Ufa cyclist who traveled to Asia: travel makes no sense without mission

UFA, 14 November 2018. /Bashinform News Agency/ translated by Tatiana Aksyutina/. For five months the Ufa traveler Anton Sazonov rode eight thousand kilometers on a bicycle over 13 countries of Asia and recently returned home. He shared with the results of his expedition at a press conference at the Bashinform News Agency. His bike ride over Southeast Asia was made to promote a friendship between children from different countries. He brought letters from Ufa schoolchildren to Asia, and from there he returned with the answer of their peers.

He spent 500 thousand rubles for the implementation of this project.

“Preparation for the project took four months. It included route planning, studying a political situation, obtaining visas. By the way, in the majority of Asian countries there is a visa-free regime for Russians”, the traveler said. He also noted that living conditions were becoming even everywhere: stereotypes about the poverty of Asian countries did not correspond to reality. “All children receive the obligatory education. Schools are mostly private, but at the same time operating as ordered by municipalities, that is, tuition is paid by the state. Due to the warm climate, many activities take place outdoors. However, informational equipment is lagging behind - not all schools have the Internet”, the traveler explained.

Discrediting myths and stereotypes about Russia and Asian countries, improving the image of both sides was another mission of the journey. “For example, Pakistan, which has a negative image in the media and public opinion, turned out to be a hospitable and advanced country, where almost everyone speaks English,” said Sazonov.

The route went over UNESCO cultural heritage sites, which are in abundance in Asia. “In every country I visited, I was amazed by the monuments of ancient civilizations, the high level of culture,” said Anton Sazonov. The traveler also found out that there was a genuine interest in Russia in the Asian region. It was in the top of the most desired countries to visit.

All stages of the expedition are described on its website.