“So, amazingly
enough, we made it through the Rickshaw Run. This was a 3,000km ride across India, going anyway
we wanted to. We ended up in people’s homes, restaurants, gardens and hearts,”
said Paul Visser, one of the three participants of the Rickshaw Ravers trip, on
the conclusion of their trip.
Paul, who lives in
Reading, United Kingdom (UK), was accompanied by Liz Flynn and Jamie Shelton
from Manchester, UK.
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“I accidentally came
across the Rickshaw page online and knew instantly that I wanted to do the
trip. Having always wanted to see India outside of the main tourist areas, this
trip granted me access to get to those areas, whilst having an adventure and
raising money for a good cause. I posted on my social media, and Paul was the
first to say yes. He had visited India before and was eager to see more. We
booked the trip the same day; our third team member place went to Jamie,” said
Liz
“So we did this epic
challenge/adventure, driving 3,000km in a tuk-tuk across India on our quest to
save this beautiful planet. This was all in aid of two awesome charities – The
Cool-Earth charity and Goa Outreach – which we visited en route to see the
wonderful work they do,” added Jamie.
The Rickshaw Run was
a race across India with no set route nor back-up and no way of knowing if
you’re going to make it. This team travelled in a three-wheeled vehicle not
known for its comfort or sturdiness, but that just added to the fun.
When asked if they
faced any hardships on the typical Indian roads given that they were travelling
on a two-stroke engine that runs on petrol, the team had an interesting
take.“Indian roads are like everything in India, extremes; they’re are either
fantastic and smooth or cause you to stop and assess how you are going to make
it in a rickshaw, through the chai pits (pot holes). By the time we arrived in
Goa from Kolhapur, I could hardly walk and was soothed by a kingfisher,”
recalled Liz.
“The rest of the
world is fully aware of the poverty that many Indian people endure. This was
our opportunity to try make a difference in the best way we can, by giving
money to an established charity. So the hunt was on for a grassroots charity
that supports underprivileged children in India. After coming across the
website for Goa Outreach, I knew we had to support them and all the vital work
they do. I spoke with Rob Lyon, from Goa Outreach, who was very supportive, and
invited us to meet with the children on our way through India,” added Liz.
“The team met up with
a group of around 40 children for a little chat and a few games. The children
had a great time meeting the team on a sunny afternoon in the park inspecting
the rickshaw from every angle before the team headed off to the finish line and
the earth-shattering party that awaited,” added Rob, while expressing his
gratitude to the team for all they had done.
Liz, who celebrated
her thirtieth birthday in Goa, said she loved the Goa trip, “with its beautiful
beaches, and cows relaxing in the sand”. “We had the pleasure of spending my
birthday with the Goa Outreach children; we played games, danced and let them
nearly destroy our rickshaw,” added Liz, while fondly remembering her
interaction with the NGO.
“I said to Jamie, ‘I
never knew children, were so heavy.’To which, Jamie replied, ‘They are when
there are 40 of them.’A valid lesson learned was 40 children plus two adults
equals too many for a rickshaw! However, it did survive and got us to the
finish line at Bangalore. Rob and his team at Goa Outreach are doing a great job
and we wish the children a bright future,” added Liz.
Giving his take on
things, Paul said.“This was an epic adventure with two fabulous people who
share a passion for travel. Flights being cancelled, a monsoon season that saw
an epic amount of rain and a finish line that had to get changed three days
before the end. This was an amazing and challenging adventure that took us
across India, meeting new people, seeing unbelievable sights… Nobody in their
right mind would want to do this. It’s a three wheeled lawnmower! We did it,
and we did it to be challenged, tested and to learn a part of India that a lot
of people don’t get to see. To try and understand it would be impossible,
however to know more now, the smells, the tastes of the food and the culture will
live with us for a lifetime.”
Speaking about the
other charity, he added, “Cool Earth is a charity that cares for the
rainforests and tries to preserve them. In the last 100 years, we have been destroying
the Earth, let’s hope we can rebuild the natural and nature side of out planet
so our future generations can enjoy this Earth that has so much good about it.”
“After
completing the trip, I feel humbled and in awe… from the desert of Rajasthan, the
lush mountains of Mt Abu, monsoon in the beautiful beach area of Goa to
finishing in the tech hub of Bangalore, what will stay with me the most is the
hospitality, friendliness and overwhelming generosity of the people we met in
ever town, city and chai stop along the way,” said Liz on a concluding note.
