13 Countries In 4 Years With No Savings: Dubai-based Malayali Driver's Travel Story

News18

a day ago

Dubai‑based Malayali driver Salam Amas visited 13 countries and eight islands in the last four years.
A Malayali expatriate, named Salam Amas, who works as a driver in Dubai, has charted an extraordinary journey over the past four years—visiting 13 countries and eight islands, on limited resources and with almost no savings. According to Kerala media outlet Onmanorama, Salam's narrative is rapidly inspiring visitors on a tight budget to travel.
Despite financial struggles and humble beginnings, Salam, a native of Thanoor in Malappuram, began his journey in 2002 when he moved to Kuwait with limited money and heavy responsibilities. Salam, who had four unmarried sisters and lived in a small house on 5.5 cents of land, started working as a shepherd in the barren borderlands of Abdali, which is close to Iraq.
He suffered loneliness, low pay, and severe desert conditions while earning only 35 Kuwaiti dinars (approximately Rs 5500); he compared these hardships to the terrifying tale of 'Aadujeevitham,' a famous Malayalam novel.
With time, Salam gained driving skills and secured a better job in Kuwait as a chauffeur. With the help of a relative, he relocated to the United Arab Emirates in 2005. His income increased there, and he spent years building stability by assisting his brother in building a decent home and marrying off their sisters.
However, Salam's dormant dream was rekindled by Expo 2020 Dubai. He pledged to visit the nations represented as he strolled around the world pavilions. And he did, touring the GCC countries like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.
Sala travelled further afield to places like Kenya, Azerbaijan, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Seychelles, Kyrgyzstan, Iran and islands like Kish, Kim, Ledigu, Mahe, Praslin, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar and Kilimanjaro. Safaris in Mikumi and Masai Mara National Parks are among his most treasured recollections.
Besides the places he travelled, Salam's story is unique for the way he went about it. He carefully budgeted for each journey, frequently travelling with friends and taking up extra work to pay for his travels. Although he rarely keeps track of his spending, he believes that he has already spent over 25,000 dirhams (approximately Rs 5.93 lakh). Salam considers his travel adventures as his greatest savings.
As a driver, Salam has encountered several famous personalities and notable individuals. Working at the grocery, he had the opportunity to meet and dine with superstar Mohanlal. With his mother Amina Beevi, wife Jasna, and children supporting his dream, Salam now hopes to take his family on a lavish international trip.
From a shepherd in the Gulf deserts to a world traveller on a meagre salary, Salam Amas is a real example of how dreams do not wait for the right circumstances to materialise—they are strengthened by perseverance.
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