Q&A with Travel Vlogger Noah Van Der Eerden

His name is Noah. He’s a travel vlogger and video creator and his travel videos cover the globe from India, the US, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and all across Canada, showing us the ins and outs of these amazing spots and sharing tips for making travel a joy and not a burden. Recently, Noah had the chance to take a Karma Campervan rental out to BC’s glorious Sunshine Coast. His video documentary of the trip will leave you nothing short of wanting to jump in a camper and hit Canada’s west coast. We had a chance to catch up with Noah after his trip with a little Q & A below. Enjoy!

You’re clearly an avid traveller. How has the COVID pandemic affected you and what have you done to scratch the travel itch?

Yeah, COVID definitely dealt a heavy blow to my travel plans. In a way though, it’s been a blessing in disguise. I’d normally set off somewhere internationally but COVID forced me to stick close to home and spend more time exploring the beautiful province I live in!

What did you do to prepare for your Sunshine Coast campervan trip? How did you pick the spots you’d overnight at? Did you “free camp” at all? 

We wung it! We had no bookings or reservations, just showed up wherever we felt like stopping and made it work. We picked our campsites based on the surrounding Provincial Parks. We didn’t free camp on this trip.

Ok let’s talk gear – what do you always take with you when you travel? What did you forget on this trip you wish you had? And what would you recommend other Karma Guests remember for their campervan trip?

We took all of the basics + our camera gear. Lots of that. I wish we had brought our skimboards. With so much room under the bed, we could have easily fit some boards down there!

Your campfire cooking skills are on point! What do you suggest people cook to keep things delicious but simple at the same time? Any secret family recipes to share? 

A cool “hack” that we used was the frozen meal aisle in the grocery store. Trust me, it’s not as bad as it sounds. We were able to buy full on meals like Pad Thai, Butter Chicken and Sweet and Sour Pork for just a few bucks. Since all the meal prep was done, we’d get back to camp and all we’d have to do is heat them up on a pan. Delicious!

Do you believe in Karma? What are some ways people can give back to themselves or to others to earn Karma now and in the future?

Not in “karma” per se, but I do believe we’re called to love one another! A practical way to do that is to be friendly and look out for fellow travellers on the road. Start a conversation, be kind, be curious, get to know people and laugh with them. Life’s too short no to!

What’s your next adventure?

I’m planning to solo hike the West Coast Trail on Vancouver Island. I’m beyond stoked!