Van Life
The concept of van life has been there throughout our relationship. Indeed, Jean Robert was actually living in a van when we met in New Zealand!
Our first conversion together was a Toyota Lucida which we then drove to Turkey and back. After moving to Canada, we did it again, this time with a Chevrolet Astro and a five-month road trip around British Columbia, Yukon, NWT and Alaska plus numerous other smaller road trips around the country.
We recently upgraded to a GMC Savana. A DIY conversion was completed before we started a 20,000+ kilometre road trip first around Canada’s East Coast and then back to British Columbia via the USA.
Next up? A summer of travel around BC, Alberta and Washington. Needless to say, it like our love of the van life is here to stay!
For a tour and cost breakdown of our GMC Savana conversion, check out this article. For detailed construction diaries for the build, click the links below.
Also featured on this page articles about our last van conversion, road trip diaries and van life tips.
The biggest update yet! In just two weeks, our GMC Savana conversion really became liveable with a proper ceiling, cupboards, under bed storage, seating, solar panel system and more.
Finally, it is time to start our real DIY van conversion! In this update, we add insulation, three layers of flooring (cork, plywood and vinyl), a welded bed and walls – all in 12 days and temperatures sometimes in the minus features.
Our experience driving 7000km across Canada in early winter and the trials and tribulations of legally transferring a GMC Savana van from British Columbia to New Brunswick
The day this post goes live, we will be officially on the road indefinitely! Here are the latest upgrades in our GMC Savana conversion before we drive across Canada
An update on our Astro Van conversion after a five month trip around Western Canada and Alaska
The fourth update to our Astro Van Camper Conversion series. We have built a cabinet in between the front seats and the bed, to provide essential storage space when travelling.
Curtains are out, and foil insulation is in! An update on our home converted campervan.
The second update to our homemade Astro Van camper conversion with details of bed construction, mattress and storage spaces.
Whether you use a van, RV or tent, there are so many opportunities to find free camping in Canada. Discover the secrets of finding free traditional camping options as well as overnight ‘convenient’ camping spots, useful when travelling
The Alaska Highway is an epic northern drive through wilderness and wonder. But did you know that most of it actually travels through Canada’s BC and Yukon regions? Here are the highlights and some essential tips for your adventure!
Travelling through the middle of tundra, mountains and limitless wilderness, the Dempster Highway offers one of the best road trips in the world! Here’s everything you need to know so you can take on this adventure yourself
The final part of our five month, 17,000km road trip around BC, Yukon & NWT; Quesnel to Vancouver, via 10 sun-and-wine soaked days in the Okanagan
An extra long holiday weekend in Tumbler Ridge, accompanied by the Northern Lights, wolves and spectacular waterfalls followed by a dash through the Cariboo to reach the warmth of the Okanagan
A week of contrasts driving south from the Yukon, with a trip through the Northern Rockies (bison, hotsprings and moose, oh my) and an insight into BC’s oil and gas industries
A solo drive into Alaska with some of the best days on the trip so far. And some of the worst. Also known as ‘the good, the bad and the very very wet.’
