Covering 65,000 km and 54 countries… Russian adventurers impressed by Guyana’s rich blend of cultures

Nov 05, 2018 News

Covering 65,000 kilometers and 54 countries, three Russian adventurers in their travels across the globe are making their way through the South American continent, with their current stop being Guyana.
Aleksander Morozov, Nikolai Balandinslei and Rustem Kazaneaev, the group’s cameraman, have embarked on a journey with a time span, as of now, being fifteen months. However, what has piqued the interest of most individuals who have heard of their travels is their mode of transportation. Three men who hail from Moscow, Russia have covered 65,000 kilometers in a Russian Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant (UAZ) van.

leksander Morozov (left) and, Nikolai Balandinslei (right) along with the Russian UAZ van

The men have set out to be the first group of Russian adventurers to travel the globe via a Russian made car. In an interview, Balandinslei- the travel manager of the group explained that they wanted to change the image that persons back home see when they think of the UAZ van. He added that the van, which has been in production for 60 years is often seen as unreliable and low in functionality, but the three man, 15-month expedition has disproved this notion.
Morozov, the designated driver stated that the group saw very little trouble in terms of the van’s functionality.
Entering Guyana through Lethem, the men commented about the unique marriage of cultures that they have seen in Georgetown as well as the hinterland areas. The adventurers explained that Guyana, when juxtaposed with other countries, Guyana is a blend of cultures that has created a very colourful and beautiful collective image that is inclusive and accepting of all. The group’s stay in Guyana covers one week, with them embarking on their journey for the next country today.
The expedition took the men across Europe, through Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Austria, Czech Republic, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, France, Monaco, Andorra, Spain, and Gibraltar – before finally arriving in Morocco. They then headed down Africa’s west coast, through Benin, Mauritania, Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Togo; also cutting through Nigeria, Cameroon, and The Congo.

The Russian UAZ van in the hinterland region at sunset

They then traveled through the Congo, Angola, Namibia, and South Africa where they embarked on their trip to South America traveling through Brazil and Paraguay, with the UAZ van traveling to Guyana by boat.
The next stop in the expedition is Panama, with the UAZ travelling by boat.