Introduction

If it weren’t for the peculiarities and diversity of human nature, the often-overwhelming hospitality and generosity of strangers, the friendliness and basic moral decency of most everyday folk, and random fortuitous happenstance, the world would be a duller place by far. I therefor extend my deep appreciation and thanks to all those folk I’ve met out there who have in some way contributed to the colour and richness of life on the road. Here are a few outtakes that are favourites of mine for one reason or another.

"Cook Islands Reflections" [South Pacific, February 1998]
Land speed record attempt on a moped, turtle hide & seek inside a tropical coral reef, authentic three-dollar notes, a strange driving test indeed, flying fish, inverted runway surfing, and cheap papaya for breakfast. Ahhh, bliss!
“I used to make a living picking the banana”
Kununurra, northwestern Australia, July 1997: Lost in Hidden Valley, Banana Plantation Life, Mystery Creatures of the Never Never, Ballistic Spud Guns, Birth of a Whirlwind, Ord River 3-day Crocodile slalom Canoe Safari, dawn Walkabout, and a Gorge Expedition jaunt down the 700km Gibb River Road.

Coming next...

"La la la la la l'America"
A twilight stroll through gangland LA weighed down by two rucsacks...and surviving unharrassed, way-laid 5 days near Dirty Harry Hill, Shocking poverty in the world's richest nation, near-death skiing at South Lake Tahoe, and 3000 miles of endless wonderful countryside touring the USA's south western states.

"Sleeping rough in Utah" [USA, October 2002]
Running out of daylight in Utah back country while exploring a slot canyon in flash-flood season, with only whipsnakes, scorpions and mountain lions for company. Calling out the Mountain Rescue in search of me was a bit over the top, Ted!

"Fiji Time"
The next smart-Alec that tries to shrug off an unscheduled 3-hour delay to me with this phrase is getting a wedgie :)

"A postcard from the Greek Isles"
Exploring Crete by motorbike and starting my apprenticeship Island hopping.