Extreme Travel

Have van, will travel

Roll over, road trips by car. These couples took six-month road trips in camper vans they designed and built themselves

Mr Ong Zhang Quan and Ms Lim Zi Yan at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. They are on a six-month road trip in the United States.
Mr Ong Zhang Quan and Ms Lim Zi Yan at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. They are on a six-month road trip in the United States. PHOTO: COURTESY OF ONG ZHANG QUAN AND LIM ZI YAN
Mr Ong Zhang Quan and Ms Lim Zi Yan installed the bed, shelves, insulation and lights in the van themselves.
Mr Ong Zhang Quan and Ms Lim Zi Yan installed the bed, shelves, insulation and lights in the van themselves. PHOTO: COURTESY OF ONG ZHANG QUAN AND LIM ZI YAN
While driving around New Zealand in an old DHL van, Mr Lester Lee and Ms Charmaine Goh (both far left) also took on jobs like shooting pre-wedding photographs. They are with a couple who used their photography service.
While driving around New Zealand in an old DHL van, Mr Lester Lee and Ms Charmaine Goh (both far left) also took on jobs like shooting pre-wedding photographs. They are with a couple who used their photography service. PHOTO: COURTESY OF LESTER LEE
Mr Lee and Ms Goh's van came with basic carpentry including benches and a table that could be converted into a sleeping area.
Mr Lee and Ms Goh's van came with basic carpentry including benches and a table that could be converted into a sleeping area. PHOTO: COURTESY OF LESTER LEE
Mr Lee and Ms Goh's van came with basic carpentry including benches and a table that could be converted into a sleeping area.
Mr Lee and Ms Goh's van came with basic carpentry including benches and a table that could be converted into a sleeping area. PHOTO: COURTESY OF LESTER LEE
Clara Lock
Travel Correspondent
Updated
Jun 16, 2019, 10:58 AM
Published
Jun 16, 2019, 05:00 AM
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Mr Ong Zhang Quan had found the ideal camper van for his road trip with his girlfriend in the United States.

It had a double bed, a sink and storage area built-in, and solar panels for its own power supply - everything the couple, both 26, would need to be self-sufficient during their six-month adventure.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 16, 2019, with the headline Have van, will travel. Subscribe

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