Living in a Camper Van, This YouTuber Has Covered 21 Countries in 9 Months

Emirati adventurer

 Emirati adventurer Mohammed Al Kaabi, known as ‘Skills’ or ‘UAE Skills,’ has been living an unconventional life on the road, documenting his journey across 21 countries over the past nine months in a fully equipped camper van. Mohammed’s motto, “Life can be simpler than we think, and happiness comes from experiences and freedom, not from material possessions,” reflects his minimalist approach to life.

Mohammed’s journey began three years ago when he decided to live in a caravan during a desert trip with friends. This experience ignited his love for mobility and freedom. He purchased a 2002 Dodge van, named it ‘Rudy,’ and spent between $10,000 and $15,000 modifying it into a mobile home. The van now boasts a kitchen, dining and computer table, bed, toilet, and other features, making it a fully functional living space.

His first journey in the modified van was a test run from the UAE to Oman with his wife to check the van’s performance. Following this, he traveled within the UAE for 10 days and then headed to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah. These initial journeys were filled with challenges, but his passion for travel and freedom drove him to continue. Eventually, he set his sights on Europe.

Documenting his travels on his YouTube channel, Mohammed has amassed 2.15 million subscribers and 356,273,662 views. His channel features daily gaming videos, vlogs, and insights into his life on the road. With over 1,000 videos, he shares the ups and downs of his nomadic lifestyle, aiming to inspire others to embrace simplicity and adventure.

Throughout his travels, Mohammed faced numerous challenges, such as limited access to water and electricity and dealing with freezing temperatures that caused water pipes to burst. One memorable incident occurred in a remote area of Turkey, where he found himself stranded on a narrow, curved mountain road after ignoring warning signs. Unable to turn back, he had to ride his bike to the nearest city to seek help. Despite such hardships, Mohammed views these experiences as valuable lessons in resilience and resourcefulness.

Living on the road has taught Mohammed many survival skills and reinforced his belief that money alone does not bring happiness. “Money doesn't make happiness, money only solves problems,” he said. This lifestyle has enabled him to adapt to various conditions and appreciate the freedom it offers.

Mohammed’s YouTube channel serves not only as a personal diary but also as a source of inspiration for others to pursue their dreams and consider alternative ways of living. “The reason for documenting this journey on YouTube is firstly for memory, and secondly to encourage others to experience this lifestyle,” he explained.

Looking ahead, Mohammed plans to return to the UAE to be with his mother, as he is her only son. He also aims to start an e-commerce project and settle down in his home country. His journey, filled with adventure, challenges, and personal growth, continues to inspire his followers to seek happiness through experiences rather than material possessions.