Where are you from?

I (Sarah) am from Germany and Mats is from Sweden. 

When did you start your interest in exploration?

Our interest in exploration started even before we met. We both loved to travel and had a shared passion for visiting places off the beaten path. When we met, this common interest naturally led to exploring the world together. Our first trip took us to Kyrgyzstan, where we rented a Russian off-road vehicle and camped in a tent. While driving on a small mountain road, we came across a camper with German plates. That was the moment we knew this was something we wanted to do as well, and we immediately started saving for our own offroad camper.

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

We've always had a taste for adventure. We met in Sweden, where we primarily explored the Nordic countries—hiking, camping in our tent. After a while, Mats moved to Germany, and our adventures expanded to exploring more of Europe. It was also in Germany that we bought our car and began gradually converting it into our home on wheels. There were times when our apartment looked more like a carpenter's workshop than a living space! After a year of hard work, the van was finally ready for its test trip to Montenegro

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

Mats is passionate about everything related to cars. Fortunately, he never shies away from any car-related issues and has managed to fix every problem we've encountered so far. Even when it’s an annoying or complex problem, he sees it as an opportunity to learn more and get a better understanding of our own vehicle.

As for me, I'm not particularly fond of driving, but I’m the one who always plans our next steps—deciding where to go, which route to take, and what sights we want to see. In addition, I’m the photographer, capturing our travels and documenting our journey as best as I can.

Where have you explored so far?

Since we're from two different countries, we've done a lot of exploring in Sweden and Germany, both through road trips and hiking trips with our tent. Besides that, we've each individually traveled to various countries across Asia and Africa before we met. Our roadtrip adventures together began with trips to Kyrgyzstan and Georgia, and now, we're traveling through South America in our own car.

What is a brief understanding of your adventures so far?

We’ve always had a passion for road trips and discovering remote places, which is why we decided to get ourselves a small offroad camper. It's our home on wheels, giving us the freedom to go almost anywhere. We love finding a random, little driven road on the map, fill some extra gas, and just see where it takes us. That’s how we love to explore the most. It doesn’t always go according to plan, and sometimes we have to turn back, but when it works, it usually leads to the most incredible places and unforgettable memories.

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

Mongolia: Originally, we had planned to drive all the way to Mongolia on this trip. However, due to political problems, we changed our route and ended up in South America instead. Despite that, Mongolia remains high on our list. The vast landscapes, the nomadic culture, and the remote beauty are all things we've always dreamed of exploring.

Iran: We've heard so many incredible things about Iran and the warmth and hospitality of its people. These positive stories from people who have visited the country have really  sparked our curiosity.

The Stans: Not one country but an entire region. We fell in love with Kyrgyzstan, and it inspired us to explore the other Central Asian "Stans" as well. Traveling through this area in our own camper would be a dream come true. We can’t wait to return to this part of the world and discover even more of what it has to offer.

Where would you recommend others visit?

If you're after incredible nature and love mountains, we highly recommend Kyrgyzstan. The landscapes there are absolutely breathtaking—vast mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and endless opportunities for adventure and wild camping. Georgia is another gem, not just for its stunning scenery but also for its incredible food and wine—some of the best we've ever had. And here in South America, Bolivia has been one of our absolute favorite destinations. The natural beauty is out of this world, from the surreal salt flats to the towering Andes mountains and the lush Amazon rainforest.

How do you primarily travel on your adventures today?

It is a 30 year old Puch230GE. A former radio car from the Swiss military. We built it into a camper, put in a bed, kitchen and made sure it carries enough water and solar so we can live off the grid for a few days.

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

1. Camera 
2. Toolbag
3. Omnia Oven
4. Starlink
5. Sunscreen

What inspires you to explore more?

Getting to know the world - its diverse landscapes, fascinating nature, and the incredible people we meet along the way. Every new place and person offers a chance to learn, grow, and experience the world in a deeper, more meaningful way.

How do you engage with others?

When we don’t speak the same language, we rely on hand gestures and of course, Google Translate. It’s a huge help in bridging the communication gap. Social media, particularly Instagram, has also become a great tool for connecting with other travelers and locals. Many times, locals have reached out to us via Instagram after spotting our car, which has led to some wonderful connections and even invites to meet up. 

Why is it important to embrace global cultures?

Even though we may all live differently, we are all human, and there’s so much we can learn from one another. Each culture offers unique perspectives, wisdom, and traditions that enrich our understanding of the world and expand our horizons.

What are your goals when you explore?

Getting to know the world and its people. 

What are some challenges you have experienced?

Our biggest challenges have definitely been car-related. Traveling in a 30-year-old car and driving on often bad roads means there’s always something that needs fixing. Fortunately, most issues have been manageable. However, the most frustrating problem was with a faulty fuel filter - probably a low-quality Chinese copy. It had green plastic inside, which melted into our fuel system and caused significant damage. Finding replacement parts and a competent mechanic was quite difficult, especially with the added challenge of not speaking the language. The whole process took weeks to solve and became quite costly, as we ended up having to replace an expensive part of the injection system. It was a real headache but luckily now it is fixed!

What has been your most meaningful moment so far?

It’s hard to pick just one moment because there have been so many, but I’d say the most meaningful ones are those when we’ve been welcomed with genuine kindness and open arms. Whether it’s a stranger inviting us into their home or sharing a meal with people we’ve just met, those moments of connection are the most memorable for us.

How has exploration changed you?

I think it has changed us in so many ways, and many of those changes we’ll probably only fully realize with time. But one thing is certain—it has made us more open-minded and eager to connect with others. Even if we don’t share a common language, we’re no longer shy about reaching out. We do our best with gestures, translation apps, and a lot of patience. It’s not about speaking the same language, but about sharing a moment, a smile, or an experience.

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

People are good. It’s easy to let the world’s image be shaped by what we see on TV—news filled with tragedy, conflict, racism. The list goes on. Those things are happening, but what we don’t often hear about are the countless positive stories that are also happening: the everyday kindness, the generosity, the friendly strangers. These things don’t make the headlines, but they’re everywhere. Traveling has shown us that the world is full of good people and that kindness often goes unnoticed, but it’s far more prevalent than we’re led to believe.

How do you explore locally?

We try to find places nearby that we haven’t seen before. Whether it’s a nearby town we haven’t explored, a new hike, a lake for swimming or kayaking. It is nice to hop in the car for a quick weekend camping trip or pack up the tent for an overnight adventure. There are so many options around us. You don’t have to travel far to find new places to explore.

What does the explmore mantra mean to you?

To us it is about embracing the full experience of an adventure. It’s about stepping into the unknown, interacting with the places and people we encounter, and being open to whatever challenges or surprises come our way. We believe that every journey, whether big or small, offers an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with the world around us.

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

Our advice is simple: don’t wait. If you truly want to have that adventure, do it. There will always be reasons to hesitate, and obstacles will always pop up, but the perfect time will never come. Life is unpredictable, and you never know what tomorrow might bring. Just remember, you’re incredibly lucky to have the chance to pursue your dreams—so take it while you can.