Our dream.

Dirk dreamed for a long time ago to travel around during a year, with departure in Alaska onto Patagonia.

But… Lieve found a year way too long. Both we came to an agreement: a half-year, with departure InTexas going all through 18 countries in Latin America and to in Brazil.

In January 2008 Dirk got then the necessary free time, official retirement, and together with Lieve started planning. As a matter of fact the plan is not to have any fixed planning.

See our planned route.

Our first concern was learning the language, Spanish.

We did found a fast course Spanish at the Dakhuus in Brasschaat. In 10 lessons, of each 3 hours, we should be able to speak a little Spanish and more or less understand what one is saying.  This is maybe the toughest task and not easy at all.

Every Saturday we were faithfully present at the lessons. With only four students the tempo lay fairly high. It was a long time ago that we were burdened with school homework.

In the meantime our last lesson finished and now we should practice the language. That we did in May when we drove our bikes around doing some 3.500 miles across Spain.

We thank Cecilia Coll for her efforts and her enthusiasm.
 

The car was a main concern for different reasons. Safety, reliability, comfort and driving ability on dirt roads and under severe climatic conditions. Read very high altitudes, up to 16.000ft and in dry as well as in wet tropic conditions.  After long searches in Mexico and the US,Dirk found the perfect car:  A brand new 4x4 special equipped Toyota FJ Cruiser SE.
These become it then

with the adhesive labels...
Dirk asked to put this photo on the site Click here  

.....and when we wouldn’t find a democratic and acceptable  sleeping place we’ll use this kind of equipment.

As sais before the car needs a couple of modifications which you can not get on a regular car:

  • a roof rack with a top tent on it, see photo
  • a larger gas tank to cover the necessary distances
  • a "front winch" to help us out of difficult situations or to pull away a fallen rock or tree.
  • “bull or brush  guard”, you never know where and when an animal will cross our road without warning!
  • “extra security and anti car jacking system” to protect our belongings  
  • security roof box to keep our valuables in it, away from thieves
  • skid plates underneath the car , and rock rails on the sides
  • special air filter and cyclone pre air filter to keep dust and debris out of the engine
  • heavy duty shock absorbers
  • heavy duty alloy wheels with wheel locks and off road tires
  • 400 watt 110 volt and 100 watt 12 volt outlets
  • Multi information display with compass and inclination meter


Insurance

 
Personal insurance: Our existing Europ Assistance contract was adapted to the new needs into the  prestige contract. An ordinary contract covers only3 months in foreign country with a limit of 250,000 € p.p/case. A prestige contract covers 6 months in foreign country with a liability limit of 1,250,000 € p.p/case.

 

Mutuality: Worldwide covered by means of Eurocross. Outside the EEC liability restricts to 25,000 €.

 

Insurance hospitalisation DKV: Our contract covers worldwide only for 3 months. We changed in a contact H+. This contract covers unlimitted in time.

 

Insurance of the car: This is not easy at all if you would like to buy a car in the US being an European living in Belgium? Thank to other fellows travellers from Holland we found a solution with a brooker in Rotterdam.

 

Preparations:

International passport

International drivers license

Mutuality

Copys of our certificate of birth
Adhesive labels for the car Click here  

Europ Assistance

Hospitalisation insurance DKV

Vaccinations:  Tropical institute

Yellow fever

Typhoid
Polio not necessary

Tetanus

Hepatitis A
pay a visit on: Gynaecologist
Ophthalmologist
Dentist
Cardiologist
Learn Reanimation. Many thanks Tine Willems, of the Red Cross
Set of travel pharmacy: house doctor
We do thank Dr Blanken and physiotherapist  Kristof J. Van Rijswijcklaan 12 Antwerpen for making us well for our coming adventures