It has been over four and a half months since he left Mumbai and has crossed the international boundaries of India-Myanmar, Myanmar-Thailand, Thailand-Laos, Laos-Vietnam and Vietnam-China.
After having travelled far and wide in Mumbai's suburban local, Vishnudas Sheshrao Chapke quit his journalism job for an unplanned trip to nowhere. He boarded a train to the North-East and kept travelling, crossing international borders by road and rail only to realise later that he has landed in China. And if he continues to travel, he may very well become the first Indian to circumnavigate the Earth solo by land.
"Every year, I used to go hitch-hiking. I did it in Jammu and Kashmir, West Bengal, Sikkim and Nepal. This year, my plan was to travel within the North-East, without money or minimum money. On March 19, I started my journey from Thane station. I had travelled from Mumbai – Kolkata – Assam – Manipur. Rule was very simple: ask for lifts from vehicles and ask locals for accommodation. I sent requests for shelter on Facebook and friends helped me. It went smooth, without any money," shared Chapke.
It has been over four and a half months since he left Mumbai and has crossed the international boundaries of India-Myanmar, Myanmar-Thailand, Thailand-Laos, Laos-Vietnam and Vietnam-China.
After having crossed Vietnam (Hanoi)-China (Nanning) border by bus, he boarded a train to Shanghai. "I didn't get a seat ticket, but standing ticket was available. So, booked myself for this 25-hour long journey," narrated Chapke. His experience of travelling in Mumbai locals immensely helped him here. During the first few minutes, he made friends with fellow commuters.
Sharing the similarities between the two cities of Beijing and Mumbai, he said: "When there was heavy rains a few days ago, Beijing metro was completed flooded. Long distance trains got cancelled. So, the story is similar in both the metropolitan cities."
His friends and well wishers have been supporting him from India for his hitch-hiking cum rail/road journey of nations.
Many of us desire to take up such a trip, but also wish for some degree of comfort. Here in his case, comfort figures as the last priority, top on his list is "budget". As it is an unplanned adventure travel, he not only spent all his savings but also twice ran out of funds and made appeals through social media platforms only to have received some breather. Once again he is low on funds and is looking out at options.
Another worry for him is to sail from Shanghai to any of the ports of Australia, that too on a shoe-string budget. He is scouting for cargo vessels that allow passengers on board, but is yet to find one.
As you are reading this, he continues to explore urban and rural landscapes of China by bus, car, motorbike or train.
Vishnudas Sheshrao Chapke's bank account details: State Bank of India, Madam Cama Road Branch, Mumbai; Account Number: 111 5376 5612; Bank Number: 015670; IFSC: SBIN0008586
Track his travel: https://www.facebook.com/vishnudas.chapke
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