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

When you travel the way I did, on a motorcycle and sleeping in a tent as often as possible, you start living at the most basic level of life. Where am I sleeping tonight. What am I going to eat. Do I have enough water. When will I wash my clothes. Simple questions, yet they shape your entire day. Not calendars, not notifications, not the constant noise we have normalized at home.

Modern life is built to remove friction. One tap and food arrives at your door. One button and your laundry disappears from your awareness. Convenience everywhere. Comfort everywhere. And without noticing, we lose touch with the value of simple actions.

On the road, that comfort fades. Cooking becomes a conscious act. You feel the ingredients, the heat, the time it takes. Washing clothes by hand is no longer a chore you outsource to a machine, but a moment of presence. Water matters. Time matters. Effort matters.

I noticed how these basic rituals brought me back to my core. There was clarity in repetition. Calm in simplicity. A quiet satisfaction in taking care of the fundamentals yourself. No rush. No shortcuts. Just doing what needs to be done.

That is the magic of basic living while traveling. It reminds you that happiness does not come from speed or abundance, but from awareness. From being involved in your own life again.

When everything is reduced to the essentials, you start to feel grounded. Alive. Connected. And you realize that the simple things were never small at all.

This experience was something I truly needed. It did not happen instantly. It took time, about three to four weeks, before I fully dropped into that rhythm. But once I did, it was gold. A real return to the foundation of who you are.

But the truth is, everything happens exactly when it is meant to. No sooner, no later.

I deeply value that I allowed myself the time to go through that process instead of rushing it. Even today, I still feel the calm it brought into my life. A lasting sense of inner quiet that stayed with me long after the journey continued.

Looking back, I could say I should have done this much earlier. But the truth is, everything happens exactly when it is meant to. No sooner, no later.

Disconnecting from the world, work, noise, and expectations and returning to the core is something I would recommend to anyone. Step away from it all. Strip life back to the basics. It will do real wonders.

HPPY TRVLS

While organising my photos, I came across fun memories from the past. There were also sad ones, pictures of people no longer in my life and family members who have passed. The photos from my 2024 Motorcycle Euro Trip truly make me happy. That trip was the best thing I could have done for myself, and I cannot wait to hit the road again… to be continued.

Now I have more peace in my life, which gives me space to focus and enjoy the things that truly matter.

Going through the photo’s of my trip reminded me of all the places where I worked on content for my vlogs and blogs. It gives me a deep sense of fulfilment. It is exactly what I was looking for, freedom. With every mile, I felt like shedding my old self like a snake. All the pain, frustration, and limiting beliefs fell off my shoulders. Now I have more peace in my life, which gives me space to focus and enjoy the things that truly matter.

These photos represent that feeling every time I look back. I often revisit my vlogs just to enjoy the memories. I highly recommend making videos, taking photos, and writing blogs or journaling. The future you will be thankful. Today it’s Friday, the perfect moment to write a blog and share some of the weirdest, most memorable places where I worked during my 90-day Motorcycle Euro Trip.

Now I am curious, are you also a nerd like me who archives everything on a self-made dedicated server? How do you do it? How do you archive your photos and videos?

HPPY TRVLS

On the motorcycle, you feel every vibration, bump, and subtle shift in the weather, immersing you even more deeply in the journey. This truth struck me once again on my recent journey from Granada to Almería, a route that didn’t fails to amaze me. As I drove along the Carretera Nacional A-348 through the Sierra Nevada National Park, the ever-changing scenery was a continuous source of wonder and awe.

One of the highlights was passing by the Embalse de Canales, a stunning reservoir near Vélez de Benaudalla, Granada. The turquoise waters set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains were nothing short of breathtaking. I found myself compelled to pull over, just to take in the view and let the serenity of the place wash over me.

The Tabernas Desert feels like stepping into another world.

Continuing on the road to Almería, the landscape transformed dramatically as I entered the region of Tabernas. Known as the only desert in Europe, the Tabernas Desert feels like stepping into another world. The arid, rugged terrain, with its unique rock formations and endless horizons, evokes a sense of solitude and peace that’s hard to find elsewhere. It’s no wonder this area has been used as a backdrop for countless films its raw beauty is cinematic in itself.

Each twist and turn of the road offered new surprises, whether it was the sight of the almond trees in full bloom near Guadix or the expansive views of the Mediterranean as I neared Almería. The journey urged me to slow down and engage all five of my senses, truly absorbing the environment around me.

Experiences like these do more than just create memories; they leave a lasting impact. The beauty of nature has a unique way of grounding you, helping you appreciate the world in its most authentic and purest form. And secretly, I’m finding myself increasingly addicted to this feeling the rush of freedom that comes from overland travel. 

This journey from Granada to Almería, along with many of the early routes on my trip around Europe, didn’t just fulfill my wanderlust; it satisfied a deeper need for absolute freedom and connection to the world around me. Each trip reinforces this desire, making every overland adventure not just a journey through space, but a journey within as well.

What’s your perspective on this?

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

But I’m going to try anyway, so…

Up to this point in my life, I’ve seen a lot, experienced a lot, achieved a lot, and traveled a lot. But I’ve also lost a lot. I like to think I’m not easily influenced, but nothing could have prepared me for this view. If you had told me that a mountain could leave me speechless, I would have laughed in your face. But the opposite was proven during my visit to Cirque de Gavarnie.

During this trip, spending long hours on the bike, I have plenty of time to think about everything, organize my thoughts, process old wounds, and embrace new experiences. And let me tell you, sitting in front of a colossal mountain awakened a deeper level of self-awareness and introspection. Something I had never experienced so intensely.

It’s remarkable how much nature can influence you. And it’s not just Cirque de Gavarnie. There are several natural spots I’ve visited that have left a big mark, like Pic du Midi de Bigorre, Dune du Pilat, Mallos de Riglos, Bardenas Reales or Picos de Europa. I’m still in awe, trying to let it all sink in.

I would have loved to share this experience with someone.

As I continue my journey, I realize that each place I visit leaves a lasting impression, shaping me in ways I never expected. I would have loved to share this experience with someone. Experiencing something together often makes it more intense and meaningful. Thus, traveling solo might be lonely at times, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. The challenges and the beauty of the road have given me a new perspective of myself.

So, here’s to the open road, to the breathtaking views that leave us speechless, and to the journey that continues to unfold.

Share this blog or check out my vlogs, give it a thumbs up, and share it with your friends. If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for more adventures from the road. Your support means the world to me. Until the next adventure, ride on and keep exploring!

HPPY TRVLS

My gear 
I’ve been on the road for 10 days now and spent 6 nights in my tent, including my earlier camping test ride. I can confidently say that I’m super happy with my gear now.

After months of planning, down to the smallest details like a clothespin or a carabiner hook to Velcro straps, everything, and I mean everything, works perfectly and is tailored to exactly what I need.

I have neither too much nor too little with me, and that gives me a great feeling.

Nacho
And yeah, Nacho He’s performing like a dream!

No hill is too high or too steep for him. Even on straight provincial roads, overtaking that tractor when needed is no issue. The high torque of this 23-year-old machine is just amazing. I couldn’t have made a better choice in motorcycle for my taste/needs.

He’s an efficient, consistent, and reliable workhorse/travel partner.

Yeah, what can I say! I’m having an amazing time and I’ve got a permanent smile on my face.

Me, myself and I
Yeah, what can I say! I’m having an amazing time and I’ve got a permanent smile on my face. I didn’t expect to enjoy sleeping in a tent so much. But staying in a hotel or Airbnb every now and then is nice too.

Instead of persuing stupid careers or relationships… I should have done this much earlier in my life and I recommend everyone try traveling like this at least once. Not necessarily by motorcycle, but treat your soul to a long journey through a country or continent. I asure you… you won’t regret it! Now I just want to see the whole world and follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta. I’m currently in Normandy, specifically Gold Beach, Asnelles and heading towards Mont Saint-Michel soon.

You can follow me here and don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel for weekly videos.

Thanks for reading and see you on the road!

HPPY TRVLS

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

June travels

THAT’S ME!

F.a.q.

TAKE ME THERE!

50 random facts about me

EVERYTHING YOU NEED KNOW

Hi there! Welcome and nice to see you here on my first blog.

My name is June and I was born on the island of Curaçao on October 18th 1975 by Venezuelan (mother) and Surinamese (father) parents. And growing up on Curaçao has its advantages, like… we speak standard 4 languages, namely; Papiamentu (native), Dutch, English and Spanish. Pretty cool huh? When I was ten years old I moved to the Netherlands where I grew up and lived until my 30s. Then I move back to live on Curaçao for 7 years where I worked at the local TV station and later my own video production company where I produced numerous commercials, infomercial and TV programs. Also a self-produced travel program called Travel Info. This was an attempt for me to fulfill my passions whilst satisfying my urge to travel.

Fast forwarding 7 years, life happened and I was back again in the Netherlands. Bought a old motorhome and motorcycle and the intention was to travel around Europe.

But then… I ran into an old love. We reconnected, moved in together and soon the travel plans with the motorhome were canceled. The camper was sold, I bought a Macbook and started to work on my digital nomad career. We traveled together to Venice, Barcelona and in 2016 we traveled for a month to the country of her origin, Morocco. We landed in Marrakech and 5 minutes in the taxi I immediately fell in love. It felt like I’ve been here before.

We covered a total of 3550 km in one month with our trusty rented Dacia Logan.

Moroccan roadtrip

3550 km

After 5 days in Marrakech, we rented a car and started our Moroccan roadtrip adventure that lead us to cities like: Essaouira, Agadir, Tiznit, Sidi Ifni, Taroudent, Aït Ben Haddou, Ouarazazate, Casablanca, Rabat, Cheffchauen, Fes and Ourika. We visited all of the beautiful places like Legzira beach, Mausole Mohammed V mosque, Tannaries of Fes, Akchor and many more. We covered a total of 3550 km in one month with our trusty rented Dacia Logan. The most fuel economic car I’ve ever experienced. We stayed at some wonderful riads and ate some amazing tajines along the way.

Morocco inspired us so heavily that we started a business together and moved to Marrakech in 2018. The company was doing amazing, but there where many challenges in our relationship. 2020, Covid-19, lockdown killed us. The relationship could no longer be saved according to her. We broke up, she fled and I decided to stay in Marrakech and try continuing with the business. But it was only for a short period of time, it was like poking a wound with a needle.

I took the plunge and quit the business and chose for myself. I had enough giving up everything for others and in the end all I was left with was sadness. I am a hopeless romantic and have no luck with women. So I decided to pick up my old idea and that was traveling around Europe with a motorcycle. This time I will proceed no matter what… so I sold everything, bought a motorcycle, kit it out with panniers and more!

On this website I am going to share all my experiences, challenges, happy and sad moments with you. You can also follow my journey and stories through my socials:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• YouTube

Please bear in mind tho, i’m not an award winning accomplished writer yet. But hey, everything is possible… right?

Explore // Experience // Learn // Live

HPPY TRVLS