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Cycle of life
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Daisuke Nakanishi is on wheels of discovery and peace
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LONG ROAD From Alaska to Ajanta caves
People and places excite him. “People in India are curious and ask too many questions, especially if you are a foreigner,” says Daisuke Nakanishi. In 1998, this Japanese economist decided to explore the world on a bicycle.
On a whim, he packed his bags and set off on his journey. “It was my dream to see different countries, touch and feel the places, make friends and spread the message of peace and friendship,” says the member of the Japan Adventure Cyclist Club.
Daisuke has pedalled 142,000 kilometres. “From Alaska I went to South America. In 1999, I was in Europe and cycled down to Africa, South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.”
Daisuke has visited 121 countries and is still counting. After exploring the Middle East, he is in India via Pakistan. From Amritsar, he has cycled his way to Dharamshala, Delhi, Nepal, Varanasi, Mumbai, Sholapur and Bijapur.
He is now in Bangalore from Puttaparthi. “There are lots of parks in the city. The weather is nice,” is his observation.His expeditions are packed with surprises. Not all of them are pleasant.
“In some places, people loot your belongings and in places such as forests, there is always the risk of wild animals. In Kenya I was diagnosed with malaria. I had to stay in a hostel for two weeks to recover.”
His curiosity to see places keeps him going. After getting the visa, he picks up a book to know the history and culture of the country he plans to visit.
“I make my own journey. I choose a route which is beautiful and interesting. And, whenever I see a good place, I stop and pitch my tent,” says Daisuke Nakanishi.
His bulging travel bags (they weigh 70 kgs!) are secured onto his bicycle and consist of a tent, sleeping bag, cooking stove, books, camera, spare bicycle parts, tools and clothes.
Daisuke speaks Japanese, Spanish and a little bit of Portuguese. This traveller finds India exciting as there are people around everywhere. He is taken in by the beauty of the historical buildings, monuments and sculptures in Hampi, Ajanta Elllora caves, Jodhpur palaces, and Taj Mahal.
He plans to wind up his travel this year end after visiting the Asian countries.
“Now, I am heading to Kanyakumari and from there to Thiruvananthapuram. Then I fly to Maldives, cycle to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, South East Asia, Korea, and China before reaching Japan.”
What next? “I have spent 11 years and $ 50,000 to fulfil a dream. I want to return as I have no money left. But, I want to re-visit,” he says.
K. JESHI
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Pondicherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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