When most people go through a breakup, they might get a haircut, or maybe splash out on a holiday. But Bobby Bolton, 32, has gone a lot further. After his partner of 11 years left him, he launched a plan to drive from his home in the UK , all the way to Australia .
READ MORE: The top 10 destinations in Asia that Aussies are travelling to right now "I had a crazy spur of the moment idea, that I would wipe the slate clean of my life by driving to Australia," he tells 9Travel. "At this point, I didn't even know if it was doable, but I was going to get on with it anyway." READ MORE: The one thing you should do before pursuing 'campervan life', according to couple Bobby, from Wigan in England's north-east, sold his car and the caravan he was living in bought a 10.
5 tonne, four wheel drive old construction truck. He converted it into a liveable van and set off on September 1, 2023. A week into the trip he met Maire Deleval, 29, from St Tropez in France and she has now joined him.
They have driven through more than 20 countries and travelled about 20000 kilometres. Places they've been include France, Switzerland, Italy, Lichtenstein, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, Albania and Turkey. The couple and their two dogs are sharing their trip on Instagram .
Of course they've had plenty of mishaps on their journey through Europe into Asia, where they are now. "Our fuel froze twice in minus 15 degrees temperatures in the mountains of Bosnia and Montenegro," he tells 9Travel. "The truck almost fell of a mountain path in Italy, I got punched at the Russian border, we've had vicious dog attacks.
. "Maire fell 200m down a mountain, our drone flew into Marie almost blinding her, we've had to pay bribes to corrupt police..
." he continues. Snapping the the chassis on the truck, having to dig out landslides on mountain passes in Albania, and getting caught in a small avalanche whilst changing a tyre in Georgia, are other ordeals they've had to tackle.
READ MORE: The best lookout points in Australia crowned in Uniquely Aussie Awards They have also had to install air conditioning in the cab part of the vehicle due to the heat, as they only had it in the bedroom. And while van life often means having to give up home comforts, Bobby has ensured they travel in style. They have full size shower, which they power with an LPG boiler, and a king bed.
His favourite feature is the outdoor barbecue, which they cook all their meals on. Meanwhile, their favourite spot so far is a surprise. It's the central Asian country of the Kyrgyz Republic, formerly Kyrgyzstan.
READ MORE: Train travel is booming in Europe right now - here's everything you need to know about Eurail Passes Once a part of Russia, SmartTraveller advises a high degree of caution for Aussies who plan to go due to civil unrest and the terror threat, but Bobby says it's the highlight so far. "I try and describe it as Switzerland, 300 years ago, before any real modern development," he says. "The scenery is spectacular, and with four wheel drive, you can drive deep into the mountains and stay upwards of 3000 metres above sea level, with only local nomadic families around.
"We have been here for around a month so far and have felt so welcome, having been offered to eat with these families who make all their food for the summer themselves," he says. "Homemade honey from their hives and horse milk are my favourite." After that they'll head to Tajikistan, Afghanistan , Pakistan, India and Nepal.
They then hope to get to Myanmar before driving through Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia before heading to Australia by boat..
