Hi

I'm taking a year out of uni in 2007 to go around the world. I watched all of michael palin's travels and after watching around the world in 80 days, i decided that i wouldn't use aeroplanes either. I have purchased myself a large atlas to plan routes and also have the rough guides R-T-W book. I am quite travelled (Africa, Americas, Europe)but i really would like some advice from someone with experience of this type of journey. Things like:

1)How many if any travelmates
2)Amount of money
3)Ship knowledge
4)Routes i must see or try to avoid
5)The kind of things to take
6)Any additional information

Thank you for taking the time to acknowledge my request.

Billy

WiLx

wow, no aeroplanes...hmmm, i reckon all that flapping and moving your arms up and down is going to require some training.. did Michael Palin enjoy pain? Maybe he is just a fantastic swimmer!

Read Peter Moore's book "The Long Way Home", in which the author attempts to travel from England to his native Australia without getting on a plane.

Good luck Billy!

You should bear in mind that it will be a lot more difficult for you to travel around the world than it was for Palin. For example Palin was given special permission to drive across Saudi Arabia - this was only possible because of the leverage of the BBC. Also, they were also able to squeeze him onto cargo ships etc, that may not be possible for a lone backpacker. Having said that, I'm pretty sure with some persistence you could do it (although whether I would want to spend 11 days on a cargo ship crossing from Japan to USA in another matter!)
As far as travel buddies go, either go alone, or with 1 other person. With a trip like yours, you'll be trying to scrounge and beg your way onto various forms of transport (like said cargo ship). One person might manage it - 8 could have more of a problem!
Sounds like a great trip though - good luck with it!

Richard

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Richard Fletcher
The Travel Monkey - FREE advice on tickets, accommodation, scams and more!
www.thetravelmonkey.net

cheers for tips everyone. dunno bout flappin wings tho lol. yeah i'm thinking to bring a mate but i wouldn't want to travel with more than one, i have a hard time organising myself nevermind others. I am well looking forward to it but i have been asking other people recently bout getting jobs while i'm travelling, how hard is it? talkin bout saudi arabia i did wanna travel through there to get across to iran and pakistan but i am not muslim so i realise this might be a bit difficult as i dont have a rich uncle called BBC.

WiLx

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Hi,

I noticed your post, and wondered if you may be interested in the documentary I am researching.

I work for an independent TV production company called Century Films. The BBC has asked us to look into making a documentary following someone travelling overland to a specific country, by taxi (expenses paid).

We are looking for people who have a strong personal reason for visiting a given country, and a willingness to travel by cab rather than by a more conventional form of transport.

If you are interested in taking part in a programme, or know anyone else who may be, please email at kathryn.tregidgo@centuryfilmsltd.com

Otherwise, good luck with your trip!

Hello,

Thank you for your post on the upcoming documentary. Its sounds very exciting what you are planning and seems to be like something I think I would really enjoy being a part of. I
am very interested and I will definitely be in contact with you very soon. Best wishes.

Billy

WiLx

Hi,

You are in for s supper time, not to mention an experience of a life time...

I did a similar jouney, overland from UK to India, starting in a coach from london going through; FRANCE,BELGUIM,GERMANY,AUSTRIA,HUNGARY,ROMANIA, BULGARIA, TURKEY,IRAN,PAKISTAN AND INDIA. All this was overland and just using public transport in 11 days. I did this to raise money for a UK Registered "CARE Education Trust" of which I am one of the founder member.

I am sure`there is a lot I can tell you, will drop you a line.

Ramesh

It is possible to do an RTW trip without an aeroplane, but it needs a bit of planning.

I don't know if you've seen the Discovery Channel series "Easy Riders - Mondo Enduro", but it was 7 ordinary blokes who saved up and went round the world on second-hand motorbikes. The book ("Mondo Enduro") goes into a lot more detail than the TV show, and is quite entertaining as well as being informative. On limited budgets, they spent a year rough camping or staying in barns. If you were taking a year off Uni, I guess you'd have similar financial restrictions...

As for me, well I'm still at the planning stage too...!

Ramesh that sounds great!!! how much did you spend getting from uk to india? I think I might do mine like that as I want to spend most of my time in China and the Americas. Send me an email sometime, cheers. thanks everyone for the input, there is a lot of helpful information here.

WiLx

Hi, how did you get on with your RTW journey? I tried to emial you just after my last posting but they were all returned.

Would love to catch up with you and hear about your trip.

i almost did it from Australia to Scotland but I did fly a couple of times.
There are no ferries from Indo to Australia so I had to fly that one.

1)How many if any travelmates: 2

2)Amount of money: AUD$7000 which is including the flights.

3)Ship knowledge: none

4)Routes i must see or try to avoid: check border crossing are open before setting out & check for scams. Border crossing are the worst for scams!

5)The kind of things to take: As little as possible & buy along the way.

6)Any additional information: Get a working holiday visa for one of the countries along the way to cash up. Be flexible.

Note, I am only half way through my trip and saving money to get back.

quote:

Originally posted by RAMESH.J:
Hi, how did you get on with your RTW journey? I tried to emial you just after my last posting but they were all returned.

Would love to catch up with you and hear about your trip.

Hi Ramesh sorry i havent replied to your post as i have not been on this site in a very long time but i can tell you that my plans did not materialise which was mainky down to change in situations. i am currently studying at Lancaster University and decided to leave this journey till i finish but I am going on a east european trip for 24 days next tuesday by myself and if your still around I can keep you updated with that as the hostels i have planned to stay at have internet. Anyway hopefully we will speak soon.