Chris and Fanny

Names and ages
Chris (Canada) – 47; Fanny (France) - 30

Hometown

Chris comes from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and Fanny comes from Draveil a small city on the periphery of Paris, France. Chris and Fanny met while preparing for a humanitarian mission in Paris in 2008. Chris went off to Sudan and Fanny flew out to Burkina Faso – not a good start.

When did you start your travels?

Unexpected delays on the importation of our Mitsubishi Delica caused the necessary adjustments to our plan... We picked up our Delica in Vancouver Canada on 15 August where we ‘unofficially’ started our trip by driving from Vancouver to Fredericton on the East Coast of Canada. After 3 weeks of refitting and modification of the van, we ‘officially’ started our tour on 15 September 2011 heading south and west.

Reason for taking this trip

Fanny and I worked in Pakistan during the flood crisis of 2010. This kind of work is emotionally and physically gruelling and during our time there we agreed that what we needed was a nice extended vacation. The plan for the trip evolved while in Pakistan and became an all consuming – and agreeable – distraction during the rigors of work. In a leap, I purchased over the internet our van and thus launched our trip. No looking back now!

Why did you decide to drive?

We have travelled all over the globe in various guises and thought this time it would be more convenient and flexible to drive.

What type of car are you driving?

We're driving a 1996 Mitsubishi Delica 4x4 (long wheel base and high roof) Fanny named Bip Bip (like “Beep Beep” à la Coyote and Roadrunner français). It's a Japanese import and so is a right hand drive. We figured having a 4wd van would give us greater flexibility to poke about in strange places while having a van to sleep in would limit discomfort and increase security.

Did you make any modifications to your car for this trip?

We were lucky that the vehicle we imported already came with a 4” lift and 32” tires, a ladder, roof rack and a tow hitch and dark tinted windows. My additions include: GPS/Stereo upgrade, cruise control, battery disconnect switch, sleeping platform with locking storage, Solar electric system for interior lights and fans and a 2000W inverter, fabricated rear spare tire and 2 jerry can carrier, and finally a 2.5m ARB awning with mosquito net.

For more info check out the van page on our blog: http://bipbipamericas.blogspot.com/p/bip-bip.html

For even more info feel free to contact us.

How did you save up or finance your trip?

You make it so you can spend it. We will have to go back to work after this. As aid workers – we are already mobile and as a result do not carry a house or other big-ticket items. We are used to being ‘on the move’ and this trip might be, in fact, one of our more comfortable travelling experiences.

How long do you plan on traveling?

At least a year but we are open. We are interested, as we learn Spanish as we go and are willing to find work with an Aid or Development organization to give a break from travelling while refilling the coffers.

Where do you plan on driving?

Sadly due to the delay in importing our van, the idea of going north to Prudhoe Bay was sacrificed. We were able to visit across Canada from west to east and are now visiting USA from east to west before heading south to Baja and finally the Pan-American Highway. We expect to be in Mexico by November and we anticipate making it to Ushuaia, Argentina.

What were your family’s and friends’ reactions when you told them about your trip before you left?

Everyone is very excited. We purposely kept two of the rear seats enabling us to accommodate visits from our family and friends. So far we already have booked ‘reservations’ from many!

Did you speak Spanish before you left your home country?

Not much. Chris had done some backpacking through Mexico and South America in the past while Fanny has studied Spanish in school (to not much success). We anticipate taking a ‘break’ from our travels with several pit stops –ranging from a week to a month - along the way for Spanish lessons – Mexico (Oaxaca), Guatemala (Todos Santos), Columbia (with friends) and Argentina (open to suggestions).

Do you have a favorite place or country that you have visited during your trip?

We are quite happy with our visit to the jazz clubs of New Orleans.

What was the worst border crossing?

Crossing into the USA created a bit of stress. Chris got hauled into the ‘room’ for a solid lecture. The moral of that story is to NOT cross into the USA on the anniversary of 911 when the customs officers feel personally responsible and liable to acts of terrorism and thus have a heightened intensity to letting foreigners into the Land of Liberty (even if the ‘profiling’ rules indicates ‘safe’). Clearly the idea of Canadian tourists spending a couple of months touring the continental USA for a month or so is too much of a risk for them to take.

Do you have any advice for others who may be considering driving the Americas?

Better sooner than later.

Would you do it again?

We will see – there are many other places to visit too. I am thinking that maybe a motorcycle journey to Mongolia would be interesting too....

Do you have a blog or a website describing your trip?

http://bipbipamericas.blogspot.com/ Check it out!