9,000 km in 9 months: UK YouTuber couple opens up about their journey in autorickshaw, positive vibes of Indian community

Ditching their campervan in UK, they embarked on a journey from the sun-drenched shores of Tamil Nadu to the vibrant Amritsar in a rickety autorickshaw christened ‘Pete’. As Pete zig-zagged through the bustling bazaars teeming with life, the couple captured the visuals of serene temples bathed in golden light, and the wind whipping through their hair as they navigated the open road.

In a recent interview with indianexpress.com, Liam and Janine were thrilled to open up about their adventure. This wasn’t a meticulously planned itinerary; it was a serendipitous exploration. There were undoubtedly moments that tested their mettle, but with each challenge overcome, their bond with Pete and with India itself grew stronger. So, the next time you are scrolling through your social media feed, keep an eye out for ‘Those Happy Days’. Their story is a love letter to India.

The autorickshaw is 20-years-old and is called Pete. It has been painted and decorated with elements that mirror the couple’s ideas throughout.

When asked how they went about learning to drive an autorickshaw, especially in the chaotic traffic of Indian cities, Janine explained, “Liam was the driver for the whole 9,000-km rickshaw journey, and I was the passenger. Liam practised driving it for half an hour in a quiet suburb in Chennai. But straight after we dove straight into the deep end driving through crazy Chennai city…it was so scary! Trying to get used to how to operate the rickshaw, while trying to get our heads around the Indian roads was terrifying! But going straight into the deep end worked and Liam had to learn quickly, and then we started enjoying the roads more as it was so different to the UK.”

As full-time travel vloggers on YouTube, capturing experiences in India to share with the UK audience was a no-brainer for Liam and Janine.

Their goal? To showcase the authentic India, the one you don’t always see in travel brochures. And what’s more real than rolling up to unsuspecting villages and surprising the locals? Let them tell you, every interaction they had with residents and business owners was pure positivity. Their hospitality and kindness blew the couple away. Dinner invitations poured in from all sides – it was truly a heartwarming experience.

 

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A post shared by Liam Day & Janine Day – Travel Vloggers – Those Happy Days (@thosehappy_days)

 

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A post shared by Liam Day & Janine Day – Travel Vloggers – Those Happy Days (@thosehappy_days)

With such happy moments, some are surely a little difficult as well. Were there any unexpected challenges while navigating through the diverse landscapes and cultures of North India?

The answer was even better than we imagined. “It was surprising how cold some parts of North India were, which shocked us. And also how many festivals were happening. Being British with no threats from wild animals, it was also a challenge getting our heads round the fact that we were potentially surrounded by elephants, leopards, and other wild animals. We also took the rickshaw into the Western Ghat mountains, which are up there as some of the most dangerous roads in India – not somewhere you should be taking a 20-year-old rickshaw!” they exclaimed.

The couple drove 9,000 km in 9 months, from Tamil Nadu to Amritsar.

Picking just one standout moment from their entire Indian adventure is tough – there were so many, the couple said. One that definitely tops the list, though, was when Liam and Janine celebrated Mahashivratri with Sadhguru. This all-night party at his ashram was an incredible experience for them. They even brought Pete along for the ride! The funniest part? They left the rickshaw parked for so long that when they came back, they found two people sleeping inside!

Nine months in India transformed their perception about the country that welcomed them with open arms. Every opportunity, every invitation, every curious street vendor embraced a resounding “yes”!

This simple shift has led them down a path of culinary revelations – they’ve devoured local dishes that were previously unknown to taste buds, immersed oneself in vibrant festivals, and traditions.

Most importantly, they said, “Experiencing kindness we hoped existed in the world, but only coming to India did we truly find it.”

They navigated the autorickshaw across a staggering 9,000-km stretch from Kanyakumari to Amritsar, encountering breakdowns aplenty over their nine-month journey. Whether it was a mere glitch or a major stall, every roadside hiccup drew swift assistance from kind local residents.

From impromptu roadside fixes to generous tows to nearby mechanics, the duo witnessed the epitome of community spirit throughout their 100 breakdowns. Remarkably, not once did they solicit help; yet, without fail, the locals rallied around, offering aid without hesitation or expectation of reward. With an extensive collection of travel vlogs documenting their journeys across India, their YouTube channel became a platform where the Western audience consistently expressed newfound admiration.

Watch the video below:

In the comments section of any given vlog, you’ll encounter sentiments like, “I had no idea that Indian people were so warm, fun, and gentle,” echoing the transformative impact of their experiences.

Embarking on a unique adventure, the couple had the extraordinary privilege of unveiling facets of Indian culture often overlooked by conventional tourists. By venturing into unconventional destinations, they became cultural ambassadors, challenging and reshaping the Western perspective of India. The joy and honour derived from altering these preconceived notions have been among the most profound pleasures in their lives, the duo said.

As they continue to share their journey through captivating videos, their hope remains steadfast: to perpetuate this positive shift in perception and foster a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry that is India.

Any advice for those who are considering a similar adventure, perhaps even buying their own autorickshaw to explore India?

Eagerly, they responded, “If a westerner is looking to buy a rickshaw and travel across India, I would say that you are taking a huge risk to your lives. But the stories you will tell will be about the greatest adventure you ever took, and life simply won’t be the same after.”Just when we thought the conversation was over, they surprised us with a story so heartwarming.

“Being animal lovers ourselves, we contacted a dog sanctuary in Amritsar called Pawsitive Sanctuary, and asked them if our autorickshaw would be useful. In which they said it would be incredibly helpful in becoming a dog ambulance and helping them rescue many dogs. The video we published of us donating our rickshaw helped generate thousands of dollars for the sanctuary Also, so it was the perfect ending,” they concluded.