– We tend to say that we have the smallest car and the smallest tent, but also the smallest mind, says Leif Sylte, or “Uncle Leif” as he is called by friends and acquaintances.
– You have to be pretty crazy to drive a car like that, because it doesn’t have any comfort, says the ålesunderen.
Two years ago he found out that he wanted to go on a road trip with Tom Daniel Hansen Sylte, whose uncle he is. The two had only one goal for the trip – to go to Paris to buy a couple of ice creams. They made the journey in a Smart Fortwo Cab. They themselves believe that this must be one of the world’s smallest cars.
The duo has so far been to eleven countries with this car. Last year, the trip went to Eastern Europe. Then they drove to Stockholm and traveled on by boat to Estonia, through Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and then drove to Germany/Berlin.
– We were going to Berlin to buy a Berlinerbolle, because we had to have that, says Sylte.
The duo find that the informal way of traveling makes it easier for them to come into contact with people.
– We get to experience so much when we travel like this, and meet many nice people. There is a lot of humor, but also sad things. In Poland, we spoke to soldiers and refugees from Ukraine.
Tom Daniel and “Uncle Leif” on tour.
Photo: Private
Sylte strikes a blow for car holidays.
– When we can manage to travel with such a tiny car, then people must be able to travel with other cars.
Sylte says they get everything they need in the small car, but calls the packing a story in itself. Many comment that they must be good at Tetris. Nevertheless, they always prioritize two things to take with them on the trip:
– We have a tent and sleeping bag with us, so we always manage. We spend the night in all sorts of ways, and have slept in tents without sleeping mats, but also in suites.
In June, it is time for a new road trip. They don’t know much more than that the goal is to get to Africa.
– We want to go to Marrakesh in Morocco, but more than this is not planned. Not planning trips with help is part of the concept. We set a rough plan, but half the fun is being able to come up with things along the way. When you don’t plan so much, you also don’t get so disappointed when things don’t go exactly as planned. I never feel so free as when we are on tour.
At the same time, the journeys also tend to present challenges.
– We lost our way in Paris. It was not so easy to drive in the famous Triumfbuen roundabout with such a small car, the biggest cars seemed to have the right of way.
