- Dometic
- Ambassadors
- Akela World
A journey without end
Say hello to Leander, Maria and their son, Lennox. These three intrepid travellers are currently en route from the Alps in Austria – where they come from – to the Southern Alps of New Zealand. The journey is some 30,000 kilometres in length and takes them across three continents, four climate zones and eleven time zones. Once they reach their goal, they will have spent some two and a half years on the road. To accompany them – while providing shelter, protection and transportation – is their lead wolf, Akela. Inspired by the Jungle Book, Akela is the name the family chose for their trusty old truck.
WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND?
We are a family of three from Austria. Two months ago, we adopted a stray puppy in Greece and named him Togo. Before we started our trips, Maria was working in a travel agency. Leander is working as a freelance photographer, while Lennox is a home-schooled kid who enjoys life.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A DOMETIC AMBASSADOR?
It feels good to be part of a worldwide family!
WHAT DOMETIC GEAR DO YOU HAVE? AND HOW HAS IT HELPED YOU?
It’s helped a lot! Maria likes the Dometic Sunlight Oven, because she loves cooking and surprising the family with new cakes and dishes. The Dometic Fridge CRX110 allows us to store fresh food and it even has a small freezer where Lennox stores his ice-cream.
The Dometic Windows with integrated sun and mosquito protection have made everyday life easier for us. We also installed a rear-view camera and an inverter, which have been working without any problems to this day. We all appreciate our Awning, which protects us from the hot sun and sometimes rain too.
IF YOU COULD ONLY PACK THE 3 MOST ESSENTIAL THINGS TO TAKE WITH YOU ON A TRIP, WHAT WOULD THEY BE?
Leander: my family, a good book, camera
Maria: my family, a good book, materials to make macramé
Lennox: my family, a good book, Lego
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM OUT ON YOUR ADVENTURES?
There are so many! But the best thing was and is, realizing that people, no matter what country or ethnicity, are amazingly kind, helpful, and hospitable. We are thankful for seeing untouched nature and wilderness and being a part of this fragile system.
WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT DOING WHAT YOU DO?
We are free and independent! We are not bound by any guidelines from employers and can decide independently what is good, right, and important for us as a family. In short, we have our own life under control.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST GOAL IN LIFE?
To live a happy and conscious life in harmony with nature. To see our son grow up and raise him to be a responsible, independent thinking person.
WHAT IS ONE PRODUCT WE DON’T HAVE THAT YOU WISH WE MADE?
An awning with an integrated solar panel.
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE MOTTO?
If you can dream it, you can do it!
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE LOOKING TO START A SIMILAR LIFESTYLE?
Go through life with open eyes and an open mind. Have no prejudices and be curious. But also be prepared for the fact things often turn out differently than planned.
ABOUT LEANDER, MARIA, AND LENNOX.
Leander, Maria, and Lennox enjoy rock climbing and hiking in the mountains. Maria enjoys cooking, while Lennox enjoys diving and spear fishing with his dad. If the weather is not so good, they stay indoors to play a game, cook a nice meal, or read a good book.
Their passion to travel was motivated by the desire to be independent and free. In their own words, “the ‘normal’ way of living in Salzburg, our hometown, became too tight and regulated for us.” Over recent years, traveling has become more than a passion, but their new lifestyle.
Instagram @akela.world or their website akela.world.