144 countries… and still exploring. 2026, NORTH TO ALASKA

144 countries… and still exploring.

Following our winter expedition through Iceland and Siberia, we are now on the final leg of this journey travelling from Vancouver to Alaska, after crossing Canada from east to west in 2025.

After decades of travel, certain truths become very clear: The world is far bigger than any map. People are kinder than the news suggests. And adventure does not have an expiry date. The road has given us challenges, breakdowns, border delays, extreme weather, and uncertainty. But it has also given us sunrises in empty deserts, friendships across languages, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing we chose to live fully rather than safely.

Since leaving the Marines in 1976, our travels have now taken us through 144 countries. Since 2006 our overland expeditions have covered Australia, Indonesia, Borneo, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast and Eastern Asia, China, Mongolia, Russia, parts of Europe (including Iceland in winter), South America, Central America, Mexico, USA and Canada.

This trip certainly tested us — leaving Australia at +36°C and experiencing temperatures down to –38°C, with daytime highs around –20°C.

Next chapter already planned: with approval to re-import our European registered vehicle into Australia, we will ship it home in August 2026 to begin another 4-year Australian overland adventure.

A sincere thank you to the many small town tourism volunteers we met around the world. Your passion and dedication to promoting your communities proves that real travel is about people, not brochures.

We also want to acknowledge some very special people who became part of this chapter of our story: Jay and Bernice for protecting our vehicle on Vancouver Island as if it were their own. Steve and Leeann Clause for coordinating spare parts, helping with transport, and sharing local knowledge that only true travellers understand the value of. Carl from Mobile Habitats and his wife Laura for sharing their hard-earned Yukon and Alaska experience that helped us prepare for what lies ahead. These friendships all around the world are the real souvenirs of 22 years driving around the world overland.

Now 2026 Alaska in winter next 2027 Australia. The adventure continues.