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Meet Geisha

September 13, 2018 By EatWellTravelOften 2 Comments

My new best friend Geisha

I’d like to introduce my new best friend. She’s silver on the outside and plush tan velour with faux walnut wood on the inside. She talks to me in Japanese, so I call her Geisha.

Geisha is a 2005 Toyota Estima, an eight seater people mover. She’s an automatic, with 85,000kms on the clock and is immaculate inside. When I’m driving her, it’s like sitting on a big comfy couch, so darn comfortable – she rides smooth (unlike say, a Toyota hiace) and high (I love a high perch when driving).

I have big plans for Geisha. She’s going to be converted into a camper!

I bought her to travel in, but then realised I could fulfil another dream of mine which is to run tours so I can take other gals on adventures too (I tried this a few years ago but the cost of insurance and van hire made it unviable). But the call of the open road is strong in this one, so I bribed my friends Ben and Nick with a feed at The Hangi Pit and they agreed to help me remove all the seats from the back.

Eight seater people mover no more!

Bolted to sliding tracks along the floor, the seats were fairly easy to remove (though Ben says it’s a bit of a mission if I ever want to put them back as the hydraulic hinge on the back seat is fiddly).

 

 

 

Unbolting

The seats were surprisingly heavy, I couldn’t even lift the single one by myself – my hired brawn (Ben and Nick) somehow managed to haul them up into Ben’s loft, wrapped in plastic to protect them while in storage.

Heave ho! Earning their hangi feed
Hangi feed

Once all the seats were out I realised how roomy Geisha is, plenty of room for me, and fine for two as well (my boyfriend will join me for some adventures).

Unfortunately, the seat tracks stick up from the floor and can only be removed if I never want to put the seats back in (they are the safety rated anchor points). I’m thinking to build a raised floor for the bed base with storage drawers underneath which would get them out of the way.

Sticky up-y slider tracks

It’s early days and I have lots of research to do (check out my vanlife board on Pinterest), but I like the idea of a big sliding draw that pulls out from the passenger side (away from traffic when you’re parked on the roadside) and two sliding draws at the back. I’ll have my water, cooker and 12v fridge at the back. The good thing about the hatch back door is it provides a bit of protection if it’s raining and you need to cook (better than barn doors which open out sideways).

For now I’ve thrown a nice thick mattress in the back of Geisha and we’re doing little trips away. I have plans for a much bigger trip next year, down the east coast to Adelaide, playing golf across the Nullarbor, up to Perth and then who knows! That’s my big hairy audacious goal and I’m as excited as  (**looked for Honey Badger quote to insert here, couldn’t find one, but hows this…) I’m as excited as the Pointer Sisters!

Hashtag vanlife!

 

Hi I’m Shannon, and this is my blog Eat Well Travel Often. If you enjoyed this post and want to follow my vanlife adventures sign up for my newsletter. I post heaps of photos on Instagram, and you’re welcome to pop into my Facebook lounge for a chat about all things travel and food.  

Filed Under: All, Vanlife - Memoirs From My Geisha Tagged With: camper, converting a camper, roadtrip, toyota estima, vanlife

Comments

  1. Deborah Jones says

    September 14, 2018 at 6:33 am

    Looks awesome Shan – can’t wait to hear all about your trips in Geisha! And love how you’re as excited as the Pointer Sisters!!! Hahaha!!

    Reply
  2. Vaughan Hatcher says

    September 14, 2018 at 2:16 pm

    excited as big Kev!

    Reply

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Are you a food tourist? Then you’re in the right place…welcome to my blog

I'm Shannon, a not-so-flightless Kiwi, living in Australia. I'm busy makin memories... and doing my bit for regional food tourism. Last year I converted a Toyota Estima for a taste of vanlife (I call her Geisha). I share my adventures and the special moments I capture with my camera. And I host most excellent gatherings for fabulous ladies who like to wine and dine. Make yourself comfortable and have a read... Eat Well Travel Often my friend Read more

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What better send off for @goldcoastfoodandwinetour What better send off for @goldcoastfoodandwinetours than high tea like no other!
Another superlative #hightea experience from the fabulous team @palette.hota. A subtle infusion of native Australian flavours and traditional high tea treats... like this marshmallow and Davidson plum scroll... beetroot and olive sorbet, matcha panna cotta in chocolate and the best scones ever. The Gold Coast food scene thanks you for your tireless commitment over the years Karen. Best of luck up in Brisbane m'dear ❤ #goldcoastfood #paletterestaurant
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The colour of that water 😍 #Currumbin The colour of that water 😍 #Currumbin
I recently had a chance to learn the ‘secrets of I recently had a chance to learn the ‘secrets of sourdough’ at a masterclass in Currumbin.

Italian baker and pizza master @chef_roberto_giammellucca runs workshops after hours at @aperitivo.cafe.

This particular workshop was extra special as Roberto was celebrating his 100th student at The Sourdough Science Academy. 

A class of 12 people gathered around a big square table. We learned how to make and look after #sourdough starter, and Roberto shared his personal sourdough recipe and #bakingtips.

Aprons on, we all enjoyed getting our hands into the flour. There’s something so calming and earthy about kneading dough. And the smell when you pull your fresh baked loaf out of the oven is so divine.

There’s simply nothing better than a slice of sourdough warm from the oven, slathered with butter.

If you want to learn the nitty gritty of sourdough making, give one of Roberto’s workshops a try. He also runs sough dough pizza-making classes. Check out @the_sourdough_science

Shoutout to chef Roberto and @goldcoastfoodandwines for inviting me to get my hands in the dough!

#sourdoughworkshop #bakeyourownsourdough #sourdough
I fell in love with #MargaretRiver when I spent 10 I fell in love with #MargaretRiver when I spent 10 very chilled-out days there on my big road trip.

Charming villages and towns, stunning coastline and more than 200 wineries - this is a place you MUST visit.

When I was there, I discovered the Cape to Cape Track… a 123km walk along the coast between Cape Naturaliste lighthouse in the north and Cape Leeuwin lighthouse to the south.

I met an American girl while I was there, and she decided to hike Cape to Cape. She put in some big miles to finish it in around 4 days. She showed me some of her photos, the scenery looked amazing and I imagined myself hiking along the trail someday...

Guess what. It’s happening!

I’ve booked an 8-day guided tour with @capetocapeexplorertours. The walk is fully supported, so at the end of each day we get picked up and taken back to our accommodation for a hot shower. Only a day pack is needed while hiking.

We’ll be walking between 14-20 km each day, which sounds like a lot to me right now, but great motivation to get fitter. (If the walking gets too much there are shorter hike options each day, or you can take a ‘day off’.)

The tour includes wineries and local restaurants (of course). We will learn about the history of the area and the unique flora and fauna… it will be wildflower season!!

I have visions of walking with an amazing bunch of women, making new friends and drinking lots of red wine. Are you with me?

There are different accommodation options available, I’ve booked the glamping option in a bell tent.

Dates: 1-8 October (Queensland’s long weekend).

To reserve your place you need to pay a $600 deposit, the rest is due a month before the hike.

Places are filling up fast so don’t leave it too long to book ladies! Tours are a maximum of 15 people. If you book, please mention you are with ‘Shannon’s group’.

Margaret River is about 3 hours drive south of Perth. The tour includes Perth pickup and drop off.

➡️ Link to tour in profile!

Excited!
Not ready to say goodbye to hot cross buns yet... Not ready to say goodbye to hot cross buns yet... especially these super healthy ones from @seedsoflifeaustralia
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