171: Planning an Adult Gap Year to Full-Time Van Life with Sagar and Ami

Sagar and Ami moved to New Zealand separately 10 years ago; then after years of saving and planning, decided to take an "adult gap year" to travel the world. Coming from India, they share the cultural mindset shifts and safety nets required to leave their stable careers and the intentional steps they took before leaving their jobs, like buying a house and getting New Zealand citizenship. Now, they live full-time in their van, Wanda Bee, exploring the South Island while balancing content creation with travel logistics. They share how Nelson Tasman surprised them with how much there is to explore, and their favorite spots like Wharariki Beach, Te Waikoropupū Springs, Rāwhiti Cave and the adrenaline of tackling the new Tākaka Hill via ferrata. Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :) Follow @sagarandami on Instagram: instagram.com/ Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/ Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide