Where are you from?

We are from South Korea.

When did you start your interest in exploration?

Travelling the world is a dream of many, including us. We wanted to get closer to achieving that dream, so we explored different activities that we could participate in while maintaining our full-time job. While we were living in Seoul, Korea, we invited bicycle tourists to our home and provided hospitality with no charge. We were able to connect with them through an online community called Warm Showers. 

We were so inspired by the stories they told us. From there, we naturally got to build relationships with other world travellers, while still dreaming of travelling the world ourselves one day.

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

We were an ordinary couple who went to work and lived busy lives in a big city, but on the other hand, we were planning our bicycle world tour over the years. In 2017, we finally left Korea with only two bicycles and a tent after selling all of our belongings.

Unfortunately, Ray had a serious injury dislocating his shoulder while surfing in Bali just a year after we started travelling. We had no choice but to return back to Korea for Ray’s surgery and take half-a-year off for rehabilitation. Ultimately, we decided to give up on our bicycle world tour for a while, due to the doctor’s advice.

We soon looked for alternative ways we could hit the road and came across ‘Overlanding’ from the internet and turned to 4x4 Overlanding step by step.

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

We did woodworking as a hobby before our road trip, which greatly helped us build the interior platform and kitchen system inside our car as we liked.

But besides that, we both have almost zero knowledge about vehicle maintenance or mechanical skills. We have some more knowledge now, but sometimes we regret not learning about vehicle maintenance earlier for a better understanding of our vehicle’s mechanical issues.

Where have you explored so far?

We each backpacked over 20 countries in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. And we cycled together in Japan. Recently we did Overlanding in Norway, Sweden and most American countries from north to south.

What is a brief understanding of your adventures so far?

Our two-year road trip along the Pan American Highway was the most beautiful and awesome moment of our life. We met fellow travellers and friends who we admire and love, and we also got to experience many different ways of living.

During the road trip, we decided to start our new career and new life in Canada. And now we’re enjoying our new life in British Columbia, Canada and still exploring beautiful nature with our white 4runner.

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

Africa – Spotting wild animals is always one of our great pleasures. Africa is a must-go destination for us.

Pamir Highway – This road in Central Asia is famous for its wilderness and high altitude. It must be the most epic road trip on earth. Since we dreamt of a bicycle world tour, Pamir Highway is our goal to challenge someday.

Iceland – We feel like most of the wonderful places and nature we saw on social media are in Iceland. How can we not want to go there?

Where would you recommend others visit?

Fjords, Norway – Every day was full of beautiful scenery when we travelled around the fjords of Norway.

Baja California, Mexico – Baja is a Geological, Archaeological, Cultural and recreational highlight of the Pan America road trip. Don’t miss it.

Alti Plano, Bolivia – We had the most amazing and breathtaking camping here. It is our favourite part across the Andes Mountains in South America.

How do you primarily travel on your adventures today?

We drive a 2008 Toyota 4runner. The three best modifications we pick are

• DIY kitchen and sleeping platform,
• 4x4Labs rear bumper to mount our camping gear(propane tank, jerry cans, hi-lift jack, chairs, table and ladder)
• Warn winch (it saved us twice in the middle of nowhere!)

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

1. ARB Fridge for having fresh food
2. Claymore rechargeable lights
3. Sleeping bag of fine quality(South America is cold)
4. iOverlander, the bible app for many overlanders
5. Roof top tent, which was our house during the trip

What inspires you to explore more?

The people we get to meet and exchange experiences with, that is our biggest inspiration to keep exploring.

How do you engage with others?

Mostly, we met other travellers where we shared the same camping spot. We also get along with someone whom we met on social media, once in a while. They've all been so nice so far.

Why is it important to embrace global cultures?

We think anyone who travels for a long time will naturally embrace global cultures. If we felt that embracing different cultures were difficult, our trip would have become more challenging and lonely. We find that the more you know about a culture, the more enjoyable the stay becomes.

What are your goals when you explore?

We try to experience new activities such as scuba diving, paragliding and hiking. Rather than just sightseeing beautiful scenery, we have more fun experiencing various activities that we can physically participate in.

What are some challenges you have experienced?

Two things come up in our minds. Firstly, the liars that we came across who tried to deceive us was definitely a challenging factor. In some places that we have travelled, it seemed that some locals felt as if it was easy to swindle us. We still believe that human nature is naturally good, but our faith has wavered sometimes.

And the language barrier was another challenge. English is not our first language, and Spanish was way more challenging for us. As a traveller from Far East Asia, language was one of the challenging factors. So, if you plan a road trip to Latin America, learn Spanish quickly.

What has been your most meaningful moment so far?

Overlander’s pizza party in the middle of the Uyuni Desert, Bolivia!

Uyuni desert was at the top of our wish list. When we got to Uyuni, we couldn't tame the excitement. When we finally got there, we felt we had reached a turning point in the trip. Besides, we never expected to have a freshly baked giant pizza from a big oven in the middle of the Uyuni salt desert! We explored Uyuni with fellow overlanders and had a wonderful time all together. Can’t forget the beautiful sunset and the pizza.

How has exploration changed you?

Ray: Our road trip makes me look for new challenges and I try to learn new things.

Joo: We got to know each partner so deeply.

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

Looking back on the trip, our expedition didn't go as planned. We face unexpected situations every day, it's an endless moment of choice. The thing we learnt, once we decide where to go, in one way or another, we can break the road in the end. If you keep going toward the destination you set, you will find a way.

How do you explore locally?

We usually go camping during weekends or swing by new places such as flea markets or parks to cycle. Canada is still a new home for us, full of places to explore.

What does the explmore mantra mean to you?

Passion to inspire, encourage, and curate life changing adventure

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

Just start it! We were so nervous because of our uncertain future after the trip. But if you start your thing, there will always be something waiting for you in the end. No worries!