Given a chance would you leave it all behind to hitchhike across 60 countries through seven years? In what sounds like the perfect movie plot, Onehungrycoconut (name changed) did just that!
Growing up, Onehungrycoconut led a pretty ordinary life. She recalls going to public school in Hong Kong. She never expected that she would one day cover 100,000+ kilometers as a hitchhiker!
After moving into a corporate profession she got to visit Australia on a Working Holiday Scheme which involved managing sales for clients. She spent a year here and decided that there is more to life than the ordinary.
She had always been a solo traveller and usually took two-week trips in South-East Asia before her adventures in Australia. "Why should I stop exploring a new country and its culture just because I don't have a travel buddy?", she exclaims as I ask her about what she feels about solo travelling.
Her first official hitchhiking experience she recalls was in New Zealand. The country didn't have a sound transportation network for backpackers who didn't know how to drive. She didn't like tourist buses. This led her to improvise with hitchhiking.
New Zealand was an adventure for Onehungrycoconut as she made her way across beautiful fields, hiked over glaciers and witnessed the changing landscape through her travels.
Her internal compass then led her to Canada, via the West Coast, Banff and finally to the eastern most side of Newfoundland, St. John. The reason for her hitchhiking through Canada she admits was more to save money. She was still relatively new to hitchhiking during this leg of her journey and she was still cautious while asking for lifts from strangers. She wasn't as carefree as she is now and learnt to relax into the experience hundreds of kilometres into her journey later!
After these experiences, Onehungrycoconut decided to venture out to other countries as a social experiment. It was no longer about saving money and seeing the world but to keep exploring.
She visited Mexico, Cuba, Colombia and then Brazil on the next leg of her journey. All the while capturing the vibrant local markets and the people who make the countries what they are through her lens.
The sights and sounds of the countries that give them their quintessential vibes and make the experience so enjoyable:
Things never go as planned while traveling but the key to enjoying the experience she suggests is going with the flow. Like this one time she didn't have enough money for a tour. So she decided to go ahead and visit the indigenous people of Colombia who welcomed her with their bright smiles:
Her travels often left her feeling like she was on top of the world and can you blame her? With views like these, it's hard not to feel a sense of accomplishment:
She then made her way to Western Europe and Morocco. Once again capturing the eclectic local life of the countries through her beautiful pictures that have little stories unfold within each frame:
The winding roads and nature always helped her relax and feel a sense of calm. Her therapy she says is being amidst nature and forging her own path:
Portugal and The Balkans were next on her route map as she drifted along her hitchhiking path. Navigating through architecture, the local cafes and coming across 'silver linings' on her adventure:
Next she made it to Cape Town via the land of the wailing wall, Israel often documenting the lives of little boys who would go on to spend their childhoods in the warm brown hues of the desert:
The gorgeous pyramids of Egypt were something to marvel about on the way. It's hard to ignore the rich legacy of the Pharaohs who left much to discover through their mysterious ways:
Her trails often documented through the eyes of little children, literally! The portraits, a reflection of the childhood of the locals and the culture which is so different, yet unanimously human which Onehungrycoconut reminds me of during our chat about her travels:
Heading to Africa, Onehungrycoconut began seeing the cultural distinction of the local tribes. Each of them adorned with beads, distinctive markings and the rich heritage on display:
She observed the rituals which have been followed for many generations by the tribes, often transporting her to a different time, she got to experience the many sides to humanity:
Onehungrycoconut's hitchhiking story next unraveled in England, France and China through Middle East and Central Asia where she made her way to discover still more gems along the way:
What does it take to wander off on an epic hitchhiking adventure that lasted seven years? Onehungrycoconut insists it's not for everyone. "If someone really wants to try to have this experience, I'd recommend pairing up with a friend. That will give them a better sense of security."
She also chuckles at the thought of how she went about hitchhiking. She wouldn't follow the usual "rules" and chose to do things her way:
1. Carrying camping gear such as a tent, a sleeping mat and a sleeping bag is helpful in case she needed to make unexpected stops along her route. She's recounts her nights in gas stations, truck stations and villages were made more comfortable thanks to her camping equipment.
2. She travelled at night despite the opportunities to hitchhike being a lot lesser owing to the few vehicles passing by. However, this helped her cover a greater distance.
3. Carrying snacks with her ensured she didn't go hungry in case she was in the middle of nowhere, which was often the case as she travelled through the years.
4. It's vital to have sunscreen, wet wipes, an umbrella, drinking water and a power bank at all times as well.
5. Keeping a keen instinct about whom to take lifts from also came in handy. She mentions how it's important to follow your gut and not get into a vehicle if you feel you're getting a bad feeling about the driver.
6. As a solo female traveller she maintains that safety measures like not falling asleep while in the vehicle, letting the driver know that someone is expecting you at the stop ahead and following navigation (offline maps) is important too.
7. While on your period, use these days to rest at a place and not do too much. Being on the road can be tough during these days.
8. Google translate was one of the most useful smartphone features she used across her trails. It helps translate the basics like requests for food, accommodation and directions.
9. When hitchhiking across international borders, plan the route based on the visa requirements of the countries. Some countries don't admit you if you have a pre-exisiting visa from a country they consider to be a blacklisted one.
10. Volunteering opportunities and couchsurfing are a great combination to keep your trip alive across borders and landscapes. Platforms like Hostelworld and Airbnb helped her plan her accommodation. Book your accommodation once you arrive unless it's a popular city like Barcelona, she recommends.
Onehungrycoconut did not anticipate hitchhiking solo across 60 countries. Following her inner calling led to a life of adventure. "Buddha said don't follow my path. You can be inspired but don't follow my path. Everyone has their own path to enlightenment.", she mentions thoughtfully.
Her path to happiness led her to discover the many faces of the world in a way that can only be described as one-of-a-kind. This path has resulted in what she feels are the best life lessons - "(Travel is) the best classroom for life lessons. You get to know the similarities that are shared between humanity. There is always something new and different from the culture that I grew up in when I was wandering in a new place."
Sixty countries and countless experiences - Onehungrycoconut's travels are impossible to contain within one article. Head to her Instagram to discover the many invaluable lessons she shares through her beautifully captured images!
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