As got closer towards the finish line, Joel and I were quiet in the van, filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness with our stomachs and throbbing hearts in the back of our throats. The finish line was at our yard where our van was prepped for the rally, the where the journey began for the van was where it was going to end for us.
It was in the middle of the work day, but everyone took an hour of their time stopping work and preparing a welcome back at the finish line. All of our co-workers, some friends and family were all there. It was amazing to see their faces, but more so people were suprised to see how much Joel and I had physically changed. People were commenting on Joel’s huge beard and how large and crazy my hair gotten as well as how tan I had become.
Our crazy adventure was all thanks to the dream of one man, our boss and dear friend Steven Smith. Here he is with his son Josh and us at the finish line.
13 Countries, more than 15,000km, 9 weeks later, Joel and I had experienced the rare opportunity of seeing the world behind the wheel in making history of driving a small 660cc van from London all the way back to Japan. They had scrambled to make the warmest of welcomes, and we even got cake!
Congratulations again, guys! I’m really proud of you. I’m not sure if I could have lasted that journey. Hopefully I’ll see you guys before the end of the year.
Congrats on making it home guys! Bummed we couldn’t catch back up to you in Novo, but it sounds like the Mini is still kicking so maybe you’ll meet Slepak.
Great to see you guys back home, good work!! I thought that you had left your car in Vladivastok
may be you guys are the first who sent japanese car from russia back to japan ))))) awsome!!
I am so jealous! You have done something that I have longed to do my whole life!!! If I had the chance to do that I would drop everything and take that chance. Say from Alaska to Peru? What Fun!! What Adventure! Amazing pictures and stories to have for a lifetime! Congratulations!!!