📍 Location:

Neumannsdorp & Oud-Beijerland, The Netherlands

🗓️ Episode Date:

September 26th

📝 Episode Notes:

September 26th marked the first true day of departure from the Netherlands. I started the day at a campsite in Neumannsdorp, filling up on relatively cheap diesel before heading to GlobalCar NL in Oud-Beijerland to apply for my export license plates. Things moved smoothly: the team connected with RDW, exchanged the yellow plates for white ones, and I was ready to go after paying €150 for two weeks of third-party insurance—enough time to cover the 4,500km journey through Europe and into Morocco, including Western Sahara.

Before leaving, I made a quick stop at 4x4 St. Annaland to check out rooftop tents and off-road gear. I picked up a High Lift Jack—a crucial tool if you ever get stuck in the mud, though I hoped not to test it anytime soon.

By noon, I was officially on the road out of the Netherlands. Anticipating heavy traffic around Antwerp and Brussels, I took a route through Liège and Luxembourg, where diesel is cheaper than in Belgium, France, or the Netherlands. Construction and traffic slowed me down at times, but I made it all the way to Nancy, France, before needing to stop for the night.

I ended up at Hotel Lorraine in Tul, a charming spot right in town with parking and a restaurant nearby. It was a perfect first night on the road, and I couldn’t have been happier to finally be moving southward and into the adventure ahead.

⏱️ Key Moments:

• 00:45 — Morning at Neumannsdorp Campsite
• 01:30 — Filling up on Diesel
• 02:15 — Export License Plates at GlobalCar NL, Oud-Beijerland
• 04:00 — Exchanging Yellow Plates for White
• 05:00 — €150 for Two-Week Insurance & Route Planning
• 06:00 — Stop at 4x4 St. Annaland for Gear and High Lift Jack
• 07:30 — Leaving the Netherlands via Liège and Luxembourg
• 09:00 — Traffic and Construction Slowdowns
• 10:30 — Arrival in Nancy, France
• 11:00 — First Night at Hotel Lorraine, Tul