He is “a bit arrogant and a spoiled brat”. He always had a very comfortable life, “almost like a Buddha in a castle.” The description isn’t entirely free, but that’s how Andrei Criulean identifies himself with NiT. He does not do this as an exercise in self-mocking, the point is to explain what prompted him to set out on an adventure that is, at least, unusual.
He left Cascais on the 5th of June and set foot – literally – on the road to New Zealand. The 31-year-old Moldovan wants to walk to the other side of the world. Yes, you read that correctly. the goal? “AndFacing fears to become more humble.”
The psychiatrist said goodbye to the family and left Case de Soudre with two suitcases on his back – and without a plan. Andrei “wants to pass through southern Europe, through Asia and get to Tikitiki (a protectorate in the north of New Zealand)“And But you still haven’t decided which way you want to go.
When he spoke with NiT “I was resting my feet, somewhere in the south of France”. From there you can go to Bulgaria, and then to Turkey, for example, crossing the Bosphorus Strait to Asia. Or he went to his homeland, Moldova, and continued to Russia, and from there to China. Hypotheses abound and Andre will have plenty of time to make up his mind. After all, the journey has no end date.
It all started with a simple joke with his parents and sister. He was always told that one day he would “do something extraordinary with his life.”. “In order not to disappoint this expectation, I began to say, half in jest, that I was going on foot to New Zealand.” noHe never forgot the challenge he gave himself – even because he is “a man of his word.”
“I like to keep what I promise and when I say something to others the responsibility is greater. I had already bragged to my friends that I was going to New Zealand, and when they asked me again, I still hadn’t left. Until the day came when I said, ‘I’m going,’ he says.
I have never walked more than five kilometers. I used to walk along Paredão de Cascais and a few other things. Even without any kind of training or experience, I decided to go from Portugal to Oceania on foot. He had a very clear goal, but admits he “could have prepared better”.
Andre NHe was born in Moldavia and came to Portugal, more specifically to Cascais, when he was 13 years old, where he continued his studies. He studied mechanical engineering, then switched to psychology, and in recent years has devoted his time to psychotherapy and coaching. Between studying and reading, he developed a certain fascination for New Zealand: he recognized that it was “one of the most advanced countries in the world”, not to mention all the natural beauty. Almost without noticing it, the “pet” has grown to get to know the country of destination better – And this is the direction in which he has been going for the past month and a half.
the beginning
Having caught a train from Cascais to Cais de Sodre (he still had a valid ticket to spend), he asked a policeman how to get to Spain. The law enforcement officer replied, “It’s right in front of you.” And he set off, with two backpacks and 10 kilograms (which he had already reduced to six) on his back.
“I walked to Vila Franca de Xira, orientating myself using Google Maps, but I also asked people for directions. It’s also a way to interact and it’s really nice to see their expressions. At first they don’t take me seriously, but they wish me good luck,” he says.
The strategy is simple: walk as much as you can each day (at least 30 kilometers) and rest when your body demands it. It took four days to reach Spain – At this point it started Involved Traveling on social media. “At first it was supposed to be a trip just for me, and I didn’t want to share it with anyone, but I need sponsors. So my family always knows where I’m going, ”he admits.
Even without much training, the body quickly got used to the rhythm and to a distance of 30 kilometers a day – the maximum it did in one day was 50. Until now, the body was always on the move and never stayed in the same place for more than two days.
Andrey’s map.
Andrei usually walks at night, because during the day “the heat is unbearable” and it becomes “extremely stressful for the muscle.” Besides spending more water than it’s supposed to. The biggest difficulties were the drought and, above all, not knowing what you would find when you got to the next town. It happened, for example, the inability to find a place to sleep. They do not have a tent with him, and when he has to sleep outside, he wears clothes he has brought to make the place “more comfortable”.
“I happen to walk at night and you’re so exhausted that the body just wants to shut down. I go to a village, find a park bench, pack my stuff and just lie there for an hour. I turn it off completely and wake up refreshed,” he admits.
Another problem is the cost of the trip: he has already spent about 2,500 euros. “I am not getting anything at the moment, so I was thinking of solutions. I wanted to try to find work for just one day, but it was complicated by bureaucracies. But I did not give up on the idea and I am aware of the opportunities,” he says.
Two months after the start of the journey, he is currently in France, near Montpellier, and has already covered about 1,500 km – with two exceptions. The first happened when I was still in Portugal, in Alentejo. I was walking during the day, in the miserable heat, and came into a village that did not have a single coffee shop. They only existed in the next village.” He remembers. Luckily there was a gentleman with his car parked and he rode for about 2 km.
The second time he broke “the rule” occurred in Spain, when he was walking in a protected area. “A gentleman stops in front of me and tells me, very firmly, to sit in the car. I managed to get there, I wasn’t dehydrated, but I accepted it anyway,” Andre says. That was the last time he got in a car. I couldn’t make too many exceptions, but I don’t want to be extreme either. If I’m in a dangerous situation, I’ll take the ride,” he assures.
By road, you should get to Malaysia – about 11 thousand kilometers from Lisbon. When you reach the final stage of the challenge, you will have to take a boat or a plane to get to New Zealand. After all, “there is still a way to walk on water.” It would be, in principle, just one of the exceptions.
He doesn’t have an estimated date of arrival, but he believes if he continues at this pace, the journey will take about two years. “I usually say I have my whole life ahead of me, but if you arrive earlier, the better. If it takes longer, that’s not a problem either.”she says.
He is 31 years old.
