Homeless at Fifty – Our Truck Camper, Thirsty Bella, Has Sold!

It is official, our home on wheels for three-and-a-half years (three of which in South America) has been sold to a Dutch couple, ready for their own adventures on this continent.

About five weeks ago, they contacted us after seeing the paid ad for our camper on an international website for overlanding rigs. It turned out to be the best $40 we spent this year!

Max and Marjolein had been looking for the perfect camper in which to travel the world after quitting their successful careers. When they spotted Bella on the Expedition Meister platform, they knew it was meant to be. They love cows!

(As always, click on or hover over photos in galleries to read their captions.)

A two-hour video call in Pichilemu followed and – to our surprise – by the end of that virtual tour they made us an offer and we accepted. After waiting for a buyer for three months, things turned positive and imminent all of a sudden. They paid a deposit to hold the camper for them (we did have another interested party soon after) and excitedly updated us of their prep and plans to come to South America for the foreseeable future.

For us, those last five weeks were a waiting, researching, preparing, planning, pursuing local Vario vans, fixing, packing, cleaning, and stressing game.

While this lifestyle had to throw us a few more curveballs (were Thirsty and Bella mad we were leaving them?), like items breaking last-minute (including a slashed tire wall) and a waterpipe problem at the campground the exact moment we had to clean the truck and the camper, the process of changing ownership went as smoothly and professionally as possible.

On December 5^th, Marjolein and Max first set eyes on our truck camper, their new home on wheels, in person… They’d been excited about this lifestyle switch from day one and their eyes kept twinkling, despite their first shock at how big this set-up is.

We showed them all the ropes, systems, and intricacies of RV living and they remained interested and happy.

The following morning, we met at a notary office to have a driving poder (power of attorney) notarized. While this process began with a false start and extra stress, the documents were eventually made official at a second notary office. People there couldn’t have been friendlier or more helpful!

The couple went on a city tour in the afternoon, while Mark, Maya, and I picked up the tire we had ordered online, hunted for a garage that was able to lift our rig and replace the tire, and got the unanticipated job done within two hours. Yes!

That evening, we celebrated our successful transaction with a nice bottle of champagne in the park where we were camped and a fantastic, elaborate dinner at the French restaurant Le Bistro de Gaelan, which is fast becoming our favorite venue in Santiago. We all drank a little bit too much and enjoyed this evening of good food, beverages, and company. Thanks for the treat, M&M!

On December 5^th, after signing over the title of “our” Ford F350 pickup truck, Mark, Maya, and I said goodbye to Thirsty Bella as we moved out and the Dutch couple moved in. Their first stop would be Pichilemu, where we had that initial video call with them!

Many of you are probably curious about what’s next for our trio. Well, not much has been planned yet but we hope to continue our adventurous life with a new camper in Europe within the first half of 2026.

For now, we are happy to just rest up and charge our batteries at an Airbnb in Santiago de Chile for three weeks. We are enjoying the unlimited hot showers, normal toilet, private washing machine, and relative comfort of our cozy apartment. It’s nice to not have to worry about anything for a little while. The overlanding lifestyle can be challenging.

On December 25^th, we will spent Christmas Day on an American Airlines plane to Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The idea is to celebrate New Year’s Eve with friends, to wish my mother-in-law a happy 90^th birthday in mid-January, and to come up with somewhat of a plan by the end of that month. Stay tuned!

Next up: Our monthly expense report for November 2025

Curious about a previous ten-year chapter in our nomadic lives, which includes eight years aboard a 35-foot sailboat in the tropics with dogs? Check out my compelling, inspiring, and refreshingly honest travel memoir: