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"On May 15, we finally returned to Melbourne after 58 days, completing a self-driving journey around the entire Australian continent." On May 17, a Chao News reporter contacted Chen Yong, a Chinese self-driving tour enthusiast who had completed a tour around five continents in a self-driving domestic car in 2019, and he told reporters that his team of four people is currently resting in Melbourne.
So far, Chen Yong has realized his dream of driving a domestic car through six continents, including Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America and Oceania, through four trips, and his journey around the world continues.
Chen Yong and his companions on the Australian mainland self-driving tour Source: Interviewee
Chasing your dreams is indispensable for the support of your family
"In fact, the original plan for self-driving in Oceania was to set off after the Spring Festival in 2020, but due to the impact of the epidemic, the self-driving team formed at that time was also disbanded." Four years later, Chen Yong posted recruitment information on social platforms again, looking for a partner to drive together, "At first, there were seven team members and two cars, including me, but due to various reasons, some team members gave up, and finally four team members and one car completed this self-driving journey." ”
During the self-driving journey around the Australian mainland, 50-year-old Chen Yong and his team members successfully climbed the highest peak of the Australian continent - Kosciuszko Mountain (2,228 meters above sea level); In Ningaloe, swim with whale sharks and experience the magic of nature; At Kings Canyon, hike through and enjoy the magnificent canyon scenery; On the westernmost point of the Australian continent, camping and looking up at the starry sky, it is like being in a fairy tale world; In the heart of the Australian continent, the sunset at Uluru enchanted them, as if time had stood still in this moment.
Chen Yong and his companions on the Australian mainland self-driving tour Source: Interviewee
Now, recalling his resolute decision to resign from his job ten years ago and drive around the world, Chen Yong still told reporters purely: "If you don't chase your dreams, they will always be dreams, and she will only hang far away in the sky, so that you can't touch them." But as long as you work hard, even if you don't succeed, you'll be closer to her. ”
In June 2014, Chen Yong and his 14-year-old son embarked on their own transcontinental journey, driving from Yibin to Beijing, arriving in Europe via Russia, and stopping in Milan, Italy. The trip lasted nearly two months, and Chen Yong decided to take a break as his son had to return to China for classes after the summer vacation.
"At that time, I left the car in Italy first, and then continued the unfinished journey after resting." In February 2015, Chen Yong set off again from Milan to the African continent, crossing the Atlantic side and arriving at the Cape of Good Hope on December 9 of that year.
After a two-year trip around the world, Chen Yong spent all his savings for more than 20 years, and after returning to China, he was ready to continue working and save money, and then set off when he had saved money. "Because before the round-the-world trip, I would use holidays and other time to travel in China by car, so when I come back, I will do a tour and lead a team to drive." In 2018, Chen Yong met two companions to complete a self-drive in the Americas.
From the first time I drove to exactly ten years this year, Chen Yong admitted that the support of his family is particularly important: "My family actually disagreed with the first self-driving trip, worried about safety and all aspects, but I couldn't insist on it. Chen Yong has been driving around the world for more than 10 months, "because of the support of my family, it has given me more confidence to pursue my dreams." ”
It is becoming more and more convenient to travel around the world in a domestic car
In this decade of uninterrupted global self-driving trips, Chen Yong has been most accompanied by the domestic off-road vehicle that was replaced ten years ago, which is Chen Yong's longest-standing old partner in his global journey. From Angkor Wat in Cambodia to Red Square in the distance, from the Eiffel Tower in Europe to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, from the dead horse town of Alaska in North America to Ushuaia at the end of the world, he and the "old man" have all left their figures.
For Chen Yong, driving a domestic off-road vehicle to see the world has also become an obsession for him, even in this trip, due to various conditions and restrictions can not take the "old buddy" on the road together, Chen Yong also chose to borrow a Chinese-made off-road vehicle locally.
Chen Yong Source: Interviewee
The road he has walked with the "old guy" also made Chen Yong sigh at the convenience of "Made in China" to go to sea. "Ten years ago, driving a domestic car was actually more like a 'big adventure', once your car broke down, there was really no way, because in foreign countries unlike in China, there are not so many places to match parts." Therefore, Chen Yong will be fully prepared before each departure, and even the accessories for vehicle maintenance will be brought, "Once the wipers could not be sprayed, and there was no way to change the accessories, there were local Chinese to help dredge it with tools, although the method was dirty but useful." ”
On this self-driving trip to Australia, Chen Yong saw that it is not uncommon for Chinese-made cars to be found on foreign roads, and even repair stations or 4S shops can be seen in some cities, "which is more convenient." ”
In addition to the "old man" accompanying Chen Yong, he always carried a five-star red flag during the journey, and everywhere he went, Chen Yong would unfurl the national flag and take photos in front of local landmarks. In addition, Chen Yong also received help from overseas Chinese along the way, "After hearing about it, many local Chinese and overseas Chinese tried their best to provide us with all kinds of convenience, so that I could complete the journey smoothly." ”
After a long journey of 58 days, Chen Yong and his team returned to Melbourne on May 15, covering 22,106 kilometers. But for him, ending his trip to six continents doesn't mean stopping. "We're also going to New Zealand, Tasmania and one or two surrounding island nations, and the whole journey won't officially end until July."
Pink Lake, WA Source: Interviewees
Chen Yong's next target is Antarctica, but unfortunately, due to the geographical and climatic conditions of Antarctica, he may only be able to travel by boat and not drive. In addition, he also needs to return to China to raise funds, "when everything is ready, and then set off, maybe in a year or two." ”
Chen Yong said that he enjoys meeting different people and different things every day, and seeing scenery that he has never seen before, "I don't want to be a role model for anyone, but it is enough to let everyone know that as long as you have faith in your heart and can keep moving forward, you can eventually reach your destination." ”
Chao News Reporter Li Muzi Yu Rong Editor-in-charge: Zhou Qin