Beyond coast to coast: A man & his VW Combi

Pack your bags, start your car and drive into the sunset, no particular direction, no time frame, just man, machine (in this case and dog) and the open road. We’ve all been there, we’ve all thought about it, we’ve all made several deals with friends and various significant others to do this one day. Then life happens.

While this may be our story, Jens Jacob isn’t the type to let the world pass him by. One day 5 years ago, the German, decided that he wasn’t cut out for everyday life, not with this big beautiful world, just there, waiting to be seen. He packed some clothes, gathered his savings together, and set-off down the road in his then 45 year old VW Combi, which he bought third hand, for 4000 euros from a student who had used it as a camper van. (It was originally a fire-truck !!!)

In five years, Jens has lived more of a life than most of us could with several lifetimes in hand. He’s been through over 25 countries including Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and even strife-stricken Iran. Jens has done it all in these five years, only stopping to gather finances to further his travels, he’s been an Oyster Farmer in the South of France, worked at an Olive Farm in Italy, and as a receptionist at a hotel in the Middle East.

The idea of his journey isn’t just to drive through these countries, but stop and try to find some work. Just something that will help him indulge in his passion of travelling. Besides, working in a country is the best way to get a proper taste for the culture and lifestyle.

As we speak, Jens has landed in our sub-continent, and is currently working his way to Goa, where he intends to spend at least two months before, tracing the coast into Tibet.