Ah, the breath of fresh air and morning walks in nature! I can’t say I’d be a fan of living in the countryside because I’ve lived in cities all my life, but the concrete jungle has certainly had its share of being the reason for my stress which is what made me rethink the frequency of vacations. While in the past I’d have easily picked the office over a nature day out, nowadays it’s the other way around. There’s always a reason to choose vacation  instead of menial work since it can help with your well-being as well as creativity and productivity. Before, not even extensive planning was able to stop me from taking the side of work schedules and tasks, so I got myself a campervan, my home on wheels; now I no longer have the excuse not to take to the road.

I can’t put the experience in words properly. It’s indescribably energising, giving you the feeling of being free and at one with nature. It’s perfect for teaching you how to be mindful of every passing moment and appreciate life more, opening your eyes to what’s outside of the stressful comfort zone. Even a day spent in my campervan makes a difference and I can’t say whether it’s due to associating it with haven or the chance to visit new campsites and places. Being a novice didn’t make it easy for me to make up my mind concerning the choice of campervan, and once I bought it I realised arranging its interior is pretty much the same as arranging one’s home.

My lack of experience certainly didn’t help with furnishing either, but I figured since staying on the road, and even campsites, isn’t the same as staying at home in the city, preparation and equipment are key. Led by my stomach, finding food to be top priority, I started my quest for the portable camping fridge that would take care of my nutrients and keep them fresh. One lesson I learned, though, is to stack up on ice other than the one you can find at service stations so you avoid losing it in just a day. Freezing water bottles is a thought, also getting bags of frozen vegetables (yes, frozen food can also serve as temporary ice!). Making sure your food stays cold won’t just save you from an empty stomach but sicknesses too.

Along with portable camping fridge, your basic equipment has to have water and electricity included. Bits and pieces, such as fresh water carrier, water pump and waste water carrier are mandatory, supplying your taps and shower with fresh water and helping you store the waste from sinks and shower. Of course, once you get your fridge, you have to get the adequate leisure battery. Basically you get two in one as it can power both the fridge and 12V lighting. I needn’t mention safety must always be on your list of priorities, so you might want to invest in a hitch lock to get it attached to your hitch head and prevent others from hitching it up.

These are just the basics you should cover and it’s all dependant on the size of campervan you have and the duration of your trips. In any case, it’s important to remember the right set of equipment can really save your camping trip from disaster and ensure your full enjoyment.