We Quit Our Jobs To Bike The World: What 75,000KM Taught Us | Dear Singapore

Key Concepts

• Alterrain Overlanders: Harin and Narin, a couple who traveled 75,000 km through 45 countries from Singapore to the UK on motorcycles.
• Journey of Self-Discovery and Reflection: The primary motivation behind their extensive travel.
• Human Connection: A recurring theme, highlighting its sacredness and how it's often taken for granted in urban environments.
• Hospitality: Experiencing immense warmth, generosity, and kindness from people encountered globally, particularly in Mongolia and Afghanistan.
• Singapore's Global Recognition: How their home country is perceived internationally, often through figures like Lee Kuan Yew and Halimah Yacob, and landmarks like Marina Bay.
• Resilience and Courage: Witnessing the strength and determination of individuals in challenging circumstances, such as girls studying English secretly in Afghanistan.
• "Kongsi" Spirit: A Singaporean concept of shared spirit and community, which they advocate for rekindling.
• Empathy, Courage, and Connection: The values they believe Singapore should embody beyond success and safety.

Journey and Motivation

Harin and Narin, known as the Alterrain Overlanders, embarked on a remarkable journey of 75,000 kilometers across 45 countries, traveling from Singapore to the UK over a period of a year and a half. At 32 years old, their expedition was driven by a shared dream and a deep connection, both romantically and in pursuing their travel ambitions. They viewed this journey as a profound experience of self-discovery and self-reflection, aiming to bring back these learnings to inspire friends, family, and fellow Singaporeans to explore beyond their borders. Their philosophy as Alterrain Overlanders is to "escape to nature to reconnect with the land, with people, and with ourselves."

Adaptability and Human Connection

The extensive travel and challenging experiences significantly tested their adaptability. Narin noted, "After you've traveled this far and done all these very challenging things, your adaptability has been tested so much that now you're like, you know, you just give me a little spot on the ground and I can pitch a tent, I'll survive, you know?" They observed a stark contrast between urban and natural environments regarding human connection. In cities, they felt human connection was often taken for granted, with people constantly looking at others without it being a special event. Conversely, venturing into nature allowed them to "space out a little bit" and re-appreciate human connection as something "sacred."

Global Hospitality and Encounters

Throughout their journey, they consistently encountered incredible hospitality. People frequently stopped to inquire about their origins and invited them into their homes for coffee and tea, an experience they shared across Asia, Europe, and the UK. Harin described the people as "friendly friendly people. It's It's lovely. Lovely up there."

Case Study: Mongolia The hospitality in Mongolia was particularly moving for them. They described the experience in yurts as "full of warmth, love, and so much generosity," creating a "very homely feeling." A specific instance highlighted this generosity: when their motorbikes got stuck in a river, trucks appeared, and without hesitation, the drivers rolled up their pants and immediately helped pull the bikes out. Narin was touched by "how quickly they came to our rescue."

Singapore's International Perception

A common question they received from villagers and locals was, "Where are you from?" Upon hearing "Singapore," many would immediately recall "your founding father, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew." Additionally, particularly in Central Asia (Afghanistan, Iran), locals were impressed by Singapore's female Muslim president, Mrs. Halimah Yacob, admiring and being inspired by how a woman in such a role could rise to prominence. Many also recognized Singapore through its iconic "boat building" (referring to Marina Bay Sands) or Marina Bay, indicating that "everybody knows where Singapore is now."

However, despite their city's admiration, they found that "the further we ride from the noise of cities, the more warmth we seem to find."

Case Study: Afghanistan In a detour through war-torn Afghanistan, they experienced "overwhelming warmth and generosity." Strangers became hosts and friends, sharing their nation's beauty, heritage, and courage. They met a group of girls in a large town who, despite facing severe limitations in freedom to sing, study, and pursue careers, were secretly attending "underground English classes." The Alterrain Overlanders were inspired by the girls' "courage, you know, risking punishment just to fight for their future." These encounters provided "important lessons that we can take along and apply for the rest of our lives."

Personal Growth and Call to Action for Singapore

Harin and Narin emphasized that this journey was not about starting a family, which is a priority for many friends their age, but rather a "journey of self-discovery, reflection, and learning." They drew a parallel between the challenges faced globally and those in Singapore, stating, "in Singapore, we may not face war or snowstorms, but we do face isolation, burnout, and disconnection."

They issued a call to action for Singapore: "Let's reconnect with our neighbors and rekindle our Kong spirit. Singapore, this is your moment. Not just to be admired from afar, but to stand for something greater. Let's be a nation known not only for success and safety, but for the spirit of empathy, courage, and connection." They concluded by framing their experience as a "cultural exchange" and urged Singapore to embrace the world's invitation with "open eyes, open hands, and open hearts."

Conclusion

Harin and Narin's journey as the Alterrain Overlanders highlights the transformative power of extensive travel, emphasizing self-discovery, the profound value of human connection, and the universal spirit of hospitality. Their experiences in diverse cultures, from the warmth of Mongolian yurts to the resilience of Afghan youth, underscore the importance of empathy and courage. They advocate for Singapore to cultivate these qualities, moving beyond its reputation for success and safety to become a nation recognized for its spirit of connection and shared humanity, mirroring the global invitation they so readily accepted.