One for the Road: Uncommon Traveler

by Kelly Amabile on

My mom is a children’s librarian and often introduces me to great travel titles for kids. The other day I was helping hang posters at her elementary school library when I spotted this book displayed on a top shelf: Uncommon Traveler is the true story of Mary Kingsley, born in England in 1862. Her father was a family physician who traveled the world caring for his wealth patrons, while Mary led a busy, sheltered life at home tending to her ill mother. But at the age of 30, both parents deceased, Mary was free to travel, and headed to West Africa.

The book has beautiful illustrations of Mary crossing dangerous ravines, battling an eight-foot croc and trekking with her guides through the forest towards the Remboue River (near what is now Gabon.) She took two journeys to West Africa, in 1893 and 1894, and developed a close relationship with members of the Fang tribe during her visits. She died during her third trip to the continent, while in South Africa as a volunteer nurse. Author and illustrator Don Brown has done a wonderful job capturing her bravery and spirit. Do you know of other children’s books that tell the stories of great women travelers?

What’s The Silliest Thing In Your Pack?

by Brett Atkinson on

I’m loving the new “What’s In Your Pack?” series, although I’m feeling a mix of awe and sympathy for Nick Hawkins and the incredible range of gear he lugs around the planet.

Another highlight has been Martha’s disclosure about Lamby, her furry erstwhile travelling companion.

It got me thinking about what else we throw in our packs for tradition or good luck. I’ve got a little cartoon lion in a safari suit that I got from inside a Kinder Surprise chocolate egg about ten years ago.

He – strangely I’ve never named it – tags along in my money belt (the lion’s only a few centimetres high) and has probably now been to about twenty countries.

What are some other silly and unnecessary items that make the cut when you’re packing?

Test Your African Geography Knowledge with Statetris: Africa

by Justin Glow on

Okay, we’ve got the original Testris-Geography mashup game called Statetris for the U.S., and then things got a bit tougher (for me) with the follow-up, Statetris: Europe. Now we’ve got new one: Statetris Africa. This one’s a doozy.

Africa is tough! I’m struggling to put countries like Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire in their correct places — and I was a Geography major in school! Problem is, even if you know where these countries are physically located, they may not be facing the correct way in the game. Just like in real Tetris, you’ve got to rotate the falling countries until they’re correctly orientated. [via]

Long Way Down: Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman Complete Africa

by Justin Glow on

The news came in over the weekend: Ewan and Charley have finished their motorcycle trek through Africa. It took them just 85 days to travel over 15,000 miles through 14 countries, from Scotland down to Cape Town, South Africa. And that’s including almost a week’s time spent at border crossings alone.

“We feel fantastic, and absolutely brilliant,” Charley told BBC Breakfast news. “It’s been a long, long ride, which has been the fun part, but getting here and arriving in Cape Town is just fantastic. And the thought of sitting on a motorbike in Scotland, and then arriving here is wonderful.”

I for one cannot wait for the television series to begin. Long Way ‘Round was — as Charley would say — absolutely brilliant. I’ve seen the entire thing at least a few times, and plan on watching it once more before I head off to Eastern Europe in October.

Thanks goes to Jaunted for the tip.

It’s Never Too Late to See The World

by Martha Edwards on

My mother, at 56, is getting her pilot’s license. Flying’s always been a passion of hers and a tragedy in the family reminded her that life’s short. I’m pretty proud of her. The reason I’m telling you this is because I love stories like that, where someone goes against what’s normally expected of them to fulfill a dream.

Here’s another story: As his 50th birthday approached, Gunther Holtorf decided he wanted to see the world, and a two-week vacation every now and then wouldn’t do. No, he wanted to see everything, so he and his wife, Christine, loaded up their off-road vehicle and started driving …. to Africa. That was 17 years ago and by now, he’s travelled to over 100 countries across every inhabited continent. And he’s still going.

He hasn’t been traveling non-stop — he and Christine will drive cross-country for 6 months or so, and fly back home to Germany, where they begin preparing for the next journey. He still has a place to call home, although a love of the open road dominates his life. Personally, I think this sounds like an ideal existence.