The desire to go on a trip around the world

It is not easy to describe how, when and where the desire to go on a trip around the world arose. It was kind of a process, but not planned.

Our urge to spend our free time in nature has been there since we met. We preferred to spend holidays in campsites with our children than in hotels. We have always loved individual holidays. Never wanted to swim in a pool, but always preferred the ocean or the lakes.

Almost all of our leisure and sports activities have taken place and still take place in nature today.

We have been living for many years now...

Mehr…

... in our own house and enjoyed this time very much. Our children have grown up now and have their own family. They live not far from us and we meet regularly, of course.

At some point, many people probably wonder about the meaningfulness of their own actions and actions. Sometimes we want the freedom and freedom we could experience in our youth again. Do what you just wanted to do. Full of drive to explore things and discover the world, just get really curious about life again.

And so one thing led to another. I always loved fast and sporty vehicles, sometimes a little more off-road, it was all there.

Then, through a rediscovered old hobby, a larger vehicle came into our lives, the VW Bus T6 California Beach. A vehicle that gave us back the feeling of freedom a little bit. Then a conversion of Vanessa (kitchen block in the rear with sleeping accommodation) was added. From that point on, it was clear that we really enjoy this life, with the feeling of independence and freedom. The thing that motivates and drives people the most is self-realization, no matter what it ultimately involves. This was now a good deal closer with this vehicle.
Weniger…

Then we had the initial experience

Then something very special happened, we were sitting in front of the TV as we often do in the evening, it was already 10pm and I said to Petra “Are you looking for a short break with our VW bus?” She said “yes” and asked me “when?” I then said “now.” And my wife was radiant and immediately started packing up the most necessary things. At 10:30pm we sat in our VW bus and drove off. You have to say that our VW bus is always ready to travel, except for a little clothes. After we live with Rosenheim, the next quick decision was necessary,...



Mehr…

... Italy or Croatia. We then chose Croatia. Arriving at the sea at 4 o'clock, we first made breakfast, with wonderful sunshine and the best temperatures.

I believe that this experience has had a lasting impact on us. We have been self-employed and absorbed in our work since 1992. Almost too late, we realized how easy and uncomplicated life can be.

Now one thing has come to another. In addition to our academy, there is a campervan dealer where we looked at one or the other all-wheel drive camper and many videos on YouTube.

Now we are faced with the decision to buy a real expedition vehicle for a trip around the world and sell our house for it or to continue living our “old” lives.

Weniger…

Now it's happened

We signed our purchase agreement for an expedition vehicle from bimobil. What's happened?

On 14.10.2021 we looked at and tested a used expedition vehicle at bimobil in Oberpframmern (Upper Bavaria), not far from our home town Kolbermoor. The bimobil was built in 2018 and the previous owners were on expedition with the vehicle for about 3 years.

The vehicle immediately appealed to us and we were fascinated by the equipment and the good condition. It would be ideal for our planned trips. However, we were more than surprised by the price of a used vehicle. With that, we definitely had...

Mehr…

... didn't reckon that you still have to pay so much money after all. The seller of bimobil gave us really good advice and took a lot of time for the first interview and a test drive. At the same time, he reassured us and said that this vehicle would hardly lose its value and that ultimately convinced us. But it hasn't been enough for a signature yet.

When I arrived home, I wrote an email to previous owner Denis asking for advice on buying an expedition vehicle. The next day (Sunday at 10 o'clock) I had him on the phone. He raved about his vehicle and told me a lot about it and what to look out for in an expedition van. Denis convinced me definitely not to make a mistake when buying the vehicle, it was the right choice, he promised me.

This conversation prompted me to drive with Petra to the ADVENTURE ALLRAD fair in Bad Kissingen on 21.-22.10.2021. We wanted to look at more vehicles here to get a better overview of this market. The costs for such vehicles range from 80,000 to 500,000 EUR or more. From 3.5 ton trucks to 12-ton trucks, everything was offered here. It was just too much information and too many impressions.

After that, we went to the bimobil booth and I had the first conversation with Managing Director Stefan. A calm and serene person with whom you immediately build a high level of trust. I told him about my situation and possibilities and expressed an honest interest in buying. We quickly agreed and I signed the purchase contract.

Petra and I looked at each other and we didn't know at first whether we should be happy or not. Now the much harder step came to sell our house, quit the academy's premises and inaugure our children into our project.
Weniger…

If you want to know more about two great people, use the following links:

Website www.denis-katzer.com

YouTube www.youtube.com/user/deniskatzer

Instagram www.instagram.com/tanjadeniskatzer

Facebook www.facebook.com/deniskatzer

Podcast www.anchor.fm/diegrossereise

Meet the previous owners - Denis & Tanja

After signing the purchase agreement, we really wanted to inform the previous owners, Tanja and Denis. They also had a stand at ADVENTURE ALLRAD, so it was the perfect opportunity to meet them there. So we immediately visited them at their booth. Both were currently in conversation with trade fair visitors. I looked at Denis and Tanja and just said, “We just bought your vehicle!”. Denis looked at me, we only knew each other from our phone conversation, and he said “Ottmar?” , “Yes,” I said, and they both finished talking with the trade fair visitors and approached us to reach out to us.

At that moment, my wife thought of being away from our children and grandchildren and tears were in her eyes. She realized the step she just took with full force. Tanja approached my wife immediately and... Mehr…

... talked her well and explained to her what a great life this was going to be and we could usually be at home with our children in just 2-3 days no matter where we should be on the road.

This encounter was so emotional that four people faced each other with tears in their eyes. One of them because they are going on an uncertain journey that they don't know what surprises they have in store, and Tanja and Denis because they now know their “Terra Love”, that's what they lovingly called their vehicle, in foreign hands. At the same time, Tanja and Denis felt that they were happy to know the new owners of “Terra Love” in person. Denis confirmed my assumption just a few minutes later how glad he was that we now have this vehicle and how grateful he is for introducing both of us to them in person.

He promised me that if I had any questions about the vehicle, I could talk to him at any time.

It was a really great encounter with Tanja and Denis at ADVENTURE ALLRAD.

The previous owners Tanja and Denis are two really very friendly and authentic people who we immediately took to our hearts and we will be able to learn a lot from them. Thank you Tanja and Denis for coming into our lives, maybe we will go on a journey together with our vehicles one day, we would be very happy about it.
Weniger…

Now comes the hardest step

We need to let our children know what we're doing. Petra has not been able to sleep for two nights, this step is unspeakably difficult for her.

Just one day after signing the sales contract, our youngest daughter Nadine invited us to dinner. It was a very tense dinner for Petra and me. Although my daughter already had a premonition, as I had already touched on the idea a few weeks ago.

After the grandchildren were in bed, Petra said, “We all need a grappa now, we have something to tell you.” My daughter said it out before we could explain it in detail. She had tears in her eyes and she said, “Your grandchildren need... Mehr…

... you!”. Then I explained to her why we want to take this step now. With our 60 years, we don't want to sit behind and say “we only had...”. We're both still healthy and adventurous, and we don't know what this will be like in 5 years. At the same time, when they needed us, we promised that we would be back home within 2-3 days.

Walter, our son-in-law supported our decision, even though he also knows that his children are unspeakably attached to Petra and me. But we will also be able to overcome this situation.

Now we have about 6-12 months to prepare everything and grow into this new situation together, it will certainly not be easy for any of us.

When we were on our way home, Petra said, “I would have imagined it worse!” , although I know that the situation is of course far from being worked out by everyone concerned.

But the first step has been taken, now we have invited our oldest daughter and husband to join us for dinner the next day. We're both very excited to see how this conversation will go.

Jessika had already been informed by our daughter Nadine. She and her husband Helmut have shown full understanding for our decision.

Now we are both very relieved and can make this new project public and focus on everything that is necessary for its implementation.
Weniger…

Now we're letting go

Now we are going to part with a lot of things that we no longer need on the planned trip. Our hearts bleed, but it's our decision and the way life is a decision for something, usually a decision against something. One requires the other.

  • We start with our beautiful semi-detached house in Kolbermoor with 600 sqm of land, garage, parking space and the best neighbours you could wish for.
  • Our two fantastic vehicles, the VW bus T6 California Beach with Vanessa kitchen block and sleeping space downstairs in the vehicle for two people. And the Fiat Spider special edition, which was driven at most 4,000 km a year, it hasn't even retracted yet. Both vehicles have top equipment, you'll be surprised.
  • Many high-quality RC aircraft models, from my hobby from my youth, which was only rediscovered 7 years ago. 
  • Another area is the dissolution of my model shop with lathe, milling and many other high-quality tools from PROXXON and other manufacturers. Not to mention my beloved 3D printer from PRUSA.
  • Our own gym with a good range of equipment and equipment. This room was my energy source for the day for one hour every morning from 6:30am and responsible for my current state of fitness
Mehr…
  • Then we will part with our beautiful and decorative furniture, which of course all have their own history and would therefore be priceless
  • But our clothes and shoes are certainly equally interesting, as long as someone likes good and used goods. Through my job, I've always attached importance to quality when buying my clothes
  • If we want to continue in the garden, I'll talk about our garden tools here. The Honda lawnmower and the chainsaw, grass trimmer and hedge trimmer, all new from STIHL Professional with battery operation
  • etc.

We could continue this list indefinitely, so it might be easier if you just give us a call and look at things locally or send pictures if you're interested.
We can't reserve things without an appropriate down payment. Some things we may not be able to give in immediately, then you can secure the selected product by making a corresponding deposit.

We appreciate your honest interest.

 

Weniger…
To the top