The 65 year old Malaysian adventurer Katiravan Subarayan has returned home to a hero’s welcome after an astonishing 109 countries journey spanning more than 209,000km. He completed a nearly 3.5 year solo round the world adventure on his trusty BMW R 1200 GSA, Parameswara.
Hero’s Welcome in Selangor
Katiravan arrived on May 9 at Dewan Rakyat Taman Batu Caves in Selangor, the very spot where he began his epic journey on January 2, 2023. Over 200 people, including family, friends and fellow bikers as well as Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari, gathered to celebrate his remarkable achievement.
“This is a proud achievement for me and for Malaysia,” Katiravan said. “The journey taught me that the world is a beautiful place filled with wonderful people. It also made me reflect on how fortunate we are to live in Malaysia, a country where communities coexist harmoniously, well developed infrastructures and the cost of living is acceptable.”
Epic 109 Country Journey
His expedition took him across deserts, mountain passes, endless highways and remote backroads through Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, China and Southeast Asia. When roads ended or oceans appeared, he transported Parameswara by air or sea before continuing on land. The final leg of his journey took him from India through Nepal, Tibet, southern China, Laos and Thailand before returning home.
Raising Environmental Awareness
Beyond the thrill of riding, Katiravan dedicated his journey to environmental advocacy, planting 190 trees and connecting with over 6,000 people worldwide to raise awareness about global warming. He also shared stories about Malaysia with communities abroad, introducing them to his homeland while giving talks at schools, universities and even aboard an Antarctic vessel.
Extreme Challenges
The retired electrician faced countless challenges, from treacherous sandstorms in Mongolia to icy Antarctica and high altitude passes in Tibet. Yet, he says the kindness of strangers, locals offering food and shelter and shared celebrations along the way made every hardship worthwhile.
Plans for the Future
Katiravan hopes to write a book chronicling his adventures, but Parameswara will remain by his side for future rides. “The journey wasn’t just about seeing the world,” he said. “It was about connecting with people, sharing its beauty and leaving behind a better earth for future generations.”
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