Having spent a fair amount of time in Portugal, I can confidently relate two things about the Portuguese people. Firstly, they are generally wonderful with great humanity, compassion, and culture. Secondly, the Portuguese are incredibly proud of their history, punching far above their weight to become one of the greatest nations of explorers that have ever existed.
In the world of adventurous spirits and globetrotters, Portuguese André Sousa (full name André Filipe Duarte de Sousa, and now 29 years old) made his ancestors proud as he embarked on an extraordinary and ever so slightly irreverent trip, circumnavigating the globe on a Honda Monkey mini bike. Over the course of three years, André traveled across 54 nations on the mini bike powered by a mere nine horsepowers (not a spelling mistake). During his travels, he encountered several mishaps: he was arrested in Mexico, abducted in Nepal, hospitalized in California, and caught off guard by the tragic earthquake in Turkey. He even took on the role of a journalist for CNN Portugal. This fun-loving, extroverted, and gregarious 29-year-old explorer eventually captured the essence of his travels in a book titled Volta ao Mundo de Minimoto—Around the World by Minimoto.
“I wanted to challenge myself and experience the world in a way that few others have,” André explains. “Traveling on a mini motorbike allowed me to immerse myself in the journey and connect more deeply with the people and places I encountered along the way.”
The mini moto round-the-world expedition was not Andre’s first rodeo. In 2016, Andre’s adventurous spirit emerged during a student exchange program in Slovakia. Throughout this experience, he traveled to nine countries hitchhiking in the Balkans region, and it was during these travels that he discovered a deep interest in understanding the lives of the people he encountered, extending beyond mere enjoyment of natural beauty. This personal connection with individuals and their diverse cultures ignited his curiosity.
And so, in 2018, André embarked on another student exchange program, this time in Brazil. There, he decided that he would challenge himself; his goal was ambitious: to set a world record by crossing all eleven South American countries on a 125cc engine motorcycle. According to The International Book of Records, André embarked on his tour from the picturesque coastal city of Florianópolis, Brazil, on May 25th, 2018, and became the first person to travel through eleven South American countries by land route on a small 125cc motorbike. Covering a total distance of 24,225 kilometers, André completed this remarkable and challenging journey in 120 days.
Two years later, setting off from the dry, dusty, and Eucalyptus-lined streets of Avis in Portugal, Andre’s expedition began with a twist of the throttle and a sense of anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead. With a minimalist approach to travel, he embraced the freedom of life on the road. To be honest, he did not have much of a choice but to be minimalist; his little Hog, while dogged and determined, did not have the carrying capacity of a larger adventure bike or a frame built to carry panniers, fuel, food, camping gear, clothing and tools that all adventure riders invariably have to carry with them.
Armed with little more than a backpack and a sense of adventure, he embraced the simplicity of life on the road, finding solace in the open sky above and the camaraderie of fellow travelers he met along the way.
As he traversed continents and crossed borders, Alex encountered a kaleidoscope of landscapes, cultures, and experiences that shaped his perspective. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the sun-drenched beaches of the Caribbean, each destination offered its own unique charm and challenges, providing Alex with a tapestry of memories to cherish for a lifetime.
In total, it took André one thousand days to travel from Portugal to Morocco and then back up to Europe and across to Asia, including a detour to the southern tip of India. From Asia, he and the little bike flew to Australia, and after crossing the Outback, they hopped on another flight; André returned to his old stomping grounds in South America. Starting in Chile, the duo made their way back to Brazil and then up to Colombia, over to Central America, and all the way to California before turning right and buzzing across to Canada. The final leg of the trip started with a flight to the UK and then the short, sweet ride back home to Portugal.
Throughout his travels, Alex has documented his experiences on his blog, sharing insights, anecdotes, and photographs that offer readers a window into his world, from heartwarming encounters with locals to adrenaline-fueled adventures off the beaten path. According to André, the most profound aspect of Alex’s globetrotting is the sense of connection and unity that transcends borders and cultures. As he navigated through unfamiliar terrain and interacted with people from all walks of life, he discovered, as most international travelers do, that despite our differences, we are all bound together by a common humanity and a shared desire for connection and understanding.
André found out, too late, it seems, that international overland travel is addictive; once it takes hold of you, it does not simply let go. Honda saw the value in Andre’s journey, and he has traded in the little, trusty Honda Monkey “Hog” for a 2024 Honda Africa Twin 1100.
Andre recently set off from Barcelo in Portugal to begin the first leg of his new adventure —the Pan America highway from Ushuaia in Argentina to Alaska. Boa Viagem!
You can follow André on Instagram and Facebook.
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