Where are you from?

We come from the south of France to Millau in Aveyron.

When did you start your interest in exploration?

In 2022, we started to become interested in exploration when we decided to go on an adventure to Portugal in a Renault 4L. It was our first real road trip, around 2,500 km round trip, and we absolutely loved the experience. Since then, this passion for travel and adventure has stayed with us.

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

Before this road trip in South America, we had a pretty classic and stable life. It was really the usual routine: work, home, leisure. But something was missing. We felt stuck in a cycle and started to want something different, to see more of the world and discover new places. At some point, we decided to change everything. We sold what we had, including our car and house, left our jobs, and came to South America with our Suzuki Jimny to start a new adventure

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

One of our key strengths for this journey is that Toune has mechanical skills. This is a real advantage when traveling on long road trips, especially in remote areas, as it allows us to handle basic repairs and better manage unexpected issues with the vehicle. It gives us more independence and confidence on the road.

Where have you explored so far?

In Europe, we have explored France, Spain, and Portugal. Touné also did a motorcycle road trip through Switzerland and Italy, while Lolo spent six months in Canada. More recently, with our Suzuki Jimny, we have been traveling in South America, including French Guiana, Brazil, and Argentina.

What is a brief understanding of your adventures so far?

Our adventures started with a desire to break away from routine and discover the world in a more authentic way. Over time, what began as simple trips turned into a real way of life.

We first explored Europe through road trips in France, Spain, and Portugal. Toune also experienced motorcycle travel in Switzerland and Italy, while Lolo spent time living in Canada.

More recently, we made a big decision to change our lives completely, selling everything we had and setting off to South America with our Suzuki Jimny. Since then, we have been exploring South America, embracing a slower and more immersive way of traveling.

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

Our top three destinations we would love to explore are Route 66 in the USA, Japan, and some island destinations such as Guadeloupe or Réunion.

1. Route 66 is a true dream for us as it represents one of the most iconic road trips in the world. 
2. Japan attracts us for its unique culture, traditions, and way of life. 
3. As for the islands, we are drawn to places like Guadeloupe or Réunion, but in general there are so many places we still want to discover that it’s hard to choose just a few

Where would you recommend others visit?

We would highly recommend Florianópolis in Brazil, an incredible place to learn surfing or go diving. Salinópolis in Brazil is also a place we really enjoyed.

Patagonia is another unforgettable destination, with absolutely stunning landscapes, although the strong winds can be quite challenging at times.

For wildlife and photography lovers, we would definitely recommend French Guiana, with its vast Amazon rainforest and rich biodiversity.

How do you primarily travel on your adventures today?

We are traveling in a 2000 Suzuki Jimny. The vehicle has been modified for overlanding and off-road travel. It has been lifted for better ground clearance, fitted with larger all-terrain tires and wider rims for improved stability.

We also added a roof rack with a rooftop tent, as well as a full interior setup with two storage drawers to organize our clothes and food. The interior has been fully adapted to make the vehicle more practical and comfortable for long-term travel.

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

Our five essential pieces of equipment are our toolbox, which is the most important item for us, our rooftop tent for sleeping, a compression fridge to store food, our Starlink for internet connection even in remote areas, and our camping and water setup, including everything we need for cooking and showers

And of course… a few beers at the end of the day to relax and enjoy the moment haha.

What inspires you to explore more?

What inspires us to explore more is meeting people who share their own travel stories and experiences with us. These encounters are really meaningful and motivating. We also love discovering new cultures and seeing ways of life that are different from what we were used to in our routine. It helps us step outside our comfort zone and keeps us curious about the world.

How do you engage with others?

We create connections with people by sharing our experiences, our journey, and the stories from our travels. Whether with locals or other travelers, these exchanges often lead to meaningful conversations and great memories.

Why is it important to embrace global cultures?

We think it’s important to embrace global cultures because every country has its own culture, and it’s really amazing to discover each one. It opens your mind, helps you understand people better, and makes you realize how different and interesting the world is.

For us, it’s just really cool to learn and experience all these different ways of living.

What are your goals when you explore?

Our goals when we explore are to feel a sense of freedom, to not feel trapped in a routine we don’t enjoy, and to fully live and experience life. We want to discover as much as possible and make the most out of every moment on the road.

What are some challenges you have experienced?

Arriving in new countries where we don’t always speak the language and don’t know the culture or the people can be a challenge. At first, it can feel a bit intimidating not knowing how things work or how to interact with others.

We have also faced some mechanical issues with the 4x4 along the way. Even though it can be stressful at times, it is never something that stops us for long. We always manage to find solutions and get back on the road.

Overall, these challenges are part of the journey and help us adapt, learn, and grow as travelers

What has been your most meaningful moment so far?

Leaving our comfort zone and stepping into the unknown is what we consider our most meaningful and emotional moment so far. Making the decision to change our lives completely and not knowing exactly what was ahead was both scary and exciting at the same time.

It marked the real beginning of our journey and everything that followed.

How has exploration changed you?

Exploration has changed us by helping us become more open-minded, adaptable, and independent. It has taught us to step out of our comfort zone, trust ourselves more, and deal with uncertainty in a calmer way. We also see the world differently now, with more curiosity and appreciation for different cultures and ways of living.

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

The number one lesson we’ve learned is that you grow when you step out of your comfort zone. Once you’re in the unknown, you realize you can handle way more situations than you thought. And also, things never really go as planned, but it’s usually those unexpected moments that make the journey the most interesting.

How do you explore locally?

We are lucky to live in a place where we never really get tired of the landscapes. Because of that, we don’t necessarily need to travel far to explore. We simply enjoy spending time outside, discovering new spots nearby, and appreciating what is already around us.

What does the explmore mantra mean to you?

For us, the explmore mantra is about always staying curious and open to the world. It means stepping out of routine, exploring more, and being open to new experiences, people, and cultures. It’s a reminder to keep discovering, learning, and living fully through travel and human connection!

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

We believe this kind of experience can really help you grow mentally. Of course, it’s important to take precautions and be responsible, but we only have one life, so it’s important to make the most of every moment.