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107 days, 35 countries, little to no budget. This man circumnavigated the globe and then some more.
Credits: Vishnudas Chapke
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The Inspiration
Covering 35 countries by land, 36-year-old Vishnu Chapke was initially a journalist who got inspired by Captain Dilip Dhonde who did solo Circumnavigation of Globe by sea!
“After the interview, I felt that I should also do something adventurous like him and that ignited the spark in me. And I did it. I touched the same points of earth – Thane station after circling the globe,” he said in a conversation with Curly Tales.
Budget And Difficulties
He quit his job and set sail with little to no money! Covering continents like Asia, Australia, South America, North America and Europe, he crowdsourced the funding for his trip and thus the first leg of it was on just a shoestring budget. But in the second leg of his journey, Tata Trust gave him a sponsorship worth Rs 15 lakh!
“It was a budget trip so I searched host or volunteering opportunities where I got free food and bed. On a few occasions I slept on bus stands and railway station” said Vishnudas.
Food was also another issue altogether owing to Vishnudas’ vegetarian lifestyle. It seriously affected his health but he soon learnt to cook by himself and source fresh fruits and vegetables from local vendors.
He also evaded an attack on the Chile-Argentina border where someone robbed him off his phone and some money as well by threatening him with a knife.
He was also never granted entry into the US on account of his Visa being rejected multiple times but that did not deter him from travelling.
Achievements
He left a mark of his great expedition by planting a tree in each place he visited!
“I was honoured to plant trees with several Environment Ministers around the world including German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze!” he said.
He also volunteered during Chile’s national emergency over the wild-forest-fire for which he was felicitated by the President of Chile Ms Michele Bachelete!
Aftermath
Returning after 1097 days of travel, Vishnu says,” If one is sincere in their objectives, nothing is an obstacle to achieve our dreams.” Now we know why he is known as ‘Vishnu Da Gama’!
He missed his mother the most throughout this long journey that opened his eyes to so many cultures. He is now currently contacting record books to be able to record his vast and informative journey.
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