These days, travelers are ditching conventional ways of getting around. Planes and trains are no longer enough for those seeking deeper connections. Whether it’s traveling by sailboat, hitchhiking, on foot, or even with a donkey—alternative travel is about slowing down and discovering cultures at a different pace. It’s not about ticking off sights, but about truly connecting with people and places along the way.
One inspiring example of this slow, intentional style of travel is Jolisa, a Dutch adventurer on her way to Pakistan in a TukTuk.
An alternative travel dream: Meet Jolisa
Jolisa is a passionate traveler from the Netherlands. She is traveling from the Netherlands with her TukTuk to Pakistan. While on the road friends and family are joining her for some parts. I had the chance to meet her and her sister when she was passing by Bad Ischl. Telling me about her idea, the mishaps and what they taught her was fascinating. Traveling by TukTuk is truly an alternative way to travel.
Why a TukTuk? The Inspiration Behind the Journey
You may be wondering how anyone could think of traveling by TukTuk?
Jolisa was looking for a vehicle that is really open. A vehicle where she can easily interact with people. While driving with a motorcycle she would wear a helmet, so that wasn’t the best option. Soon the idea of the TukTuk was born. Through a friend of a friend she found someone who sold a TukTuk and grabbed the chance.
From the Netherlands to Pakistan: Mapping the route
Since she loved her travels to Iran, a couple of years ago she knew she had to include Iran in her travels. The people and hospitality of Iran were so special that she wanted to return to the region to discover more. Although she is still not 100% sure if she can travel through Iran. The route from the Netherlands to Pakistan formed on that and on the fact where people could host her. In addition, Jolisa chose to travel through the Balkans instead of Italy. Although she has been to the Balkans before, she is looking for a deeper connection to the places and cultures. Traveling through the underrated Eastern European countries with a TukTuk will allow her to discover it in a different way.
After the Balkan countries, her alternative journey will take her through Turkey, and then she has to choose whether to take the north route or the south route. Depending on the security situation, she may go through Syria and Iraq or take the northern route through Georgia and Azerbaijan.
Breakdowns & Breakthroughs: The reality of the road
Traveling this alternative with a three-wheeled vehicle has its challenges, and of course there have been breakdowns. Normally, Jolisa can fix a TukTuk in a couple of hours. But so far there have been two major breakdowns. One in Cologne and another one in Bad Ischl. In Cologne, she took the TukTuk home and worked on it in a friend’s garage. This took some time, since she also needed to order some items from Thailand. After that, Jolisa had to wait longer than planned in Salzburg because her newly ordered brakes got delayed at customs. When Jolisa and her sister who joined her for this part of the trip were about to move from Salzburg to Bad Ischl they had another breakdown. A kind man that was passing by helped them out, and they exchanged phone numbers. Slowly with a not well functioning TukTuk they made their way to Bad Ischl. Where Moritz, the man they exchanged phone numbers with, was able to host them.
Then the trial and error started. Jolisa and Saskia were working on the TukTuk to see what caused the breakdown. Nine days later they were still stuck. “It is not a bad place to be stuck, but it’s time to move again”.
Finally they could fix the TukTuk and their way continued through Austria heading south.
The breakdowns taught Jolisa everything about her TukTuk and most importantly to let go of planning. Additionally, she met a lot of beautiful people through the breakdowns. All willing to help, either with fixing it or with hosting her. She could have been frustrated by these breaks, but luckily she takes it light hearted. “I was always a relaxed person – I think after this trip I will be even more relaxed.”
Connecting through curiosity
Jolisa chose a rather untypical vehicle to travel the world – the reason being that she really wanted to connect with people. But what is the barrier to connecting when you travel the traditional way?
“I noticed if you need help and you ask for it. People are always happy to help and you see how friendly they are. But If you don’t need help there is not really a reason to approach someone. Then you don’t get to know them. If there is no reason to talk to someone, why should I approach them? But with the TukTuk it is a different way of traveling, whenever you stop even at the traffic light people start talking to you. Of course I also traveled by train, went to various cities, saw the main sights and moved on. Traveling is not just about the destination but more about the people.”
A slow travel lifestyle: What a typical day looks like
Jolisa is moving very slowly, after two months she has passed through Germany and is now traveling through Austria. The cultures on the way to Pakistan will change a lot. On average, she travels 80-90 km a day in her TukTuk. Usually she reaches her hosts around 5 or 6 pm. Then she cooks with them and often they talk until late at night. It is not about seeing everything, but more about the people. If she feels like it, she stays an extra day to do some sightseeing.
Going slow allows her to say yes to lunch invites and enjoy the freedom that traveling gives her.
“I think life in Western countries is really rushed”
Waking up late, or going for a run in the morning and without thinking about that she would leave late, because it doesn’t matter. “That’s also what slow traveling is – being able to not rush”
Jolisa’s advice for aspiring alternative travelers
“The choice of vehicle was very important for me. I think if you are looking for a smiliar experience choose a weird vehicle, a Puch, a weird bike, tractor, – choose something that is weird and that would make people interested.
For me it was important to have a vehicle that is really open. So if I stand still I’m next to you. It is really approachable
A weird vehicle, don’t rush it, let go of planning, have a real positive mindset (if you have many breakdowns that helps not becoming frustrated haha).”
Slow traveling on a Double-Decker Hostel
Traveling is a big part of Jolisa’s life. She and her sister Saskia have a travel business in the Netherlands. They take guests in a converted 50 year old double decker bus to Norway, Iceland, Scotland or Sweden. The idea was born during the covid they converted a double decker bus into a moving hostel.
Jolisa was thinking of taking the bus and guests from the Netherlands to Pakistan. But she wanted to be more free. Not have to worry about accommodating guests in the case of breakdowns.
This summer they will take the bus to Norway. Jolisa and Saskia are always picking places they love and show them to their guests. They discover the country by hiking, kayaking, biking, and other outdoor activities that are doable for everyone.
There are seven beds in the bus. The travelers eat, camp and do various activities together during the eight days they are becoming a family. You can follow Jolisa’s and Saskia’s bus travel adventures on instagram:
While many travelers go on tours to see the major cities of Europe or only stay a couple of hours. Jolisa points out that there is so much else to see between those main attractions. “There is so much around every corner to see and you don’t need to travel that far to see it.” That’s also a reason why she started the business with the double decker bus. To show travelers that there’s much more to discover than just the main attractions.
Jolisa is an inspiring example of what alternative travel can look like. Her adventures allow her to discover cultures and countries in a different way.
Have you ever considered an alternative way to travel? Share your thoughts in the comments
