Armed with a rickshaw named Raja and boundless curiosity, Jenny and Adam took the Indian road less travelled—10,000 bumpy kilometres and countless unforgettable memories later. The Pioneer connected with this Italian couple for a special chat as they take us through their rides down the streets
“Every time we crossed into a new state, it felt like stepping into a different country. From the language and food to the clothes and customs—India constantly reinvents itself. “
Tejal Sinha
When most people plan a road trip through India, they usually imagine trains, rented SUVs, or even motorbikes. But for Jenny Gaiart, a business consultant for medical devices, and Adam Fadi, a tower crane operator, the idea of discovering India had to be far more immersive—and delightfully unconventional. So the couple, both Italian nationals living in London, decided to buy a tuk-tuk, affectionately named Raja and drive over 10,000 kilometres across India.
“We’ve always had a deep connection with India,” Jenny begins in an exclusive chat with The Pioneer. “This is our fifth visit here, but every time we left, it felt incomplete. There was always a voice in the back of our heads saying, ‘There’s still so much more to see, so many stories to discover.’ We didn’t just want to be tourists anymore—we wanted to immerse ourselves in a way that allowed us to slow down, feel the pulse of the country, and really connect with its people. That’s when the crazy idea of driving across India in a tuk-tuk was born.”
Leaving their lives in London behind, Jenny and Adam took the leap. While most might have opted for a car or a motorbike, they felt a tuk-tuk was the only vehicle quirky and Indian enough to match the spirit of their journey.
“A car would have been too comfortable,” Adam grins. “And a motorbike—well, we’d probably have fallen off by now. But a tuk-tuk? It’s perfect. It’s low to the ground so you’re literally face to face with the country. It’s a bit loud, a bit wild, and a bit unpredictable—just like India. And the best part is that it gives us complete freedom. We can stop anywhere, take random turns into tiny villages, speak to locals, and let the road surprise us. Honestly, it’s not just our mode of transport—it’s become a character in our story.”
They named the vehicle Raja—a royal companion for a journey filled with regal landscapes and noble strangers. And while the tuk-tuk may not boast air conditioning or smooth suspension, it has offered them something far greater: access to India’s hidden corners and boundless hospitality.
“The diversity here is overwhelming, in the best way,” Jenny reflects. “Every time we crossed into a new state, it felt like stepping into a different country. From the language and food to the clothes and customs—India constantly reinvents itself. It’s not just beautiful landscapes that stay with you, it’s the people. We’ve been invited into strangers’ homes, offered chai on the roadside, helped when we were lost—everywhere we go, we are embraced with warmth.”
Among the many places that left a mark on them, a few stood out vividly. “I think the salt desert in the Rann of Kutch was one of the most surreal landscapes we’ve ever seen,” Adam says. “It felt like driving through a dream—white as far as the eye could see, with nothing but silence and wind around us. And then there was Hampi. The ruins there… They made us feel like time travelers. There’s such timeless magic in that place.”
Jenny adds, “Kerala’s backwaters were stunning. Just stillness, reflections, and green everywhere. And then Rajasthan swept us off our feet with its colours and majestic forts. Each place felt like a completely different version of India, and yet it was all India.”
But not all the surprises were listed in travel guides. “Gokarna took us completely off guard,” Jenny smiles. “We expected just another beach destination, but what we found was this quiet, spiritual energy that just enveloped us. And of course, there were misadventures too—like when we got completely lost in the farmlands of Karnataka, trying to take a shortcut that Google Maps suggested. We ended up on mud roads with no idea where we were, but it turned into one of our funniest days.”
When asked about the toughest part of the trip, both laugh knowingly. “For me,” Adam says, “it’s the heat. You can’t escape it. And the noise—honking, engines, it never stops. But it’s part of the experience. You learn to let go and just take it all in.”
Jenny nods in agreement. “And for me, it’s definitely the back seat! It’s incredibly bumpy and windy. Long hours on the road take a toll on your body. But we’ve adapted—we take lots of breaks, stay hydrated, stretch our legs, and honestly, we just remind ourselves how lucky we are to be on this journey.”
Despite driving an old-school tuk-tuk across thousands of kilometres, they’ve only faced one minor hiccup. “In Goa, Raja decided to take a break in the middle of Margao,” Jenny chuckles. “But we found a mechanic who fixed it in ten minutes—for just 100 rupees! We were amazed. Touch wood, Raja has been incredibly reliable.”
Navigation has had its hiccups too. “Let’s just say Google Maps and rural India don’t always agree,” Adam jokes. “We’ve ended up on completely wrong paths, sometimes stuck, sometimes baffled. In Madurai, we were totally lost, and a kind man on a motorbike said, ‘Follow me!’ and guided us out of the chaos. It’s moments like those that stay with you.”
They’ve also gathered their fair share of funny memories. “Pulling into a busy tuk-tuk stand is like showing up to a family reunion uninvited,” Adam laughs. “All the auto drivers crowd around, open Raja’s doors, ask about the engine, the paint job—like we’ve brought an alien spacecraft.”
Jenny remembers a hilarious moment in Gujarat: “We were in a small village near the Rann of Kutch, and we stopped for chai. Just as school was getting out, dozens of kids surrounded us, waving and screaming. We were celebrities for five minutes! Then suddenly, one kid flung cow dung at us—we still don’t know why. We just jumped in Raja and sped off, laughing the whole way!”
Food, of course, has been a journey in itself. “Home-cooked food has been the best,” Adam says. “Nothing beats a meal shared in someone’s home. I’ve enjoyed most of the spicy food, but I did have one terrible biryani that knocked me out for five days!”
Jenny confesses, “Spice is my weakness. Even when I ask for ‘bina mirchi,’ I somehow end up in tears. But I’m adjusting. Street food has been hit or miss, but it’s part of the fun.”
Their day-to-day plans revolve around spontaneity. While Adam drives, Jenny scouts for accommodations and food spots, often relying on Google reviews or local suggestions. “It’s a full-time job,” she jokes. “But the best places are usually the ones the locals recommend.”
Inside Raja, they’ve stocked the essentials: first-aid kits, tools, extra fuel, plenty of water, and scarves and earplugs for Jenny. “The wind in the back is no joke,” she says, “but nothing we can’t handle.”
After all this, do they feel like they’ve seen India? Jenny answers thoughtfully, “I think a lifetime isn’t enough to fully discover India. There’s always more to see, more to feel. We’ve covered over 10,000 kilometres and yet it feels like we’ve only scratched the surface. The beauty here is layered and endless.”
Looking ahead, they’re already imagining how to extend the adventure. “We’re actually thinking about planning trips for other travellers,” Adam says. “Imagine a group of tuk-tuks, riding across India together, discovering the land, the food, the stories. It would be incredible.”
Before signing off, Jenny shares one last message. “To every Indian—please travel more in your own country. You don’t need a tuk-tuk to see the magic. Take a train, a car, a plane—anything. Just go. India is one of the most breathtaking, diverse, and heartwarming countries in the world. We’ve fallen in love with it, and we hope many more people do too.”
