Couple drive from Shanghai to Donegal in a Mini Cooper

By Mark O’Brien

The manager of a hostel in Donegal is anxious for updates on a Chinese couple who drove their Mini Cooper 16,558 kilometres to visit the Wild Atlantic Way.

Han and Luna Jin Li, who have dubbed themselves The Two Lunatics, set off from Shanghai on 12 September, with their journey taking in Mongolia, Russia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK before arriving in Ireland and making their way to Donegal, where they stayed in Áras Ghleann Cholm Cille for a number of days.

Started on 12 Sept, Shanghai. People think we are crazy by doing such long trip by only a couple and a Mini. #MINI pic.twitter.com/0W0OZy5mWQ

— 2Lunatics (@Two_Lunatics) December 8, 2015

Pushed our MINI to cross the border between Asia and Europe near Yekaterinburg #transeurasia #russia #MINI pic.twitter.com/fwg5KxekxK

— 2Lunatics (@Two_Lunatics) December 11, 2015

The manager of Áras Ghleann Cholm Cille, Paul O’Hare was amazed at the journey the couple had undertaken, telling The Paris Method:

We have people from all over the world coming to stay with us, so a Chinese couple showing up in December is nothing new. We just got them checked in as usual, helping them feel welcome and comfortable. It was only later when I went outside and noticed the car registration plate, that I realized they had actually driven all the way from Shanghai to Donegal. I was amazed. The funny thing is, they were equally amazed by the beauty of the Glencolmcille, Malin More and Malin Beg area. They loved the coastline and the culture here.

When asked about their journey, Luna and Han said that it was a dream come true to visit the Wild Atlantic Way and they took sights including the Slieve League Cliffs, the Folk Village and the ghost village of Port and Glenlough during their stay.

However, after running into trouble when they crashed into a ditch near Doonbeg, very little has been heard from the couple, with their last message being a Christmas message posted on Instagram five weeks ago.

Just got saved by some lovely Irish people! THX! (Fell into a ditch near Doonberg, Ireland.) #MINI #Ireland @MINI pic.twitter.com/wLEMXVD67X

— 2Lunatics (@Two_Lunatics) December 10, 2015

The couple were not injured in the incident but it is possible that they may have had to abandon their plans to drive back to Shanghai in the Mini Cooper.

Mr O’Hare would like to find out if Han and Jin Li made their safe return to China and has asked anyone with information on their current whereabouts to contact him through Áras Ghleann Cholm Cille’s website.