Close Menu
    Eastern Europe

    VAN LIFE NIGHTMARE – WE MISSED THE SHIP TO JAPAN



    It’s got to be the most stressed week of van life we’ve ever had. Things just went wrong. The icing on the cake is we missed the ship to Japan!

    Travel vlog 581 | Filmed March 2023 | California USA | Country 35/197

    🔴 SUBSCRIBE to our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/treadtheglobe/?_confirmation=1

    🎥 Join the TREAD TRIBE patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/treadtheglobe

    👕 BUY exclusive TREAD the Globe Merch here: https://treadtheglobe.com/tread-boutique/

    📝 Sign up for our free weekly newsletter https://treadtheglobe.com/newsletter-2/

    📍 Track us live (free) : https://www.polarsteps.com/TREADTheGlobe

    ⏩ Follow us on Social Media for behind the scenes action:
    INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/treadtheglobeofficial
    FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/treadtheglobe
    TWITTER: https://twitter.com/treadtheglobe
    WEBSITE: https://treadtheglobe.com

    🎵Enjoyed the music in this video? Get it copyright free here: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/fohfcc

    🎬 OUR FAVOURITE VIDEOS: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlDFQvGT7bR-vpijioMHZ0viT8HtbF7CQ

    PRODUCTS WE USE: https://treadtheglobe.com/products-we-use/
    SERVICES WE USE: https://treadtheglobe.com/services-we-use/

    #travelvlog #treadtheglobe #vanlife

    NOTE: Some of these may be affiliate links, which means when you buy something we may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you, and it helps keep us travelling so thank you.

    COMPANIES WE’RE WORKING WITH

    💻CONNECT PLUS Internet:
    Need internet on your travels? World wide cover available
    For longer travels visit: CONNECT PLUS: https://www.connectpls.com/
    For shorter term visit RENT N CONNECT: https://www.rentnconnect.com/
    Mention TREAD THE GLOBE for a special discount

    😀 A BIT ABOUT US:
    We’re Marianne & Chris, a happily married couple from the UK. Marianne is a living kidney donor to her best friend, and realising that life was for living and never really knowing what’s round the corner – we decided to fulfil our dream of travelling full time.

    So in March 2018 after the kids had left home, we sold our belongings, rented our house and moved into our campervan called Trudy. We set off to see the world and after vanlifing around Ireland and Europe, we grabbed our backpacks and spent 5 months exploring Central America.

    Feeling like we needed a challenge, we planned the ultimate van life adventure! In Jan 2020 set off to drive around the World from UK to UK. But after arriving in Turkey, covid caught up with us and closed the borders, so we had a wonderful 18 months exploring this special country. Realising we were not going to be able to head further East, we decided to do a handbrake turn and go the other way and shipped our van to the USA.

    We hope you enjoy coming with us, and we’ll continue to share our real adventures and hope you feel inspire to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.

    42 Comments

    3. Robar on

      Life can be so unpredictable! I felt your stress right along with you. I am up here on Vancouver Island, and if you need to ship from here, c'mon over. I'll show you my freshly finished short bus skoolie build. Cheers.

    7. cigdem mertkol on

      Her şeyde bir hayır vardır güzel insanlar inşallah bütün işleriniz rayına girerde yolculuğunuz başlar. 👍🏻👍🏻🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷👍🏻👍🏻

    9. Eva Domis on

      My god what a workload to go through every item in your van for the process to ship your vehicle to Japan 🇯🇵 😮And all the phone calls and papers to send all over so typical the door stoped working just before but maybe better close to Ricardo who seems to be a wizard of his trade❤Will be checking your further steps on your journey for sure take care and lots of love ❤❤

    13. Always Away on

      So sorry you're going through these hurdles right now, even so Chris and Marianne, you guys are an absolute beacon of light! Love following your adventures. Fingers crossed making it to Japan becomes a lot more plain sailing from here on. We're vanlifing here in Japan and would love to buy you both a well deserved drink when you make it here!

    14. Christopher Rasmussen on

      You got to bounce. I’ve been around the world. A few times. I always had plans ABC. If I got to C. I bounce. Sleep on it. Try a new angle. Always made it. Had done month long layovers a few times. Mom and dad told me I went ‘native’ a few times. If I hadn’t had the wanderlust imbedded in me by mom. If I hadn’t been turned loose at 14 to travel the tri state area. I never would have done it. I am older now. Plans are afoot. Wish we had YouTube in the day

    16. Deryck Powell on

      I have just watched your latest video. I really feel for you guys. Hopefully you won’t have many more holdups. I really don’t know how marriane stays soooo calm. Good luck from Northern Ireland.

    17. Bev Cavera on

      OH my! I just saw this. I was a nervous wreck just watching it. I can't imagine your stress. You guys are amazing. You will figure this out and later laugh over the memories.

    20. Grá Grá Grá Mór on

      Fab Intro Chris, wise words, eloquently spoken, psst Marianne, always remind yours selves each day how well you are doing, your both proper 21st Century Travel Warriors to me,he does have a very wonder voice. now to watch the rest…..

    21. Francisco Saldana on

      My best wishes for you to get this sorted it out. It is stressful indeed but here we are all wishing you the best that things keep moving along with as little as possible obstacles.

    23. GT27 on

      Half the people in the US drive without insurance anyways, so you’ll be fine. Just plod on. Head up into the Sierras or over to western AZ and lay low until shipping.

    26. time 4 Change on

      My car broke down

      AA man came out and fixed it

      I said is it okay now

      He said 'yes sh*t in the carburettor'

      I said okay, and how often do I have to do that ?

      Smile you are a long time dead

    27. Djallal Namri on

      it reminds me of the story of a Dutch traveler just like you who sent his van from Pakistan to Argentina without any problem in the middle of the covid pandemic.
      another story, that of a French couple who shipped their SUV from Pakistan (still) to Dubai.
      and the most recent is that of a Pakistani who shipped a motorbike from Dubai to India.
      In any case, it went without major problems.
      these people are all full-time travelers like you.
      apparently you would have had fewer problems traveling without a van in the U.s.a. .

    30. time 4 Change on

      I really detest those people who take Drugs

      You know the type I mean

      Customs officers and the Police 🤣

      I Rang the drugs Helpline

      It said

      For Cannabis press Hash

    35. Linda Woody on

      Wow! Sorry you had such trouble with all. Hope you get it straightened out and can ship the next month. Prayers for you and "Trudy". Glad you have wonderful family there. I am surprised the entire locking system for the doors is not working. I had only thought it to be the passenger door and yes, I would have bolted it closed and used the driver's side and the slider to enter and exit and have parts delivered to Japan later and have the fix done there in Japan. Oh well, I know you will figure it all out and do what you can.

    36. Chasing Sunsets on

      Hi guys, really hope you get it all sorted. What's the company in Slovakia you use?? I am desperately trying to get parts for my old van. Was thinking maybe try them. Happy travels 😊🙏✨️🚌

    41. Beach Life on

      Maybe fit a padlock on the door for shipping. Then get the parts sent to Japan and fix it properly there. You will have some new holes to fill from the padlock but least you be shipped

    Leave A Reply