Not All Of Us Can Afford To Make Our Way Around The World Visiting Exciting Places, But With The Help Of A Fearless Television Presenter And His Back-Up Staff We Can All See And Enjoy A Lot Of Our Planet
As someone who likes to travel and explore other countries, but never has the money to actually get very far, I’ve ended up travelling vicariously through the experiences of others. Obviously, as technology has become better the physical world has metaphorically got smaller and it is now quite easy to get a video camera and a television presenter to virtually anywhere on earth if you have the right connections.
Of all the many travelogue sort of programmes that have been recorded over the last couple of decades or so, I have to say that my absolute favourite intrepid adventurer is Michael Palin, and I have relived his journeys around the world numerous times on the TV screen and DVD and never fail to enjoy them (though too much time spent looking at the TV screen has wrecked my eyes so I’m investigating Laser eye surgery).
I remember quite a lot about the very first Palin journey – Around The World In Eighty Days – as my dad was one of the bank employees who sorted out all of the overseas currency details, so it was only natural that once the show was eventually broadcast, me and my relations would be sure to watch it. It’s a pity that he didn’t get an actual credit really – we weren’t asking for his name to be splashed across the sky in lights from a KEYWORD1% beam, but some small text in the closing credits would have been flattering. But naturally, the whole idea of trying to follow Jules Verne’s epic journey within the same timescale as the fictional hero of the book, Phileas Fogg and his assistant Passepartout caught the public’s attention, and the show was a massive success.
For the next adventure, Michael made the long trip from the North Pole to the South Pole, visiting seventeen countries, not all of which were the most enjoyable places to spend time. The journey actually took so many months that the period of time during which they were filming encompassed the final days of communism and an end to apartheid – though I’m absolutely certain that Mr Palin’s escapades didn’t have any effect on either event!
After travelling from north to south for Pole To Pole, the next trip was a circular one – a trip in which Michael and the television crew went to all eighteen countries which border the Pacific Ocean. It is rumoured that one of his Python colleagues thought that the series should be named ‘Palin’s Rim’ but the BBC finally decided on the much more obvious ‘Full Circle’.
After a somewhat shorter and less risky trip whilst tracking down the haunts of Ernest Hemingway, (angry bulls notwithstanding), the next exciting challenge was Sahara, which involved travelling through all of the countries which are located in the Sahara Desert – an area of the African continent which is the size of the USA, but with inhabitants numbering roughly the same as Norfolk. It’s just amazing to think of so few people living in such a massive area of land, but easily understandable if you take into account the inhospitable environment and extremes of temperature.
There was progression from sand to snow for the sixth series, Himalaya, which crossed from west to east across the incredible Himalayan mountain area, setting out from Afghanistan, via the base camp for Mount Everest, through Tibet and China to the Bay Of Bengal.
Palin’s last series was named New Europe and in it he visited twenty countries in what used to be called as ‘Eastern Europe’, that huge swath of land which was previously under communist rule and which the majority of ‘Westerners’ were completely discouraged from travelling to. Most of us can recall the fall of the Berlin wall which became symbolic of the political changes and the feeling of happiness that followed it and when the 20th anniversary was reached in 2009 full scale celebrations were organised including musical events with full pyrotechnics and Laser eye beam displays, exhibitions, art projects and many other events.
A little after this series was filmed, Michael went back some of the places he had travelled to during that very first ‘Around The World’ trip twenty years previously to try and track down some of the characters he had met on his travels. The programme about that journey is definitely worth watching too. Of course, some of the individuals have passed away in those twenty years, but there were a number of people who had memories of the previous visit. And in truth, those hard-working folk in Dubai and India had almost certainly changed considerably less than the European television staff who have quite possibly had cosmetic nips and tucks, disguised their greying hair, bleached their teeth and had Laser eye surgery to correct problems with their vision.
We have no way of finding out if there are any further Palin adventures in the pipeline, but I understand that he is presently working on another book. The aging process may make such travels less attractive as the years pass, but Michael should be very proud of the incredible sights and sounds that we the public have been able to share thanks to his sense of adventure and his desire to leave the tourist locations behind and get to know the real people of the world.
|
|
New BOSS Audio Speaker Amplifier Triumph TR6 BMW 633CSi Dodge Intrepid AR1500M $108.48 |
|
|
CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP INTERFACE ADAPTER INPUT IPOD IPHONE 4 3GS 3G CHARGES $85.49 |
|
|
MOPAR 5081031AA FRT DOOR SPEAKER DODGE INTREPID 03-04 $75.99 |
|
|
NEW MOPAR Front Door Speaker P/N 5081031AA 1998-2004 Dodge Intrepid $74.95 |
|
|
00 01 02 03 04 Intrepid Rear Left Door Speaker $40.00 |
|
|
Car Buddy Multipoint Bluetooth Speaker Phone For Samsung Intrepid $54.95 |
|
|
98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05Intrepid Rear Right Door Speaker $36.00 |
|
|
6X9 Car Speakers Rear Deck 3way 450w 4ohm 693-RDK-C $33.65 |
|
|
INFINITY TWEETER SPEAKER 05026465AA 300M LHS FRONT DRIVER PASSENGER DOOR OEM $40.00 |
|
|
INFINITY TWEETER SPEAKER 05026465AA 300M LHS FRONT DRIVER PASSENGER DOOR OEM $40.00 |
|
|
INFINITY TWEETER SPEAKER 05026465AA 300M LHS FRONT DRIVER PASSENGER DOOR OEM $40.00 |
|
|
6.5 Car Speakers Front Door 3way 250w 4ohm 6503-FD (B) $29.99 |
|
|
1999 DODGE INTREPID 2.7L FRONT DOOR SPEAKERS $30.00 |
|
|
6.5 Car Door Speakers 2 Way 300 Watts 4 Ohm ( For Non-Infinity Systems Only) D $28.95 |
|
|
4″ Car Speakers Front Door 3way 200w 4ohm 4003-FD $22.99 |
|
|
Bluetooth Car Kit Speaker Phone For Samsung Intrepid $34.95 |
|
|
DODGE INTREPID FRONT DOOR SPEAKER COVERS PAIR SPEAKER GRILLES 98 99 00 01 (TAN) $17.00 |
|
|
BLUE PULL TAB POUCH, STYLUS PEN & SPEAKER FOR SAMSUNG i350 INTREPID $12.68 |
|
|
BLACK PULL TAB POUCH, STYLUS PEN & SPEAKER FOR SAMSUNG i350 INTREPID $10.84 |
|
|
BLUE PULL TAB POUCH, STYLUS PEN & SPEAKER FOR SAMSUNG i350 INTREPID $10.84 |
|
|
HOT PINK PULL TAB POUCH, STYLUS PEN & SPEAKER FOR SAMSUNG i350 INTREPID $10.84 |
|
|
PURPLE PULL TAB POUCH, STYLUS PEN & SPEAKER FOR SAMSUNG i350 INTREPID $10.84 |
|
|
98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID CONCORDE DOOR SPEAKER GRILLES $24.99 |
|
|
98 99 00 01 02 03 04 CONCORDE DODGE INTREPID, REAR SPEAKERS $24.99 |
|
|
98 99 00 01 02 03 04 Dodge INTREPID CONCORDE FRONT DOOR SPEAKERS $24.99 |
|
|
98 99 00 01 02 03 04 DODGE INTREPID LH INFINITY SPEAKER TWEETER $22.99 |
|
|
98-04 DODGE INTREPID RH INFINITY SPEAKER TWEETER sail right passenger side $19.99 |
|
|
98 99 00 01 02 03 04 Dodge INTREPID CONCORDE LEFT FRONT DOOR SPEAKERS GRILLE $19.99 |
|
|
98 99 00 01 02 03 04 Dodge INTREPID CONCORDE RIGHT FRONT DOOR SPEAKER GRILLE $19.99 |
|
|
2001 2002 Dodge Intrepid OEM Speaker Grill RH $9.99 |
|
|
Soft-Touch Black Portable Music Pocket Speaker For Samsung Intrepid SPH-I350 $19.95 |
|
|
Soft-Touch Pink Portable Music Pocket Speaker For Samsung Intrepid SPH-I350 $19.95 |
|
|
PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE FRONT DOOR SPEAKER 94 95 96 97 DODGE INTREPID 4608052 RH $19.95 |
|
|
OEM PASSENGER FRONT RIGHT RH GRAY GREY SPEAKER COVER GRILLE 94 95 96 97 INTREPID $19.95 |
|
|
DRIVER SIDE LEFT FRONT SPEAKER COVER LH 94 95 96 97 DODGE INTREPID1997 GRILLE $19.95 |
|
|
DRIVER SIDE LEFT FRONT SPEAKER LH 94 95 96 97 DODGE INTREPID OXFORD 4608052 1997 $19.95 |
|
|
DRIVER SIDE LEFT FRONT SPEAKER LH 94 95 96 97 DODGE INTREPID OXFORD 4608052 1997 $19.95 |
|
|
Black Mini Music Travel Pocket Speaker For Samsung Intrepid SPH-I350 $17.95 |
|
|
Pink Mini Music Travel Pocket Speaker For Samsung Intrepid SPH-I350 $17.95 |
|
|
rear deck speaker 2001 dodge intrepid 30215 $14.59 |
|
|
6.5 Car Speakers Front Door Adapter 1/2″ Depth Extension 6.5 & 6.75 GM653-F $19.59 |
|
|
98-04 Dodge Intrepid Right Passenger Side Door Speaker Grill Cover Trim OEM $18.99 |
|
|
PORTABLE 360° X 2 STEREO SOUND SPEAKER for SAMSUNG PHONES – SMART DYNAMIC AUDIO $18.88 |
|
|
HOT PINK PULL TAB POUCH, STYLUS PEN & SPEAKER FOR SAMSUNG i350 INTREPID $10.84 |
|
|
J4 97 DODGE INTREPID DASH SPEAKER $9.95 |
|
|
98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID CONCORDE 300M RH DOOR BEZEL MIRROR SPEAKER MOUNT $16.98 |
|
|
98 99 00 01 02 03 04 INTREPID CONCORDE 300M LH DOOR BEZEL MIRROR SPEAKER MOUNT $16.98 |
|
|
1995 1996 1997 Dodge Intrepid Rear Speaker Grill LH $6.99 |
|
|
1995 1996 1997 Dodge Intrepid Rear Speaker Grill RH $6.99 |
|
|
FACTORY OXFORD RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE DASH SPEAKER 4608053 93 94 95 96 97 INTREPID $16.95 |
|
|
FACTORY OXFORD OEM LEFT DRIVER SIDE DASH SPEAKER 4608053 93 94 95 96 97 INTREPID $16.95 |
|
|
DODGE Intrepid Speaker Brackets Adapter 00 01 02 03 04 $11.99 |
|
|
CHRYSLER SPEAKER ADAPTER WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR PLUG $11.90 |
|
|
6X9 to 6.5 Car Speakers Rear Area Adapter SAA69-6.5R-C $14.99 |
|
|
DODGE PLYMOUTH CAR SPEAKERS WIRE HARNESS Connection CLIP ADAPTER PLUG 1990-2003 $14.95 |
|
|
DODGE CAR SPEAKERS WIRE HARNESS Connection CLIP ADAPTER PLUG 1990-2006 $14.95 |
|
|
6.5 Car Speakers Front Door Adapter 6.5 & 6.75 (C656F) $14.59 |
|
|
DODGE Speaker Wire Harness Connects Aftermarket to OEM Adapter Plug Set DG-6512 $12.95 |
|
|
DODGE PLYMOUTH Speaker Wire Harness Connects Aftermarket to OEM Adapter Plugs B $12.95 |
|
|
PURPLE RECHARGEABLE PORTABLE CAPSULE SPEAKER for Samsung i350 Intrepid $9.41 |
|
|
DODGE Intrepid 00 01 02 03 04 Speaker Adapter Harness $11.90 |
|
|
DODGE Intrepid 95 96 97 98 99 Speaker Adapter Harness $11.90 |
|
|
WHiTE RECHARGEABLE MINI PORTABLE SPEAKER FOR Samsung i350 Intrepid $7.84 |
|
|
Radio Stereo Speaker Wire Harness Adapter Plug $5.99 |
|
|
Black Speaker For Samsung SPH m900 Moment i350 Intrepid m800 m810 m850 Instinct $8.81 |
|
|
DODGE GOLD DASH GAUGES STEREO SPEAKERS CONSOLE TRIM $8.80 |
|
|
CHROME DASH GAUGES STEREO SPEAKERS CONSOLE TRIM MICRO MOLDING #010 DO $8.80 |
|
|
RED DASH GAUGES STEREO SPEAKERS CONSOLE TRIM MICRO MOLDING 4mm #010 DO $8.80 |
|
|
RED DASH GAUGES STEREO SPEAKERS CONSOLE TRIM MICRO MOLDING 4mm #018 IS $8.80 |
|
|
DODGE BLUE DASH GAUGES STEREO SPEAKERS CONSOLE TRIM $8.80 |
|
|
DODGE WHITE DASH GAUGES STEREO SPEAKERS CONSOLE TRIM $8.00 |
|
|
99 INTREPID SPEAKER $75.00 |
|
|
99 INTREPID SPEAKER $75.00 |
|
|
99 INTREPID SPEAKER $75.00 |
|
|
99 INTREPID SPEAKER $75.00 |
|
|
93 INTREPID SPEAKER $75.00 |
|
|
93 INTREPID SPEAKER $75.00 |
|
|
93 INTREPID SPEAKER $75.00 |
|
|
93 INTREPID SPEAKER $75.00 |
|
|
MOPAR 4760852AC INTREPID CONCORDE LHS REAR SPEAKER $60.99 |
|
|
93 INTREPID AMPLIFIER/SPEAKERS $45.00 |
|
|
2000 DODGE INTREPID REAR SPEAKERS $25.85 |
|
|
98-00 DODGE INTREPID DRIVERS DOOR SPEAKER GRILLE TAN NEW OLD STOCK OEM $9.95 |
|
|
1999 99 INTREPID REAR SPEAKER CARGO COVER INTERIOR TRIM $49.99 |
