The Unplanned Odyssey: A Father and Son's Vespa Pilgrimage Across Continents
Embarking on a cross-continental journey aboard a vintage Vespa from Sydney to Italy was always destined to be challenging. However, Mario Gabrieli, 54, and his 11-year-old son Leonardo never anticipated confronting a Middle Eastern war, global oil shocks, and sealed international borders along their 10-month coming-of-age pilgrimage. Their ambitious quest aims to traverse from their Australian home to Gabrieli's birthplace in Trieste, Italy, predominantly on the back of their cherished 1976 blue Vespa, with only essential water crossings interrupting their land route.
Navigating Unexpected Obstacles on the Open Road
Nearly three months into their epic adventure, the dynamic duo has already weathered fuel restrictions, shuttered petrol stations, excruciatingly sore buttocks, and a complete engine breakdown. Currently positioned at a bamboo bus stop approximately 150 kilometers north of Songkhla in southern Thailand, near the Malaysian frontier, Gabrieli reflects that fulfilling this global Vespa voyage has perpetually been his lifelong aspiration. Previously, he had undertaken month-long Vespa excursions across Europe and Asia, but the timing never aligned perfectly until Leonardo reached year six and their apartment faced demolition.
"It was the perfect timing for me in my life," Gabrieli explains. "I thought 'maybe this dream can come true'. The main reason for me is really to pass on my sense of adventure to Leonardo." To gauge readiness, they initially tested the waters with a two-week moped expedition across northern Thailand, where Leonardo adapted seamlessly. However, just one week before their scheduled departure in early January, their Vespa suffered a catastrophic engine failure, necessitating a complete rebuild with rare components sourced through a mechanic friend.
The Route Ahead: From Southeast Asia to European Shores
Since commencing their journey, Mario and Leonardo have navigated through Indonesia via Surabaya, Java, and Sumatra, crossed into Malaysia, and entered southern Thailand. Their forthcoming itinerary will lead them through Laos and China before tackling the formidable 1,200-kilometer Pamir Highway across the Stans, over the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan, which borders Iran. This segment promises to be the most arduous due to stringent border restrictions. Should access to Azerbaijan prove unattainable, their contingency plan involves detouring through Russia, nearly encircling Ukraine, though visa limitations may also impact this alternative route.
The entire pilgrimage is projected to span approximately ten months, culminating in a reunion with Gabrieli's partner and Leonardo's mother, Jocelyn, in Trieste. There, they intend to spend two months engaging in ordinary activities before Leonardo returns to high school in Australia. "It will be almost like a full circle," Gabrieli muses. "Come back to Trieste with the Vespa, with Leonardo. It will be an entrance. It will be such a huge moment."
Embracing the Vespa Community and Overcoming Daily Hurdles
Throughout their travels, the pair has been "blessed" by the hospitality of Vespa communities scattered across Asia, who have generously offered lodging and roadside assistance. Their strategy involves riding for two consecutive days followed by a rest day, allowing time for leg stretching and Leonardo's homeschooling, facilitated by local SIM cards for internet access. "People welcome you because you're on a Vespa," Gabrieli notes. "It becomes almost like a passport because it's such an iconic vehicle."
Nevertheless, the journey has presented significant challenges, particularly the global fuel crisis. In Thailand, they encountered restrictions limiting petrol purchases to 10 liters per transaction, compounded by approximately 70% of fuel stations being closed. "The tricky part is, for us on the Vespa, we have a 150km range with the tank," Gabrieli explains. "But you don't know if you're going to find a petrol station that is open. So you just have to guess." Despite these uncertainties, he maintains an optimistic perspective: "At the moment, I'm not thinking too much. I'm just going. And it's incredible that you can always find a way. There is always a way."
The Physical Toll and Unforgettable Moments
The most demanding days involve marathon 10-hour rides over pothole-ridden roads and chaotic traffic, leading Leonardo to categorize the discomfort into "three stages of pain":
- Flaming butt
- Numb butt
- Steam butt
Gabrieli humorously adds a fourth stage: "The prayer. The prayer to make it stop." Yet, these hardships are balanced by joyous experiences, such as an impromptu rain dance in Sakra, East Lombok, where locals and travelers alike celebrated under the downpour. Leonardo enthusiastically recalls, "In five minutes, everyone's dancing around in the rain. And we did that until the rain stopped."
Documenting the Journey and Embracing Spontaneity
The father-son team has garnered a substantial social media following, with Leonardo being dubbed "Indonesia's Justin Bieber" due to their burgeoning online presence. They actively document their expedition on Instagram and Facebook, leveraging these platforms to seek mechanical advice or assistance when needed. For Gabrieli, the essence of their pilgrimage lies in its unpredictability. "I started with the mentality that to take Leonardo on a journey with no planning and be open to what happens on the road really is the point," he affirms. "Everything else is like a bonus."
Leonardo acknowledges that while his friends back home may perceive his travels as merely "cool," they likely cannot grasp the profound significance of his experiences. "I don't think they'll know how much meaning it actually has," he reflects. Ultimately, Gabrieli emphasizes that reaching the destination is secondary to the transformative journey itself. "I think Leonardo has started enjoying the road and started to see the beauty of things changing every day," he concludes, encapsulating the true spirit of their remarkable Vespa pilgrimage.
