Jim Rogers is a traveller in the true sense. He and Paige Parker have been driving around the world for over two years now and aim to finish seeing the globe by December. The dynamic duo stopped over in Pune.

On a mission to drive around the world, the couple have already crossed 1,40,000 kms and are now in India. This is the ultimate challenge for the husband wife duo who got married during the trip.

Jim Rogers had travelled over 1,00,000 kms on a 100 cc BMW motorcycle from 1990 to 1992. His unique adventure then won him an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records.

"I grew up in a poor, small, non-descript town in the United States and since I was six, wanted to go around the globe. It's just one of those things," says 52-year-old Jim, when asked why he had the travel bug.

In 1998, Jim, decided to make another trip. This time, the trip was to be made in a car. "We saw a number of cars but couldn't find the perfect four-while drive," says Paige, who on her first date with Jim was informed that they would travel the world on road. "When he spoke about it on our first date I just said, 'Ya! Whatever', obviously thinking it was a joke. But when he came up to me in 1998 and told me he was considering making another trip, at first I was surprised. But after that, I just jumped in and said 'I'm going with you'," says Paige, who put her career temporarily on hold to join Jim on this trip.

While scouting around for the 'ideal' car, a few officials at Mercedes got wind of their plan and before the couple knew it, they had taken the durable Mercedes Benz G-Series Wagon and the stylish SLK 230 and converted it into an All Utility Vehicle, a first for Mercedes. It was to be called the Mercedes Millennium, and their three-year drive around the globe was to be coined the 'Millennium Adventure'.

"The car is unbelievable," says Jim, who had not driven a car since 1968. "They (Mercedes) gave me the G-Series and the SLK and said that I would only have to incur the cost of putting both together. They're very smart, because after putting the two together, I realised that I would have been better off buying both the cars and getting them to do the merging. It cost a lot of money to get it done," adds Jim.

The result - a Sunburst Yellow luxurious sports convertible that is safe and rugged. Designed by Gerhard Steinle, the 'Millennium' is a four-wheel drive with a unique hardtop retractable.

The duo are being accompanied by two men in another car, which act as a support vehicle. The two men are a 21-year-old Swede and a 27-year-old American. The former updates the site that the couple has put up, while the latter photographs and takes video coverage of all the places the couple has gone to.

"The car has seen us through all kinds of roads and conditions and is in perfect condition," adds Paige, who married Jim one year into their trip.

"The fact that we could survive a year together through some gruesome conditions leads us to believe that we could go through possibly anything, as long as we were together. She's smart, fun, beautiful and exciting, so we just had to get married," says Jim.

"Jim's main attraction is his mind. He brings wisdom to me and his quick thinking and instinct just floored me. He will always find a way to do something and never hits a wall. He makes things happen. That's why I love him," blushes the 32-year-old Paige.

They started off from Iceland on January 1st, 1999, and have travelled across 85 countries. Places they've driven through include the United Kingdom, most of Europe, China, Korea, Russia, Africa, the Middle East and are now cruising around South East Asia.

During their stay in India they have been to Khajuraho, Ranthambore Tiger Resort, The Kumbh Mela, Agra and Delhi. Jim says, "We are happy to be in the country and would like to see a number of places. We have been to the Kumbh Mela and were amazed to see the sea of Humanity present there. We love the Indian food and have no complaints except that the roads in the country are in a bad condition."

They plan to cross Burma, Australia, New Zealand and South America on their way home to New York, but aren't sure when they'll complete it. "We've targetted completion by December this year, but you never know what can come up," says Jim. "It's going to take us months to settle down and cope with the change when we finally finish this adventure. Of course, we could be busy with writing our own book soon. I'm also looking forward to having children," says Paige, while Jim adds candidly, "I don't know what's going to happen then. But I could feel like another trip."

If you want to learn more about the couple and their adventures around the globe, visit their website -
www.jimrodgers.com or www.paigeparker.com

Text: Rahul Surkund
Photos: Hari Krishna