Adventuoros Streak: Ciachella reading a map inside his van in Kuala Lumpur recently. He wanted to be photographed against the backdrop of the Petronas Twin Towers.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Jaded and laid-back - these are two words you certainly cannot pin on 74-year-old grandfather Piero Ciachella. 

Ciachella, an Italian who retired as the manager of an electronics firm in 1990, has been driving around the world by himself in a specially equipped van, in four annual expeditions since 2000. 

He arrived in Johor Baru from Singapore on Friday and drove up here on a personal mission - to have himself photographed against the backdrop of the Petronas Twin Towers. 

"Malaysia is so beautiful. I cruised through the (North-South) highway, which is nice, and the rest areas that I used were clean and welcoming. 

"Many Europeans still have misconceptions about this part of the world. They still think that there are no skyscrapers in Kuala Lumpur. I will rectify it with the reports that I will file," he said inside his cosy "mobile home" which was parked outside the Italian Embassy here. 

Ciachella began his travel adventure in his Italian-made Adria van in 2000, covering parts of Europe, Africa and Asia, travelling 19,000km in three months, after finding two sponsors - Telecom Italia and van manufacturer Adria Italia. 

Both gave him US$40,000 (RM153,000) for this year's expenses. 

His van has a Global Positioning System, satellite telephone, shower, foldable bed, refrigerator, kitchenette and cabinets to store food. 

Speaking in fluent English, Ciachella explained why he embarked on his long and winding road travel: "I had travelled quite a bit while I was employed but those were boring trips. People picked me up from the airport and drove me straight to the hotel. 

"I always wanted to see the world in a meaningful way and there was no better way than driving everywhere myself." 

Known to friends as Uncle Chuck (Ciachella is pronounced "Chuck-ello"), he said his second trip, in 2001, was from Italy to Mongolia, a 25,000km journey through 14 countries which lasted four months. 

It was followed by a back-breaking 47,000km drive through 16 countries from Alaska to southern Argentina which took six months. 

For this year's expedition that began on March 22, his final stop would be Australia. 

"I go next to Bangkok and Jakarta from where my van will be shipped to Perth," said Ciachella, who left for the Thai capital over the weekend. 

Ciachella, who has many interesting tales to tell, is interviewed live by Italy's RAI radio network on Sundays. 

"This week, my 52nd report will be on Malaysia," said Ciachella, who also filed stories from his laptop to update a special website on his travels. 

The fun-loving divorcee, who doesn't look his age at all, said among the interesting things he had learnt on the road was the differing price of fuel. 

"In Iran, I could fill my tank with 50 litres of diesel for only US$1 (RM3.80). In Azerbaijan's capital of Baku, the price was ridiculously low - only US$1 for a hundred litres!" he said. 

Wherever he goes, Ciachella makes it a priority to call on the respective Italian ambassadors. 

Here, he briefed Italian Ambassador Anacleto Felicani on the progress of his journey. 

"He was very kind and encouraging and even invited me to Italy's National Day reception at his residence this Wednesday," he said with a grin, before driving off to a petrol station where he usually parked to spend the nights.