After 4 years of preparation and 3 years of conversion and expansion work on the vehicle, the journey finally began on November 10, 2024.
August 2025
The Gambia
A small country surrounded by Senegal and the Atlantic ocean. On the world map it looks like a finger poking into the land mass of Senegal. We did not know anything about „the Gambia“ what its officially called. In one way we knew it would mean another border crossing but on the other hand, it ment less driving going through it then around it. Boy were we surprised The border crossing leaving Senegal and driving into the Gambia took less then 1 hour which is very fast in western Africa. Once inside we decided to not just go straight through it which would have only been around 40-50 km and a short trip on a ferry crossing the gambian river, no, we decided to take a detour of around 300km driving along the river and crossing a bridge further inland before driving back down along the river. 300 km does not sound like much in Europe, but believe us when we say this…300km in Africa means usually about 6-8 hours driving. There is the small towns with speed bumps every 50m and then you have the police or military check point every couple km which sometimes can last up to 10min. because the officers enjoy a quick chat and want to know more about us, about Rafiki and our journey down to south Africa.
We made this choice so we would at least see a little bit of the country and spend 1 night here. Unfortunately we were a bit in a hurry because we were meeting up with another couple in the south of Senegal. Otherwise we would have spend way more time in the Gambia. The people are very very friendly and the country is beautiful. There is a lot of agriculture along the river, everything blossoms in a beautiful strong green colour, the trees stand massive along the streets and the wild life with pigs, goats, cows, snakes, monkeys, iguanas and lots of birds also fascinated us. After spending one night in the wild away from the main road we head a quick visit to a nature reserve the next morning. There we had the chance to see more monkeys, even baboons and to our surprise; big strong hyenas. Unfortunately we did not see the crocodiles because we guessed it was hiding somewhere in the shade on this hot day.
So after two longs days driving and enjoying the scenery along the roads it was already time for us to cross the border back in to Senegal again. This crossing took even less time and not once were we asked for a bribe or extortion. Do to the very good main street through the Gambia, this is definitely a country worth visiting again. We will be back 🙂
July 2025
Le caravan medical
During our journey, we learned about a French couple, Marie and Theo—two young doctors traveling through Africa in their camper van. Through their organization, Le Caravan Médical, they provide medical consultations in each country to support the local communities.
We reached out to them via Instagram because they are living our dream: combining meaningful work with travel. Had we studied medicine, this might have been our path as well. Since they were currently in Senegal, we decided to drive to meet them—and were even invited to join and support them for two days.
On the one hand, we were able to contribute our knowledge and experience from nursing and emergency services; on the other hand, we brought along medical supplies they could make use of, so we happily shared them.
It turned out to be two incredibly exciting days filled with impressions: blood tests, ultrasound examinations, the removal of a skin cyst—and Rafiki, our vehicle, became a temporary ambulance as we transported a baby with severely low hemoglobin levels to the hospital.
It turned out to be two incredibly exciting days filled with impressions: blood tests, ultrasound examinations, the removal of a skin cyst—and Rafiki, our vehicle, became a temporary ambulance as we transported a baby with severely low hemoglobin levels to the hospital.
At the same time, the days were extremely hot and humid—adding another layer of challenge to the already unfamiliar medical conditions we encountered.
That’s when the idea emerged: to continue traveling with Marie and Theo over the coming weeks and to support their consultations together.
July 2025
Dominiks Birthday
It was Dominik’s birthday, and for this special occasion, he wished for a good meal and—just this once—a night in a hotel. Finding both while also securing a safe spot for Rafiki wasn’t easy, but we managed in Dakar.
The day began with a relaxing massage for Dominik, while Anna secretly prepared a birthday cake for him. Afterwards, we checked into the hotel and spent some time unwinding by the pool.
Before heading out for a fancy dinner, we took a stroll through the hotel garden with Nala and Simba—a little ritual we just couldn’t skip.
After a long, refreshing shower, we dressed up and went to SevenSeven, a high-end steakhouse. It was quite expensive by Senegalese standards—almost comparable to Swiss prices. One highlight on the menu was Wagyu steak, something Dominik had never tried before. Naturally, he ordered it, and what can we say—it was truly exceptional meat.
The beautiful day ended with a brief visit to the casino, though we just watched and didn’t gamble.
July 2025
Dakar
To get our Carnet de Passage stamped, we had to make the journey to Dakar—a very chaotic city, with countless roadside stalls lining the streets.
Finding a place for Rafiki in such a densely packed urban environment proved to be quite the challenge. Fortunately, we were able to stay with Gabriel, a local who is in the process of opening his own restaurant right by the coast.
We left Rafiki alone for about eight hours and spent the day sightseeing around the city. It felt strange to leave Rafiki, along with Nala and Simba, on their own—but thankfully, everything went smoothly.
By taxi, we visited the monumental African Renaissance statue, the beautiful Mosque of the Divinity, and finally made our way to Gorée Island—a place historically associated with the slave trade. Its charming atmosphere reminded us more of Cuba than Dakar.
We ended the day with a delicious burger, and Dominik was delighted to be able to visit a cinema again.
July 2025
First days in Senegal
Crossing the border from Mauritania into Senegal proved to be much easier, especially in comparison to entering Mauritania. It was more organized and far less chaotic.
Our first impression of Senegal was overwhelmingly positive: lush greenery, cheerful locals waving with smiles, and an abundance of delicious mangoes. You can buy them on nearly every street corner—they’re juicy and incredibly flavorful.
Our first stop was a campsite in the northern part of the country. There, we received a visit from a curious monkey who seemed intent on taking a closer look at Rafiki. That evening, a spontaneous football match with local boys unfolded on the beach—an unforgettable experience.
Over the following days, we visited a turtle reserve, admired the grand and majestic baobab trees, and enjoyed peaceful walks with Nala and Simba.
July 2025
Road to Diama
To leave Mauritania heading towards Senegal, there are two border crossings. The first is via Rosso, which has good roads but is unfortunately considered one of the most corrupt border crossings in the world. For this reason, travelers tend to avoid it whenever possible. So we decided to take the second route: the border crossing at Diama.
To get there, one must drive through a national park, accessible only by a roughly 40-kilometer-long unpaved road.
We knew that we’d have to pay an entrance fee for the national park, and also some charges at customs. That’s why we wanted to withdraw money from the last ATM before the border. But to our dismay, we discovered it wasn’t working. That left us with just two options: either drive the 160 kilometers back to the capital to find the next ATM – or reach out to a Dutch couple we had met in the capital, who were also planning to cross the border to Senegal the next day.
Fortunately, we managed to contact them, and they kindly agreed to bring money for us. It was a very uncomfortable situation, but we’re deeply grateful for their generosity.
Together, we set off through the national park towards the Diama border crossing. The road was bumpy, but the scenery was beautiful. We got to enjoy our first “safari”: spotting countless birds, camels, cows, goats, donkeys – and especially many warthogs. It was absolutely adorable to see them dash across the landscape on their little legs.
We cherished the increasingly green surroundings and the abundance of wildlife that suddenly revealed itself to us. The anticipation of seeing and experiencing even more soon made us all the more excited.
July 2025
Mauritania – an underrated country
Mauritania had never really been on our radar. In general, it seems to be a place that is often overlooked – which is actually quite a shame.
The landscape is dominated by desert, heat, and dryness. It’s truly remarkable how people manage to survive under such harsh conditions. In the villages, we repeatedly see large water containers, which evidently need to be refilled regularly.
The hot temperatures make it challenging for us to explore the country at a relaxed pace. So, we step on the gas and head quickly toward the capital, Nouakchott, which, thanks to its coastal location, offers slightly cooler weather.
In Nouakchott, we visit a large camel market – these animals are genuinely fascinating! Later, we meet a group of football players on the beach. We’re able to support them directly with sports bags and water bottles. As a thank-you, we’re invited to dinner and a football match – a truly special experience. Dinner is served sitting on cushions on the floor and eaten with our hands. During the match, the police team faces off against the firefighters.
We had the pleasure of meeting extremely kind people. Unfortunately, the country seems to struggle immensely with waste. Trash is scattered everywhere – a very sad sight…
July 2025
Border Morocco–Mauritania
When entering Morocco, Rafiki was scanned with a large X-ray machine. That this procedure would be repeated upon exiting the country was quite surprising to us—but apparently, that’s how it works. After that, we had to wait in the sun for the physical exit check, but in the end, no one seemed particularly interested. The entire exit process took over an hour.
Between Morocco and Mauritania lies roughly one kilometer of no-man’s land: a rough gravel track lined with numerous abandoned vehicles, some of which seemed to have been there for an indefinite amount of time. Driving through felt eerie and unsettling. When two large semi-trucks got stuck halfway through the path, we started to feel slightly nervous. Fortunately, our 4×4 allowed us to maneuver past them.
At the Mauritanian border, we were welcomed—just as many had described on iOverlander—by an older gentleman. He introduced himself as Didi and offered to help us with customs formalities. We politely declined, wanting to handle things ourselves. Yet Didi stayed close, persistent in his support. While Anna dealt with the paperwork, Dominik kept an eye on the vehicle. Anna had to visit multiple offices—one for vehicle importation, another for our personal entry. It soon became unclear what each office was actually doing, and having Didi around turned out to be unexpectedly helpful. Our passports and vehicle documents passed through many different hands.
What made us truly anxious was the upcoming physical inspection of the vehicle. We had heard unsettling stories about entire vehicles being taken apart. One thing was certain: no alcohol and no pork were allowed on board. In the end, our concern was unnecessary. The customs officer stepped into our living space, glanced around for a few seconds, and walked out again—without opening a single drawer or cabinet.
Roughly two hours after entering the Mauritanian border post, we had collected all the necessary stamps, cleared every checkpoint, and were officially allowed to enter Mauritania. What a relief! We were thrilled to set foot in another new country stretching out before us.
July 2025
ioverlander
After enduring a lot of wind and sand, we reached the border between Morocco and Mauritania. This border crossing made us feel a bit nervous. To prepare ourselves and understand what to expect and what documents we needed, we gathered information from the respective national authorities and the app iOverlander.
This app is user-driven and works through entries that anyone can update and comment on—allowing travelers to share the most current and relevant information with others. It’s truly a fantastic tool for vehicle-based travelers. Beyond border-related info, it also helps you easily find a spot to spend the night or a place to refill your water supply.
July 2025
West Sahara
From Agadir, it’s 1,500 km to the Mauritanian border, with 1,000 km stretching straight through Western Sahara. This is a highly disputed region with a very recent history.
In 1975, Spain relinquished its colonial rule. This led to conflict between Morocco and the “Liberation Front,” a local group advocating for an independent Democratic Arab Republic of Sahara. A ceasefire was reached in 1991, in which Morocco emerged as the victor and has maintained a strong presence in the region ever since. Most UN countries do not recognize Western Sahara as part of Morocco, although Moroccans clearly see it differently.
Driving through this area is both fascinating and monotonous. The road stretches straight ahead, mostly along the coast—on the right, the ocean; on the left, vast landscapes of sand and rock. Despite the sparse traffic, the road is well developed along nearly its entire length. Occasionally, nature takes over. A digger stands on the road, trying to clear windblown sand dunes from the pavement.
We’re accompanied by strong tailwinds. This helps with fuel consumption but makes rest stops far from relaxing. The wind whips sand into our faces, making it nearly impossible to go outside with Nala and Simba. These conditions prompt us to increase our daily pace from around 200 km to considerably more, to pass through this sandy, windy stretch as quickly as possible—because not only are we, but also the little ones, thoroughly annoyed by the desolate and blustery landscape.
June 2025
Preparation for Desert Crossing
After Dominik returned, we stayed a few more days at the campsite. On one hand, Nala and Simba were very relaxed in this place, and we wanted to enjoy that. On the other hand, there were some things to prepare.
The big desert crossing was approaching. We wanted to clean and service the air conditioning unit in the living area, because without it, it would be difficult for the cats to maintain a comfortable climate in the coming heat. Then we did laundry again, took time to clean the seat covers—which turned out to be necessary—and most importantly, refilled our water supply.
We also had two appointments at the workshop. First, we had our diesel tanks cleaned in hopes that the issue with the regularly clogged fuel filter would finally be resolved. Second, our alternator didn’t seem to be producing sufficient voltage, which meant our starter batteries were deteriorating. We received a new regulator for the alternator, but unfortunately had to replace the starter batteries as one of them was damaged.
These were high, unexpected expenses—but we’d rather have it fixed in Morocco than face problems in the desert. Finally, we did a big grocery shopping trip. And the adventure continues southward.
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June 2025
Seperate ways
Just before the trip began, Dominik completed a new training as an offshore medic and has already completed two assignments in the North Sea. In this role, he works as a paramedic (in Germany known as a “Notfallsanitäter”) on a work vessel involved in constructing wind turbines in the North Sea. These assignments are short, intense, but also well-paid. We agreed that if an offer came through and Anna could stay in a safe place with Nala, Simba, and Rafiki during that time, Dominik would take advantage of the opportunity.
As it happened, they were looking for a paramedic for a two-week assignment. Anna settled in at a campsite near Agadir with Nala, Simba, and Rafiki, while Dominik headed back to Europe. He took the chance to visit friends and family for two days before continuing on to northern Germany.
Unfortunately, the assignment was canceled at the last minute—which sometimes happens in this line of work. Luckily, his supervisor found him a placement at the Offshore Trade Fair in Bremerhaven. So instead of two weeks, the assignment turned into one week.
Even if the time together was shorter than planned, it was still wonderful to be reunited in Morocco.
June 2025
Visist from Switzerland 2.0
At the same time that Anna was out with her mother, Bianca—Dominik’s ex-girlfriend—was spending a week surfing in Agadir. This gave us the chance to enjoy a few surf sessions together and go out for dinner. Bianca was also kind enough to bring some medical supplies from the organization, which we’ll use to help a young boy in the interior of the country. We’ll share more about that at a later time.
For now, we wish you all a wonderful time and see you soon.
June 2025
Visit from Switzerland
Anna’s mother, Concetta, is coming for a visit! Her arrival coincides with Dominik and Anna’s first wedding anniversary. To celebrate, the three of them head to the dunes by the sea, where they admire the landscape from the back of a camel.
To help her discover Morocco more easily, Concetta rents a car and sets off with Anna. Their journey takes them to Essaouira — a city with a beautiful old town, lively market, intriguing harbor, and excellent tagine. They continue on to Marrakesh, where they dive into the bustling streets and vibrant main square in the evening.
Their round-trip route leads them over the Tizi’n Test, a mountain pass reaching 2,100 meters. Much of the road is under construction, and the effects of a strong earthquake from a few years ago are still clearly visible. Many damaged houses remain, and many locals are still living in makeshift accommodations.
To wrap up the visit, they return to Agadir, where Dominik, Anna, and Concetta are invited by locals to share a traditional meal. They experience the incredible Moroccan hospitality and delicious cuisine firsthand.
Thank you, Mama, for this beautiful visit.
May 2025
Visa extend - Gran Canaria
With a tourist visa, it’s possible to stay in Morocco for 90 days. However, since we wanted to stay longer, we looked for a way to extend our stay—ideally by doing a brief exit from the country.
Since we were based in the southern part of Morocco, leaving via the Spanish enclaves wasn’t an option. So, we decided to treat ourselves to a few days off in Gran Canaria. Luckily, our friend Lisa was available and excited to come to Agadir and take care of Nala, Simba, and Rafiki while we were away.
As it turned out, some of our friends were vacationing in Gran Canaria at the same time. So we spent a few relaxing days on the island—enjoying good food, exploring the mountains and sand dunes, and soaking up the sun by the pool.
Meanwhile, Nala and Simba were being spoiled by Lisa and got a short break from us. Not that they really needed it, but we certainly did 😄
After our short trip to Gran Canaria, more wonderful people were waiting for us. But first, it was time to free Lisa from Nala and Simba and thank her warmly. Without her, this short trip simply wouldn’t have been possible.
May 2025
lake by Taznakht & Hospitality
To take a break after many days in the desert and the heat, we longed for a greener and quieter place. Not an easy task in this rather barren and rocky landscape. However, we found a spot on Google Maps that actually had a small lake.
It turned out to be a beautiful place, nestled among trees, with water on one side and hills on the other. Unfortunately, the area was also littered with trash. So on the second day, we filled several garbage bags to help make the place even nicer. During the first days, we were alone in this peaceful, sweet spot—until Saturday arrived and the area filled with locals.
It’s a tradition in Morocco for families from nearby villages to spend the weekend in quieter areas, singing, cooking, and eating together. It’s truly impressive to see what they bring along—everything from cooking pots and gas canisters to full carpets and tables.
Since we often went for walks with Nala and Simba during the day, we quickly became a highlight for the locals. People approached us from all directions, inviting us in for tea or even full meals. The hospitality here in Morocco has taken on an entirely new meaning for both of us.
We ended up spending the whole weekend showing off our cats and eating, singing, and dancing with different families. It was an incredibly fun and heartwarming experience, and we’ll always carry those special days in our hearts.
May 2025
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Ourzazate - Atlas Filmstudios
After leaving the desert, our paths parted from the Pollis family. We had spent several weeks traveling together and experienced quite a lot — thank you for that time.
For us, the journey continued to Ouarzazate, specifically to the famous and largest film studios in the world. We decided to visit early in the morning, right when they opened their doors — which turned out to be the right decision, as it quickly became hot and crowded.
The entrance fee included a guided tour. We were led through various film sets, and all around stood vehicles and airplanes from productions like Prison Break. We visited the sets of The Mummy, the kasbah from Gladiator, and one of the castles from Game of Thrones. It was fascinating to see how immersive the film environments felt from the inside — yet, standing at the edges, the simple construction became obvious, revealing they were really just walls. Especially with the Egyptian and Arabic sets, we learned that many of them are left intact and only slightly modified to be reused in future films.
For us, this visit was incredibly exciting and insightful — to learn more about the film industry and how often simple tricks are used to completely transform a location into something that looks so different from reality.
May 2025
Desert, Sahara, M'hamid
One of our main goals in the east of Morocco was clearly the Sahara — to reach and explore the sand desert. Experiencing this together with another similar vehicle gave us a strong sense of security. So, we set off with the Pollis family toward M’hamid. The first sand dunes greeted us while we were still on paved roads. Once we left them behind, we prepared our vehicles for the soft ground. That meant letting quite a bit of air out of the tires and reducing the pressure from 7.5 bar to 4.5 bar. And off we went.
Feeling a bit nervous, we guided Rafiki toward the first sand dune, keeping the same speed and RPM. The soft sand felt unfamiliar — walking barefoot, you’d easily sink in — yet Rafiki, with her 11 tons, moved astonishingly well and confidently through this new terrain. The initial nervousness soon gave way to a growing sense of excitement. Driving through the sandy dunes became genuinely fun, especially because Rafiki gave us so much confidence that she’d carry us safely through this area.
The trip into the Sahara gave us a great deal of driving confidence and was a lot of fun. However, we wouldn’t want to do it too often, as it puts a significant strain on the vehicle — and Rafiki isn’t just transportation from point A to point B; she’s also our home. We don’t want to push her unnecessarily. As the saying goes, “You can get the vehicle out of the desert, but you’ll never get the desert out of the vehicle.” (The sand finds its way into every little crack and crevice…)
April 2025
Offroad
After the market, we faced our next off-road challenge.
Our next stage took us onto a route that was incredibly demanding for off-road beginners like us. With an average speed of around 10 km/h, we spent four days battling through a rugged track where, for at least 50 km in every direction, not a single soul could be found. The route seemed more suited for Land Rovers or Cruisers, as our tire tracks were consistently a bit too wide. This meant we had to frequently stop, get out, and clear stones from our path.
On the second day, the dreaded tire blowout happened. Unfortunately, we overlooked a large stone, which tore a 20 cm gash into the side of our tire. Within minutes, all the air had escaped, and we found ourselves under the scorching sun, struggling to change it. This was definitely too soon for such a mishap—nobody wants a flat tire, especially not just five months into a journey. Still, we had no choice but to make the best of it, applying what we had learned. Luckily, we were traveling with another expedition vehicle, and with their help, the tire change was completed quickly.
Since the other family had no spare tire, the next two days—and additional 30 km—turned into a nerve-wracking experience for all of us. Every single stone was inspected, turned over, or tossed aside, as another tire failure in such a remote area would have been a serious problem.
Finally, after four exhausting days, we emerged from the valley and found ourselves back on asphalt. The relief was immense! Without hesitation, we checked into a campsite with a pool for three days. It wasn’t just the tire mishap that had drained us—the extremely dry air (humidity at just 10%) and the monotonous, barren landscape had also taken a toll. That’s why cooling off, enjoying fresh water and good food, and seeing a change in scenery felt like pure bliss.
April 2025
Camel market
ere in the south, we learned from locals that there is a very large and well-known camel market nearby. We simply had to go… so we set off on our journey. The good thing was that the camel market was right near a workshop that we had to visit once again to check on our still-existing engine problem. That way, we could hit two birds with one stone. 🙂
After our semi-successful visit to the workshop, the next day we headed to the infamous camel market. Some Berbers travel over 1,000 km through the desert, spending more than a month on the road, just to sell their camels here. A large and healthy camel sells for around €3,000. Besides camels, many goats, sheep, and other four-legged animals were also being sold. All the animals are purely working livestock, with most serving as food.
For Anna, an initial offer of 70 camels was made, which we politely declined. As time passed, the offer climbed to 1,000 camels—quite tempting for Dominik, considering the average camel is valued at around €1,500. 😆 But of course, his beloved wife is not for sale. No worries—we’re still traveling as a group of four!
The market also had a variety of local food items. The colorful vegetables and different herbs were truly beautiful, and we stocked up on fresh produce and fruits. In some of the photos, you can even spot a small oven where popcorn was being made. It was incredibly fascinating to experience such an authentic local market and talk to the locals about their way of life.
Nachdem wir bei der Werkstatt semi-Erfolgreich waren, ging es am nächsten Tag an den berüchtigten Kamelmarkt. Es gibt Berber welche über 1000km durch die Wüste gehen und mehr als einen Monat unterwegs sind um hier ihre Kamele zu verkaufen. Ein grosses und gesundes Kamel geht für ca. 3000 Euro über den Tisch. Nebst Kamelen wurden hier auch viele Ziegen, Schaffe und sonstige 4-Beiner Verkauft. Alle Tiere sind reine Nutztiere und die meisten von Ihnen dienen schlichtweg als Nahrung. Für Anna wurden direkt 70 Kamele geboten, wo wir danken abgelehnt haben. Im Verlauf ging das Angebot jedoch bis auf 1000 Kamele hoch…was bei einem Durchschnittswert von 1500 Euro für Dominik natürlich sehr verlockend war 😀 aber natürlich ist seine geliebte Frau nicht verkäuflich. Keine Sorge also, wir sind immer noch zu viert unterwegs.
Ausserdem hatte der Markt die üblichen Lebensmittel im Angebot. Das Gemüse mit den vielen Farben und die verschiedenen Kräutern waren wirklich sehr schön. So konnten wir uns direkt wieder mit frischem Gemüse und frischen Früchten eindecken. Auf den Fotos könnt ihr auch einen kleinen Backofen erkennen in welchem Popcorn gemacht wurden. Es war wirklich sehr interessant an einem so authentischen lokalen Markt zu sein und mit den Einheimischen über ihren Lebensstandart zu sprechen.
April 2025
Morocco dessert challange, trash collecting and the ocean
After the wonderful time at the beach, we’re off to the Morocco Desert Challenge—one of the largest desert rallies in the world and the biggest in Morocco. With Rafiki, we were right at the finish line of the stage, which allowed us to experience the vehicles up close. Additionally, a rescue helicopter and an ambulance were present. This gave Dominik the chance to learn more about rescue operations in Morocco. The ambulances here are equipped more simply compared to those back home in Switzerland. The rescue helicopter was accompanied by a Belgian team, including an anesthetist doctor and a nurse, all volunteering their time.
It was truly so much fun to watch the various motorized vehicles speeding through the desert at incredible speed.
And then—back to the sea 🙂 Rafiki could honestly use a wash every couple of days, either due to the salty ocean air or the dirt and sand from the desert. It feels like a “never-ending story”! Of course, this is all part of the adventure, and as you can probably tell from the pictures, the mechanical issues haven’t stopped. If there’s a problem with the engine, it’s always a process of elimination…which means it simply takes a long time to pinpoint the fault.
At the beach, we finally started surfing, enjoyed beautiful sunsets, and took long strolls along the beach with Nala and Simba. Unfortunately, one of the beaches we visited was extremely polluted. We didn’t want to just accept this, so we decided to spend an hour picking up trash together, filling a whopping 18 bags. We’ve made a commitment to leave every place we stay cleaner than we found it. If everyone took their trash with them, we probably wouldn’t have such a big waste problem on this otherwise stunning planet.
April 2025
Nature, Paradise Valley, Ocean by Agadir
So, now we are traveling alone again…after all the hustle and bustle in Marrakesh and being with so many other people, we are looking forward to a few quiet days by ourselves.
To start, we drove to the absolute middle of nowhere to take a short break, focus more on Nala and Simba, and organize our next stage. After 2-3 days of relaxation, we were drawn back to the sea, where we joined Pollis.on.Tour or, to be precise, the family with Mani, Jona, Marlo, Malte, and Oscar.
Together, we explored the beautiful Paradise Valley, went swimming in the river, and enjoyed our time together.
Then we moved on. Right by the sea, above Agadir, we parked our vehicles and enjoyed nature. We went on a bike ride as a pair, visited a nearby fishing village with many colorful houses—it looked really beautiful. On the beach, we also met someone from Lucerne who escapes to the south with his expedition vehicle each winter. Theo has a really cool pizza oven built into his vehicle, so we made homemade pizza in the evening.
From our pictures, you can also see how an older gentleman suddenly ended up in the passenger seat. Whenever we get the chance, we pick up hitchhikers, even though it’s not allowed. This always leads to new, funny acquaintances and sometimes very interesting conversations, as long as there isn’t a complete language barrier.
March 2025
Marrakesh and Ouzoud Waterfalls
After a few peaceful days on the farm with friends, we continued our journey towards Marrakesh. Here, we were delighted to welcome our beloved friend Corny and her partner Bastian. Big cities like this can be quite a challenge for us with Rafiki. In Morocco, other drivers don’t really follow any rules and drive however they please. We’ve already witnessed several severe accidents, including a fatal scooter crash. It’s not surprising, though, as most people here ride without helmets. Parking in such a big city is also very tedious. Luckily, Marrakesh has an affordable parking lot with a few spaces for motorhomes. We parked there with polis.on.tour and stayed for two nights. The next morning, Dominik picked up Corny and Bastian by taxi before we set off to explore the city anew. Marrakesh, with its large market, surpasses everything, of course. Here, everyone gets ripped off, and you can take photos with monkeys, snakes, and other animals.
The worst rip-off, however, happens in the evening on the main square when it comes to food. Tourists are heavily harassed from all sides, and the food ends up being way too expensive for the small portions served. But hey, like everything on such a journey, it’s an experience worth having. 😀
At the many stalls, it’s definitely worth bargaining. It’s recommended to never pay more than half or even a third of the stated price. Dominik found bargaining the easiest, while Bastian preferred to pay the first stated price directly. 🙂
Corny and Bastian stayed with us for five days. We spent the first day in Marrakesh, and on the second day, we drove 160 km inland to visit the largest waterfall in Morocco and even the second largest in Africa. We spent two nights at a campsite there, where we tried some very traditional dishes on the last evening. During the day, we visited the waterfall and the monkeys living in front of it (a mega highlight for all of us) and also explored a local market. This market was completely different from the typical tourist markets. You could buy literally everything here—from furniture, clothes, cooking utensils, toys, household appliances, and groceries to live animals that were slaughtered right in front of us after purchase. It was quite special to see a chicken being weighed, having its throat slit immediately after, then being bled out, plucked, and prepared so that the customer could take it home in a plastic bag without its head and feet. It doesn’t get any fresher than that…
The five days flew by, and soon we were on the long journey back to Marrakesh. A final quick stop at the markets for some souvenirs, and then we had to say goodbye to the two of them. Thank you for your visit! 😊
March 2025
Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca and Olive Farm
For two reasons, we quickly headed to the southern part of Morocco after entering the country. On one hand, the weather in the north continued to be rainy, windy, and cool, which we had already experienced enough of in recent weeks. On the other hand, we had one week left to receive our dear friend Corny and her partner Bastian in Marrakesh.
We didn’t miss the chance, however, to briefly explore the cities of Tangier, Rabat, and Casablanca along the way.
We started in Tangier, also known as the White City. Here, we got our first impressions of Morocco. Essentially, every major city has a so-called “Medina” (old town) filled with small alleys, stalls, shops, and everything in between. The special thing about Tangier is that its entire Medina is very winding and hilly—almost like a labyrinth. In addition, all buildings are painted white, which is clearly visible in the photos. After wandering through the alleys, we enjoyed our first Tajine (a Moroccan clay-pot specialty).
Next, we drove to Rabat, often called “The King’s City.” This city is much larger than Tangier and more impressive. It’s evident that the King of Morocco has invested a lot of money here. We particularly liked that Rabat is located directly by the sea, and along the coast, there are sports facilities with tennis, basketball, and paddle tennis courts seemingly every kilometer. Additionally, every major coastal city has a long and wide promenade, which is actively used. We also strolled through Rabat’s Medina. The big difference from Tangier was the cleanliness and the tidiness of the market within the Medina. It’s clear that Rabat has far more tourists than Tangier.
Our next stop was Casablanca. Here lies Morocco’s only mosque that is open to non-Muslims—a very large and impressive mosque directly by the sea. Since it’s currently Ramadan, the mosque was only open for short periods in the morning and afternoon. Unfortunately, our timing didn’t work out, so we couldn’t enter the mosque. Instead, we cycled several kilometers along the coast, which was very beautiful.
After visiting these three cities, we wanted to spend some time away from all the hustle and bustle. Between Casablanca and Marrakesh, we found a farm surrounded by olive trees. The owner and his wife created several spots for larger camper vans and have been offering them for about three months now. We stayed there for three nights and thoroughly enjoyed it. Each day, we walked with Nala and Simba between the olive trees and took care of some tasks on Rafiki. Additionally, “pollis.on.tour” was also there, so we spent some time with like-minded individuals. On the last evening, we made a fire with the owner and his family and prepared lamb on the flames. It was a very lovely evening filled with exciting conversations.
Now, we’re heading to Marrakesh to welcome our visitors from Germany. We are incredibly excited to see Corny and Bastian, and we’re equally thrilled about the impressive city of Marrakesh. Sending you all lots of love. 😊
March 2025
Gibraltar and entry to Morocco
Arriving in Algeciras, we booked our ferry ticket with the famous Carlos, an elderly gentleman who started his business around 20 years ago and has earned legendary status through honest and fair prices. We had tried booking online beforehand, but unfortunately, it didn’t work, likely because our vehicle was too tall for the specifications, and the cats didn’t help either. However, with Carlos, it was quick and straightforward. After booking, we even received a cake and a bottle of red wine for the upcoming journey.
Before heading to Morocco, we made a detour to Gibraltar, where we experienced our first “real” border control. Reaching the southern tip proved quite a challenge. On the east side, we had to go through a tunnel where the side walls hung at a height of 3.4m, leaving just enough space in the center for our Rafiki. So, we decided to return via the west side, but there we had to navigate through narrow gate arches. Quite a challenge to tackle Gibraltar with the size of our vehicle!
The next day at 7 a.m., we set off toward the ferry. The crossing was smooth, and everything went as planned. Upon arriving in Morocco, we had to pass through several border checks and other security measures. Additionally, Rafiki was scanned through a large X-ray machine—an impressive piece of technology. They were likely searching for stowaways, drones, and weapons.
And then, we finally made it! After four months in Europe, we finally set foot on the African continent 🙂 The term “adventure” will take on a whole new and surely more intense meaning for us here. We are very much looking forward to this adventure. See you soon, dear ones!
February 2025
Waiting for Packet and Carneval
We had actually planned to be on our way to Morocco long ago. Unfortunately, we have been waiting for days for a package that just won’t arrive. However, we are trying to make the best of the situation, exploring nature with Nala and Simba and enjoying music at the pizza party. Of course, we’re eating lots of delicious pizza there too 🙂 until we feel sick. 😀
In the hinterlands of southern Portugal, we explored a valley with our bikes. To our surprise, the path crossed a stream—not just once or twice, but a total of six times! Due to the heavy rains of the previous days, it was clear that the stream had a higher water level than usual. But that didn’t stop us; we simply rode straight through. With each crossing, we got more practiced and started to enjoy the stream crossings.
As it’s Carnival season all over the world, we head to Loulé to admire how it’s celebrated here in Portugal. This event in Loulé has been around for 108 years, a wonderfully long tradition. It’s considered one of the biggest Carnivals in Portugal, with a total route of about 1 km (500 meters up the street and 500 meters back down on the other side). Of course, it doesn’t compare to the three largest Carnivals in the world—Rio de Janeiro, Cologne, and Basel. You can check out our pictures for some impressions.
We had already given up hope, but after four weeks, the long-awaited package finally arrived. At least the wait turned out to be worth it in the end.
After a brief interruption—when Rafiki wouldn’t start but luckily came back to life after cleaning the pre-filter and replacing the fuel filter—we’re now finally heading to southern Spain. The crossing to Africa is within reach!
February 2025
Back to Algarve
Kevin has arrived. 🙂
Unfortunately, we had to welcome Kevin on a very rainy day. Nevertheless, we were, of course, very happy that dear Kevin finally left his workshop and treated himself to his first holiday in six years. Now it’s up to us to give him a great time. 🙂
We drove straight towards the Algarve, Portugal, where the sun was shining in the sky. First, we looked at a small sweet town before moving on. Kevin was very impressed by all the cliffs with the different rock formations and, of course, the rough sea at this time of year.
Unfortunately, our fridge broke down two days before Kevin’s arrival, so besides his visit, we also had to deal with this annoying issue, which took quite a bit of time. It was very nice for us to celebrate Kevin’s 36th birthday and cook him one of his favorite dishes (Spaghetti Carbonara). Just like in Eimeldingen at his home, we also spent the evenings playing games here.
Unfortunately, the week went by far too quickly, and Dominik had to say goodbye not only to Kevin but also to his beloved Anna. Anna had to fly home for an important appointment and took the time to visit friends and family and give the Spitex staff a little break. She will be away for a whole 10 days. During this time, Dominik, along with Rafiki, Nala, and Simba, was dropped off in the middle of nowhere, where no police would come by, and he could enjoy the time with the little ones.
Ahhh, and by the way, our fridge is working again. Thanks to the great company “Mega Frio” 🙂 and Dominik is never allowed near the freezer with a knife again 🙂
January 2025
South of Sevilla and Caminito del Rey
We found a very quiet and beautiful place. Since we needed a break from all the driving and exploring, and we were waiting for Kevin to arrive in Seville anyway, this place was perfect for us. Very secluded, far away from roads, and right by a creek, we could enjoy the time together as a group of four. Nala and Simba went out alone every day with their tracker, and we only had to catch them every now and then. Occasionally, a herd of sheep with the shepherd passed by, and very rarely, another van would come by. The weather was wonderfully beautiful. Anna even dared to lie down in the meadow in her bikini.
Close to our parking spot, there is a very famous gorge called “Caminito del Rey” (we posted a video about it on Instagram and Facebook). So we grabbed our e-bikes and made the approximately 30-minute journey to do this impressive hike. It was really very impressive, as you can see in the pictures.
After, believe it or not, 13 days (we have never stayed in one place that long), we then drove back to Seville to pick up our super mechanic and now good friend, Kevin, at the airport. We are very much looking forward to spending time with him. Until next time, dear friends.
January 2025
Seville
On January 11, 2025, we went to Seville for a football match between FC Seville and FC Valencia. Since it is often very complicated to find a suitable parking space for our large vehicle in these cities, and these are unfortunately rarely safe, we decided on a guarded parking lot 10 minutes’ walk from the stadium.
After a longer drive in the morning from Faro, Portugal, we still had enough time to explore the city. It is a city with some beautiful buildings and impressive architecture, as well as many small alleys for strolling and enjoying.
We saw orange trees everywhere with beautiful and large oranges. We wondered why they hadn’t all been picked already. So we quickly approached a policeman who explained to us that these were not edible oranges and are only used to make marmalade. Luckily, our backpack was not yet full of oranges, as we had already planned to fill it to enjoy freshly squeezed orange juice for the next few days.
In the evening, at 9:00 PM, the game finally began. Unfortunately, it ended in a 1:1 draw and was otherwise not very exciting. Nevertheless, the experience was very enjoyable.
The next morning, we quickly washed our clothes before continuing towards Malaga, Spain. Now we are looking for a quiet spot among thousands of olive trees for the next few days.
January 2025
Algarve - south Portugal
We have definitely arrived in the south of Portugal, along the beautiful Algarve coast. Each place is more stunning than the last, and we are thoroughly enjoying our time here.
As you can see from the pictures, we met up with Lisa and Benjamin again and spent more wonderful time with them.
There isn’t much to report about this period. We simply enjoyed the freedom and look forward to returning here with Kevin at the end of January.
See you soon, dear friends.
December 2024
West coast Portugal
After the city trip in Porto, we slowly made our way south. Now we have truly arrived in our ‘Van Life’ and had the opportunity to spend several days in one place.
We spent the next 2-3 weeks in the places Mira, Coimbra, Lousã, Figueira de Foz, Nazaré, and Sintra.
Mira was the first place where we stayed for 5 nights, and Nala and Simba enjoyed a lot of freedom. It was their first opportunity to go outside on their own.
In the pictures on the right, you can see an old village near Lousã. It was a wonderful bike excursion.
We spent Christmas directly by the sea in Figueira de Foz, where we enjoyed our Christmas dinner at a hotel.
The highlight on the west coast was clearly Nazaré. Not because of the place itself, but because of our parking spot. It was not only in a beautiful location with a stunning view but also perfect because we met many wonderful people. We spent several days and evenings with Lisa and Benjamin (also in the photos). Our shared highlight was the dinner cooked over an open fire, which got better and more creative each day. Unfortunately, on December 31, 2024, we all decided to go our separate ways (since everyone had New Year’s Eve plans), but luckily our paths crossed again soon after. More about that in the next entry. Wishing you all a Happy New Year.
December 2024
Porto
Upon arriving in Portugal, we went straight to Porto to visit this beautiful city. Unfortunately, we had to spend the night at a campsite for the first time because there are frequent break-ins to caravans parked on the street.
Since these were also the last days with Flurina and Ivo, we did quite a lot together. Besides the typical ‘strolling through the city,’ we went to a beautiful large market, dined out at a delicious restaurant, had a port tasting in a small bar, and played an escape room game.
The city was beautifully lit and small enough to explore on foot. However, it is built on a large hill and therefore has some steep passages and many stairs to climb. So, every tourist gets their fitness program. 🙂
December 2024
North spain
Upon arriving in Santiago de Compostela, we met up with Flurina (Anna’s sister) and her boyfriend Ivo. Together, we explored the beautiful city (though we found the interior of the cathedral rather disappointing). The city has many lovely alleys and great restaurants.
For their 10th anniversary, Dom and Anna went to a Michelin-starred restaurant. It was a very impressive culinary experience with plenty of fish and seafood.
After Santiago, we decided to head further south towards Portugal. In the pictures, you can see how we parked Rafiki directly by a gorge, all alone away from everything. It was a wonderful time with impressive sunsets.
The four of us spent our time in Rafiki cooking good food and playing many games. Now we are heading towards Portugal, which we are very excited about.
November 2024
Biarritz and Nature
Upon arriving at the Atlantic coast, we settled in Biarritz for a few days. Biarritz is mainly known for its good surf spots, and we noticed this even in the off-season. Since Dom doesn’t yet have a wetsuit for the cold Atlantic waves, we mainly enjoyed the beautiful surroundings.
We also met a very nice family (three young girls aged 11, 14, and 16) and their mother, with whom we spent several fun evenings playing games. The days afterward were spent getting closer to Santiago de Compostela and finding peaceful and beautiful camping spots along the way. We thoroughly enjoy the nature and tranquility. The two little ones also appreciate it much more when we spend the night in very remote places.
The highlight of these days was certainly the sunset hike across a horse pasture located right by the sea. Now we continue towards Santiago for our first visit from Switzerland 🙂
November 2024
Belfort, Dijon, Avignon, mediterranean
After our departure, we spent our first night by a small lake in Belfort. Luckily, there were very clean self-cleaning toilets. The next day, we continued our journey and stayed for two nights near Dijon. Since we only camp in the wild, we chose a parking spot next to a small but very cute park in Dijon. Strangely, there was a lot of activity in the parking lot in the evening, and some people even stayed in their cars. The next day, we found out that Dijon has a major drug problem and this parking lot is a typical hub for it. Well, that’s just how it goes sometimes. 🙂 We still stayed another night.
Dijon was also the first place we explored with our bikes, which we really enjoyed.
The journey continued towards the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, we had to make a stop for a sudden vet visit, which turned out to be quite the experience. We parked next to a multipurpose hall and noticed more and more people going inside, so we wanted to find out what was happening. To our delight, it was Bingo Day, and we spontaneously joined in, actually winning one of the main prizes. What a stroke of luck!
After finally continuing, we got to enjoy some more fantastic highlights. Among other things, we visited the beautiful city of Avignon and one of the most visited sights in southern France, the ancient aqueduct “Pont-du-Gard.”
In the photos, you can also see the lovely spot we found to stay overnight by the Mediterranean. We thoroughly enjoyed our time right by the sea and the tranquility of this place. Nala and Simba also greatly appreciated the peaceful spots.
Fun Fact: Do we always shower in Rafiki? No! Since we had a problem with our boiler, we’ve had to find many alternatives over the past two weeks. Illegally on a campsite, in a sports hall, at a rest stop, or our favorite option, after swimming in an indoor pool.
10. November 2024
TV Coverage on our Departure
On our big day we hosted a brunch for friends and family before saying goodbye to everyone. This day was also covered by our loval tv channel.
November 2024
departure
Es ist soweit!
After 4 years of developing the idea, preparing, building, and implementing, the time for departure has come. During these 4 years, we have learned a lot of new things and built some wonderful new friendships. Now, we are excited for an unforgettable adventure in Africa.
June 2024
new look for rafiki
“We had long wanted to decorate our vehicle with designs. So we met several times with Fabian from Promolution. We brought the ideas, and Fabian turned them into a fantastic result. Designing was one thing, but the bigger challenge was our paint’s rough texture, which caused some films to fail. Thanks to Fabian’s great help, we found a suitable film for uneven surfaces. On a beautiful sunny day in May, the films were finally applied. We are so thrilled with the result; now it looks even more like an expedition truck! Rafiki is happy 🙂
May 2024
Felt attachement
Felt is a great way to beautify the cab of our camper and at the same time create more coziness. With felt from Filz-Asmussen, working with it is a breeze. It adapts well to any shape with its elasticity, forgiving even small mistakes. So far, we have covered the back wall and installed a box behind the seats. Now we are looking forward to covering the rest of the cab with felt! Stay tuned for the endresult.
April 2024
tire change
The old fire truck tires are being removed and new 385/65R22.5 construction profile tires are being installed. Additionally, we are saying goodbye to the dual tires at the rear and replacing them with single tires.
March 2024
Gas installation
Cutting, rounding, and bending pipes, attaching the clamps with cutting rings, pressure regulator, manual changeover valve, floor penetration, and power for the spark. Learned a lot of new things and it works!
February 2024
scratch areas for Nala and Simba
To make the journey as comfortable as possible for our two lovely cats, Nala and Simba, we have installed various scratching posts for them. Additionally, we have a sack for them to relax in, and of course, they need access to their litter box.
January 2024
the glas wall for the shower
To prevent water from the shower from splashing onto the bed, we are installing a glass panel in between. To protect the glass panel, a rubber U-profile is attached. After that, it is embedded together with the glass into an aluminum H-profile.
December 2023
current status of the interior work
Here is our current progress on the interior construction. A lot has happened in the last 14 months, and we have made a big step closer to our goal. Once the interior construction is finished, we will get to work on the exterior of the vehicle. We are so excited and can hardly wait until everything is finished!
November 2023
preparation in the tropical institute
As intensive preparation for our work with 4by4care in remote regions of the world, Anna attended the 8-week intensive course IZGG (International Cooperation and Global Health) at the Swiss Tropical Institute. She successfully completed this course with a CAS certificate. The course covers various topics such as religions and society, development cooperation, water supply and hygiene behavior, specific diseases in the tropics, travel medicine, tropical medical parasites, child health in low-resource countries, and much more. Additionally, during the course, Anna gained insights into the various laboratories of the Swiss Tropical Institute, attended an event by cinfo, and visited the venomous animals section of Basel Zoo behind the scenes.
October 2023
The video about the wedding of rafiki
We had waited a long time, and finally, the day had arrived. Today, our wedding was supposed to take place. No, not the one with rings and a wedding dress, but the one with screws and sealant. Our expedition vehicle’s wedding.
Around noon, we arrived at our vehicle builder with our robust GFK cabin, our bride, where our 32-year-old Mercedes Benz 1222 fire truck was already waiting. It looked like a groom in his new suit, freshly painted and polished.
The forklift carefully lifted the cabin from the trailer and slowly placed it onto the chassis. We held our breath as we watched the two parts come together. It was like magic when they touched and locked into place. We cheered and clapped as the forklift driver Otto signaled to us that everything fit perfectly.
Now we just had to screw and wire the cabin to connect it with the chassis. This was a tricky job that required a lot of skill. We helped our vehicle builder wherever we could, and after a few hours, it was done. Our wedding was complete.
We thanked Otto for his great work and support. He had helped us realize our dream of having our own beautiful expedition vehicle.
We climbed into our new home on wheels and set off. We were overjoyed and could hardly believe our luck. Today, we had not only realized an expedition vehicle but also found a new life partner.
September 2023
Solar system - Photovoltaics
On our roof, we are installing 8 x 150 Wp solar modules (photovoltaic modules). For this, we glued, screwed, sanded, cleaned, attached, and wired them. We tested the modules on an autumn afternoon with angled sunlight, achieving an impressive result of 630 W charging power.
August 2023
painting the truck
From red to gray! We matched the color of the red driver’s cab with the living quarters. First, we had to scrape off the reflectors and clear the roof, which had the blue lights, speakers, and fire truck horn attached. Then we sanded, cleaned, and masked everything. And the driver’s cab was ready to be painted.
JULY 2023
First Tv coverage
A big day for us! The first TV report is being recorded by our local TV station ‘TeleBasel’ and will be broadcast on ‘punkt6’ in the evening. Here you can find out more about our project.
June 2023
painting the outside of the living area
“For the painting of the living quarters, we chose a matte gray with a slight texture. This allowed us to carry out the painting in our own hall without needing a specially dust-free paint booth.
As preparation for the painting, we first cleaned the living quarters, masked the windows, sanded, and cleaned the walls with nitro.
Now we have mixed the two-component protectors with the hardener and the color and shook it well before we could start painting. After that it was an easy process of spraying the whole outside. Thanks to Fabio for the great help.
May 2023
the chassies recieves underfloor boxes
“To make the most of the limited space and to have even more storage for medical supplies, our chassis will be fitted with various underfloor boxes.”
April 2023
the ceiling recieves a new look
Since we didn’t like the white ceiling of the GFK cabin, as it gives off too sterile an atmosphere for us, we are covering it with acoustic panels.
Adjusting the panels turned out to be more challenging than we had anticipated. It required a lot of time and patience to fit the panels around the existing windows and the air conditioning. However, the result was well worth the effort.
March 2023
the installation of the AC
To enjoy a pleasant indoor climate even during hot African outdoor temperatures, we decided to install an air conditioner.
After studying various options for a long time, the 12V air conditioner from Indel B was the winner for us.
For the installation, a hole had to be cut in the ceiling. It feels uneasy making the first cuts through the ceiling. But it’s even more gratifying when everything is glued, screwed, and mounted, and the air conditioner starts up when the power is turned on!
February 2023
the first light strips are installed
With various LED light strips, we want to illuminate our living space nicely. For this purpose, we received great light strips sponsored by LedFox.
Marco from MD Carpentry routed slots into the undersides of the overhead cabinets, where we then embedded the LED strips.
We installed light strips above the kitchen counters, in the seating area, and on the ceiling. The indirect light now creates a very warm feeling in the room.
January 2023
the opper closets are installed
All the partitions of the overhead cabinets are glued, the cut-out holes in the doors are lined with jute fabric, and the doors are mounted with hinges. Thus, they are ready to be installed. We managed to do this with the great help of friends.
gluing, holding up, drilling, riveting
and soon we are delighted with the permanently installed overhead cabinets.
28.November to 21. December 2022
christmas fundraiser
The University Hospital Basel is collecting donations for our aid project 4by4care as part of this year’s Christmas fundraising.
Donations can be made in cash directly at the donation columns set up in University Hospital Basel (Centrino, Giardino K1, and Punto K2).
Update: The fundraising campaign has ended. Thank you very much for the great support!
December 2022
Interview with anna gull - by Tanja Steiger
Anna Gull, a registered nurse with a diploma from a university of applied sciences, has a dream: together with her partner Dominik Gull, a certified paramedic, she wants to supply clinics in developing countries with medical materials that are no longer needed here. In 2023, their project 4by4care will become a reality: the journey will begin in their own expedition vehicle – to the hospitals, where they will also provide professional support and training to the local staff. (Recorded on behalf of University Hospital Basel)
It would be great if the USB could forward us materials that are meant to be discarded in the future. Otherwise, I hope we can gather everything we need and start delivering to the first hospitals next fall.
November 2022
the first furniture is created
With the arrival of the poplar plywood panels, we can now begin furniture construction. We’ll start with the overhead cabinets, then move on to the bed frame and the bench.
Planning, measuring, sawing, sanding, milling, doweling, screwing, and gluing will be carried out.
October 2022
the wood pannels for the furniture build
With a drive to the Vöhringer Factory Outlet, we picked up the wood panels for the planned furniture construction. We found a great and wide selection on site. We then decided on 15mm thick poplar plywood panels, light yet robust, ideal for our project.
Once again, many heartfelt thanks to Vöhringer!
September 2022
the eletronic panel is created
We assembled our major electronic components for the electric panel at Bosswerk.
With the support of Fabian from waerchzeug.ch, we tackled the wiring of the components and got them working.
August 2022
the living box arrived
We had the living cabin custom-made to our wishes and ideas. Finally, it was delivered, and we were able to place it in our prepared hall.
March 2022
the rear is gone
The fire truck is slowly changing its shape and leaving its firefighting features behind. The rear was removed, and the crew cab was shortened.
February 2022
we found our conversion area
“We found a hall in Weil am Rhein. It is close enough to our home and still on German soil, so we don’t have to take our vehicle across the Swiss border.”
October 2021
our fire truck
It’s time! We have found our perfect vehicle. It’s a Mercedes Benz 1222 from the year 1991.
This great vehicle has spent its life in Bielefeld so far, having only covered 18,000 km, and is therefore in very good condition. Robust, stable, and mechanical, exactly what we wanted.
About us
Young couple who wants to deliver medical supplies and offers medical training in clinics in Africa.
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Januar 2025
Südlich von sevilla und caminito del rey
Wir haben einen sehr ruhigen und schönen Ort gefunden. Da wir eine Pause vom vielen Fahren und Erkundschaften brauchten und so oder so auf die Anreise von Kevin in Sevilla warteten, war dieser Ort genau der Richtige für uns. Sehr abgelegen, weit weg von Strassen und direkt an einem Bach konnten wir zu viert die Zeit geniessen. Nala und Simba sind täglich alleine mit ihrem Tracker raus gegangen und wir mussten sie nur immer mal wieder einfangen gehen. Ab und zu ist eine Schaf Herde mit dem Hirten vorbei spaziert und sehr selten ein anderer Van vorbei gekommen. Das Wetter war traumhaft schön. Anna hat es sogar gewagt, sich im Bikini in die Wiese zu legen.
Ganz in der Nähe von unserem Stellplatz gibt es eine sehr bekannte Schlucht namens “Caminito del Rey” (wir haben ein Video darüber auf Instagramm und FB gepostet). Also haben wir unsere E-Bikes geschnappt und uns auf den ca. 30Min. Weg gemacht um diese eindrückliche Wanderung zu machen. Es war echt sehr beeindruckend wie ihr auf den Bildern sehen könnt.
Nach sage und schreibe, 13 Tagen (so lange waren wir noch nie an einem Ort) sind wir dann zurück nach Sevilla gefahren um unseren super KFZ Mechaniker und mitlerweille guten Freund, Kevin, am Flughafen abzuholen. Wir freuen uns sehr auf die gemeinsame Zeit mit Ihm. Bis zum nächsten mal ihr lieben.
Januar 2025
Südlich von sevilla und caminito del rey
Wir haben einen sehr ruhigen und schönen Ort gefunden. Da wir eine Pause vom vielen Fahren und Erkundschaften brauchten und so oder so auf die Anreise von Kevin in Sevilla warteten, war dieser Ort genau der Richtige für uns. Sehr abgelegen, weit weg von Strassen und direkt an einem Bach konnten wir zu viert die Zeit geniessen. Nala und Simba sind täglich alleine mit ihrem Tracker raus gegangen und wir mussten sie nur immer mal wieder einfangen gehen. Ab und zu ist eine Schaf Herde mit dem Hirten vorbei spaziert und sehr selten ein anderer Van vorbei gekommen. Das Wetter war traumhaft schön. Anna hat es sogar gewagt, sich im Bikini in die Wiese zu legen.
Ganz in der Nähe von unserem Stellplatz gibt es eine sehr bekannte Schlucht namens “Caminito del Rey” (wir haben ein Video darüber auf Instagramm und FB gepostet). Also haben wir unsere E-Bikes geschnappt und uns auf den ca. 30Min. Weg gemacht um diese eindrückliche Wanderung zu machen. Es war echt sehr beeindruckend wie ihr auf den Bildern sehen könnt.
Nach sage und schreibe, 13 Tagen (so lange waren wir noch nie an einem Ort) sind wir dann zurück nach Sevilla gefahren um unseren super KFZ Mechaniker und mitlerweille guten Freund, Kevin, am Flughafen abzuholen. Wir freuen uns sehr auf die gemeinsame Zeit mit Ihm. Bis zum nächsten mal ihr lieben.