Island family to explore the world

Article in our local London weekly, The Wharf

By John Hill on April 17, 2008

HAVE you ever dreamt of giving up your job and travelling around the world?

This Docklands family are to do just that – and they’re taking their three-year-old son along for the ride.

Intrepid explorers Ishak Ghani and Alison Murugesu-Ghani will leave the Isle of Dogs on May 1 for a two-and-a-half year journey around the globe in aid of Malaysian pet therapy charity Petpositive.

The pair, who live in Lockes Wharf, will be joined by bubbly son Adrian.

Alison said: “My husband and I are keen bikers, and we’d always wanted to travel around the world. We’ve always put it off to see if more people would get involved. But now we felt it was the right time to pack up and go.
“With Adrian around, bikes are out of the question though. We’ll be using a four-wheel drive vehicle instead."

The travelling trio will be taking in the sights of Europe until September. They will briefly return to London, before jetting off to Cape Town, South Africa, in November.

The 4x4 will be shipped to New York in April next year to allow the family to explore North America, Canada and South America. They will then travel from Panama to Australia for a two-month visit, before making their way across Asia to countries such as Thailand, China, Pakistan, India and Malaysia.

The expedition is expected to arrive back in England in September 2010.

Alison said: “It’s going to be quite a nomadic existence, but we’re going to love learning about different cultures and their food.
“We’ve got a roof tent for the 4x4 and we’re going to be camping in different villages along the way. A lot of our attention will be on Adrian. We’ll be home schooling him and we’re going to approach local schools to see if he can join them."

The family will be chronicling their experiences online at www.malaysiansinmotion.com.

Swapping "dogs" life for dream trip

Article in our local London weekly, The Wharf

By John Hill on May 8, 2008

AN ISLE of Dogs family has set off on the longest road trip of their lives.

Ishak Ghani, his wife Alison Murugesu-Ghani and their three-year-old son Adrian, will trade Docklands for the delights of America, Europe and Asia on a two-and-a-half year charity expedition.

The Malaysians in Motion team left their home in Lockes Wharf last Thursday, and were flagged off by Tourism Malaysia’s UK deputy director Razaidi Abd Rahim.

They hope to raise money for pet therapy charity Petpositive.

Captain Ishak said: “It’s a trip of a lifetime. We’re really looking forward to exploring new places and seeing how people receive us.
“It’s a different challenge travelling with a young child. I’d imagine he’ll be asking if we’re there yet every few minutes. But we’re not in any hurry, so we can make a few stops along the way.

The family will be exploring the planet in a four-wheel drive vehicle, packed with everything from medical supplies to Coco Pops. Their hardy mode of transport, which is equipped with a roof tent to provide overnight shelter away from creepy-crawlies, was recommended by the team who followed actor Ewan McGregor on his marathon Long Way Round world trip.

The first few months will be spent in Europe, before the family briefly return to England in September.
The expedition will continue to Cape Town, South Africa in November, before the vehicle is shipped to New York in April next year.

Having explored North America, Canada and South America, the trio will head from Panama to Australia, before heading across Asian countries such as Thailand, China, Pakistan, India and Malaysia.
They expect to return to England in September 2010.

The intrepid group will be keeping a journal of their experiences at www.malaysiansinmotion.com.

They hope to find a sponsor in the Wharf to help them to buy a satellite communications system to allow them to keep in touch at any time and place. Interested businesses can contact them via their website.