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Bianca and Tim (roverandsoul)

Today's Explorers

An interview with

An interview with

Bianca and Tim (roverandsoul)

November 15, 2024
7
min read
by
Charles Forman
Germany

Where are you from?

We are both from Germany.

When did you start your interest in exploration?

Before we met, we were both itching to explore the world. Bianca spent six months wandering around Australia and New Zealand, and Tim soaked up the big city vibes in the U.S. Then, in 2017, fate (and a semester abroad) brought us together in Finland. Sparks flew - not just between us, but in our love of adventure. From that moment on, we knew we'd be chasing new experiences together.

What is a brief understanding of your background story up until you started seeking adventure?

Tim was raised in a family that runs their own business, so after school he naturally joined in - doing an apprenticeship, going to university and working a variety of jobs. Trying to build a few companies himself, which didn’t work out, he realised that there was more to life than the business world.

Bianca grew up on a small organic dairy farm, always close to nature. But she felt stuck in the same routines of small town life. As soon as she finished school, she packed her bags and hit the road, ready to discover new places, new passions and a way of life that felt more like her. That's how we both found freedom in adventure.

What special skills do you have to help with your explorations?

When you buy a Land Rover Defender, you automatically become a mechanic - whether you like it or not. What's more, we've developed a real talent for figuring things out as we go. If we had to pinpoint our true skill, it would be learning whatever it takes to keep moving forward, no matter what challenges we face.

Where have you explored so far?

Iceland, Scotland, Central Europe, Canada, United States

What is a brief understanding of your adventures so far?

One word: Limitless. We live without rigid plans, embracing whatever the road throws at us. Our biggest adventure began on the east coast of Canada in March 2023. Since then, we've criss-crossed the country, even reaching the remote wilderness of northern Canada and Alaska. From there, we headed south to explore the Pacific Northwest, and now we find ourselves in the heart of the Midwest. The next leg? Southward - into Mexico in early 2025.

What are the top three destinations you hope to explore next, and why?

Utah: We're excited for the wide open spaces and epic off-road adventures. Utah seems to have it all.

Baja California: Sunshine, tacos, and the chance to camp on beaches where whales swim by.

Costa Rica: We can't wait to dive into the rainforest, experience the wildlife and soak up the laid-back vibe. 

Where would you recommend others visit?

Without a doubt, the Yukon Territory and Alaska! These places blew our minds with their sheer scale—towering glaciers, dancing northern lights, and landscapes so vast they make you feel like you’ve fallen off the edge of civilization. If you want to experience the wilderness in its purest form, these are the places to be.

How do you primarily travel on your adventures today?

We travel with Sherlock, our 23-year-old Land Rover Defender. He's been a reliable (and sometimes stubborn) partner on the road . To make life a little easier, we've made a few key upgrades:

- A full camper setup with a bed, a sink, heater and outdoor shower.

- Starlink satellite internet - a total game changer for staying connected and working on the road.

- Switching our house battery from AGM to Lithium - now we can easily monitor our power consumption and squeeze more power out of the limited space we have. 

What are five pieces of equipment that you always travel with?

Our camera gear, laptops, tools, fishing gear, shovel 

What inspires you to explore more?

It's the thrill of the unknown, of being in places few people have ever been. The people we meet along the way, both locals and fellow travellers, add so much to any trip. And you can't really experience a country in a two-week holiday. When you're out here for the long haul, you really get to feel the essence of a place.

How do you engage with others?

We meet people everywhere - at campsites, gas stations and all the random places in between. Instagram has also become a place where we connect with other travellers and sometimes meet them somewhere along the way.  

Why is it important to embrace global cultures?

We all grow up in these little worlds shaped by our culture and communities. When you start meeting people from other countries, you realise how similar we all are. You find people with the same values and interests, even if you grew up worlds apart.  

What are your goals when you explore?

Learning about the history and culture of the places we visit, such as the First Nations in Canada. These are things you don't learn in school and we want to go deeper than just scratching the surface. It's about getting a true understanding of the landscapes and the people. 

What are some challenges you have experienced?

Our biggest challenge so far? Mice. They're noisy, they're sneaky, and they keep coming back despite our best efforts. We're still working on getting rid of them! Another challenge is the lack of personal space. With a simple camper setup and no pop-top roof or tent, indoor space is really limited, which definitely tests our patience sometimes. 

What has been your most meaningful moment so far?

Getting engaged in the depth of the Canadian winter, in the Yukon Territory, a place that has become so important to us.

How has exploration changed you?

Exploring has strengthened our confidence to follow our dreams and build the life we really want. It's shown us that trusting our gut often leads to the best decisions, and that no matter how big the struggle, things have a way of working out.

What is the number one lesson that you have learnt through your exploration?

That happiness doesn’t need much. A campfire, a good meal, and a safe place to sleep—that’s all it really takes.

How do you explore locally?

We head for the mountains, bike through the forest, or track down the best new restaurant in town.

What does the explmore mantra mean to you?

We've learned from other explorers we've met along the way that there's no need to live an 'ordinary' life. Their stories remind us of what's possible, and that we're often the only ones holding ourselves back.  

What advice would you give to others who are seeking life changing adventure?

Whatever it is you dream of, go after it in any way you can with the resources you have. Don't let doubt, fear or the lack of experience stop you.

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Today's explorers

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Charles Forman
Charles is the founder and curator of explmore. He is also the proud son of Alec and Jan Forman, the authors of the book Strangers Like Angels - With a Devil or Two to Boot and the inspiration behind the creation of explmore. He has spent the majority of his life living outside his original passport country. Today, when he is not running the operations behind explmore you will find him hiking, camping and enjoying the outdoors (overlanding of course) with his family.
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