This is Ben...

Hello everyone,

At the beginning of my New Zealand trip, I would like to introduce you to Ben. Ben is my home for the next 24 days, which means as long as I am traveling with my good friend Manuela. Ben has traveled 321,000 km and drives like an old VW Bulli.

Although Ben doesn't have central locking, parking sensors, let alone adjustable seats, it does have a fold-out mattress, a mini kitchen, an awning, and camping furniture. As relatively inexperienced campers, we still need to learn that you should set up the awning only after making sure that you have parked the car in a way that allows you to access the power connection. Otherwise, you will entertain the other campers with this number: one person holds the awning on the poles and walks next to the car, while the other person drives the car forward enough so that the power cord can be plugged into the socket.

You will find out more about our adventures with Ben next time.