After the confinement, thousands of people began renting or buying caravans and traveling from one area to another. In fact, the Spanish Association of Caravanning Industry and Trade (ASEICAR) claimed last summer that it was experiencing “unusual excess demand,” registering requests 20% higher than available supply. However, this trend did not only occur in Spain, but has been repeated all over the world.
Two young Australians, Paul Battenally and Clara Trindall, met while working and traveling in Japan. After returning to their country of origin, both decided to travel the vast country, which is 15 times larger than Spain.
Initially, they were looking for a caravan that would allow them to get around on the road, but due to Battellany’s height, they had to look for other options where the roof was higher, they told Business Insider. “Then we found the Coca-Cola truck, bought it in 2021 and started converting it,” they say.
The purchase cost of the 2005 Isuzu vehicle was 17,500 Australian dollars (10,645 euros at the current exchange rate). And the 32-year-old was responsible for preparing her for the trip, a transformation that cost her 8,000 Australian dollars (5,009 euros). “I’m a carpenter, so I had all the skills needed to build it and it wasn’t too difficult for me,” he says.
By November 2021, Battenally and Trindal had already moved into their house on wheels, where they lived for a year to save enough money for a worry-free trip. At the beginning of this year they started their adventure with around 40,000 Australian dollars (more than 25,000 euros).
The main expenses they currently have are fuel and food, which is around 313 euros per week. In the same car there is a kitchen with a gas oven and stove, a composting bathroom and a shower. In addition, they can transport surfboards, bicycles or motorcycles in the back of the van. The young people have decided not to get rid of the fabric that covers the vehicle with the Coca-Cola logo, as they use it as a curtain and to protect against insects.
None of them left their jobs. So Paul continues to do carpentry work sporadically and Clara, 27, has a nursing degree but now makes some money selling works of art. Next year they plan to renovate a house while living in their mobile home.
They talk about their experiences and post photos of the places they visit via their Instagram account @colas_truckingadventures. “We love being able to move every few days and wake up to nature and the freedom that this lifestyle offers us,” they conclude.
