Surat

There have been several world tours originating from Gujarat to Europe, but only via middle east. It is now for the first time that four Surat friends are on journey to Europe by road through China and not traditional middle east route. Taking this long route is compulsion because Islamic State(ISIS) has made it impossible to pass through the middle east zone.

Dr. Ashok Patel, Chetan Desai, Dr. Paresh Dsai and Dr. Rajan Desai are four friends who started their journey to London by road today from Surat in south Gujarat. Dr. Rajan Desai is ophthalmic surgeon while Dr Ashok Patel is MD, Dr Paresh Patel is Orthopedic surgeon and Chetan Desai is businessman.

With message of ‘Food for all’, they will pass through 15 countries including Nepal, China, Kirghistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany, Netherlands and finally reach England.

Though their entire journey will take place on road, a short journey between Netherlands and Britain will take place in boat, of course with their car.

In all they will pass through 37 cities. Total distance will be 16077 km, of which 5700 area is hilly while 2,100 km desert zone. Part of journey will take place over 5,000 meter height roads. They will need oxygen for this which they have kept with them in car.

As per their estimate, daily journey will be around 480 km long. The idea behind this road tour is to witness the culture, atmosphere, food and climate of various regions.

There are some stretch where not a single vehicle or human being will be visible in 50 km area. All four participants are vegetarian Gujaratis and therefore they have kept some ready to cook noodle packets, bread and fruits with them. They assume that at any place, bread and fruit will be available and therefore they will survive with their Gujarati vegetarianism.

Cameras specially attached to car will shoot the journey. There’s plan to make a documentary video of this journey so that others who wish to take this route for travel may get all details.

Each gentleman participating in this journey will spend Rs. 8 lakh. A dream for this journey is three-year old for them. Convincing family members, finalizing the route took one year time. Due to crisis in Ukraine the route had to be changed and Belarus was chosen as an alternative. China didn’t permit a route close to Kailash Mansarovar which added 3,000 km additional distance. Journey to Uzbekistan had to be dropped due to permission issues. Though the entire journey involves 15 countries, some countries have common visa, and therefore the process of visa involved only 7 countries. The visa procedure was too long. Belarus gave visa in just two days, but some country took longer time.

Return journey will take place by air, while car will be shipped to India. The journey will conclude on 18 June at London.

The car used for this journey is VOLVO XC-60. In fact the journey started from Volvo show room in Surat in presence of City Police Commissioner and Mayor among others.

DeshGujarat