Our #Vanlife Experience

We are often asked why we left Thailand after so many years. Was it because of Covid? Because of the visa requirements? Or because we wanted to be closer to family and friends? In the end, it was probably all of these things, along with a strong desire for a new adventure and the unknown.

But what did we want to experience? Where did we want to go? Four years ago, we didn’t know exactly either. Our goal was to find a place that felt like a new home. So we packed our belongings into three suitcases, along with our loyal Thai street dog, our toddler, and the newest addition to our family—a three-week-old baby—and set off on our journey in the midst of the pandemic. At first, we stayed here and there with family and friends. It was wonderful to spend so much time together and settle in familiar surroundings for a while. But we soon realized: adventure was calling.

Then we set off—our #Vanlife began in a caravan in the middle of winter. It quickly became clear: off to the south—to Portugal—where the sun was waiting! As it turned out, this was our first and, without knowing it, also our (for now) final destination.

Our journey was incredibly exciting. We met wonderful people whom we otherwise never would have crossed paths with. Each of them had their own story, shaped by their individual path through life. We discovered places that aren’t marked on any map, shared adventures, and gained a sense of freedom that will stay in our memories. It was a time that brought us closer together as a family and reminded us once again how little we often need to be happy.

Of course, life in a caravan comes with its own challenges. This #Vanlife often looks incredibly romantic on Instagram, evoking wanderlust and a desire to travel. But there are also a few things people rarely tell you:

The sun doesn’t always shine!
With two children and a dog in around 15 m², things can get pretty cozy.
Finding work in the caravan that fits into everyday life is an experience in itself.
Grandparents or other childcare options aren’t always nearby.

While we continue to make alternative clothing with virblatt, keeping our connection to Thailand and Nepal alive, we have now found our new home in Portugal. What began as a journey became a chapter of our lives.

Looking back, it is precisely these intense moments that we will never forget. The stories we will tell our children and grandchildren. The difficult decisions that ultimately turned out for the best. The unique people and stories we encountered along the way, and the challenges we overcame together.