While most of us dreamed to travel many places ― may it be in local destinations or abroad ― but due to financial restrictions, failed to do so; for Melchizedek Aranas Garcia, his travel story is different.
Melchizedek, has crossed Philippine islands for about 120 days, with 84 riding days and 36 chill days to finish the 10,200 km ride with his bicycle.
His love for nature had inspired him to complete this unparalleled experience as with his love for cycling.
“Nung nagkatrabaho na, while onboard a ship, it comes to my mind na I want to travel the whole Philippines and even the whole world,” Garcia said.
“Since I’m used to be a cyclist even before I started working on a ship, it comes to my mind na, what if bisikletahin ko buong Pilipinas? That was 2014,” he added.
In 2015, he boarded an international vessel and had a chance to see a lots of tourist spots from different countries, and met different nationalities.
“I realized.. naikot ko na ang mundo pero sarili kong bansa hindi pa. What if gawin ko yung gusto kung gawin before,” he stressed.
In 2016, Melchizedek bought a Philippine map and studied the distance between cities, places to visit, and other information about the places he wanted to visit in. A year after, he shared this idea to his friends but gained no support as some said he was insane. “Some said it’s possible, others said it’s okay ― but most of them doubted,” he added.
“As for my preparation, I climb one of the toughest mountain in Palawan. Then, I went to Malaysia to climb Mt. Kinalabu. I was in good condition, I said to myself,” he stressed.
It was in March 15, 2019 when Melchizedek finally started his journey from North Luzon loop and to the rest of the country which concluded on July 20, 2019.
He said the only hurdle he faced was when his tires got flat and other rainy days, the rest went smoothly.
“The reason why I didn’t feel I struggled because I am prepared physically. I trained for four months. I even climbed mountain as a training,” he stressed.
The young Melchizedek have had travelled various places in the country. At 15, he already reached the country’s highest peak, the Mt. Apo and had seen the beauty of nature, that was the time when he started to wander and which led him to brace this unforgettable experience of travelling the country with a bike.
He said that after that trip, he realized that there are more things to discover about the beauty of the Philippines and most of all, it uncovered more things about himself.
He was motivated by the people who doubted him and was inspired by those who believed in him and his dreams.
“Anyone can do it. It’s just a matter of courage, confidence, and most of all mindset,” he ended.
When we want to achieve something, no excuses are valid. It’s a matter of belief that we can do it with great determination, and making the actions done. If we want to travel, all we have to do is START THE JOURNEY. — Story of Every Juan
Story of Every Juan 