“Breaking the shackles, breaking the tangles, finding a brother, a friend in the other;
Finding a home in this wide, wide, world.
Speaking of adventures, breaking all the restraints that
bind us in life and setting out on a rugged road trip to explore unknown
territories to quench the inquisitive mind’s wanderlust is about the greatest
exciting activity I could think of. I have neither had the courage nor the
circumstance to embark on such a drive till today, and have satisfied myself by
reading about the great escapades of passionate travelers and living their
lives through my ever fertile imagination. Come to think of it, there must be
something different about such people which make them stand apart from
conditioned souls like us who are content leading lifestyles equivalent to that
of stagnant water in shallow ditches…
Since then, I also
got the chance to get acquainted with the second traveler, Suresh Joseph, an
ex- railway man, a veteran roadie, and the team leader of this expedition, whose passion for road trips has earned
him an enviable position in the Limca book of records. The third adventurer in
this trip is none other than the famous Malayalam movie director, Lal Jose,
whose burning enthusiasm for this trip, I hear, knows no bounds.
Promoting Kerala tourism, endorsing World Peace, Stressing on Road Safety, etc. has been laid down as their prescribed motto during this historical drive that they plan to complete within 75 days. But the benefits on a larger scale, which I personally feel, that this Record Drive would accomplish, might be the diminishing of geographical boundaries to a great extent and setting the trend for more such adventurous journeys in the near future. Distances get shorter as they are conquered, differences melt away as cultures meet, and ultimately, as three enterprising men push their limits to realize their dreams, it may serve to enhance a deep rooted sense of brotherhood and love among people, which is eventually the greatest need of the hour in this world.
My jealousy has given way to a pleasurable excitement as I take satisfaction in eagerly following their preparations for the journey that is to be flagged off on the 16th June, 2014 from Kochi. Being blessed naturally with a mind which thrives on imagination, my senses have started working overtime as I eagerly lap up every single input regarding this incredible car journey toLondon. I am the imaginary fourth traveler aboard their vehicle and I plan to experience all the thrills of the expedition through their frequent updates which they plan to record online and which I would be waiting for with bated breath.
Finding a home in this wide, wide, world.
Then the miles fly by.. .the walls dissolve… and the creeds recede… In a single human bond!”
Adventure stories have always fascinated me. Having lived a good part of my childhood in
boarding schools, my world and its inhabitants mainly consisted of fictional
characters from Enid Blyton books, which I used to devour hungrily page by
page. Needless to say, l became extremely familiar with the picturesque English
landscapes, Scottish castles, quaint little Sussex villages, ham and cheese sandwiches,
ginger beer, muffins, and a lot of other things that were described vividly in
these books and somehow, like most other children my age, who grew up on a
steady diet of books from this wonderful author, I too imagined myself in such
exotic locales, sampling the many delicacies which my fertile mind conjured up. I still hold dear, the dream of visiting the
United Kingdom, taking a tour of all the places which I have known and imagined
from childhood, getting to eat a couple of authentic macaroons, and of course,
getting into a few thrilling adventures too…
Speaking of adventures, breaking all the restraints that
bind us in life and setting out on a rugged road trip to explore unknown
territories to quench the inquisitive mind’s wanderlust is about the greatest
exciting activity I could think of. I have neither had the courage nor the
circumstance to embark on such a drive till today, and have satisfied myself by
reading about the great escapades of passionate travelers and living their
lives through my ever fertile imagination. Come to think of it, there must be
something different about such people which make them stand apart from
conditioned souls like us who are content leading lifestyles equivalent to that
of stagnant water in shallow ditches…
A trip from Kerala to the United Kingdom is not extraordinary.
People fly on a regular basis to the UK and it is seriously no big deal. But for
three Malayalee men to travel from Kochi to London by road, across 27 countries
in 75 days, in a Ford Endeavour is not something commonplace. More than
financial back up, It takes a great deal of guts, a thirsting spirit for
adventure, a passionate desire to explore unseen and unheard of territories, a
mind ready to face challenges of every kind, and a heart to leave behind all
that is near and dear, which not just involves family and friends, but also includes
comforts one is used to, habits, and conveniences of daily life which we take
for granted.
I got to know of this incredible journey a few months back
through a friend of mine, Baiju N Nair, a seasoned globetrotter, author, and an
automobile journalist of repute, who incidentally happens to be one among the
three men who are embarking on this fantastic drive. Frankly speaking, the very
first emotion that tugged my heart was acute jealousy. I would have given my
left arm and right leg for this opportunity. I guess I am not the only person experiencing
this sentiment.
Since then, I also
got the chance to get acquainted with the second traveler, Suresh Joseph, an
ex- railway man, a veteran roadie, and the team leader of this expedition, whose passion for road trips has earned
him an enviable position in the Limca book of records. The third adventurer in
this trip is none other than the famous Malayalam movie director, Lal Jose,
whose burning enthusiasm for this trip, I hear, knows no bounds. 
Promoting Kerala tourism, endorsing World Peace, Stressing on Road Safety, etc. has been laid down as their prescribed motto during this historical drive that they plan to complete within 75 days. But the benefits on a larger scale, which I personally feel, that this Record Drive would accomplish, might be the diminishing of geographical boundaries to a great extent and setting the trend for more such adventurous journeys in the near future. Distances get shorter as they are conquered, differences melt away as cultures meet, and ultimately, as three enterprising men push their limits to realize their dreams, it may serve to enhance a deep rooted sense of brotherhood and love among people, which is eventually the greatest need of the hour in this world.
My jealousy has given way to a pleasurable excitement as I take satisfaction in eagerly following their preparations for the journey that is to be flagged off on the 16th June, 2014 from Kochi. Being blessed naturally with a mind which thrives on imagination, my senses have started working overtime as I eagerly lap up every single input regarding this incredible car journey toLondon. I am the imaginary fourth traveler aboard their vehicle and I plan to experience all the thrills of the expedition through their frequent updates which they plan to record online and which I would be waiting for with bated breath.
Good luck, my dear friends. I wish you a safe and eventful
journey!
I Envy them and wish them a happy journey.
ReplyDeleteI Envy them and wish them a happy journey.
ReplyDelete