to poor-quality fuel and high altitudes, coupled with me being a new European diesel car. Luckily due to proper planning we didn’t have any problems.
Then we díd plan; we brought extra fuel in jerrycans and even crossed the border to obtain quality fuel in Chile several times. I did get a little out of breath on those extreme heights, but I persevered through it all!
Hilla bids farewell by sharing a lesson learned along the way.
Celebrate spontaneity.
When you live on the road, spontaneity becomes your guiding principle. Roadtripping is about the journey, not just the destination.
Embrace detours, welcome the unexpected, and savor the beauty of unplanned moments that turn into memories that last forever.
Living out of a car isn’t just about downsizing; it’s about expanding your horizons. It’s a lesson in simplicity, teaching us that the essentials for happiness can fit on the back of a car.
The true essence of life isn’t found in possessions but in experiences.
Respect for nature, the environment and the regulations of each country
See you on the way!
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