Satellite
  • Day 117

    In Search of a Van

    October 24, 2017 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We were picked up at the hostel and showed several lots, with many vans each. We knew what we wanted:
    - A van
    - Converted with bed and kitchen
    - +/- 200,000km
    - $4-5,000
    In the lots, most vans were either above $5,000 or not yet converted ($4,000 + $500 conversion and several days).

    We had one more appointment the following day. We met Victor, a Russian mechanic. He showed off his van and let us take a test drive. It had everything we wanted for $4,000. We were skeptical of the price difference. But he took us straight to a garage to do a pre-inspection by an independent mechanic. During the inspection, the mechanic showed everything that they were testing for. Everything checked out and we put down our deposit! Exciting!

    We stayed with a lovely couple through AirBnB in Sunnyvale. They were very welcoming. Leanne let us try (and take) some of her homemade marmelade and lemons. They helped us set up a bank account, using their postal address. And when we purchased the van the next day, she allowed us to do a full clean up (vacuum, dishes and laundry).

    We set off the following day as "proud owners" of our shiny new vehicle that would be our home for the next 3 months!
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