Last Friday, the time had finally come. We set off for Barcelona to pick up Nacho from storage. At the end of my previous trip, I had left him there and flown back to the Netherlands. The plan was to continue traveling from Barcelona… but plans changed.

A good friend of mine, Jeff, had just finished converting his van into a camper, built to carry his motorcycle. Together with his brother, Marlon, they joined me on this trip. We left on Friday, March 27 at midnight and drove non-stop to Barcelona. Every three hours we switched drivers, stretched our legs, grabbed a drink, and occasionally refuelled.

The weather was terrible. Through Belgium and France we dealt with heavy rain and even wet snow. About three hours before reaching the Spanish border, the weather finally cleared up. It was obvious we had entered the Mediterranean region. But then came strong wind gusts, so we could not maintain high speed. We arrived in Barcelona around 9:30 PM after about 21 hours of driving.

I had saved a few parking spots on Google Maps, but the first one failed immediately. No vans or campers allowed, only trucks. We had to find another option. Parking security suggested a spot 8 km away, which was not practical. Two of our phones were dead, and the third had only 6%. My phone, with the saved locations, was also dead.

In the back of the van, Jeff had a large battery, but we needed the key to open the side door to access it. At the same time, we were afraid to turn off the engine. Earlier, during a fuel stop, the van would not start, and when it finally did, the battery warning light came on, indicating it was not charging. Still, we had no choice. We turned off the engine, opened the side door with the key to reach the battery, and quickly started the van again. Everything worked fine. It turned out heavy rain had caused a temporary connection issue. Relieved, we charged the phone, found the saved parking spot, and drove there.

If you know Barcelona, parking is difficult, especially for tall vehicles. But this spot worked. It was just behind Las Ramblas, so we carefully navigated the narrow streets and parked safely.

That gave us an instant energy boost. The Barcelona effect.

Jeff had the idea to bring our bicycles, so we all brought our own. Once parked, we grabbed the bicycles and rode to the Airbnb. That gave us an instant energy boost. The Barcelona effect. We were exhausted but happy to have made it.

After checking in, we dropped our bags and bicycles and went out for food. Despite being extremely tired, morale was high. We walked around the city and ended up at Marula Café for a drink before heading back. We fell asleep within a minute.

The next day, Sunday, we woke up slowly. No tight schedule. After breakfast, I played tour guide and showed them around Barcelona by bicycle. The weather was perfect. Sunny, not too hot, not too cold.

We visited the gothic neighbourhood, Cathedral de Barcelona, admire the Pont del Bisbe, Casa Batlló, Arc de Triomf/parc and the finally finished Sagrada Familia, where we sat on a bench for almost an hour just watching people. Then we rode to Barceloneta and relaxed by the beach. After that, we had an amazing paella at Bar Cal Chusco, a traditional restaurant in de La Barceloneta neighbourhood 3 minutes from the beach.

Later, after some resistance, I convinced them to ride to Plaza de España to catch the golden hour from the steps of the National Art Museum. It was a long ride, but the view was worth it. They complained, but now they have a story to tell.

Monday was the day to pick up Nacho and head back to the Netherlands.

That morning started chaotic. Someone tried to steal our bicycles parked outside the Airbnb. Jeff heard it, confronted the thief, and suddenly all three of us were outside in our underwear chasing him. He managed to escape, which was probably for the best. Meanwhile, we stood there half-naked, frustrated and disoriented, in front of a hotel restaurant full of people having breakfast. Not our finest moment.

After that, we laughed it off. We checked out, had breakfast, and rode back to the camper. Loaded everything up and headed to pick up Nacho.

It was close, but with Barcelona traffic it took about 20 minutes. At IMTBike Barcelona, they recognized me immediately and guided me to Nacho. There he was, happily waiting. Or maybe I was the happy one.

We loaded him into the van, secured him, talked a bit with the staff, great guys, very friendly and helpful. Then it was time to head back.

The return drive went smoothly. Dry weather allowed us to keep a good pace. We left around 1 PM and arrived home in the Netherlands at 7 AM. About 18 hours of driving, but it felt much faster.

That was the journey to pick up Nacho. Long, exhausting, but full of laughs. Barcelona always gives energy. Now I have also infected two of my friends with the Barcelona virus, I am sure they will go back again.

In the coming days, I will give Nacho some attention. Oil change, new filter, and a few small fixes. Then he goes up for sale so I can upgrade.

Thanks for reading.

HPPY TRVLS

Days traveling

90

Total distance

8310 km

Fuel used

579L

Campsites

32

Countries

Belgium
France
Spain
Portugal
Morocco
Gibraltar

However, after 32 campsites where I never quite got the rest I needed, fatigue started to set in. I noticed it especially when I re-entered Spain from Portugal; my enthusiasm for exploring began to wane. The heatwave, with temperatures soaring to 42 degrees Celsius, didn’t help either. I had to force myself out of my tent or Airbnb each day. I made a clear agreement with myself: things need to stay fun and enjoyable. As soon as they start feeling like a burden, it’s time to make a change.

And that’s exactly what I did. Ever since Valencia, I had been thinking that I needed to take some time to rest. But staying longer in one place would cost me money. On top of that, my rear tire was due for replacement. It’s designed to last about 5,000 km, but I had pushed it to 7,500 km. ?

So I thought I’d replace the tire in Barcelona, rest for a few days, and then continue on my way. But when I started looking for an ideal place to pause my journey, store my bike, and fly back home, the options were limited. Since I’m already somewhat familiar with Barcelona, and it’s an easy city to fly in and out of from the Netherlands, I thought, “You know what? This is a good moment to stop, rest, and process all the amazing experiences I’ve had.” Even good memories need time to be fully absorbed.

So that’s exactly what I did. I arranged storage for Nacho, where he can stay safe, dry, and well taken care of. I booked a cheap ticket and spent a few more days chilling in Barcelona.

I think it’s an amazing city! I even shed a tear when it was time to leave. I didn’t want to stop or go back. But my body thought otherwise. And so did my bank account. Due to a couple of unexpected expenses with Nacho, my trip got shortened a bit. But don’t get me wrong… I’m not complaining, and these aren’t excuses. My journey was, in one word: I N C R E D I B L E !

My journey was, in one word:
I N C R E D I B L E !

I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and I can now say with certainty that this is the freedom I’ve been searching for. Sure… there were days when I didn’t speak to anyone… So I spent a lot of time in deep conversation with myself, revisiting and re-examining past situations. With every kilometer I traveled, it felt like I was shedding old layers, like a snake shedding its skin. This process made my soul feel lighter and gave me more room to simply be and enjoy life. So, if there’s one piece of advice I can give you, it’s this: take that trip. You don’t have to do it on a motorcycle like I did, but go on a solo journey and see the world. It will do you a world of good! As for me… I’m going to make this my career. Hahaha, seriously!

But aside from that, I had the time of my life. I saw and experienced amazing things. Traveling by motorcycle means you feel every bump in the road and every temperature change as you move through different landscapes. All of this made my experience even richer. Now I’m even more certain that I want to see the rest of the world.

Unfortunately, that requires money. So now, I’ll rest for a month, then start looking for work. I’ll work for about 10 months, and then I’ll be off again! 

The great thing is that I now have plenty of wonderful memories to savor. As I’m busy editing the rest of my videos, I get to relive everything all over again, and that feels amazing. So if you haven’t subscribed to my channel yet, now’s your chance! From Seville to Barcelona, I’ve got lots of exciting experiences to share with you.

But you, as a reader, can challenge me too! Feel free to ask me questions about my experiences, the places I’ve visited, and more. You can ask your questions here. I will collect them all an I’ll answer them in a separate video.

And if like what i’m doing and you’d like to support me, check out this page where you can read all about how to do that.

HPPY TRVLS

#PicosDeEuropa #motorcycle #solotraveler #europe #papiamentu 

But today, it’s here! It’s a slightly emotional day, considering all that has led me to this point. And if I said I wasn’t nervous, I’d be lying. Yet, as a good friend always reminds me, no guts, no glory.

But why travel, you might wonder? Well, from a young age, I’ve felt my thoughts diverging from the norm. Life, as it was imposed upon me, felt unnatural. Deep down, I knew I wasn’t meant to conform to someone else’s routine. I came into this world to dance to the beat of my own drum. For me, life isn’t merely about work; there must be room for a little adventure. After all, I believe true freedom lies in doing what you love and what makes your soul smile, not in obligations.

it felt like a snake shedding his old skin. Leaving all the bad stuff and emotions behind. With that in mind I happily continued

So, some time ago, I set a personal goal: by the time I’m 100, I want to feel as liberated as possible free from societal expectations, education systems, religious constraints, and all other limitations imposed upon us. With 48 years of worldly experience and numerous journeys behind me, I’ve come to learn that traveling is one of the paths to the absolute freedom I seek.

So, this trip it’s my sincere attempt to inch closer to that goal. ??

And let me tell you… it started off really well, the trip from Helmond, Netherlands to my first destination Dinant, Belgium. (175km) went smoothly. Nacho drove like a dream!  Suddenly in a middle of a country road I had to stop for a moment as my emotions ran high… But then it hit me… I’m finally on my way after a decade of planning. Amazing but still heavily emotional… it felt like a snake shedding his old skin. Leaving all the bad stuff and emotions behind. With that in mind I happily continued.

As I got closer to my final destination, the landscape only became more beautiful, and I couldn’t help but feel happier! It’s really happening now.

The camping location is fantastic. This is the second time I’ve stayed at a campsite, and I’m finding myself enjoying it more and more. The view is also absolutely stunning. It captures the feeling of freedom that I’ve been dreaming of. My goal is therefore to create more of these kinds of feelings of freedom, happiness and make them sustainable.

I’ll be staying here for two nights, and after setting up my tent, I briefly went into town and it looked very promising. I grabbed some food and enjoyed a super relaxed meal in front of my tent while taking in the view. On the second day, I’ll explore the city more thoroughly and capture some great footage.

So make sure you’re subscribed to my YouTube channel to watch the inaugural episode of jTrvls. Here, I’ll document and share my passion for travel, the challenges I’ll face, and my pursuit of absolute freedom.

See you there!

HPPY TRVLS

Planning this trip has been a labor of love, meticulously crafting an itinerary that promises to immerse me in the rich tapestry of European culture and scenery. From the cobbled streets of historic cities to the winding mountain passes of the Alps, every twist and turn of the route holds the promise of new discoveries and unforgettable experiences.

But beyond the logistics and the allure of exotic destinations, there’s something truly magical about the anticipation of travel. It’s a time of dreaming, of envisioning the sights, sounds, and sensations that await me on the road. It’s a chance to indulge in the fantasy of adventure, to let my imagination roam free and conjure up endless possibilities.

Will I navigate the unfamiliar roads with ease?

Yet, amidst the excitement, there’s also a touch of unease. The unknown can be both exhilarating and daunting, stirring up butterflies in my stomach as I contemplate the challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead. Will I navigate the unfamiliar roads with ease? Will I find the courage to embrace spontaneity and wander off the beaten path? These questions linger in the back of my mind, serving as a reminder that true adventure often lies just beyond our comfort zone.

But it’s precisely this blend of excitement and apprehension that makes travel so intoxicating. It’s the thrill of stepping into the unknown, of surrendering to the whims of the road and allowing myself to be swept away by the magic of the journey. And as I stand on the precipice of this grand adventure, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to explore, to discover, and to connect with the world in a way that only travel can afford.

So, as I pack my bags and prepare to set out on this epic quest, I do so with a heart full of anticipation and a mind buzzing with possibilities. For in the end, it’s not just about the destinations we reach, but the journey itself – the moments of exhilaration, the challenges overcome, and the memories etched into the fabric of our souls. And with each passing kilometers, I know that I’m one step closer to experiencing the adventure of a lifetime.  3 months to be precise ?

But let me ask you this… Have you ever felt a mix of excitement and nervousness before embarking on a big adventure? How did you cope with those feelings?

HPPY TRVLS