Adventurer Dr Singara Vadivel has spent the past two years travelling the world alone on his bike, pushing the limits of endurance – and choosing to continue his journey despite regional tensions, reflecting the resilience that has defined his life.
The 58-year-old technologist arrived in Bahrain on April 23, marking his 63rd country, and was honoured the following day by Bharathi Association, where he delivered an inspiring talk about his journey and the perseverance it has required.
Speaking to the GDN, Dr Vadivel said his journey began in his hometown of Austin, Texas, and has taken him across some of the world’s most dangerous roads. Along the way, he has survived robberies, endured extreme conditions and recovered from a serious accident that left him in intensive care for several weeks – setbacks that might have ended the journey for many, but instead strengthened his resolve to continue.
Dr Vadivel in Antartica
“My inspiration for this trip comes from my background and the journey where I started to where I am today,” he said.
Born into a poor family in India and raised in a mud hut, he defied the odds to build a 35-year career as a technologist in Silicon Valley, US.
“I walked 12km to school every day, and having three meals a day was considered a luxury for my family,” he said, adding that despite the hardships, he refused to let his circumstances define his future. “I was extremely disciplined, focused on my studies and made good choices, with help along the way, which led me to my successful career.”
He completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from Anna University in Chennai and pursued higher studies in the US, eventually earning a PhD in Computer Science. He worked in various organisations, including Bell Labs and Microsoft, carving out a reputation as a seasoned technologist.
However, throughout his life, Dr Vadivel and his wife Dr Karthikeyani, who is a double MD doctor in internal medicine and neurology, have lived modestly, regularly sending money back home to support family and needy students in their education. The couple does not have any children.
“In 35 years, I have never had a haircut in a salon,” he said, highlighting his commitment to living frugally in order to help others succeed.
“However, after decades of leadership roles, I realised I had built success for myself and others, but not enough stillness. Riding around the world was a conscious choice to slow down, listen to people and share knowledge.”
So far, Dr Vadivel has travelled across Africa, Central and South America – excluding Venezuela due to his US passport restrictions – Antartica and parts of Asia.
One of the most remarkable stages of his journey was traversing the Amazon River route from Peru to Macapá in Brazil, where the river meets the Atlantic Ocean. This leg alone took nearly 45 days and involved travel on seven cargo boats, multiple border crossings, and onward journeys through French Guiana, Suriname, and Guyana.
While in Argentina, he suffered a serious accident after being thrown into guard rails by strong winds, leaving him in intensive care for several weeks.
“It was very tough,” he recalled, noting that he had to recover alone. “Many people would have quit at that point, but I decided to carry on.”
After recovering, he travelled on to Chile and then to Spain, where his BMW R1250 GSA motorcycle was shipped ahead of him. From there, he continued through Portugal before entering Morocco – his first foray into Africa, a region he later described as the most challenging of his entire journey. During this period, he contracted malaria, encountered treacherous roads, fell off his motorbike several times, and was robbed along the way.
Despite this, he delivered 29 university lectures and met 19 government ministers, discussing ways to empower societies through artificial intelligence.
He reached Kenya and then arrived in Oman on February 6, where he remained for 40 days due to regional escalations.
“I was in touch with many riders in the region, and many chose to leave as they were concerned, but I decided to stay,” he said, adding that he used the time to deliver talks and share his experiences.
From Oman, he travelled through Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and back to Saudi before arriving in Bahrain on April 23, where he stayed with an Indian family in Gudaibiya for nearly a week.
“We visited the suqs, meat and fish markets, oil wells, Tree of Life, among other places. It was very special,” he said, praising the kingdom’s resilience during challenging times.
When asked how he funds the journey, Dr Vadivel said he lives on a strict budget, often relying on the kindness of others for food and shelter.
Reflecting on his experience, he encouraged others to make the most of life. “We only have one life, so let us explore,” he said.
“Even though I have reached a good place in life, I never forget where I came from. Our status means nothing. Success is not measured by titles, wealth or recognition. What truly matters are our values, actions and the impact we have on others.”
He plans to continue his journey across the Middle East, with upcoming stops in Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan and Syria, before heading to Europe. From there, he will travel across Asia and Australia, before shipping his motorcycle to Canada and then riding on to Alaska, ultimately returning to Texas.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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