WINDHOEK – Twenty-seven-year-old Fengyan Du has travelled about 33 500km by bicycle from China to Africa in two years. Fengyan began his journey in August 25, 2011 and reached Namibia on August 15, 2013.
According to Fengyan, his marathon, intercontinental trip by bicycle has so far taken him through 21 countries in Asia and Africa where he also performed some charity work. Thus far in Africa he has travelled through Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and currently Namibia on his way to South Africa. In Asia he also cycled through India and Iran.
He will travel back to China and start working again to save some money for the next leg of his world trip that will be North and South America. Currently he works at an orphanage as a schoolteacher in India.
“I had a dream to travel the world and in 2007 I started saving up to make my dream come true before I start a family,” enthused Fengyan.
Many a time he had no place to camp, but he has overnighted in schools, churches and on farms. He would do some charity work for food and a place to sleep.
“In Egypt I followed a tourist group where I took pictures and videos for them, just for food and a place to camp just to save some money,” he said.
“Going into villages and associating with people was a good experience for me. I met robbers in Ethiopia, but they didn’t take anything from me. All I did was just point and stare at them and they became scared, thinking I was strong, and they then became friendly with me,” explained Fengyan.
He has also come across many dangerous animals, like hyenas, but fortunately the beasts did not attack him.
“I chose to travel by bike because it is easy to travel with, it is free, I can stop wherever I want to and learn more things in this way,” said Fengyan who has spent about US$5 000 on his whole trip so far.
Fengyan said he would be heading to South Africa when he gets his visa and will travel back to China to work and save up for his next trip, which will take him across South and North America.
By Sabina Elago