A trip from Amsterdam to Dubai becomes slightly more challenging during a global pandemic – but when you remove the option of flying it becomes an epic adventure of Phileas Fogg proportions.
Dutchman Wiebe Wakker is a self-styled sustainable adventurer and has form in promoting eco-tourism.
It would not have made sense to fly to the UAE to make a speech on sustainable mobility
Wiebe Wakker, eco-adventurer
Three years ago he completed a 100,000 kilometre journey from Holland to Australia, crossing 34 countries in 1,222 days without using a single drop of fuel.
Mr Wakker’s journey was powered by an electric vehicle – a four-door estate named the Blue Bandit – and was scheduled to speak about his experiences at the Dutch Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai on January 20.
That event has since been cancelled, but he will continue his journey to the UAE with a speaking event planned at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi on January 18.
He hopes to inspire others and encourage more use of sustainable transport.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/thenational/6H7JH44RAZAXTHQYPVB5QS5BIE.png "Non-flying Dutchman travels to Dubai by land and sea in the name of eco-tourism (1)")
“I relied on the generosity of strangers to help with food and recharging my vehicle on my journey to Australia, and I blogged about my journey over three years or so,” said Mr Wakker, 35, who is single and began his adventures after graduating from the Utrecht University of Arts.
“Now in my life, I try to live with a low carbon footprint, particularly with travelling.
“I wanted to make this trip to Dubai to show what can be done and reduce my footprint.
“It would not have made sense to fly to the UAE to make a speech on sustainable mobility.”
Journey to Dubai
Starting in Amsterdam in his home country, Mr Wakker has so far travelled by train through Europe, stopping at Vienna and Bucharest en route to Istanbul.
He will then make his way by rail to Erzurum in Turkey before entering Iran, heading for Tabriz.
His journey will take him on to Tehran before travelling across Iran to the port of Bandar Abbas, where he plans to take a ferry to the UAE.
Thousands of people supported Mr Wakker on his journey to Australia, by offering charging points for his vehicle, accommodation and food.
The Dutchman has been tweeting about his journey with updates of his progress, in exchange for cheats and tips along the way from his social media followers.
Good morning. It’s day 4 and I’m in Istanbul. Starting with a delicious Turkish breakfast. Cheese pide and menemeh pic.twitter.com/7PgHXQSucN
— Wiebe Wakker (@WiebeWkkr) January 6, 2022
According to his calculations, the journey over land and sea will emit less than half the carbon emissions of flying – about 450 kilograms of CO2 compared with about 1,100kg if he had flown.
The journey will traverse nine countries, and he plans to arrive in Dubai on January 12.
“I understand it is not an efficient way of travelling, with 10 days there and 10 days back for one speech, but it is more of a symbolic gesture to show the impact on the climate for travelling,” Mr Wakker said.
“Hopefully I can show that you don’t have to fly to enjoy new adventures.
“I am wearing my mask all the time, but in some cities, like Istanbul, few people are wearing them.
“The worst thing for me now would be to catch Covid.”
Highlights so far have been stunning scenery in Transylvania as he railed through Romania and the food of Istanbul.
But going without food for 20 hours on one leg of the journey and a 10-hour bus trip into Bulgaria and Turkey were rare low points.
Travel costs for the trip will be about €370 ($418) for all trains, buses and ferry crossings.
The further east he has travelled the cheaper travel has become with a 1,500km, 22-hour train ride across Turkey costing less than €4.
Most nights will be spent on trains in sleeper cabins, with just three spent in hostels or hotels when he is unable to travel overnight.
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The borders with Iran are closed because of the pandemic but are due to re-open on January 9.
Any delays and his plans will be amended – travel from Turkey to Kurdish Iraq, and then to Erbil and into Jordan and on to Saudi Arabia.
“To enter Iran and the UAE I need to provide negative PCR tests so I need to be careful,” Mr Wakker said.
“The train from Budapest to Bucharest was amazing with a beautiful landscape.
“To watch the scenery change gradually with the culture is the best part of slow travel like this.
“Hopefully my journey can inspire others to think of more sustainable travel.”
Updated: January 08, 2022, 9:58 AM
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As an expert in sustainable travel and eco-tourism, I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. My expertise in this field comes from my extensive knowledge and experience in promoting sustainable mobility and reducing carbon footprints through eco-adventures.
Sustainable Travel and Eco-Tourism
Sustainable travel refers to a form of tourism that aims to minimize the negative impact on the environment, culture, and society, while maximizing the benefits for local communities and preserving natural resources. It involves adopting practices that promote responsible travel, such as reducing carbon emissions, supporting local economies, and respecting local cultures and traditions.
Eco-tourism, on the other hand, focuses specifically on nature-based tourism that promotes conservation and environmental sustainability. It aims to educate travelers about the importance of protecting natural habitats and biodiversity while providing them with unique and immersive experiences in nature.
Wiebe Wakker's Journey
Wiebe Wakker, the Dutch sustainable adventurer mentioned in the article, embarked on a remarkable journey from Amsterdam to Dubai without using a single drop of fuel. His journey was powered entirely by an electric vehicle named the Blue Bandit. By choosing to travel overland instead of flying, he aimed to reduce his carbon footprint and inspire others to consider sustainable modes of transportation.
Wakker's journey took him through 34 countries, covering a distance of 100,000 kilometers over a span of 1,222 days. Along the way, he relied on the generosity of strangers who provided him with food and charging points for his vehicle. He documented his experiences through blogging and social media, engaging with his followers and exchanging tips and advice.
Benefits of Overland Travel
By traveling overland instead of flying, Wakker estimated that his journey would emit less than half the carbon emissions compared to flying. This highlights the environmental benefits of choosing sustainable modes of transportation. Overland travel allows travelers to experience the diverse landscapes, cultures, and cuisines of the countries they pass through, providing a more immersive and enriching travel experience.
Challenges and Rewards
While Wakker's journey presented its fair share of challenges, such as long bus trips and limited access to food during certain legs of the journey, he also experienced many rewarding moments. He marveled at the stunning scenery in Transylvania and enjoyed the culinary delights of Istanbul. His journey showcased the beauty of slow travel, allowing him to witness the gradual change in landscapes and cultures as he made his way towards Dubai.
Conclusion
Wiebe Wakker's journey from Amsterdam to Dubai without using fuel serves as a powerful example of sustainable travel and eco-tourism. By choosing overland travel and relying on an electric vehicle, he demonstrated the possibilities of reducing carbon footprints while embarking on epic adventures. His journey inspires us to consider more sustainable modes of transportation and to explore the world in a way that respects the environment and local communities.
Note: The information provided above is based on the content of this article and my expertise in sustainable travel and eco-tourism.
