In the world of online travel influencers, many aspire to explore new destinations, seeking enriching experiences and creating everlasting memories. Recently, a couple from the UK embarked on such a journey, venturing into India. Renowned for their YouTube channel ‘Those Happy Days,’ Liam and Janine Day opted for an autorickshaw affectionately named ‘Pete’ instead of their campervan to embark on an adventure through India’s diverse landscapes and indulging in its variety of traditional cuisines. During their nine-month journey, the couple traveled 9,000 kilometers from Kanyakumari to Amritsar in their autorickshaw, facing several breakdowns along the way.
In a recent interview with The Indian Express, the duo shared insights into their adventurous journey across India. When asked about their experience driving an autorickshaw amidst the chaos of Indian cities, Janine revealed, “Liam was the driver for the whole 9,000-km rickshaw journey, and I was the passenger. Liam practised driving it for half an hour in a quiet suburb in Chennai.”
View this post on Instagram
She further said, “Trying to get used to how to operate the rickshaw, while trying to get our heads around the Indian roads was terrifying! But going straight into the deep end worked and Liam had to learn quickly, and then we started enjoying the roads more as it was so different to the UK.”
When asked about the challenges encountered while exploring the diverse landscapes and cultures of North India, the duo expressed their surprise at the unexpected cold in certain regions.
“Being British with no threats from wild animals, it was also a challenge getting our heads round the fact that we were potentially surrounded by elephants, leopards, and other wild animals. We also took the rickshaw into the Western Ghat mountains, which are up there as some of the most dangerous roads in India – not somewhere you should be taking a 20-year-old rickshaw!” they told The Indian Express.
The couple also fondly recounted their experience celebrating Mahashivratri with Sadhguru, where an all-night party at his ashram left a lasting impression. A humorous twist awaited them upon returning to ‘Pete’ after the festivities, as they discovered two unexpected guests asleep inside the rickshaw. Reflecting on their journey, they emphasised, “Experiencing the kindness we had hoped existed in the world, but only upon coming to India did we truly find it.”
To conclude their adventure in India, the couple shared with The Indian Express how they donated their autorickshaw to a dog sanctuary in Amritsar, which repurposed it into a dog ambulance, aiding in many rescues. Their video documenting the donation raised thousands of dollars for the sanctuary, providing a fitting end to their journey.
Comments
0 comment