Have you ever wondered if you could travel from Abu Dhabi to London in a car? Well, apparently the answer is yes. A mind full of ambition and a 16-year-old orange pickup truck is all you need to cross 15 countries and two continents, as these two Emirati friends discovered.
Embarking on an unforgettable journey, friends Sultan Al Nahdi, 28 and Thiyab Al Mansoori, 30, began their travels from Abu Dhabi to London in a 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser pick-up in May. They voyaged through the terrains of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Turkey, Bulgaria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Serbia, Hungary, Austria, and the Netherlands, before finally reaching their destination, the United Kingdom, which spanned over the course of 32 days.
This long journey meant a thorough checklist of all things necessary and a sturdy vehicle. “I did a major maintenance for the car to avoid breakdowns on the roads. I planned for this trip very well by checking what requirements I would need to cross the land borders in each country. It was a thrilling experience,” Sultan recalled in an interview with The National.
Although their journey involved harsh terrains and unpredictable weather conditions, their perseverance and the people they met along the way led them to continue the trip with a positive attitude. “Despite the hard trip and cost, I was determined to complete the journey. I was wearing the Emirati traditional dress and was telling people that we are from the UAE. We managed to give a positive image about our country throughout all countries we visited.” he stated.
The adventure was something Sultan had actually planned before the outbreak of COVID-19 but, of course, travel plans were delayed. However, despite the delay, he described the journey as a “dream come true”.
And it seems this is only just the beginning of the duo’s adventures. Despite returning to Abu Dhabi only just a couple of weeks ago, they hope to continue their travels across Europe, with a particular desire to visit Scandinavia.
