What does it really mean to start over in your 30s?
For young Ami and Sagar, and their white travel van, Wander Bee, the answer has been slowly unfolding since they began living full-time in a van in September 2025.
But waking up to a new backdrop every morning seems to offer, at the very least, a hint.
“I was hooked on the idea
Months into life on the road, the very idea of “comfort of home” has changed for the Kiwi-Indian duo, who originally hail from Surat, Gujarat.
Their version of an “adult gap year”, a concept of an intentional pause from full-time careers to focus on growth, travel, new skills, or major life transitions, is stitched together through discipline, a carefully planned budget of $160 a day and freedom camping their way through Aotearoa’s breathtaking views.
“Growing up in India, you know we don't have the luxury to have an ‘adult gap year’, but we wanted to experience what it feels like,” they said.
Convincing their families, they admit, took time. There were questions, hesitations, understandable ones.
“There is a whole new world opening up. There was a lot of communication, lots of examples of some Indian successful creators as well,” they told them.
It took years of planning, saving, budgeting, and asking the harder question: is this sustainable?
“Our initial plan was just one year [of adult gap year], but we saved a bit more and quit our [six figure] jobs,” Ami told The Indian Weekender.
They began their adventure in 2024 across Asia, stretching their savings through Eastern and Central Europe, travelling, though not in a van at that stage.
In August 2025, when they returned to New Zealand to see friends and family, another idea took shape - experiencing their adopted
“New Zealand is our home, we know the ins and outs of the country. So we decided to explore the country in September further after quitting our full time jobs.”
What surprised them most wasn’t the travel, it was acclimatising to the rhythm of being digital nomads.
“That shift was very hard in itself,” Ami said.
“Logistics. To understand how this works full time,” Ami and Sagar shared.
Dreamers, planners, & accidental creators
Anyone can download an itinerary off the internet. What Ami and Sagar offer through their content is something more textured, more lived-in, the kind of detail that comes from driving the length of a country, not simply reading about it.
“We are also trying to find clients who’d like our help with their brands and
Even with careful planning and tight budgeting, their lifestyle depended on using what was available, and being open to new opportunities.
“Having met a lot of people through van travelling exposed us to a concept of ‘digital nomads’, who have made content creation their full time jobs,” they said.
What began as a YouTube channel with long-form travel videos slowly evolved. Instagram, they realised, was where creators grow faster. Starting with just 2,000 followers in June 2025, their @sagarandami page now sits at over 30,000.
Ami handles the business end, logistics, communication, planning. Sagar brings the creative layer, editing, carousels, marketing ideas. Together, their Instagram page is now a full-time operation.
“We divide our days into work days and filming days,” Ami
“We work with brands like New Zealand Tourism Board, Kiwi Rail, and help brands gain visibility through our page,” they said.
On work days, they hunt for a Department Of Conservation (DOC) campsite, set up their laptops, finish tasks, and end the day with a simple meal and a podcast or series.
Life in a van: Rules the Kiwi-Indian duo swear by
Ami and Sagar say there are three non-negotiables for anyone considering this lifestyle.
“Second, be respectful of all the rules and laws. If you want to travel around New Zealand, freedom camping is the best way to do it. But it comes with a lot of responsibilities. So no littering.”
“Third, download apps that will make your life way easier. Apps will tell you everything you need to know.”
Currently in the South Island, the couple says the Mackenzie region has their heart - fewer crowds, unreal scenery and a silence that feels like a luxury.
Where Wander Bee is off to next
As for what comes next, Ami, Sagar and Wander Bee plan to keep rolling across the South Island until March 2026.
“If we save $20,000 and hit 50k followers by the end of this year, then we can plan our journey ahead,” they shared.
Their story, still unfolding, sits somewhere between discipline and dream.