How could I not fall in love with a name like Van Halen? Of course, I had to hire the van for a little dream trip I had been thinking about.
I've had this idea in my head that I'd love a van so I can do the #vanlife. But never having made a trip in a campervan, is it right to buy one. Probably not. So I then found Camptoo. A site that people can hire out their vans, caravans and motorhomes - a bit like AirBnB but for homes on wheels.
I'm not going to lie; I was nervous picking Van Halen up. I hadn't driven a manual for a few years, let alone a campervan. But I needn't have been - smooth driving (most of the time).
I picked up my friend, and off we headed to Yorke Peninsula. But where? We decided to make that decision when we got there. The freedom of not knowing where you were sleeping was something that attracted me to the #vanlife in the first place.
We got down to Marion Bay the first day - stopping at a few towns to explore the beach, dance and be silly. Basically. We also had a cider in Port Vincent pub, The Ventnor.
Driving up to the coast, getting lost, not worrying, and knowing I can stay anywhere with my house on wheels is liberating. We spent the night at a lookout - waking up to the cliffs and deserted beach next morning. Pushing open the back doors so we can goggle while staying in bed is the best part.
We repeated this for the next two nights - staying at very different parts of the coast each time from open, swell beach to very tidal rock pool coast at Gleesons Landing. Our last night at Barkers Rocks is where we met people, danced some more and went for a sunset dip with beer. Exactly how I had imagined #vanlife to be.
Pros:
You can stay anywhere, being self sufficient with solar and water.
The best views.
Freedom.
The great outdoors, with a bed.
Cons:
You can't drive everywhere in a big van.
My friend had to get used to 'going bush'.
You cruise everywhere - don't even contemplate trying to overtake. (But really, we didn't even want to.)
Would I do it again? Heck, yes! I want my own!
