cocoundmeer-blog

[cocoundmeer-blog]

My memories are bigger than my moving boxes. . . #lifegoals #alligot #downsize #minimalism #homeiswhereyouparkit #vangirls #backhome #movingin #collectmemoriesnotthings #cantstopwontstop #nomadlife #vwt2 #neverstopexploring #neverdateagirlwhotravels #readyforwinter #vanlifediaries (at Rostock, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqimu6YFdh1/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yzgchpgfesib

[cocoundmeer-blog]

Is it awkward to camp in your own city? A bit. But it brings a new perspective. . . #nomadlife #theearlybird #urbancamping #sundayfunday #harbourcity #roomwithaview #stadthafen #rostock #neverstopexploring #newperspectives #homeiswhereyouparkit #germany (at Rostock, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqUIEp-FI2I/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rgheatc6myvd

[cocoundmeer-blog]

Barefoot buddies. . . #goodmorning #campbuddy #vandogs #stranded #barefoot #earlybirds #vanlife #vangirls #cantstopwontstop #homeiswhereyouparkit #nomadlife #ladylike #womenoverlandingtheworld #latergram #germany🇩🇪 (at Kägsdorf, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqPreadFJuy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hbs923ybuqpd

[cocoundmeer-blog]

The cold air starts pinching my hands while riding my bike these days. Instead of giving in and wearing gloves, let's remember some warmer summer nights.. - "Let me marinate the fish with some herbs", I suggest. "What herbs", my new camping neighbor Kalle replies, filleting his catch of the day 🐟 in front of his second home. His neighbors nod jointly, no words needed. "Butter and salt, what else would you need?" - Overruled, I walk back to my kitchen to heat up the pan. Butter and salt it is. But I do sneak some nutmeg into the mashed potatoes. Small revolution back home. . . #homeiswhereyouparkit #newfriends #neverstopexploring #welcomehome #freshfish #eatwelltraveloften #mecklenburg #backhome #rebell #vanlifediaries #collectmemoriesnotthings #smallwins #solotravel #oldiebutgoldie #tbt #summernights #warmthoughts #germany🇩🇪 (at Kägsdorf, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqN-IcvFZ1v/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1gyg2blopwtmf

[cocoundmeer-blog]

Please meet my dearest travel followers. During the entire trip, they traced back every step of mine with their finger on the globe, wondering and worrying if I would ever make it home. - Time for bringing the family together! . . #itwasabouttime #rolemodel #campingheroes #grandparents #backhome #meetthefamily #vanlifediaries #roadtrip #bettertogether #neverstopexploring #oldiebutgoldie #eurotrip (at Güstrow, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp5BBQOFOEL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=8mivf5p4y6q

[cocoundmeer-blog]

"Yes I know, the blinking signal isn't working, but luckily it's only the left side, so I can just stick my arm out instead." - As it turns out, I might need to work a bit on my tactic for getting German license plates. Rusty van charm doesn't seem to be listed in German bureaucracy. . . #newdaynewchallenge #alittlerusty #welcomeback #germany #notinsouthamerica #carregistration #vangirls #doingitright #vwt2 #licenceplates #missionimpossible #dontgiveup #restauration #diy #lifeproject #vanagon (at Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpsRW4LlDny/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jdyv5pvspzjj

[cocoundmeer-blog]

1.5 years later and here it is, the last stretch before I can finally introduce my van to my hometown. - There are no words that do justice to the emotional cocktail right now, but the highway sign came pretty close. . . #cantstopwontstop #laststretch #itsnotaslowcaritsafasthouse #solotravel #detour #rollercoaster #herzsprung #neverstopexploring #memoriesdontdie #roadtrippin #smellslikehome #germany🇩🇪 (at Herzsprung, Brandenburg, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpptsWKFzsk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=661qby1qjrwz

[cocoundmeer-blog]

We almost would have made it, until my generator stops charging my battery and my van merely answers with a clicking sound when I turn the key 😔 - What follows are some interesting locations for breakdowns, very helpful roadside assistants, unplanned sleepovers and prayers after each bathroom stop that the van would start again. - I can't stop wondering if the lady simply doesn't want this trip to end? . . #zummäusemelken #sigh #dramaqueen #cantstopwontstop #carswithcharacter #everythingwillbeok #vanlifediaries #almost #solotravel #adac #eurotrip #friendsandfamily #berlin (at Bernau bei Berlin) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpcbGbOlZYO/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=151k0wj5yd8on

[cocoundmeer-blog]

Mornings these days feel like.. . . #wheredidthesummergo #helloautumn #vanlifediaries #frozennose #timeforbeanies #coldmornings #fourseasons #cantstopwontstop #vanlife #eurotrip #solotravel https://www.instagram.com/p/BpRGS5-F9jo/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ousub837co3e

[cocoundmeer-blog]

Sometimes it's the unexpected places that keep me the longest. - ..and it's not only the fault of my bike tyre who gets punctured four times in a row. . . #youwin #flattyre #bike #diy #epicfail #helpneeded #cantstopwontstop #solotravel #eurotrip #friendsandfamily #stuttgart (at Stuttgart, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpNzZs3lxSs/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15yscn0o0ipx6

[cocoundmeer-blog]

With tender muscles and warm skin I'm climbing back into my van after my gym session. All that's missing now is a happy stomach. Appetite develops into substantial hunger within few minutes and so I stop at the next supermarket and decide to unpack my kitchen right there and then. - Just when the water starts to boil, a woman stops by and starts chatting me up, her name is Gertrude as I learn shortly after. Apparently the thought of a cup of pumpkin soup makes her as happy as me. So we are bonding over camping stories and for a moment the parking lot turns into our outdoor campfire spot. . . #neverstopexploring #twogirlsonecup #makingfriends #sharingiscaring #popupkitchen #urbancamping #pumpkinsoup #bonding #solotravel #eurotrip #vanlifediaries #bonfire #alternative #parkinglotstories #germany🇩🇪 (at Baden-Württemberg, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpKu_MMlEb7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=k865jlodczok

[cocoundmeer-blog]

Non-stop driving over the last days has left its marks, my back is aching and I desperately need to move. Driving right into rushhour traffic, I take the next exit and decide to make my way to the closest gym. - Not even knowing the name of this town, I do my best to convince the man behind the counter that I just moved here and would like to become a gym member - if I could just give it a try first. - "Of course you can and there is even a Zumba class starting soon." Well, it's not the moment to be picky and some Latin rhythms might loosen my sore neck. - What he forgot to tell me is that every participant has been practicing the choreography for weeks and dances with a determination as if Enrique Iglesias himself is standing in the door frame selecting his new dance crew. I wouldn't even pass the first round. - But I try and take the constant shout out "eso es" from the Jamaican instructor as motivation that I'm doing something right. However, one glance in the mirror and reality catches up with me. So what the heck, I'm thinking, I might as well just dance the way I feel instead of meticulously following the steps. It's awkward, I admit, but not even knowing the name of the town gives me freedom for fools. - Sixty embarrassing minutes later it's over, I look for the quickest way to get out when I get asked if I don't want to stay for the belly dance class coming up next. 🤔 What a kind offer, but I think I prefer the hot shower where I'll stay until I am as dizzy as from my wannabe Shakira pirouettes. . . #twobirdsonestone #gym #zumba #epicfail #backingermany #thatescalatedquickly #vanlifediaries #cantstopwontstop #spotthedifference #wannabelatina #neverstopexploring #solotravel #lifehacks #eurotrip #germany (at Baden-Württemberg, Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpH0awwlDjh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14nxwh0wfe7eq

[cocoundmeer-blog]

Gehe zurück auf Los und ziehe keine 4000 DM ein. . . #backtosquareone #homecoming #germany🇩🇪 #longwayhome #cantstopwontstop #solotravel #neverstopexploring #womenoverlandingtheworld #eurotrip (at Germany) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo3Sx40FrCG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kyqclliqnz1j

[cocoundmeer-blog]

The smell of warm bread leads me to a tiny boulangerie. I walk in, greeted with an unisono "bonjour" by the rest of the village who already lines up to get their daily loaf of baguette. - Some weather small talk, lots of bonjours, au revoirs and bonne journées later, I'm walking out of the bakery, a baguette clipped under my arm and a flaky croissant in my hand. - This little place was so ordinary and so unexciting, yet it left me with such a warm and fluffy feeling, plus a delicious breakfast. . . #bonjour #followyournose #villagelife #offthebeatenpath #theworldisyours #feelslikehome #wheninfrance #thelittlethings #snapshot #collectmemoriesnotthings #eurotrip #france (at France) https://www.instagram.com/p/Boycf6IlkqY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9b4y8hmvzjlv

[cocoundmeer-blog]

Finding company in the ever unsolved solo travel issue of pouring yourself a cup of tea while keeping the steering wheel straight, an eye on the navigation system and yourself together. - How lucky am I to finally meet two other female solo travel soulmates? And on top of that such kick-ass ladies that don't hesitate a second and throw themselves under my van to find out where the suspicious smell of gas is coming from. - Ensemble, c'est tout. . . #kickass #ladypower #womenoverlandingtheworld #everydayproblems #everydayheroes #solotravel #inspiring #soulmates #vanlife #butcoffeefirst #diy #mechanics #femalepower #luckyme #ensemblecesttout #neverstoexploring #eurotrip #friendsandfamily #france (at Mimizan-Plage, Aquitaine, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bomtvkcl244/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pev0k09r7k5d

[cocoundmeer-blog]

..because I couldn't let the rip current rule over my last surf session. . . #cantstopwontstop #detour #atlanticocean #surfsup #anothertry #viewsfordays #soundofwaves #vanlifediaries #goodtimes #latergram #soakinginthesun #eurotrip #france (at Mimizan-Plage, Aquitaine, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/BokJ_eslvYQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mvphp3egw7od

[cocoundmeer-blog]

Passing by several signs for Burgos along the coastal highway, a flip book of memories unfolds. - Remembering the time when I got stuck in the Pyrenees and went on a spare part hunt with @pablobuenoborja in Madrid. Having my dear US mechanic teaching his Spanish counterpart over the phone how to configure my van. A third mechanic coming to find me on the highway and bringing me on a pinxos tour through Burgos. And finally stranding in Portugal and being integrated into the @hanggtime.vans family. - The Iberian peninsula wasn't short on memorable adventures and people that made my summer, to say the least. . . #friendsandfamily #grateful #nicetomeetyou #iberianpeninsula #collectmemoriesnotthings #vanlifediaries #flashback #womenoverlandingtheworld #whatasummer #didthatreallyhappen #solotravel #overlanding #europe (at Iberian Peninsula) https://www.instagram.com/p/BohjEPLFpUX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=137z0d9eqiucc