THIRTEEN countries. Four Malaysians. Three months. Two Volkswagen buses. 25,000 kilometres.
That, in not so many words, is the adventure that began on a rainy night on the North-South highway on Thursday.
Lavarn Senthirajah, a well-known Volkswagen afficionado, is taking three other friends in two sturdy German buses - the T3 double cab and a T2 Kombi - back to their factory in Hanover, Germany.
"Germany is our destination and we want to drive these vehicles back to where these cars were made.
"We're looking forward to visit the VW factory in Hanover where these buses were made back then, " he told The Vibes, saying this would be his longest road trip yet.
His previous longest trip on VWs were three weeks, and when he was still a bachelor.
The other three on the trip are Andy Thanabal, Geethan Ram Vincent and Praven Subash.
A crowd of nearly 50 family members, friends and fellow VW fans turned up to wish them well on their epic journey.
A few others in another VW Kombi and a VW Beetle joined the four to cross the Malaysia-Thai border to get to Hat Yai - their first stop in the 13-country trip.
Lavarn said preparations for the route was to ensure a smooth journey with scenic routes.
"The only country where we require a visa is Russia while entry into China will require a travel agent to get mandatory vehicle permits," he said, adding they will spend close to 18 days in China.
He disclosed the highest cost of the entire journey was China as permits and tour guide feed for two vehicles with two co-drivers cost US$5,400.
He added fuel cost for the entire journey is up to RM17,000 per vehicle and they have enough spares with one of them experienced to fix the vehicles.
Lavarn said they will attend VW events in Germany and Belgium apart from other gatherings in Europe.
"We'll leave our vehicles in Germany with a local VW friend there and fly back after the journey.
"Then, we might fly in a year later and visit other European countries from our current list," Lavarn said.
He added once the Europe trip is done in three years, they will ship the two VW buses from the UK or the Netherlands. – February 28, 2025
