From behind the screen to behind the wheel: How Road to London changed me

The Road to London journey in 2018 was like stepping into a whole new world.

I had been behind the scenes before that, sorting out all the details, and planning this extraordinary trip for people.

But this time, I found myself in the driver’s seat, leading a convoy of fellow travelers on an adventure of a lifetime. From being the person who helped organize this trip to come to life to living it as a traveler was more surreal than anything you could ever imagine.

As someone who knew the itinerary by heart, as I had helped plan it, following it on my own was an accomplishment. With every milestone ticked, the surge of excitement that would run through me was a special kind of feeling, one that most people spend their entire lives chasing.

The first border crossing, the India-Myanmar border, was a mix of excitement and nervousness. It felt surreal to guide my vehicle into a new country.

AI think what’s special about a dream is that when it becomes a reality, you kind of don’t believe it at first. Because you have spent so much of your time imagining it in your head, that the line gets blurry.

But no matter how good it looked in my imagination, it was ten times better.

Part of the reason was the people who was on this adventure with me. Having that sense of belonging and knowing that you’ve people to look out for and people who will have your back truly makes you feel invincible.

It makes you feel like you could conquer anything as long as you do it together.

Every border we crossed felt like a special moment—a chance to meet new people, try new foods, and learn about different cultures. Even though we didn’t always speak the same language, the kindness and warmth of strangers always made us feel welcome.

China was a whole new world in itself. From the bustling cities to the peaceful countryside, every mile we drove was filled with wonder. And the best part was sharing it all with my convoy family, laughing and singing as we went along.

No matter how articulate you are with your planning, you can’t fathom the idea of how it feels to be in that moment when you are connecting with other people, or sharing a meal that you didn’t know existed before and learning how it came to be.

The real magic of the journey was in the little moments—the quiet conversations, the shared meals, the laughter that echoed through the convoy. It was a reminder that no matter where we come from, we’re all connected by our shared humanity.

As we drove into London, crossing Westminster Bridge with the city skyline stretching out before us, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. It was the culmination of months of planning and weeks of travel, but more than that, it was a reminder of the incredible journey we’d been on together.

Something changed in me that day. I was no longer the same person I was before the trip. Because I could look at this trip from not just a practical point of view, but as something that meant more than mere words and numbers could ever represent.

Looking back on the Road to London adventure, I’m filled with gratitude—for the places we’ve seen, the people we’ve met, and the memories we’ve made along the way. It’s a journey I’ll never forget, and I can’t wait to see where the road takes me next.

As told to Adventures Overland by Prachur Tayal