VIJAYAWADA: From Kochi to Singapore in a Ford Endeavour in just 80 days? Sounds mind-boggling and the very idea drives one crazy. But for this ‘seasoned traveller’ it’s just a case of adding another feather to his cap. Meet Suresh Joseph, who had already set a record with his non-stop 75-day solo car journey from Kochi to London, and is now on a mission to spread the message of ‘responsible driving’.
With Sheer love for solo car travelling to every nook of the world, the former general manager of Dubai Ports turned himself into a traveller and has covered 27 countries spread across two continents covering a distance of 25,000 km till date.
He has taken up an adventurous road trip in his Ford from Kochi to Singapore and back on March 1 and reached Vijayawada Tuesday. He plans to complete the tour in 80 days covering Chennai, Vizag, Guwahati, Kohima and other places in India, Myanmar Laos via Thailand. Acording to Suresh Joseph, solo travelling is the best way to explore things.
Suresh Joseph has already entered the Limca Book of Records 2012, as he was the first person, who had undertaken a solo trip covering 28 states in India and 17 Indian railway zonal headquarters spanning 23,355 km in 124 days in his Maruti Swift. In 2013, he undertook four solo expeditions across India and earned seven record entries in the Limca Book of records in the year 2014. His driving experiences also include an exciting 14-day tour to UK in his Ford.
Suresh Joseph has travelled extensively in India, Asia,Europe and Far East region and has also written four travelogues ‘From Reclamation to Exclamation: A journey into making of ICTT’ and ‘Ek Sift Bharat Yatra : The journal of railwaymen journey through IndiaÂ’, ‘Driving for Records’ and ‘Glorious Endeavour’ based on his road travelling experiences. Suresh Joseph was accorded a warm welcome by the Andhra Motor Sports Club (AMSC) upon his arrival in the city.
At a reception accorded to Suresh Joseph at Vijayawada Club, AMSC secretary Dogiparthi Nagarjuna said, ‘‘Inculcating responsible driving habits among people is one of the primary objectives of the Club.’
Apparently bowled over by the Club’s rousing welcome, Suresh Joseph said the good wishes of the Club would help him complete his journey successfully. Past president of Rotary Club of Sri Durga and about 50 members of AMSC and Rotary Club were present.