Books about epic journeys? Preferably Africa
Discussion
Just getting towards the end of Traversa (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Traversa-Across-Africa-Skeleton-Indian/dp/0715637029) which is the first hand experiences of a once book shop worker who decided to walk from Namibia's Skeleton coast, to the Indian Ocean.
Very interesting story and completely devoid of any arrogant ex Star Wars actors and jeep loads of supplies and equipment complete with enough fanfair to make you think the circus had come to Africa.
This guy did it on his own, walking the whole way, with absoluetly no backup, no one even knew where he was at any stage of his walk!!
Some details here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinatio... and http://www.traversa.co.uk/index.php
Want to try and find books about similar experiences, I love Africa so preferably epic journeys through Africa, can anyone recommend any?
Very interesting story and completely devoid of any arrogant ex Star Wars actors and jeep loads of supplies and equipment complete with enough fanfair to make you think the circus had come to Africa.
This guy did it on his own, walking the whole way, with absoluetly no backup, no one even knew where he was at any stage of his walk!!
Some details here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/destinatio... and http://www.traversa.co.uk/index.php
Want to try and find books about similar experiences, I love Africa so preferably epic journeys through Africa, can anyone recommend any?
An oldie but "Heart of Darkness" is always a good read. Not strictly what you're looking forward, but still a classic. The idea character of Kurtz in "Apocalypse Now" was based on the ideas in this book.
"Catfish and Mandela" (by Pham?) is pretty good also though it's Vietnam not Africa.
"Catfish and Mandela" (by Pham?) is pretty good also though it's Vietnam not Africa.
Not read the OP book choice but I have read the other that he refers to, on their trip they met some guy who was cycling around the world and obviously through Africa when the Starwars Jedi met him on his motorbike. Did this cyclist write a book about his roundthe world adventure? if so I would have though that would be a good read.
Timmy35 said:
Blood River.
It's about a nutter who tries to retrace Livingstone's original journey up the Congo through what is modern day Zaire.
I went through there myself about 15 years ago.....seems things have erm gone down hill quite a bit since then.
Fascinating read.
Just started this. Enjoying it so far.It's about a nutter who tries to retrace Livingstone's original journey up the Congo through what is modern day Zaire.
I went through there myself about 15 years ago.....seems things have erm gone down hill quite a bit since then.
Fascinating read.
Timmy35 said:
Blood River.
It's about a nutter who tries to retrace Livingstone's original journey up the Congo through what is modern day Zaire.
I went through there myself about 15 years ago.....seems things have erm gone down hill quite a bit since then.
Fascinating read.
+1It's about a nutter who tries to retrace Livingstone's original journey up the Congo through what is modern day Zaire.
I went through there myself about 15 years ago.....seems things have erm gone down hill quite a bit since then.
Fascinating read.
Except its about a nutter retracing Stanleys steps (not Livingstone) as he's one of his descendants.
jimothy said:
Timmy35 said:
Blood River.
It's about a nutter who tries to retrace Livingstone's original journey up the Congo through what is modern day Zaire.
I went through there myself about 15 years ago.....seems things have erm gone down hill quite a bit since then.
Fascinating read.
+1It's about a nutter who tries to retrace Livingstone's original journey up the Congo through what is modern day Zaire.
I went through there myself about 15 years ago.....seems things have erm gone down hill quite a bit since then.
Fascinating read.
Except its about a nutter retracing Stanleys steps (not Livingstone) as he's one of his descendants.
Anyway I enjoyed it, and I'm 99% sure that I've met one of the characters he referred to in Kisangani. Uncanny. Ours must have been one of the last trucks to get through coming across the other way East to West before things got properly nasty as opposed to quite nasty.
Mungo Park - Travels into the Interior of Africa. 18th century bloke tries to find the source of the Niger. Proper bonkers exploration, he survives a lot longer than you'd expect.
Jonny Bealby - Running with the Moon. 20th century bloke loses his fiancee and sets off on his bike to try and find some reason in his life.
Jonny Bealby - Running with the Moon. 20th century bloke loses his fiancee and sets off on his bike to try and find some reason in his life.
jimothy said:
Timmy35 said:
Blood River.
It's about a nutter who tries to retrace Livingstone's original journey up the Congo through what is modern day Zaire.
I went through there myself about 15 years ago.....seems things have erm gone down hill quite a bit since then.
Fascinating read.
+1It's about a nutter who tries to retrace Livingstone's original journey up the Congo through what is modern day Zaire.
I went through there myself about 15 years ago.....seems things have erm gone down hill quite a bit since then.
Fascinating read.
Except its about a nutter retracing Stanleys steps (not Livingstone) as he's one of his descendants.
As for Timmy...it's worse since Blood River? Bloody hell. If you'll pardon the pun.
There's a decent fictionalised version of one of Stanley's expeditions to relieve the Emin Pasha in Equatoria by a chap named Peter Forbath. Can't remember the name of the book off-hand, but it's a bit of a page turner.
Famous Graham said:
As for Timmy...it's worse since Blood River? Bloody hell. If you'll pardon the pun.
I went through around 1992 there were soldiers being a nuisance with AK47's ( off their heads and about 12 years old ) and alot of people were hiding in the forests, not much food to eat etc. Although I do recall buying and eating some ruddy great maggoty things....I've never been a fussy eater since. 
Then the war proper started but that was a few years later and deystroyed what passed for infrastructure when I was there. Which was mud roads and log bridges....sounds like they are just tracks in the forest now.
I guess it's calmed down but there's no transport system of any kind now it seems. All rather sad really.
Timmy35 said:
Famous Graham said:
As for Timmy...it's worse since Blood River? Bloody hell. If you'll pardon the pun.
I went through around 1992 there were soldiers being a nuisance with AK47's ( off their heads and about 12 years old ) and alot of people were hiding in the forests, not much food to eat etc. Although I do recall buying and eating some ruddy great maggoty things....I've never been a fussy eater since. Then the war proper started but that was a few years later and deystroyed what passed for infrastructure when I was there. Which was mud roads and log bridges....sounds like they are just tracks in the forest now.
I guess it's calmed down but there's no transport system of any kind now it seems. All rather sad really.
These are two of the best ever written:
"Brazilian Adventure" by Peter Fleming (brother of James Bond's creator).
It is not about bikini waxing, it is about a young bloke responding to an ad in the Times in the 1930's:
Exploring and sporting expedition, under experienced guidance, leaving England June, to explore rivers central Brazil, if possible acertain fate of Colonel Fawcett; abundance game, big and small; exceptional fishing, ROOM TWO MORE GUNS; highest references expected and given. Write Box X, The Times, EC4.
And secondly:
'The Last Grain Race' by Eric Newby. About a young chap sailing one of the last square riggers around the horn in the 1930's.
Enjoy.
"Brazilian Adventure" by Peter Fleming (brother of James Bond's creator).
It is not about bikini waxing, it is about a young bloke responding to an ad in the Times in the 1930's:
Exploring and sporting expedition, under experienced guidance, leaving England June, to explore rivers central Brazil, if possible acertain fate of Colonel Fawcett; abundance game, big and small; exceptional fishing, ROOM TWO MORE GUNS; highest references expected and given. Write Box X, The Times, EC4.
And secondly:
'The Last Grain Race' by Eric Newby. About a young chap sailing one of the last square riggers around the horn in the 1930's.
Enjoy.
Edited by Bushmaster on Thursday 14th August 14:03
Thanks all, some excellent recommendations, going to check them out.
Edited to add, I cant stand the Ewan McGregor style of doing this, Long Way Down was atrocious (only saw the TV series), they didnt have any near misses or adventures, and the odd bike falling over in mud now and again is hardly exciting TV.
Without it being Ewan Mcgregor it wouldnt have even made TV, there are hundreds of people travelling the world by motorbike without the backup and assistance given to McGregor and co, it was like "its just us and our motorbikes........and another camera bike.....and 3 4x4 vehicals....and security staff....and some random bloke who worries a lot, and another two people to worry with him....and a staff in London making sure we get through passport control....and Ewan McGregors incredibly annoying wife" their journey just didnt do anything for me because of all that, I think 80% of people couldve made that journey, no bravery or sacrifice involved.
Edited to add, I cant stand the Ewan McGregor style of doing this, Long Way Down was atrocious (only saw the TV series), they didnt have any near misses or adventures, and the odd bike falling over in mud now and again is hardly exciting TV.
Without it being Ewan Mcgregor it wouldnt have even made TV, there are hundreds of people travelling the world by motorbike without the backup and assistance given to McGregor and co, it was like "its just us and our motorbikes........and another camera bike.....and 3 4x4 vehicals....and security staff....and some random bloke who worries a lot, and another two people to worry with him....and a staff in London making sure we get through passport control....and Ewan McGregors incredibly annoying wife" their journey just didnt do anything for me because of all that, I think 80% of people couldve made that journey, no bravery or sacrifice involved.
Edited by Vagabond on Thursday 14th August 14:22
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