For this week’s episode of the Overland Journal Podcast, host Ashley Giordano welcomes German overlander Lilli Mixich to discuss her lifelong love affair with the African continent. Currently overlanding solo in a 1988 Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 named “Toyo,” Mixich shares what she’s learned from various vehicle platforms, including the Land Rover 109, Magirus Deutz expedition truck, and a Toyota HJ47 ex-bush ambulance. Lilli dives into how, at age 55, she built the confidence to travel on her own, care for her Land Cruiser, and overland Africa on her own terms.
Overland Journal Podcast Episode #298
The Overland Journal Podcast is brought to you this week by Overland Journal Magazine
Guest Bio:
Born in 1957, Lilli discovered Africa in her 20s, falling in love with its landscapes, wildlife, and people. After years of traveling with partners, she found herself alone at 55 and chose to continue her vagabond life. Her nearly 40-year-old Land Cruiser is now her only home, serving as the vessel for her journey as a solo adventurer. Focusing on Africa, where she has visited over 30 countries, She follows her passion across the continent’s diverse roads and tracks. Despite facing breakdowns, accidents, and serious illness, nothing slows her down. She is committed to exploring the land that speaks so deeply to her heart, continuing her travels for as long as she possibly can. @lillitogo
Losing Her Heart to Africa :: Interview with Modern Explorer Lilli Mixich
Host Bio:
Ashley Giordano
Ashley Giordano’s first foray into overland travel involved a 48,800-kilometer journey from Canada to Argentina with her husband, Richard, in their well-loved but antiquated 1990 Toyota Pickup. Currently cruising along the iconic Silk Road in a 2008 Toyota Tundra, her full-time navigator duties are rewarded with bowls of plov and lagman noodles, hikes in the Tian Shan, and countless cups of fragrant Tashkent tea. As senior editor at Overland Journal, you can usually find Ashley buried in a pile of travel books, poring over maps, or writing about the unsung women of overlanding history, including her enduring inspiration, Barbara Toy. @desktoglory_ash
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