Eight months ago, Tim Jones, a 28-year-old electrical metering technician from Hertfordshire, UK, embarked on a cycling journey that would take him through 15 countries and cover over 10,000 kilometres. His personal adventure became a humanitarian mission after witnessing the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, which claimed over 800 lives and destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes and schools.

Inspired by the destruction he witnessed, Tim partnered with Habitat for Humanity, a global organisation that helps provide housing for people affected by natural disasters.After seeing his fundraising efforts, Habitat personally invited Tim to visit their Siem Reap concession housing project in Veal village last October, giving him firsthand insight into their work.

“I like that Habitat builds homes and makes a lasting difference. It’s not just about providing immediate relief but giving people something permanent to rebuild their lives,” Tim had noted after his visit. “There's a good drainage system so there was no flooding. A few homes had also set up little businesses like cafés and a mini supermarket which was good to see.”

Since The Post last caught up with Tim, his journey has continued through three more Southeast Asian countries and across to South America, with his fundraising efforts now exceeding £3,377 ($4,168) for disaster victims. 

Exploring some of Cambodia’s hidden gems

After his initial visit to Siem Reap, Tim ventured to the lesser-known temple of Banteay Chhmar, where he found himself almost alone among the ancient ruins. 

“Quite a lot of the temple has fallen apart, which was interesting – to see the natural decay – but it's also a shame to think the site could deteriorate further without more maintenance,” he reflects.

His exit from Cambodia proved more adventurous than planned. 

“I'd not thoroughly researched the border crossings, so I accidentally turned up at theBoeng Trakuoncrossing point, which was open at the time but only for locals,” Tim recalls. “When the Cambodian guards saw me on my bicycle they just laughed. Once I understood why, I found it funny too.”

Tim takes a boat trip to Kampong Phluk floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake, near Siem Reap province. Tim

The mishap led to an unexpected extra day in Cambodia before heading to Poipet. 

“I had to leave my bicycle in no man’s land, go up to passport control, then walk back to no man’s land to collect my bike. I then ended up in the wrong queue which was for Thai nationals only. To me it's all part of the fun.”

Before departing Southeast Asia, Tim returned to Siem Reap for a final week of exploration. One highlight was visiting Kampong Phluk, which he describes as “spectacular, especially in the dry season when you can see how tall the homes on stilts are and realise how high the Tonle Sap can get”.

The visit also offered unique insights into local life.

“It was really interesting to see daily life on the water, the reeling in of fish nets, the little boat markets and kids paddling around in buckets,” he says.

Taking time to slow down, Tim also enjoyed some modern amenities.

“It's rare for me to properly slow down on my trip, so I enjoyed going to the new wake park in Cambodia and going out to experience the Siem Reap nightlife.”

Banteay Chhmar, an ancient temple complex in Banteay Meanchey province in northwestern Cambodia. Tim Jones

Thailand and Malaysia: A study in contrasts

Thailand presented a marked shift from Cambodia's landscape. 

“Travelling through Thailand was a sharp contrast to Cambodia,” Tim notes.“I didn't enjoy the traffic and cycling as much, especially in the north. Too many cars and poorly set up traffic lights with up to three minutes between changes. Once I managed to pop to services and use the loo and still make the green light!” he says, laughing.

His journey south, however, offered a welcome change.

“I then travelled to Ratchapraha in the south which was truly beautiful. An amazing lake and untouched mountains,” he describes.

Malaysia offered its own distinctive charm, particularly in its cuisine. 

“The food there was the best I've had in my life, buffets with more options than you could fit on a plate and a perfect combination of spices,” Tim enthuses. 

Penang Island in Malaysia. Tim Jones

He found joy in unexpected places, adding, “It may sound strange, but I was also so happy to see the Type G electrical plug, the same that's in the UK. In my view far superior to the Type C plug which is less secure and sometimes falls out.”

Indonesian adventures

Indonesia marked another significant shift in Tim's journey. 

“The country is full of extroverts, and I'd often get chatting to other locals when I stopped for coffee.In one cafe I practically gave an English lesson to some local school kids,” he shares. “This helped me to pickup quite a bit of the language and made the whole experience more enjoyable.”

The road conditions there presented new challenges, however.

“Motorbikes were the most dominant form of transport, and I found these to be well behaved. Unfortunately, a minority of truck drivers seemed to think they were still on one when in their truck. I had to dive off the road and onto the gravel a few times.”

Along the western coast of Sumatra, Tim found the roads quieter and more suitable for cycling. His explorations included “a well-kept and originally English fort in Bengkulu, an empty hot spring in Curup and the south Bukit Barisan National Park where the noise of the wildlife was electric. I felt like the birds and monkeys were cheering me up the hills!”

His journey also took him around the outskirts of Rajabasa Volcanowhere he was able to “just about make out Krakatoa [caldera] in the distance.”

His decision to return home for Christmas was influenced by family considerations and practical travel logistics. 

“I worked out it was cheaper to fly west and then west again to South America rather than fly east,” Tim explains.

Tim takes a moment to watch the capybara swimming in a lake at Marechal Cândido Rondon in Paraná, Brazil. Supplied

The break provided an opportunity to upgrade his equipment and share his experiences. His fundraising efforts have proven successful, with Tim noting he's “now chuffed” to have raised so much for Habitat.

Brazil: New continent, new challenges

Tim's South American adventure began with improved camping gear.

“I arrived in Brazil with a proper tent, mattress and sleeping bag. Before I was travelling with a hammock and mattress which I found wasn't good for certain scenarios or my back. Whilst I'm a bit slower now, it is liberating to have a proper camping option.”

The first two weeks in Brazil have tested Tim in unexpected ways.

“Not many people speak English here and whilst I'm trying to learn the language, I'm getting mixed up with the bits of Italian and French I know,” Tim shares. 

Additionally, he says the layout of Brazilian towns and cities requires a different approach.

“The locations people live in Brazil are very different to Southeast Asia. Rather than small villages dotted between towns, I'm finding there are hardly any villages and the towns are larger and sometimes over 30kilometres apart,” he explains. “This has made riding in the heat difficult as I'm going to have to start carrying more water. A couple of times I have just gone and knocked on a house for water or a stopped car has offered me water and snacks too.”

While experiencing much kindness, Tim acknowledges some concerns.

“Whilst most of the people I've met here have been great and helpful there is a definite feeling of danger in the air. I've been warned not to go into certain cities with high homicide rates.”

He's also faced practical setbacks, including having his debit card details compromised, though fortunately without financial loss.

Despite these obstacles, Tim maintains an optimistic outlook.

“Overall, I'm now having a good time in Brazil. I've camped in some beautiful locations, enjoyed the cuisine and lots of pastéis. The terrain has been rough but a good warm up for the Andes,” he says.

What started as an unplanned charitable endeavour after witnessing typhoon damage in Vietnam has now raisedthousands of dollars for Habitat for Humanity. These funds will help provide stable housing for families across Southeast Asia, where Tim has seen firsthand both the devastating impact of natural disasters and the practical difference that well-built homes can make. 

As he pedals towards the Andes, his fundraising page remains active with daily updates athttps://giving.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/pf/tim-jones.