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Would you live in a car with your spouse and four children roaming the world for almost 15 years? Driving more than 143,000 miles, visiting over 25 countries.
To some this ultimate road trip may sound appealing. To others hell on earth. For the Zapp family it was a dream they made reality.
Starting out in january 2000 leaving their home country Argentina they have driven through various continents. From New York city to Japan, from South Africa to Alaska, Herman and Candelaria Zapp and their kids can’t get enough of their travels.
What makes their escapade even more eccentric is that they didn’t choose a luxurious motorhome or powerful 4×4 SUV. Nope, the family are driving and dwelling in a classic 1928 Page-Graham automobile.
Their mantra (well, one them) “to gain something you have to risk something”.
When asked about their favorite parts and places they respond that when thinking about that they mainly see favorite people. Having been welcomed in more than 2500 homes across the globe, they found that wherever they go, “people will be there for you”.
One of the obvious questions that rise is, how do they pay for this independent lifestyle?
Simple. They cover their cost of living by giving presentations and selling a book (Spark Your Dream) they wrote during their adventures. And if they don’t have enough means there are always people to help them out.
Here’s another interesting video featuring the Zapp’s. The intro is in Dutch but the interview itself is in English. It shows how relaxed they are, how they live in the moment and how wise their home-schooled, globally-conscious children are thanks to this non-conformist way of living.
Herman and Candelaria Zapp had a bold dream and the guts to pursue it. What do you think? Something for you too?
Read more or contact the Zapp family on their blog: ArgentinaAlaska.com.
Hi Herman + Candelaria,
I believe everything is OK with all of you. We’ve met in Namibia and I am also a friend of Johan + Monica Theron (Johannesburg, RSA). I was wondering about you people and where are you now in the world. I am planning a three month holiday in Australia/NZ. Best wishes. Retha
Hi herman and candelaria. Havent learned the computer very well but will try to get to you. We met at the mayfair mall in victoria bc just after you got back from alaska .or before..i forget.. Have read spark youir dream about 4 times now and inspired to travel more myself. went to mex a couple of times and am driving back at least to yuma next week. Wow your family has grown .don’t you know what causes that …Herman haha. Hope youall are having the time of your life……..Dan hilton Vicroria bc hiltonD1@telus.net sure hope to hear from you in the future………………dan
Hi Dan, to clarify, this post was not written by Herman and Candelaria but by me, the publisher of this website. You can contact the Zapp family on their blog.
The link to the one with the Dutch intro “Floortje naar het einde van de wereld” in Tanzania with the family Zapp is not working, but search the web to find it anyway! http://www.npo.nl/floortje-naar-het-einde-van-de-wereld/01-01-2015/BNN_101372383 ENJOY! (skip the intro to 05:00 to get to where Floortje Dessing is underway to the Zapp Family)
I met Herman Zapp back in October of 2008 at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Amazed with the vintage car I approached him and talked for awhile. I gave him my business card. I was in the US that time attending Oracle OpenWorld. He said that someday together with his family they will chase their dreams in the Philippines. Time flies and almost memories gone until recently I got an email from him saying they are in Japan and heading next to the Philippines. As of this writing, they are already in Manila but still waiting for the well loved car from Japan.
Thanks for sharing Bellame. Interesting to hear how the Zapps are currently doing.