Expedition Hope - From Hamburg to Japan

Please tell us briefly about yourself and how the idea for your trip came about.

My name is Vanessa, I'm 33 years old, and I'm currently traveling around the world from northern Germany to Japan—and yes, we're going back! Many people think we'll have the van shipped or flown back, but that's out of the question for us.

Even as a child and teenager, I was very active: I prepared for the Olympic Games in swimming and also did competitive gymnastics, rock 'n' roll, jazz dance, and the wheel. Swimming, however, was always my life. Unfortunately, I had to give up this dream for family reasons. Later, I received my first diagnosis: non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. That moment put an end to my dream of ever competing in the Olympic Games.

The idea for the trip came when I was diagnosed with cancer for a second time—this time a brain tumor. I want to use the time I have left to travel the world, find peace, and soak up everything life has to offer. It's important to me to consciously enjoy every moment, because no one knows how much time they have left. I want to get to know cultures, see how little one actually needs to live, and inspire other people to enjoy their lives and not put everything off until it's perhaps too late.

What is your destination and what route have you planned?

Our destination is Japan – and back! The exact route depends on the political situation and entry requirements, as we have a rental car and therefore cannot enter every country. We are currently in Laos at the border with Thailand. Next, we're heading to Cambodia, as Thailand has denied us entry for the third time because we're using a campervan, which has been officially banned in Thailand since 2019. That doesn't mean we can't still make it through detours and appropriate bribes.

We'll try Thailand again from the south and, if it works out, we'd go all the way down to Singapore. We took the route to Europe via Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, then over to Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and China, and are now in Laos. If we head north again, we'd enter China again, then visit Macau and Hong Kong.

Further north we'll reach Shanghai, and from there we'll have to figure out how to find a suitable ferry to South Korea. Japan itself will probably only be accessible by passenger ferry, as we don't have €150,000 to spare as a deposit for a Carnet de Passage. Unfortunately, this is the standard amount required by the ADAC (German Automobile Club). On the way back, we'll visit Tibet and all the "stan" countries we had to skip on the outward journey due to snow and ice. And then we'll almost be back in Germany.

What inspired you to embark on this journey (from Germany to Japan) and what do you hope to achieve from it?

Travel and adventure have always fascinated me. We've already taken many trips, including one in our old Opel Vivaro, which was equipped only with a mattress and Kallax shelving. We drove it all the way through Eastern Europe, all the way to Chernobyl and Transnistria. Last year we took a trip to the West Coast of the USA, naturally in a huge Chevy pickup, where we got married in Las Vegas.

Japan inspired us because, for me, it's a country that represents discipline, culture, and determination like no other – including in the field of sports. It's a country that simply fascinates me from start to finish. I have no expectations because I want to enjoy each day anew and be surprised by the experiences.

For me, it's especially wonderful to wake up in a different place every day, not knowing what the day will bring, and constantly facing new challenges. Experiencing nature and the world from a new perspective is priceless.

What are you particularly looking forward to and are there things you are afraid of?

I'm looking forward to everything—especially waking up in the morning, opening the door, and observing life outside. It's a gift to be able to experience this journey together with my partner and our dogs, Emma and Teddy. We're making so many memories and growing together as a team.

I think you should always have a healthy respect, but I'm not afraid of anything. With openness and trust, you can overcome anything, and I know I can rely on my companion. No matter what happens, we'll get through it together.

What vehicle do you own and how long did it take you to convert or upgrade it?

We're traveling in a MAN TGE, converted by the LOEF workshop in Hamburg. Reimers Reisemobile provided us with the vehicle for Expedition Hoffnung at a reduced rental rate for one year. This vehicle gives us the freedom to travel independently and comfortably, even when I'm feeling physically unwell. It's our little home on wheels and was perfectly tailored to our needs. The renovations took several months because so many companies and sponsors were involved.

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--- Part 2 will follow shortly ---

Expedition Hope - From Hamburg to Japan - Part 1