Our Story
Hello! Welcome to the Basten Journey!
Let's backtrack a few years, when two baby-faced teenagers met and had no idea how their lives would change. A few months before the Covid-19 pandemic, Brad and I met online. I’m sure you can all guess what app I’m referencing. 😉
We instantly clicked. Two weeks later, the world locked down, and we found ourselves with nothing but time. Thankfully, technology was on our side, allowing us to truly get to know and understand each other before we physically met. This I will always consider a blessing.
Three months later, we were finally allowed to meet. Our first date was bliss, meeting halfway in a park for a picnic, each bringing enough food for a family of five. Now Brad is a fussy eater (as I’m sure you’ll find out), so I especially made an effort to bring a plethora of foods he disliked. He won’t admit it, but he’s grateful I made him eat those delicacies.
Six hours later. We begrudgingly had to end it because we were both dying for a wee. The rest is history really, oh besides the fact Brad proposed on our holiday to Corfu in early 2022.
As we are two creatives with terrible memories, Bradley and myself (Jordan) have set about creating this site to document our travels, adventures and highs and lows with you all. Committed to always serving our most authentic selves (because we are terrible liars 😂). If you are passionate about travel, photography, cooking, van life or entertained by the general chaos that consumes our life, this might just be the place for you. Our adventure, travel diary and memories start here.
During the pandemic, the ‘van life’ lifestyle became increasingly popular. Quarantine gave many people like us a new perspective on life and its priorities. Converting a van, travelling full time and photographing the world has been ‘the dream’ since we met.
We are both hands-on people and love a project to get stuck into; although daunting at first, our van has been one of those surreal moments where our dream to travel freely could become a reality. It's an intimidating process to ‘simply’ pack up and go, and we’ve taken significant risks to get to where we are today. For those who may also be in our situation and want inspiration as well as a realistic point of view, or for those who enjoy the escapism of our ‘unique’ venture on the road. Whoever you are, we want to bring
The Basten Journey to you.
Behind the Keyboard
Jordan
Born and raised in South Africa; I am the oldest sibling out of two, and hold the title as “chatterbox of the family”. I always harnessed a love for the arts, although I was convinced I wanted to be a doctor at a young age, so I could help people, but turns out my science grades were far from entry level!
I had a wonderful childhood and can thank my family for introducing me to the great outdoors. Although we couldn't afford to visit other countries, we made the most of the South African landscape. I always admired my grandparents lifestyle, they too, sold everything to travel the country in a caravan. I feel a great sense of pride following in their footsteps. At aged 14, my family and I immigrated to the UK. Leaving everything you know behind is not easy. But, for a better life, England became our new home.
I, too, have a thing for photography and went on to study it at university. I realised uni wasn’t for me and after a lot of soul searching, took the leap to drop out and pursue copywriting in my own time, learning to reduce the “waffling” (there is a lot). I can’t wait to grow with The Basten Journey. This new venture is the ultimate passion project: travel, writing, food, hiking and a fair amount of chaos along the way 😊
Fun Facts:
•Chatterbox (you already know that)
•Love to run and swim
•Massive foodie
•Slightly addicted to coffee
•Hippie at heart
Behind The Camera
Bradley
Growing up in the ever-evolving digital world, Born 2000, being one of three brothers, in which I am the unfortunate middle child (although they do say 'we are the most creative), and sharing this title with my twin (no we are not identical!!). I grew up around ‘bohemian’ Brighton and was raised by my young mother, I now know we didn’t have a lot back then, but all you needed was the strength of a happy family. We were always pushed to follow our dreams, which I could never ask more of, as I still stand to do just that!
I have been obsessed with photography since my early teens. Hired for my first paid gig as a wedding photographer at 16. I always found excuses to get out and shoot, with the help of social media I was able to share this passion with the world, primarily focusing towards my love for landscape photography.
Knowing where my passion lay, Brighton MET College was the perfect place to expand my skills further. I soon scored my first job, in a London studio as a photographer/videographer without needing a university degree. A few moves later, my career opened opportunities to undertake various artistic roles, which shaped me into a true 21st century creative.
Fun Facts:
•Fussiest eater you'll ever meet
•Camera nerd (obviously)
•Always breaking my glasses and rocking the 'Harry Potter' look
•Very... very sarcastic
•Not dramatic AT ALL!
How it all started
