To be accurate, he isn’t entirely alone: he has Parameswara. That’s what he calls his BMW R 1200 GSA motorcycle – and the choice of name isn’t entirely surprising as he hails from Melaka.
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle via Zoom from Arizona, US, he said that this isn’t his first solo trip.
In 2018, in preparation for this trip, he completed a 64-day tour to seven Asian countries: Thailand, Myanmar, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
But for the father of three and grandfather of two – with a third on the way – this is his longest trip to date.
Adventure of a lifetime
Katiravan’s epic adventure started on Jan 2 from Taman Batu Caves, Selangor at approximately 11am. And already he’s visited Singapore, Indonesia, Timor Leste, Australia, Japan, Russia, Mongolia, Europe and the UK. The US is Katiravan’s 29th country.
Katiravan journeys throughout the country he visits on his bike, where he gets a chance to take in mesmerising views of rolling mountains, scenic lakes and majestic buildings. However, when crossing from one country to another, there are also times when he travels by plane or ferry.
A typical day on the road starts anywhere between 8am to 8.30am and ends about 3.30pm to 4pm. He generally covers up to 430km daily and navigates using Google Maps on his phone and a GPS.
Parameswara’s “well-being” is also important, and he services his bike every 10,000 kilometres. He also ensures he takes safety precautions such as wearing a full-face helmet with a visor and good riding gear.
Thankfully, he has not met any accidents, although he recounted a rather intriguing incident in Mongolia. It was a beautiful day, and he was enjoying cruising along when a sandstorm suddenly hit. It turned dark and he couldn’t see, so he pulled to the side of the road.
Suddenly, a car appeared and stopped beside him. “Someone lowered the window and gestured with his hand to follow the car. I never saw his face,” he recalled.
The car slowly guided him forward, something that he said he was grateful for and which helped reinforce his belief that God was watching over him.
He also shared his experience of driving in different countries. “The drivers in Russia, Canada, America and Europe are much better drivers than Malaysians,” he revealed, adding that they prioritise pedestrians and school buses.
“I also love Japan because it’s very clean. The people are very disciplined and wait for the red light before crossing. If you need help, they will immediately help you,” he mused.
He is also touched by the kindness of strangers such as the Kerala Tuskers Motorcycle Club in the UK who provided him a place to stay and fed him scrumptious home-cooked Indian meals.
One can’t help but wonder, as a Malaysian who is used to different varieties of food, what has been the most memorable dish he’s had so far? “Nasi padang in Indonesia!” he enthused.
During the trip, he also aims to play a part in tackling global warming by planting trees. He has since planted acacia, pine and lilac trees in Timor Leste, Australia, Russia and the US.
After being away for so long, what does he miss about Malaysia? “I miss my wife! I also miss nasi lemak, roti canai, teh tarik, tosai, idli, sardine and mutton curry.”
Katiravan estimated his trip will end in the fourth quarter of next year. Among the countries he will be exploring next include those in Central and South America as well as South Africa.
So, as he cruises with Parameswara, he documents his journey through photos and videos, creating lifetime memories that even his descendants can enjoy someday, giving them an opportunity to “travel” the world without leaving home.
For Katiravan, he believes that age should not limit a person to experiencing an adventure of a lifetime. “As long as my health is good and God enables me, I’ll go on.”