Indians Satya Ranjan Sen and U.B. Mayood, both 62, are trying to prove to
their friends and people they have met during their bicycle trip
through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam that money is not a factor
in travelling and enjoying nature.
With just 50,000
rupees (800 USD) in their pockets, the two retired men from Kolkata and
Bangalore have been cycling to cities and other popular
destinations in the four countries for the last month.
Their message is universal brotherhood and protection of nature.
On arriving in HCM City from Hanoi , Mayood told the media
that they had met each other by chance while trekking in the Himalayas
last year and decided to go on a trip with a limited budget.
They have been visiting schools and colleges to encourage people to trek in the Himalayas .
“Money is not a criterion. Don’t worry,” Sen has been telling everybody he met.
They started by travelling to Bangkok from Kolkata on August 21 and have so far spent 450 USD.
Asked how they can manage to travel on so little money, Sen said: “We
put up a tent to sleep and cook ourselves. In the city we cannot do
that, so we go to suburbs.
“We are inviting you to visit India with this amount.”
Mayood said: ” Vietnam is a very beautiful country with many rivers, but language is the biggest problem.
“We have met many friendly people. We understand their affection through their body language. That is enough for us.”
In Hanoi , they did not come across anyone who spoke English. They
tried to ask everyone they met how to go to the sea, another of their
favourite places, but in vain.
“Finally, we used a map to ask. We spent two days [at the beach].”
The two left HCM City for Phnom Penh on September 9. Then
they will return to Bangkok for a few days before leaving for
Kolkata on September 19.-VNA