Why we FAILED at vanlife | Always Away Podcast 001

[@MikkiNB]

"I'm Dom and I'm young, wild, and free" took me out. 😂 I am so glad you two are starting a podcast! 🎉🥰

[@AlwaysAway]

Hahaha he also made a load of funny noises trying to think of what to say, I had to cut it all 😂 Thanks!

[@Stephen-up3sd]

I did the majority of my backpacking in the late 90’s, early 2000’s and things have changed so much. Imagine traveling with no smartphone, no TripAdvisor or similar, no social media etc. All we had was our well worn copies of the lonely planet guides. Many places in Asia had no internet at all and if they did it was dial up at 36kps! - you had to socialize a lot more as word of mouth was so important when getting recommendations etc. Travel is certainly more convenient now but then it was far cheaper and far more of an “adventure” as everywhere you went was a leap into the unknown. Also there were far fewer people actually traveling. I went to Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos etc when they first opened up - small children would see you on the street and start crying because they thought you were some kind of monster! I am not THAT ugly - they had just never seen a westerner before! The locals were so friendly and I lost count of the times I was invited to stay in peoples houses, for meals, to weddings etc. One of the sad things I noticed on my last trip to Chaing Mai was just how blasé the locals had become when it came to visitors. Also there were very few western chains - nearly all the cafes, restaurants etc were small family owned places. The other thing that was far easier was that prior to 9/11 there was very little security etc at airports etc. You could rock up 30 mins before your flight, no scanners, no metal detectors, no waiting, no online check in and baggage drop - much easier, although flights were more expensive and fewer in number. Now I am older I have never regretted any of the time and money I spent on my travels and would advise everybody to see what that can when they can. The world is changing so quickly and becoming far more uniform at a frightening rate. There are good things about globalization, but the differences between cultures that make traveling so satisfying and exciting are dwindling at an ever increasing rate. Oh well, must stop rambling on - congratulations on the podcast and I hope this is the first of many!

[@AlwaysAway]

I bet it was an adventure and a half back in the 90s/2000s haha, even since we began travelling it feels so different. More accessible but less adventure. I’d love to visit more remote areas, we had a lot of fun recently on the Mae Hong son loop visiting places largely untouched by tourism. Thanks for your comment! Loved reading it, and thank you! 🥰

[@frannyaitch]

I wish I was less of a wuss as I feel like I’ve missed out on so much. In 1979 my friends went to a Kibutz in Israel after A-levels and I just didn’t have the guts to go. They had a great time and it’s an experience they’ll never forget. At least now I can enjoy it through these videos.

[@frannyaitch]

Very interesting to hear more about your past life. Looking forward to the next one 👍🏻

[@AlwaysAway]

Thats great to hear, thank you!! 😊💖

[@jamespaulashley-hall1152]

It was quite enjoyable. Can't wait for more.

[@AlwaysAway]

Thanks!

[@cailinanne]

You guys are really getting down on this channel now! ❤ love it!

[@AlwaysAway]

Finally able to go all in now that teaching has finished! Having a lot of fun filming and editing! 🥰♥️

[@tylersaunders6580]

Hey guys! Just wanted to say you've inspired us to get a camper van in Japan and we are going on the 25th of March to hopefully see cherry blossoms! Thanks for showing us that camping in Japan is possible! X

[@AlwaysAway]

Oh yay that’s amazing!! You’ll have an awesome time, I hope the Sakura is in full bloom for your visit! Have an epic time 🥰🥰

[@AlinaTheGoblin]

While I don't have van life experience myself (and haven't traveled much recently bc of some health issues), I absolutely loved traveling and hiking in the Pacific Northwest in the US, specifically the Cascades. Spent a few winters and summers in this refurbished copper mining village. Really lovely community of folks maintaining the space while hosting visiting college students and professors on sabbaticals. And no internet or cell service, so great to unplug from it all while there! Curious if you two have any US travel stories or if you have yet to visit!

[@AlwaysAway]

That sounds great! I'd love to visit the US and see all the national parks. We've never been to the US but my gran used to always tell me stories from her road tripping there because my grandparents toured the whole country with a camper in the 70s. She said the people were the friendliest! Want to follow in her footsteps and do it when we can afford to for sure!

[@halcyonandon]

Cool to hear some of your past experiences with Van travel. I am definitely someone who struggles with always wanting to explore but also wanting a base and it is hard to find the time/money for both! It is great though making a different country your base as it does feel a bit like you are always on holiday.

[@AlwaysAway]

Thanks! Can definitely relate to that, living in Thailand and being able to travel to the surrounding countries cheaply felt like a good medium!

[@chrisyravenconlin]

Great to see a pod cast, really enjoyed it! My ex and I always dreamed of van life or living off grid in a tiny house in the forest by the water, growing and catching our own food. I wish I had gotten to go to Asia or Europe or the UK while I was still healthy… but I’ve been all over Canada and the US for concerts, festivals and as a tour manager for bands. I also went around the Caribbean on a long cruise but I guess that’s as far as I’ll likely get to go. Though I still dream! Dream and plan for that maybe. I would travel alone but being chronically ill, disabled, immunocompromised and mostly bed bound at this point (and incredibly broke living on disability while going through a divorce) so I can’t even take care of myself alone at home. My parents are snowbirds so they live in a fancy 5th wheel trailer here (Ottawa, Canada) during the summer (where we get bad winters) and then go down south to the warm US during the winter. Lucky them!

[@AlwaysAway]

Thank you, It's great you managed to see a lot of Northern America, being a tour manager sounds like an adventure! And it's always good to have a dream, I really hope you make it to Europe or Asia for a trip! We're sorry to hear about your health problems, I can only imagine how frustrating it must be, and sorry to hear about the divorce too. I hope 2024 brings good things to you! 💖It sounds like your parents have got the right idea 😂

[@alexandergiesser]

This was so nice can't wait for the next episode!

[@AlwaysAway]

Thanks 🥰

[@CuddlyJay]

Was very busy so been listening to this throughout my day. Very nice podcast! Keep it up cant wait to hear more about your travels.

[@AlwaysAway]

Thank you!!

[@firemage1990]

I really liked your past videos of seeing you both travel to different places in your van. 2 years ago if you had told me I would travel by myself anywhere I would've laughed. Spent most of my 20s with major social anxiety so even leaving the house scared me. Then I found a person with their own channel here on KZbin: Lindsey Stirling. She is a dancing violinist and does concerts usually in the summer and around Christmastime. Well I had already had my dad take me to my first concert in Cincinnati, Ohio back in 2021. And I traveled with my friend to another concert location for 2022. Sooo when August 2023 came for her next concert time and I had no one willing to go with me I decided to travel by myself! I booked my own Greyhound bus ride and traveled all the way from Pennsylvania to Cincinnati, Ohio. Went to the concert the next day. Then spent the 3rd day walking around the local aquarium. Got stranded on the side of the roads a few times by my Lyft rides(somehow survived). And then did a trip to Reading, PA for another Lindsey concert. That took me on a train ride and a bus ride with a 3 hour stop at the train station. And you both are right, once you've traveled it is not as scary as your mind makes it out to be. I quite feel like I will be able to travel more places in the future since I have done this twice before. I am looking forward to seeing what your channel brings in the future.

[@AlwaysAway]

That’s amazing! I totally understand, when I went on my first trip alone I was so anxious, but once you’ve done it you realise it was mostly over thinking! So glad you managed to go for it!! 🥰 thanks for the awesome comment 💖💖

[@firemage1990]

@@AlwaysAway You are very welcome!

[@writewatson]

Glad to see the podcast get going! Great stories here. My sister and her husband were similar. And the fact they bought a Japanese van with a mid-engine they had no idea how to fix did not help them travel smoothly. Cheers!

[@AlwaysAway]

Thanks! Oh no haha, we all need a mechanics course 😂

[@polyboroides2615]

If your ever in the UK, travel up to Scotland, wild camping is legal. I have a self styled Fiat Ducato campervan, which I use as a base when away hill walking. Love your channel and your adventures, thanks for sharing.

[@AlwaysAway]

Really wanted to visit Scotland before our van died! It was a Fiat Ducato too 😂 loved that van. Definitely want to van-life around Scotland one day! And thank you! 🥰

[@jalmoza5]

I think as we get older we start looking for things to grind ourselves and build roots and a community.

[@AlwaysAway]

Yeah we’ve definitely felt that about wanting to build roots!

[@TheCreepypro]

always great to learn more about you guys!

[@AlwaysAway]

🥰🥰

[@alimoerdhoni]

I learned English here from your traveling van story. 40% I understand it. But thanks for sharing ❤

[@AlwaysAway]

Thank you for listening 💖

[@mrsinflames]

Well we were to broke to travel and animals were cheeper,now we could travel,but we have to many animals😂😂But it's lovely to folow you guys and se the world!I think this is gonna be a very intresting podcast🍀

[@AlwaysAway]

😅😅 Thank you! 🥰

[@brandondabreo421]

Hello Sis Broad and Mr. Worldwide from here there and everywhere!

[@AlwaysAway]

Hey!! 😝

[@foodgeek320]

I'd love if this was less edited, even if that means it ends up longer. The CONSTANT jump cuts were jarring, I'm not used to them with video podcasts. You're new to this, so I am sure you're finding your groove. I enjoyed the story-telling though, and I cannot wait to watch your channel grow and evolve :)

[@AlwaysAway]

Noted for next time! And thank you 🥰

[@foodgeek320]

@@AlwaysAway I found you through Chris, as I am sure many did. But I subscribed and continued watching you because your videos are so different than his, and I love that. They're less polished, and less edited. I'd love that more casual vibe in the podcast too, that's why I brought it up. To be clear though - make this however you like! I'm just an idiot who lives vicariously through others since I can never travel (too poor, and 45 now lol) . Keep making awesome content :)

[@AlwaysAway]

Yeah we're definitely less polished haha, I'd like to spend longer on making them better edited but right now I want to be more consistent, it takes so long to edit as it is haha. I'm glad you're liking it though! to be honest there's so many cuts because we keep saying 'like' so much I thought people would find it irritating so I kept cutting them out, along with all the 'urm''s haha. We'll just try and say it less in the next recording 😂 Thank you!

[@foodgeek320]

@@AlwaysAway I don't mind um's and likes, because that's how people speak when trying to think of the next word. I can imagine editing a podcast can take a while, I don't envy that! But just keep being yourselves, and I'll keep watching 😁

[@Hongemann]

What is your experience when getting cheaper flights from online travel agents, e.g. on Skyscanner? Some of them seem to have dodgy reputations, so would you recommend any to save money or always book with the airlines directly?

[@AlwaysAway]

We have always gone with the cheapest flights we could find on sky scanner, and we’ve never had problems with the travel agents we booked through. The last few times we have flown long haul we had to book direct through the airlines to book the dog into the cabin but it’s always come up as more expensive booking direct with the airline in our experience. It’s worth comparing though because it can vary! But we’ve never had problems 🤞

[@EricMoore790]

I know nothing about van fixing so I can't do it. How would I get my mail?

[@AlwaysAway]

We had a PO box 😄

[@Vininjapan]

Can I have a British accent too please?

[@system3008]

Hi ya... i was wondering if you've had any experiences with any criminal behaviour like i.e. pickpocketing, fraud and such?

[@AlwaysAway]

We had an experience with a gun being pulled on us, and we have had things go missing quite a few times on the road, with a few surprising outcomes, definitely will be telling these stories in upcoming episodes!

[@system3008]

Oh damn!...please take care of yourselves out there.

[@AlwaysAway]

This was when we started out travelling luckily! Nothing bad has happened for a while 😄