In 1988, Michael Palin set out to travel around the world in 80 days roughly tracing the path of Phileas Fogg and using only modes of transport that had been available to him. He filmed it for a BBC documentary. I vaguely remember seeing and enjoying an episode or two some years ago. I had no idea that he filmed 5 more travel adventures – Pole to Pole; Full Circle; Hemingway; Sahara; Himalaya – and he is now working on one called the “New Europe” about countries that were part of the Soviet Bloc but are now part of or are soon to be part of the EU. I haven’t seen any of them – don’t watch enough TV, I guess. But I did stumble upon his website – Palin’s Travels – complete with lots of texts, maps, pictures, and some video from the travels. It’s worth exploring.
{ 5 comments }
Paul 08.29.06 at 7:15 pm
I’ve only seen Himalaya, since not all of the Palin documentaries are available over here. I liked his wry sense of humor (at, for example, the Dalai Lama recognizing him).
I commend that one to you.
The Ridger 08.29.06 at 7:25 pm
Great. I bought the boxed set, and now I’ll have to have one just kicking around… I love his work, and am now eagerly waiting The New Europe.
tony 08.30.06 at 9:05 am
I find him really annoying. He manages to make the most exciting trips really dreary. Now – does anyone remember the genuinely otherworldly River Journeys BBC series from 1985?
WorldWide Update 08.31.06 at 2:39 pm
For those eagerly awaiting Palin’s New Europe, I run a fan blog devoted to the upcoming series and am always looking for contributors:
Palin’s New Europe: An Unofficial Fan Center
Jon H 08.31.06 at 3:47 pm
They would have been better if he’d done it in drag.
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