ROUND THE WORLD BY CAR
June 9th, 2010
I’m writing a new book at the moment. It’s a biography about the first woman to travel around the world by car. The attempt would be amazing enough for anyone, but realizing that she accomplished the feat at an early age during the Roaring 20s in a converted Model-T Ford is nothing short of remarkable. Automobiles had only been in general use in North America for a few years, and in post-WWI Europe they were still a novelty. There were parts of Africa that had no roads at all to speak of. Then there were the perils of being a beautiful young woman traveling through parts of the world that had never seen a white person before. A fascinating and entertaining story if I do say so myself.
Which brings me to Nicolas Rapp and his Round The World expedition in an old 4×4.
From his own blog:
In the summer of 2009, Nicolas Rapp decided to take a break from his Art Director job at The Associated Press to attempt a one-year overland travel around the world in a 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser.
Nick began in New York City and is now in East Africa near Ethiopia. The account of his travels (and travails) can be pretty hair-raising at times, but also funny and insightful. Accompanied by many photographs Nick’s blog, Trans World Expedition, describes in detail his solo trek around the world. It is worth tuning in occasionally to get an update on his progress, and a vicarious on-the-ground feel for life on the road. Where there IS a road. And no AAA. And no cellphone towers. And it gets dark… very dark.
[REW]
Would you ever attempt this…? Share your thoughts. Comments below.
June 10th, 2010 at 8:27 am
Hi there,
It sounds like an amazing story that you’re researching for your book. I run a website called http://www.flightlesstravel.com and would be interested to know when you get it published so that I can promote it on my website. You can get in touch with me at tom@flightlesstravel.com.
Just had a look at Nick’s blog not seen this one before – great stuff!