But Don't You Know? It Faster to Fly An Inefficient African Journey Liam Walls 9781364468644 Books
Download As PDF : But Don't You Know? It Faster to Fly An Inefficient African Journey Liam Walls 9781364468644 Books
This book provides an entertaining, informative and unusual perspective on an under-travelled continent. It isn't only for off-the-beaten-path backpackers; it's for all those people who, when told about hitch-hiking in Africa, wonder, "But isn't that dangerous?" If you are one of these people, get ready to change your mind and be inspired to explore this amazing place for yourself. Liam originally intended to spend six months in Asia and Europe, but a chance meeting in Laos with an American woman knocked him off course. Somehow, a few months later, he found himself zigzagging across Africa. Hitch-hiking together with her and two other new friends, his route was dictated not by a set itinerary but by the people who stopped to pick them up, and other random encounters along the way. For five months they weaved their way from Cape Town to Nairobi. Thirteen countries and 17,500 kilometres later, Liam has a story to tell that baffles most people, often directly contradicting their media-driven preconceptions of this astonishingly fascinating continent. Befriended by a princess, they meet a Losi king and participate, as red-bereted rowers, in the grand aquatic Kuomboka Ceremony in Zambia. An unfortunate car accident leaves them hanging upside-down from their seat belts on the side of a road in Mozambique. They camp in no-man's-land between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Unexpected flooding strands them in Namibia's vast desert. In Tanzania, an argument over the price of a boiled egg leads to a violent punch-up. They master the complex art of the African handshake, devise a solar-heated shower for an isolated Peace Corps volunteer, and discover that a pair of underpants doubles as a pretty decent coffee filter.
But Don't You Know? It Faster to Fly An Inefficient African Journey Liam Walls 9781364468644 Books
I applaud Walls for making the journey overland through many countries that some travelers would never consider as top travel destinations, but wanted more from this book. It is, in many ways humorous travel narrative that gives some insight to some of the off-the-beaten track places in southern and eastern Africa. But I was hoping for less breadth and more depth—a hard task, I understand, when the book covers five months and 13 countries.Occasionally Walls is insightful, thoughtful, and downright hilarious. The section on African handshakes in the Tanzania chapter was by far my favorite. But too often, especially in the beginning of the book, the writing feels less like narrative about place or journey and more like a travel blog, which the book is based of off. A blog can have great writing, interesting background, and entertaining stories, but to me, that is different than a narrative that is tied together as a book. Walls falls back too often to reciting his trip just as that—a trip. Though the descriptions of the trip become less touristy as they go on (less about beer runs, swimming, and needing to find a place to stay), in travel books I wanted to be taken on a journey and have more narrative and story.
This book would still be beneficial to someone who has never traveled to Africa as it does provide some good anecdotes and commentary and background (they attend the Kuomboka ceremony in Zambia and Walls gives great background on the Rwandan genocide, for example.) There is also a nice section in the back with some practical advice. But unfortunately I felt this book needed to be pared down and provide more than it did.
Lastly, try to read this book in color if you can. Walls includes photographs from throughout the trip which are exquisite and tell the story well. Though the book wasn’t my favorite, it will well suit readers who prefer a more casual reading experience, and the words and photos could still inspire the travel bug in many of us.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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Tags : But Don't You Know? It's Faster to Fly - An Inefficient African Journey [Liam Walls] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. This book provides an entertaining, informative and unusual perspective on an under-travelled continent. It isn't only for off-the-beaten-path backpackers; it's for all those people who,Liam Walls,But Don't You Know? It's Faster to Fly - An Inefficient African Journey,Blurb,1364468646,General,TRAVEL General,Travel - General
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But Don't You Know? It Faster to Fly An Inefficient African Journey Liam Walls 9781364468644 Books Reviews
A fascinatingly funny book on travel and adventure. The perfect mixture of anecdotes, facts, history, photos and things you never even thought to ask. Definitely worth a read whether budding traveller or lover of good writing. Highly recommended.
This is no run-of-the mill travelogue but, in the tradition of Bill Bryson, a thoroughly entertaining account of a random journey interspersed with quirky digressions, asides and footnotes. It has a high chuckle factor. The author has an engaging voice, often addressing the reader directly with a cheeky charm. A travel writer myself [...], I am impressed by the fresh imagery and fine quality of the writing. I was saddened to reach the end and to part company with Walls and his companions.
I applaud Walls for making the journey overland through many countries that some travelers would never consider as top travel destinations, but wanted more from this book. It is, in many ways humorous travel narrative that gives some insight to some of the off-the-beaten track places in southern and eastern Africa. But I was hoping for less breadth and more depth—a hard task, I understand, when the book covers five months and 13 countries.
Occasionally Walls is insightful, thoughtful, and downright hilarious. The section on African handshakes in the Tanzania chapter was by far my favorite. But too often, especially in the beginning of the book, the writing feels less like narrative about place or journey and more like a travel blog, which the book is based of off. A blog can have great writing, interesting background, and entertaining stories, but to me, that is different than a narrative that is tied together as a book. Walls falls back too often to reciting his trip just as that—a trip. Though the descriptions of the trip become less touristy as they go on (less about beer runs, swimming, and needing to find a place to stay), in travel books I wanted to be taken on a journey and have more narrative and story.
This book would still be beneficial to someone who has never traveled to Africa as it does provide some good anecdotes and commentary and background (they attend the Kuomboka ceremony in Zambia and Walls gives great background on the Rwandan genocide, for example.) There is also a nice section in the back with some practical advice. But unfortunately I felt this book needed to be pared down and provide more than it did.
Lastly, try to read this book in color if you can. Walls includes photographs from throughout the trip which are exquisite and tell the story well. Though the book wasn’t my favorite, it will well suit readers who prefer a more casual reading experience, and the words and photos could still inspire the travel bug in many of us.
I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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