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.
Old and new owners of the Cow Camper
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 5th, 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.
Chat with Marjolein and Max in the shade on this hot afternoon
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 5th, 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 25th, 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 90th 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:
Discover more from Roaming About
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
December 7, 2025 at 15:48
Congrats! I know how stressful it can be selling a vehicle. We were about to head to a different part of the country when, at the last minute, someone bought our van.
I know M&M are getting a great, very clean, well-taken-care-of vehicle!
Your cozy Airbnb looks nice for a short stay.
50 is a great age to start a new adventure. I’m looking forward to see where it takes you.
December 7, 2025 at 15:53
Congrats! Can’t wait to see your next chapter.
December 7, 2025 at 16:51
Congrats! Enjoy your weeks of rest and relaxation before the next adventure.
December 7, 2025 at 17:02
You did it! Congratulations! I hope you enjoy a wonderful break in your B&B, and I’ll look forward to hearing about your next adventures. 🙂
December 7, 2025 at 18:56
Hello Liesbet, I wish you all the best in your new adventure. It’s been ages since I left a comment. I hope you get this. In the past I’ve left a comment but for some reason they stopped going through. And now I have become so far behind in following your adventures (I’m always behind.)
Enjoy your Airbnb stay. Please give Maya a hug from me. Oh, my husband and I got a dog and are so happy. We’ve had her for a little over 1 1/2 mos. A rescue lab and sweet as they come. Be well. Hugs, Lea
December 7, 2025 at 19:01
It’s wonderful that you and Mark can be there to share in the festivities for his mom’s 90th birthday. I’m sure that will mean a lot to her. I would think your next adventure (if Europe) should be much less stressful than South America. It might even seem like a vacation!
Wishing you a safe and happy New Year.
Steve
December 7, 2025 at 19:21
Congratulations! Yes, rest up without worrying about a camper for a couple months. You deserve it.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!
December 7, 2025 at 19:30
congrats and enjoy your transition time and can’t wait to see what you do next !
December 7, 2025 at 19:45
Congratulations!
December 7, 2025 at 19:47
Bittersweet, I can tell. Time for the future!
December 7, 2025 at 20:37
Well, you know by now that I’m invested in your lives and living vicariously through you. I can’t wait to read about the next chapter in your lives. I imagine you had mixed emotions saying goodbye to Thirsty Bella and will continue to stay in contact with the new owners.
December 7, 2025 at 21:17
Congratulations!! I look forward to following your continued adventures!
December 8, 2025 at 03:25
Oh Liesbet and Mark, I am so happy for you that you’ve finally sold Thirsty Bella, although I’m sure it’s with mixed feelings. And isn’t it just typical that everything went wrong?!
Lucky Marjolein and Max, though. I’m sure they have many wonderful adventures ahead and the perfect vehicle to take them there!
I can so identify with your appreciation of a normal toilet, unlimited access to a washing machine and hot showers. We’re in a rental place at the minute (with a BATH!!!!) and thoroughly enjoying the down time. As you say, overlanding is a dream, but it can get exhausting.
Have a wonderful rest, enjoy New Year, and we shall hope our paths cross in Europe sometime 🙂
On to the next chapter…
December 8, 2025 at 03:31
YOUR GOAL HAS BEEN TO SELL THIRSTY BELLA TO A NICE COUPLE AND NOW YOU’VE ACCOMPLISHED THAT – YIPPEE! THE NEW OWNERS LIKE COWS AND SEEM PLEASED AS THE PHOTOS SEEM TO PROJECT.
YOU PROBABLY HAVE MIXED EMOTIONS ABOUT LEAVING HER, BUT NOW A NEW ADVENTURE AWAITS. 😀
December 8, 2025 at 05:38
Happy, happy, JOY, joy!! That chapter is closed! I know you must be thrilled that your rig sold to a nice couple. I’m sure they will love Thirsty Bella as much as you guys did. Enjoy your ‘downtime’ and rest up for your next nomadic experience. So excited for you….