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20 May 2018
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Joshua Slocum's "Sailing Alone Around the World", on the "Spray", published 1899. I read my father's copies of Slocum's two voyages about age 10. Slocum's second book ended early when he disappeared at sea. It sparked my dream of traveling to far and distant lands, seeing all sorts of exotic places. Made me a National Geographic fan all my life.
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20 May 2018
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Join Date: Mar 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eurasiaoverland
I recently read a book by Newby from his 1977 journey on the Trans-Siberian. Good, but nothing like as witty as 'A Short walk...'
Thesiger was an amazing man, tough and extremely strong. When he came upon Newby and his climbing partner in Afghanistan, exhausted and sick with dysentery after their attempt on the summit of Mir Samir and presently trying to inflate an air mattress he remarked 'Gosh, you must be a couple of pansies'.
Thesiger managed to document a very intimate look into two societies now disappeared; The Bedu of Arabia and the Marsh Arabs. Sadly the rest of his travels in Africa and Central Asia are not very extensively documented.
I recently read a book in a similar vein to 'Arabian Sands'; 'Nunaga' by Duncan Pryde. It's a great look at the author's life with the Eskimos of northern Canada in the 1950s and 60s. A great account, though the author does not have Thesiger's social and academic credentials and the book may have been ghost-written.
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"Among the Mountains, Travels through Asia" by Thesiger covers at least some of his time travelling in the Stans.
To me, he was one of the old school "class" people of the UK who simply lived out their lives irrespective of any one else's concepts of how to do the same.
He not only travelled but he LIVED - not everyone does that.
His time spent with the Marsh Arabs, for instance (later, Saddam tried to end that way of life by draining the marshes).
Thesiger was living life in the mode of Nietzsches' philosophy.
These authors are now dead - Pirzig died only about a year ago - I know of no one who can replace them, with a possible exception of Jordan Peterson who is sweeping all before him at present, coming at life from a very different, professional, perspective but covering similar ground nevertheless.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obi...-Thesiger.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/24/b...intenance.html
Quote:
Originally Posted by grumpy geezer
Joshua Slocum's "Sailing Alone Around the World", on the "Spray", published 1899. I read my father's copies of Slocum's two voyages about age 10. Slocum's second book ended early when he disappeared at sea. It sparked my dream of traveling to far and distant lands, seeing all sorts of exotic places. Made me a National Geographic fan all my life.
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I recall that book from my teen years also, when I was very much into sailing and all things associated with being at sea. A man who was way ahead of his time I guess.
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Dave
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20 May 2018
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' Good Vibrations - Coast to Coast by Harley' by Tom Cunliffe. (2000)
and
' Backblocks America' by Jo and Gareth Morgan. (2007)
These books both inspired me to ride 42,000 km (26,000 miles) around North America during 2007/08.
Then I read: ' Under Asian Skies' by Sam Manicom. (2007)
I broadly followed Sam's tracks for a few years from 2009/10 onwards.
Originally though, back in the 1970s, I read and re-read ' Around the World in Wanderer III' by Eric C Hiscock. (1957) .. or was it by J. R. Hartley?
I never did sail around the world! although I managed to sail a trans-Atlantic (Gibraltar ~~> New York City) back in April 1989.
Books can and definitely do give us inspiration & motivation.
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)

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Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
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Lots more comments here!

Every book a diary
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Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
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Membership - help keep us going!
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You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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