After returning from travelling in Morocco and the UK in 2008 I have been involved in designing and building our expedition vehicle. With that dream now a reality and the company I founded now having built a number of vehicles, the choice for me was do I continue to be involved with building other people’s dream or do we live the dream ourselves. Having only one chance on this planet Lyn and I have chosen to see and experience most of it now.

With the logistics finally completed at the end of March 2010, Lyn and I are now free to continue to travel the world. There is in fact one stipulation from my life partner and that is that we return home every 3 to 4 months to catch up with the family and our five young growing grandchildren.

Thus on the 30th April, we loaded our vehicle ‘Goanna’ together with 3 other vehicles into 2 x 40Ft containers bound for Kuala Lumpur.

From here I have coordinated the travel of the group through Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, China, Tibet, Mongolia, and on to Vladivostok. The vehicles will then be shipped to Long Beach California for our eventual expedition from Alaska to South America during 2011/2012/13

There is only enough room to climb out the drivers window then down over the bull bar. Tie down the front end and emerge from  under the rear differential.

In this expedition we have 4 couples:

John Stewart and Elizabeth Burns in my original 2003 Canter 4x4 built by All Terrain Warrior

Michael Whyte and Sarah Billings from New Zealand in a 2009 Fuso Canter 4x4

Bill and Gaylene Lyne in his Isuzu NPS 4x4 – Bill & Gay joined us across Russia to Europe in 2007

Self (Kym) and Lyn in our 2009 Fuso Canter 4x4 

John and Elizabeth’s 2003 Canter

Bill and Gay’s Isuzu Camper

John and Elizabeth have extensively back packed the world and as such are familiar with accepting whatever comes in this type of travel. Michael similarly is well travelled having driven an old Bedford truck the length of Africa. Michael is also a 4x4 Winch Challenge competitor from NZ and we became strong competitors but campfire friends. Bill also is a past Winch Competitor and has been a close friend for many years.

Part of our travel plan is that each couple will take on the leadership roll through certain countries. John and Elizabeth are heading up the team in Malaysia and Thailand, Bill & Gay for Cambodia, and Michael in Laos. With China and Tibet being logistical challenging that is my domain. My travel criteria were only that we wish to keep away from big cities and travel the dotted lines so we can meet real country people.

With the vehicles loaded and my shed finally empty I have 4 weeks to catch up on work around the property before we fly out to Kuala Lumpur on the 30th May.