Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Biker Embarks on Journey to Antarctica to Raise Climate Change Awareness
Malaysian Adventurer Reaches Antarctica, Spends 11 Nights Exploring the Continent
Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian biker Katiravan Subrayan, 63, continues his extraordinary journey around the world, with his journey across the picturesque Latin America taking him far south to Antarctica.
From Argentina to Antarctica: A Journey of a Lifetime
On November 12, Katiravan became among the handful of Malaysians who set foot on the icy continent. Bernama once again caught up with the Malaysian adventurer in his global expedition aimed at raising awareness about climate change, promoting nature conservation, and highlighting Malaysia as a premier tourism destination.
The retired electrician made his way to the southern part of the globe, travelling through Latin America. He first arrived in Argentina, marking it as the 51st country he has visited on his BMW R 1200cc GSA motorcycle, affectionately named Parameswara.
Preparations for Antarctica
While travelling through Argentina, Subrayan connected with organisers who facilitated travel to Antarctica. He joined a group of people and boarded a ship that departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, for Antarctica, where he spent 11 nights exploring the continent.
There were 130 people on the ship from different nationalities, most of whom were tourists, alongside a few environmentalists and researchers. “During our voyage to Antarctica, we were thoroughly briefed about the dos and don’ts. We couldn’t touch any of the fauna or the ice to protect them and the environment and to ensure everyone’s safety,” he said.
A Journey of a Lifetime
Travelling to Antarctica, a continent without any permanent human population is known to be a very expensive journey. When asked about the cost, Katiravan acknowledged the high expenses involved in the journey.
“I paid approximately US$5,600.00 just for myself. I don’t have any sponsors for my journey to achieve my goals. Fortunately, I had some money from selling my small shop lot in Kepong, which is helping to fund my travel around the world,” he said, exemplifying his commitment despite the significant personal costs involved.
Experiences in Antarctica
As the ship arrived in Gerlache Strait, Antarctica, Katiravan said the ship’s crew made sure everyone’s bags and clothes were vacuum sealed to prevent contamination. “The boots provided by the organiser had to be washed with a special chemical before we stepped foot onto the ice,” he added.
At the De Gerlache Strait, Katiravan and his group hoped to spot whales, but the strong winds caused the temperature to drop to -5°C, making whale sightings impossible. However, when they went ashore on Petermann Island, they were delighted to see penguins and take in the pristine, beautiful scenery of Antarctica.
The most unforgettable experience for the 63-year-old was voluntarily taking the plunge into the freezing, ice-cold water at Girard Bay, where the temperature was -2°C.
A Speech in Front of a Global Audience
During their voyage, word spread to the organisers about Katiravan’s remarkable journey around the world and the sacrifices he had made to fund his travels. “Suddenly, as the crew was giving a briefing, they called me up to speak in front of an audience of 50 people, to share my travels and explain why I am doing this,” he recalled.
Katiravan admitted he was nervous about speaking because his English was not very good and was bound to make grammatical mistakes. Despite his anxiety, he delivered his speech much to the delight of his eager audience.
“I told them I had been travelling around the world since early January 2023 and haven’t seen my home since. I am doing this to raise awareness about climate change, to campaign for people around the world to start saving our environment, and to promote Malaysia’s tourism to the world,” he said.
Planting Trees and Promoting Tourism
In his speech, he mentioned that in every country he has visited, he has planted multiple trees and encouraged the audience to plant a tree for every occasion in their lives, as the earth needs them. But for Katiravan, the crowd did not mind his imperfect English; instead, they were inspired by what this ordinary man was doing for the environment and his country. They gave him a standing ovation after his speech.
“I was touched that they stood up and applauded me, and some even gave me a hug, thanking me for what I am doing,” he added.
Next Destination: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Meanwhile, Katiravan was asked about his experiences travelling through Argentina, his 51st country, and his interactions with the locals. “I found Argentinians to be very friendly and generally good people. I’ve only had positive experiences with them,” he said.
He noted that while the locals might not know much about Malaysia, the same is true for Malaysians, who might not be familiar with Argentina’s presidents and officials. However, when it comes to football, names like Maradona and Messi are well-known and beloved in Malaysia.
Conclusion
Katiravan’s remarkable journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to environmental conservation and his dedication to promoting Malaysia as a global tourist destination. As he continues to travel the world, planting trees and sharing his message of climate change awareness, he proves that ordinary individuals can make an extraordinary impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did you manage to fund your journey?
A: I had some money from selling my small shop lot in Kepong, which is helping to fund my travel around the world.
Q: How many countries have you visited so far?
A: I have visited 51 countries on my BMW R 1200cc GSA motorcycle, affectionately named Parameswara.
Q: What is your next destination?
A: My next destination will be Buenos Aires, Argentina, before heading to Uruguay, the last country I plan to visit in South America, making it my 52nd country.
Q: What is the most unforgettable experience so far?
A: Voluntarily taking the plunge into the freezing, ice-cold water at Girard Bay, where the temperature was -2°C.