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When Nina and Kai Schakat splashed out Dh25,000 on an old 83-seater bus last year, they had a bold vision of turning it into a home on wheels.
But their ambitions did not stop there.
The German couple, who have lived in Dubai for 15 years, had grand plans to turn their backs on the 9-to-5 slog and travel around the world.
Eight months later, after spending Dh175,000 turning the rickety six-cylinder diesel engine Ashok-Leyland banger into their home from home, they are less than a month from turning that dream into reality.
They’ve started writing down a little bucket list of things they want to do. Leni wants to eat a cupcake from a vending machine in Japan and Ben wants to do go-karting in South Korea
Nina Schakat,
Dubai resident
Together with their two children, Ben, 11 and Leni, 10, the adventurous family will begin an epic 14-month road trip across Asia — and possibly South America — on July 16.
The ultimate bus journey
“We first discussed the idea last summer when the kids were in Germany with their grandparents,” Nina tells The National.
“When you work you’re so limited on vacation time and can’t always be so adventurous as a family.
“Usually, a holiday consists of being a tourist in a hotel somewhere."
At first, the children were sceptical at the thought of leaving their friends behind but now the excitement is building, she says.
“They’ve started writing down a little bucket list of things they want to do. Leni wants to eat a cupcake from a vending machine in Japan and Ben wants to do go-karting in South Korea.”
While the conversation last summer started off as places to visit in their retirement, Nina says it quickly took a U-turn.
As the couple started looking on a map and ticking off all the places they wished to see, they thought "why can’t we do it while the kids are still young?"
“I know that it’s a challenge travelling with kids sometimes, what with budgeting, finding accommodation and stuff, so we decided the best bet was to travel via a home on wheels,” she says.
“That’s when the whole idea just took off and here we are now, weeks away from starting our adventure."
A world of adventure
The couple purchased the bus in October and have spent the past eight months turning it into a compact home. In the meantime, Kai took his driving test for a bus licence and passed first time.
Previously used to transport construction workers around the UAE, the 2009 model bus was in good condition, had 700,000km on the clock and the capacity to hold 350 litres of fuel — which could keep the family going on the road for 2,300km.
The 24 square metre bus is kitted out with seven 450-watt solar panels on the roof, to help provide power, as well as six 200-amp batteries and a large water tank.
Water drained from the shower and washing machine will be used to flush the toilet and there is air-conditioning on board.
Like most homes, the bus has a dining area, lounge area, two bunk beds, a shower room and at the back, a master suite.
An ambitious timetable
On July 16, assuming all documentation is in order, the family plan to leave for Bandar Abbas, Iran, through the ferry port in Sharjah.
From there, they aim to travel about 40,000km in total, covering about 10 countries along the way during the first leg, including Pakistan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam.
“Once we have explored Vietnam we need to make a decision on how to move further,” says Nina.
“If we manage to complete that part of Asia within five months, then we will ship the bus to South America.
“However, the trip needs to remain flexible. We always had a bucket list, which includes South America and North America, but we are having some issues figuring out shipping logistics as prices have tripled in the past few months.
“If the price doesn’t go down then we’ll likely head to South Korea and Japan.”
No income for full 14 months
With a budget of about Dh100,000 for the entire trip, the family plan to spend about Dh8,000 per month on food, fuel and activities.
Nina, a project manager for PMKConsult in Dubai, was given a sabbatical for the full travel period so, while she has a job to return to, she will have no income throughout the trip.
Kai, a carpenter who owns his own small business, is in a similar situation.
With no one available to run his business while he is away, he will shut it down for the full 14 months, meaning neither will be earning money while on the road.
The couple did look at the option of keeping the children in school and signing up for remote learning, but it wasn’t possible, so they have enrolled them into iAcademy for a whole academic year.
“There is still a bit of planning to do and the money side of things will never be fully accurate, what with the current market, but even without everything set in stone we could still commence the journey,” says Nina.
“I think if we don’t do it now we could end up constantly delaying it, so we just want to take the leap and get going.
“For the past eight months we have run our company, worked full-time, looked after two kids and completely gutted and rebuilt the interior of a bus.
“We’re restless and we just want to get going and actually experience what we have been planning for the past eight months.”
In terms of highlights, the couple say it will be a huge learning experience for the whole family, especially the children who were born and raised in Dubai.
With plans to visit rural areas instead of big cities, Nina says they also intend to help build small parks for children along the way, when they can, and they will vlog and blog about the journey on Instagram via their 8feet6wheels account.
In terms of things that still need ticking off the list, the AC needs a few tweaks, they need to wrap the bus windows in tint and sort out paperwork for shipping the vehicle between certain countries.
When it comes to luxuries and food, they want to bring as little from their home in Dubai as they can to get the most out of the experience.
“The kids aren’t so adventurous with food so that might prove an issue but they are willing to try,” says Kai.
“Leni isn’t so bad but Ben is very hesitant trying new stuff, it will be interesting.
“As for me and Nina, we’re up for trying all different street foods and local delicacies.
“If you put roasted crickets in front of me I’ll even give them a try.”
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday Celta Vigo v Villarreal (midnight kick-off UAE)
Saturday Sevilla v Real Sociedad (4pm), Atletico Madrid v Athletic Bilbao (7.15pm), Granada v Barcelona (9.30pm), Osasuna v Real Madrid (midnight)
Sunday Levante v Eibar (4pm), Cadiz v Alaves (7.15pm), Elche v Getafe (9.30pm), Real Valladolid v Valencia (midnight)
Monday Huesca v Real Betis (midnight)
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CREW
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERajesh%20A%20Krishnan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETabu%2C%20Kareena%20Kapoor%20Khan%2C%20Kriti%20Sanon%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
History's medical milestones
1799 - First small pox vaccine administered
1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery
1861 - Louis Pasteur published his germ theory which proved that bacteria caused diseases
1895 - Discovery of x-rays
1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time
1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
1953 - Structure of DNA discovered
1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place
1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill
1979 - MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, scanned used to diagnose illness and injury.
1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
if you go
The flights Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad, and Royal Jordanian all offer direct, three-and-a-half-hour flights from the UAE to the Jordanian capital Amman. Alternatively, from June Fly Dubai will offer a new direct service from Dubai to Aqaba in the south of the country. See the airlines’ respective sites for varying prices or search on reliable price-comparison site Skyscanner.
The trip
Jamie Lafferty was a guest of the Jordan Tourist Board. For more information on adventure tourism in Jordan see Visit Jordan. A number of new and established tour companies offer the chance to go caving, rock-climbing, canyoning, and mountaineering in Jordan. Prices vary depending on how many activities you want to do and how many days you plan to stay in the country. Among the leaders are Terhaal, who offer a two-day canyoning trip from Dh845 per person. If you really want to push your limits, contact the Stronger Team. For a more trek-focused trip, KE Adventure offers an eight-day trip from Dh5,300 per person.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Sri Lanka v England
First Test, at Galle
England won by 211
Second Test, at Kandy
England won by 57 runs
Third Test, at Colombo
From Nov 23-27
Scorebox
Dubai Sports City Eagles 7 Bahrain 88
Eagles
Try: Penalty
Bahrain
Tries: Gibson 2, Morete 2, Bishop 2, Bell 2, Behan, Fameitau, Sanson, Roberts, Bennett, Radley
Cons: Radley 4, Whittingham 5
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)
Cagliari v AC Milan (6pm)
Lazio v Napoli (9pm)
Inter Milan v Atalanta (11.45pm)
Sunday
Udinese v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Sampdoria v Brescia (6pm)
Fiorentina v SPAL (6pm)
Torino v Bologna (6pm)
Verona v Genoa (9pm)
Roma V Juventus (11.45pm)
Parma v Lecce (11.45pm)
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fixtures (all times UAE)
Saturday
Brescia v Atalanta (6pm)
Genoa v Torino (9pm)
Fiorentina v Lecce (11.45pm)
Sunday
Juventus v Sassuolo (3.30pm)
Inter Milan v SPAL (6pm)
Lazio v Udinese (6pm)
Parma v AC Milan (6pm)
Napoli v Bologna (9pm)
Verona v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Monday
Cagliari v Sampdoria (11.45pm)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Stage results
1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:39:05
2. Michael Matthews (AUS) Team BikeExchange 0:00:08
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma same time
4. Jack Haig (AUS) Bahrain Victorious s.t
5. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t
6. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates s.t
7. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ s.t
8. Sergio Higuita Garcia (COL) EF Education-Nippo s.t
9. Bauke Mollema (NED) Trek-Segafredo s.t
10. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers s.t
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
Generation Start-up: Awok company profile
Started: 2013
Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev
Sector: e-commerce
Size: 600 plus
Stage: still in talks with VCs
Principal Investors: self-financed by founder