We - The Sonnenschmunzler*
* Sonnenschmunzler in German means something like people, who look at the sun smiling
“I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or
hate them than to travel with them.”
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
Very likely Mark Twain was right. We are together since more than ten years and have undertaken quite a number of trips and journeys during this time: Trekking in Nepal or Kyrgyzstan, cycling from Bangkok to Saigon or Ho Chi Min City, kayaking in Milford Sound/New Zealand or simply going with our VW-Bus for hiking, cycling, kayaking in Germany: the most important things are being outdoor and being in action.
If we are not traveling we live close to Hanover and work sprightly, in fact so sprightly that we were longing for a very loooong break. The time is now.
Dorit
born 1968, BA, freelance trainer and facilitator to teams and projects
Traveling always was and is for me an important part of my life. Many years I lived and worked in different countries, alone six years in Nepal. Being curious, getting the chance for change, experiencing my own limits, and self-reflection are my driving forces when it comes to traveling: Not as much as possible in a short period of time, but intensive experience.
I definitely would not be the same person I am today, without the boundless treasure of people and situations, who have enriched my life on each and every journey I made.
Holger
born 1961, engineer working as civil servant
Yes, it might sound a little bit strange, but actually traveling is nothing for me - I am rather a scaredy cat.
But meanwhile (also thanks to Dorit) I am able to look back on many wonderful and interes-ting trips. Nevertheless traveling remains strenuous for me - all the preparations (especially the closer the departure comes) but also the traveling itself.
Anyway with every journey I succeed more and more to see the positive things. The opportunities to get to know other countries, cultures and people. It broadens my horizon and reduces my prejudices... and it it shows me how colorful life can be. It makes me aware what an incomparable privilege it is to be born with exact the coordinates I am born with (without any effort on my part).
Bluebear - Our VW-Bus
And than of course there is as well the "Bluebear" our Volkswagen-Bus. It will be with us on the first to parts of our journey in South and North America.
Bluebear is a classical, original Westfalia camper - a Club Joker with pop-up roof.
Just right before we started our trip it got the certificate by the German authorities of being a real old-timer.
Characteristics
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen
- Model: T3 (officially Typ 2)
- first registration: 09/1986
- Mileage: ca. 235.000 Km
- Capacity: 1.570 ccm (Turbodiesel)
- Power: allegedly 70 hp (when it was new)
- Four wheel drive: unfortunately no
- Seats: 4
- Places to sleep: 4
- Heater: Yes :o))
- Max. Speed: never tried
- Cruising Speed: 80 - 90 Km/h
Additionally it has the following extras:
- no power steering
- no AC [but windows :o)]
- no electric windows
- no ABS, ESP or similar things
So to speak only a pure car...
But it astonishes us again and again, how many things fit in this small camper: kitchen, fridge, sink, cupboard and bed - everything you need is there.
