From the UK to Australia in a self-built camper truck, easySim partners with Bobby Bolton

Central to Bobby’s expedition is his trusty truck, a beacon of freedom and self-sufficiency on wheels. “The truck was found completely by luck,” says Bobby. “I had actually been in contact with the owner about doing some building work, so when he mentioned he sold trucks and that he had the ideal model in stock, I couldn’t resist the opportunity.”

Equipped with everything from an outdoor BBQ and external shower to a king-size bed and air conditioning, this custom-built marvel is more than just transportation – it’s home. Bobby’s meticulous planning ensured that his truck could sustain life on the road for extended periods, with amenities like solar power and ample water storage keeping him off the grid for up to a month at a time.

Preparing for a journey of this magnitude isn’t without its obstacles. Bobby faced the daunting task of severing ties, selling possessions, and relinquishing control of his businesses – all while planning and outfitting his truck for the road ahead.

“Whilst planning the route, I had to consider everything from which countries’ borders were open to the safety and foreign office advice for travel. I also had to consider the time of the year when crossing certain countries, as routes are often closed during winter.

“The volatility of countries continues to change. Countries like Myanmar and Afghanistan have started to open up to tourism, whereas Azerbaijan has once again delayed its border opening date.”

Bobby says that daily navigation challenges continue to present themselves in the form of low bridges, weight restrictions, and surfaces that aren’t suitable for truck driving. He often changes his plans off the cuff to take into account those localised issues where there isn’t time to plan ahead. “But in that, lies the beauty of finding unexpected beautiful places, “ he says.

When it comes to staying connected on the road, easySim is Bobby’s lifeline. “We have visited around 20 countries so far, and for the last 10 or so, easySim has been the only way by which we have been able to stay connected, bar the odd WiFi connection when stopping for coffee,” says Bobby. “It’s been completely eye-opening, and far exceeded expectations.

“I’ve had Zoom calls on Croatian islands, held video podcasts in the Albanian mountains, and so much more! I would have been using the service for an awful lot longer had I known about the company and that you could install a secondary eSIM alongside your normal SIM card.

“I was actually recommended easySim’s services by a couple of followers after struggling to stay connected with my existing plan. I did some research and saw easySim kept Vanessa (The Girl on a Bike) connected who had just competed in the Eco Dakar Race. I knew they would be up for the challenge of keeping us connected around the world!”

Bobby’s journey has been filled with unforgettable experiences. “We’ve seen some beautiful places and experienced such wonderful hospitality,” he says. “In Moldova, we were invited to drink homemade wine and share an evening meal with a family, for no reason other than they were friendly, welcoming people!

“I also enjoyed climbing Slovenia’s highest mountain, and have really enjoyed the Balkan states. Some of the wild camping spots we have visited will stay with me forever.”

And while there have been some unwelcoming surprises, Bobby says that’s what has kept the trip adventurous.

“I snapped the chassis on the habilitation box early on in France which I had to fix on the side of the road, and I almost fell off a cliff in Italy where it took me eight hours through the night to rescue myself!” he says. “But most challenging was dealing with frozen fuel when it dropped below -15 in the Bosnian mountains.”

For Bobby, the true reward of his journey lies in the freedom to explore places without falling into the typical tourist traps. By venturing off the beaten path, he’s gained new perspectives on countries and cultures, shattering preconceived notions along the way.

“It’s really helped to break down stereotypes of countries which in some cases were fairly negative from what I had heard or seen in the news. Most people and places are unbelievably welcoming and we can’t wait to see more!”

Through his travels, Bobby hopes to inspire others to embrace the unknown and forge their own path.

“We’ve met a real mix of crazy, weird, friendly people which keeps it fun,” he says. “In Moldova, we spent hours and hours fishing with villagers who we couldn’t speak a word of each other’s language, but it was so much fun!

“In Romania, we rescued a guy stuck in the sand. Three weeks later, he invited us to explore Transylvania where we went hiking to a cave monastery in the dark!”

For those considering an overland adventure of their own, Bobby offers this advice: start small, then dream big.

“I’ve learnt what it would take to do a big trip by owning and converting three other vans, from my first little transit connect when I was 19, to this big truck,” he says. “Those experiences away helped me refine how to manage living in a small space, while also giving me enough experience to build the truck to cater to exactly how I thought driving to Australia would be.

As Bobby continues his journey towards Australia, easySim will be right there alongside him, ensuring that he remains connected to loved ones and those following his journey.

If you want to stay updated with Bobby’s adventures, you can follow him on Instagram here and YouTube here.