Far from Malaysia, this little Perodua Kelisa drove across 20 countries in 3 years
Arvind · Nov 29, 2022 02:18 PM
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According to Aimpro Samudra – we all have to be a bit crazy to pursue freedom in life – who, true to his words, drove his little Perodua Kelisa to over 20 countries across Southeast Asia, Europe, and Central Asia, a journey that has taken over 3 years, and counting.
Hailing from Tampin, Johor, Aimpro Samudra (who works as a contractor) and his eldest son set out in their family’s 2004 Perodua Kelisa, nicknamed “Wheely” from Malaysia on 4-November 2019 according to Wau Post.
We complain about potholes in Petaling Jaya? Image credit
The trip has taken over three years, taking Samudra and his Perodua Kelisa from Malaysia to Thailand, Myanmar, India, Pakistan, and Iran as well as European countries such as Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland, and Greece, although not in that order.
Driving in some of the most treacherous terrains in the world, the Samudra and his Kelisa have travelled across snowy mountain passes, sub-zero temperatures, rough terrain and hazardous high-altitude roads – a journey measuring over 15,000 km, according to our estimates.
Snow tyres were not enought to keep Wheely from sliding off the road. Image credit
But it hasn’t been easy, Wheely has taken quite a battering, having slid off the road in icy conditions and suffering a puncture when passing through the Karakoram Highway. Besides a stout Kelisa – seemingly hardwired with heart to keep moving – Samudra notes the kind friends and locals that have helped him to keep going in the toughest of times.
Having started his trip in Nov 2019, Samudra had cut short his adventure and returned to Malaysia as Covid-19 lockdowns started all over the world in 2020. Alas, when resuming his adventure on 15-September 2022 – the Kelisa suffered from gearbox issues, which required a major rebuild.
Samudra's friends from Turkey helped him repair his gearbox, whilst Malaysian mechanics provided consultation via video calls. Image credit
With help from acquaintances in Turkey, along with help from mechanics in Malaysia – Samudra was able to rebuild his gearbox and get back on the roads again.
From Turkey, Samudra and his son set a course for Iran and later Pakistan, driving their Kelisa through some dangerous territories that required escort by the Police, Army and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police (KPK) for almost one week until they reach Islamabad, Pakistan.
You can't call for a tow truck out here, luckily, kind locals helped get Samudra back on the road. Image credit
From there, Samudra’s journey onwards to the borders of China would require them to pass through the Karakoram Highway – one of the highest paved roads in the world – but was cut short due to adverse weather and snow at the Kunjerab Pass, which borders Pakistan and Tajikistan.
At this point, Samudra returned to Lahore, Pakistan to store Wheely at a friend’s place before coming back to Malaysia for the recent General Elections.
Samudra says he doesn't chase money, he wants peace in life and to learn from past mistakes to become a better person. Image credit
According to Samudra, the most treasured aspect of his adventure is being able to do something different, while building precious memories with his eldest son.
Samudra advises all Malaysians, “Don’t ever give up! Sometimes you have to be a little crazy to do crazy things. Also, be kind to the people around you no matter who they are.”
Imagine the stories this little Kelisa can tell. Image credit
Moving forward, Samudra plans to continue on his adventure, before finally bringing his Kelisa, Wheely, back to Malaysia, proving that any Malaysian can achieve what he has done if they have the spirit of adventure and will, just like his Kelisa… a small car that has conquered, and continues to conquer a big world.
Arvind can't remember a time when he didn't wheel around a HotWheels car. This love evolved into an interest in Tamiya and RC cars and finally the real deal 1:1 scale stuff. Passion finally lead to formal training in Mechanical Engineering. Instead of the bigger picture, he obsesses with the final drive ratio and spring rates of cars and spends the weekends wondering why a Perodua Myvi is so fast.
