SG To Norway Overland With A 4-Yr-Old: 40,000km & 28 Countries In A Converted Land Rover Defender

“The idea of leaving behind our competitive salaries to travel the world with a toddler, all while living without an income, seemed like a leap into the unknown. Even if Arisha can’t remember all of it when she’s older, we think this year will shape her character.”

Singaporean parents, Nisha Hari Singh and Ritesh Angural quit their jobs (UX Designer and Head of Product, respectively) to travel overland from the Southern-most point of mainland Asia to the Northern-most point of mainland Europe, Norway with their 4.5-year-old daughter Arisha. After saving up for almost two years, they bought a Land Rover Defender in Malaysia and converted it into a motorhome complete with a toilet, beds and refrigerator. They painted their new van green and named it Durian as its previous owner had used it for durian transportation.

Their journey started in February 2024 and they have been on the road ever since, covering 18 countries so far with another 10 or so countries to go before they reach Norway. We catch up with the adventurous family to hear all about the idea for this epic trip, how their daughter has coped with so much driving, the highs (seeing snow for the first time and being on the receiving end of kindness from locals especially in Iran and Afghanistan) and the lows (near-fatal driving mishaps, not showering for 7 days and more).

Read more ‘Overseas Adventures’ here.

Tell us about your adventure.

We plan to visit at least 28 countries en route from Singapore to Norway and are aiming to reach Norway by the end of March 2025 (we started our trip on 17th Feb 2024). So far we have travelled to Malaysia (45 days) Thailand (16 days), Cambodia (4 days), Laos (20 days), China (29 days), Mongolia (42 days), Russia (7 days), Kazakhstan (25 days), Kyrgyzstan (12 days), Tajikistan (28 days), Uzbekistan (18 days), Afghanistan (22 days), Iran (17 days), Armenia (11 days), Georgia (9 days), Turkey (55 days), Bulgaria (3 days) and Serbia where we are currently.

Our tentative route from Serbia will be Hungary, Slovakia, Czech, Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia (entering for the second time) and finally Norway.

What gave you the idea for the trip?

Apart from some brief stints in Silicon Valley (for Ritesh) and Germany (for me), we have spent most of our lives in Singapore. Everything felt easy and comfortable. We both felt like we needed a challenge in our lives. We had been talking about different ways to change things up. Everything was on the table: migrating to a different country; working remotely in Bali or Thailand; flying, sailing or driving around the world; staying in 12 cities in 12 months before choosing one as a base.

Sometimes, we joked that we would only just talk about it but never actually do it. But then a series of events happened and it all started to click together. When Covid hit and Ritesh’s start-up came to a halt, we started re-evaluating our goals and what it is that we want out of our lives. We each created a list of the ‘5 biggest regrets’. We wrote down five things that we would regret if we did not do or achieve in the next 5 to 10 years. Travelling the world was on both of our lists. It was out of this list that the plan for a sabbatical was born.

How did you prepare for the trip?

My husband did a lot of the research for a suitable overlanding rig. Campervans are illegal in Singapore hence we explored options to purchase one from countries where Singaporeans are permitted to buy (Malaysia, Australia, UK, US, South Africa). The country of purchase would also affect our route.

Ritesh found a listing of a Land Rover Defender on Facebook Marketplace in Malaysia. We immediately flew over to check it out. We learnt that Land Rover Defenders were the first ever overlanding vehicle. Back when Singapore was a British colony, two Brits had driven old defenders from UK to Singapore. Being Singaporeans embarking on a similar trip in the opposite direction we felt it was a bit of the universe pulling its strings and a sign that we should buy “Durian” even though it was the first vehicle we saw.

After completing the purchase, we started looking for ways to do up the cabin and found a Campervan fitout place in Seremban. It took us many trips back and forth and almost a year before the camper was completed.

At first, I was sceptical about taking a year off from work. The idea of leaving behind our competitive salaries to travel the world with a toddler, all while living without an income, seemed like a leap into the unknown. As much as I longed for the freedom to travel, to spend quality time with my family away from the distractions of work, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was truly possible. Ritesh took the lead in planning our finances for the trip. We set a daily budget, outlined potential expenses, and estimated the costs for each. We also determined how much money we’d like to have when the trip came to an end. With this clear plan in place, we began saving.

Did you set a daily budget?

We don’t have a strict daily budget but try to aim for below S$100 per day. And an average of S$3,000 per month. We’ve really struggled to stay within the budget as we’ve come more west as things get more expensive.

We try to control our expenses, by cooking most of our meals in Durian. That said, we still enjoy eating out and trying local cuisines when we can.

When it comes to attractions, we’re selective—we don’t pay for everything. Instead, we choose the experiences that truly matter to us and focus our budget on those. As for shopping, we only buy what’s absolutely necessary. The limited space in Durian is a great reminder to resist impulse purchases and travel light.

What does a ‘usual’ day on your adventure look like? Do you sleep every night in the camper and what do you do for meals?

Ritesh and I usually wake up before Arisha. He makes tea for me and coffee for himself, and this quiet morning ritual is the only peaceful time we get together. Once Arisha wakes up, she has her breakfast, and afterwards, we spend about half an hour on her learning activities or reading with her.

After that, we explore the area where we’ve parked. If we’re in a city, we visit attractions, soak in the buzz of the city centre, and take Arisha to a playground.

On driving days, we hit the road after breakfast, as we try not to drive in the dark. Once we reach our next stop, we take a stroll, let Arisha play at a playground, or ride her scooter outside.

If dining out isn’t too expensive, we eat out; otherwise, we cook.

In the beginning, while we were still getting used to life in Durian, I remember wanting to stay in a hotel at least once every two weeks. But after about two months on the road, we stopped staying at hotels altogether. Now, we’re completely comfortable in Durian—we cook, shower, and even have a porta potty for convenience. In fact, staying in hotels or Airbnbs feels like more of a hassle, with all the packing and unpacking involved.

For parking spots, we would normally find one that is surrounded by nature, be it amidst the greenery or near a river/lake. Only when we’re in cities do we stealth camp.

How many hours of driving do you do a day and how do you navigate this with your 4-yr old?

On average, we drive about two hours a day. Occasionally, we do longer drives—four to five hours—but not too often.

I initially thought being on the road and having no routine might be disruptive for her. Instead, she adapted well. She found enjoyment in every moment that we’ve experienced. She would sing along to songs that we play during our drive and she would dance to music being played at restaurants and cafes. This in turn helps break the ice with locals and allow for conversations. She lives every day with joy and excitement. She’s often curious about where we are going next and is learning a thing or two about cars due to our time spent in workshops.

In fact, I’ve learned from her to live more in the moment and that it is okay to not have a set routine.

I had to adapt to using the toilet in our cabin. We have a porta potty. Initially, it felt so weird and strange to use it but once we got used to it, it was not that bad!

We had to conserve water in our water tank. I had to be okay with not showering at times if we were unable to top up the water in our water tank. The longest we’ve gone without showering is 7 days haha!

Your child is experiencing so many life lessons but do you worry about Arisha not being as primary school-ready academically and if so how have you tried to plan for this?

Before setting off on this sabbatical, we had some concerns about bringing Arisha along—mainly because whenever we mentioned our plans to friends and family, their reactions were often filled with surprise. We heard things like, “Oh my gosh, that’s going to be tough.” Looking back, we realize that we subconsciously internalised those doubts.

Even though she isn’t attending school, we ensure she learns every day, keeping her on track for Primary 1. At this young age, we want her to absorb knowledge naturally, through curiosity and exploration, rather than under pressure.

At the start of our journey, she would wake up excited to do her learning worksheets, asking for them first thing in the morning. That’s when we decided to establish a routine, doing her activities after breakfast. She genuinely enjoys learning, and it’s been wonderful to see her enthusiasm grow. Whether it’s reading, counting, or discovering something new about the places we visit, her learning is woven seamlessly into our travels—making the world her classroom.

How has Arisha coped with the adventure?

I think Arisha is thoroughly enjoying this adventure. Out of the three of us, she adjusted the fastest—while I probably took the longest! She does miss family, friends, teachers and back home. She often leaves them voice messages on WhatsApp, and we make sure to do video calls over the weekend.

What countries have surprised you the most and why?

Afghanistan was a place we were both excited and nervous about, given the stories we had heard. We didn’t know what to expect, but once we arrived, we were overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of the people. Despite the challenges of travelling there, the locals constantly went out of their way to make us feel welcome. Strangers paid for our meals and taxi rides and even helped us when Durian had mechanical issues. The hospitality was unlike anything we had experienced before.

Iran also left a deep impression on us. We had a breakdown and the locals helped try to get Durian started while getting drenched in the rain, and the tow truck driver even invited us to stay at his home with his family for several nights. They treated us like their own, cooking for us, taking us to the bazaar, and even buying little gifts for Arisha. The warmth and generosity of the Iranian people truly surprised us in the best way possible.

Central Asia, especially Kyrgyzstan, also amazed us with its natural beauty. The landscapes were breathtaking—towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and vast open spaces where we could camp freely in nature. It felt like a hidden gem that more travellers should explore.

Each of these countries shattered stereotypes and left us with unforgettable experiences that we’ll cherish forever.

Have you endured any major setbacks?

We’ve encountered a few challenges during our trip. The Pamir highway was spectacular in beauty. Often referred to as the road on top of the world because of its numerous high mountain passes over 4,000m. It delivered all the excitement and drama that one would never wish for.

Right as we started our ascend into no man’s land between Kyrgystan and Tajikistan, we hit a difficult patch of rocky road and one of our drive shafts broke. As much as we tried, we could not move forward as only three of our wheels had power. Thankfully we travelled closely with another family from Malaysia who helped to tow us up that tricky section. We then had to drive one of the worst roads in the world with only three wheel drive.

After crossing the border, Arisha and I started getting a bad case of altitude sickness. Arisha had a high fever, loss of appetite and was nauseous. We brought her to see the doctor who gave her oxygen and advised us to drive down to the next town immediately as it was at a slightly lower altitude of 3650m. Because Durian would struggle to make it up there with the broken drive shaft, we decided to split up for the first time ever in our journey. My brother Ashwin (who had joined us from Singapore), Arisha and I took a local taxi service and went ahead to Murghab where there was a larger hospital and Arisha was put on drips and had multiple injections.

This was a very emotional experience for us as we hadn’t separated since we left Singapore and we were worried for each other. Slowly but surely, overwhelmed with tears of emotion, we made it and reunited in Murghab. In all of that drama, we had crossed the highest point of the Pamir Highway and thought that the worst was behind us however we continued to experience (and overcome) multiple vehicle setbacks from jammed fuel filter housing to a punctured tyre and finally a near miss of Durian toppling over when we tried to park up for the night!

Has being with the family in a confined space been challenging?

Yes, but we’ve learned to adapt. We spend 24/7 together, and in Durian’s small cabin, space is limited. That’s why we try to be outside as much as possible while the sun is out—it makes a big difference.

Cabin fever is real, especially on rainy days when we’re stuck inside all day. Over time, we’ve learned to be more patient with one another. We’ve also become more attuned to each other’s needs—when someone needs their own space, we can sense it and give them room without needing to be asked.

I do miss having my own me time—it’s something I rarely get now. That’s why Ritesh and I make an effort to wake up before Arisha, so we can enjoy a quiet moment together over breakfast before the day begins.

Favourite memories so far for you as parents and for your daughter?

A very special memory for us as a family was Arisha’s fourth birthday celebration. Arisha had been asking for snow almost every day. Miraculously, it snowed on her birthday in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. She was stunned and did not know what to say. I remember her just staring out of the window watching the snowfall. We were all so excited and happy!

We celebrated her birthday with some other families with whom we had travelled with in China and into Mongolia. It was so heart-warming seeing Arisha so happy, surrounded by the friends she had grown close to on this journey.

Have there been any cultural differences you’ve found particularly interesting or challenging to navigate during your travels?

Afghanistan was such an interesting experience! As a woman, I had to cover myself from head to toe. I wore an abaya, used a shawl to cover my head, and wore a Uniqlo mask over my mouth. I also had to avoid speaking or making eye contact with men, so Ritesh took the lead in all interactions. When dining out as a family, we were required to eat in a private room. In public, women were only seen in the company of a male relative—either their father or husband.

Arisha wore long-sleeved tops and long pants, but she wasn’t required to cover her head. She was curious about my attire and, at one point, said, “Mumma, I want to wear what you’re wearing.” She asked why I had to dress that way, and I explained that it was a legal requirement in the country. Seeing her curiosity and openness to learning about different cultures made the experience even more meaningful.

Afghanistan was where we met some of the friendliest and most hospitable people on our journey so far. During taxi rides and meals at restaurants, when it came time to pay, the locals would often refuse our money, insisting that we were their guests. Their generosity was truly overwhelming. The Pashtuns in Afghanistan would even defend guests with their life.

One man even went out of his way to help us when Durian had some mechanical issues. He not only took us to a mechanic but also stayed with us the entire time to ensure we were safe, comfortable, and that the repairs were done properly. The kindness and warmth we experienced in Afghanistan left a deep impression on us.

What would you love your daughter to take away from this trip?

We hope that this experience helps her to appreciate the world and people from all walks of life. We hope she grows up remembering the times she spent with people from different countries, religions and cultures and helps her be more compassionate with the people around her. We also hope it helps her be more inquisitive and curious about the world.

Even if she can’t remember all of it when she’s older, we think this year will shape her character. We hope it makes her more curious, adventurous and learns how to chart her own path in her life. Also, we hope she builds an even stronger bond with us as a family and know that we can always overcome obstacles together.

Nisha, Ritesh and Arisha have just celebrated their one-year anniversary on the road! They are currently in Eastern Europe. You can follow their adventures on their Instagram @sabbatical.living.

Read more travel adventures:

– Scaling The Triple Crown Of Norway At 27 Weeks Pregnant
– Everest Base Camp With A 4-Year Old
– Campervanning Australia For 3 Weeks
– Trekking Nepal With A 4-Year-Old
– Living On A Catamaran To Travel The World