It took a drunken promise, the desire for adventure, a requirement to give something back, and a fetish for formal wear to get Heath Buck and Douglas Campbell to embark on an overland trek from Hong Kong to London while dressed in black tie. Along the way, the two friends blogged and posted photos and video on their site, The Tuxedo Travels.
From wrestling in India to herbal baths in Vietnam, the guys in bow ties found plenty of adventures to share, not the least of which included laughing yoga, the world's worst toilet, working for a Dao hill tribe, and the inevitable transportation breakdown.
After their trip, Heath and Doug had a chance to chat with us about their favorite moments and share some interesting facts about their travel tuxes.
What made you guys decide to travel together?
Heath: Drunk in Hong Kong is how this story starts! I came up with the idea over a spring roll-infused drinking session at a Thai karaoke restaurant, and Doug agreed to accompany me despite the fact that we'd known each other less than two weeks.
Doug: I knew Heath just long enough to realize he's got a screw loose, which was good enough for me. Heath followed up on his inebriated idea with a phone call a year later (having asked all his other friends, and with no more joiners) and once again convinced me to join the project.
For my part, and as the bleeding-heart philanthropist of the two, I insisted on introducing a charity angle. Heath agreed provided that we do something more original than just collect cash for a chosen organization. We wanted our donating audience to see a more direct use of their money. Read the full profile...
Filed under: Travel, Blogs, Philanthropy, Travelogues, Yahoo! Picks Profiles
In 1325, a young Moroccan named Ibn Battuta left his native Tangiers on a journey to Mecca. Prevented from crossing the Red Sea, he made his way by land instead—and discovered a passion for travel. Eventually, his ever-lengthening trip stretched to 75,000 miles and touched 44 countries across the Islamic world.
Nearly 700 years later, a kindred spirit is tracing his footsteps. Carolyn McIntyre may be a Western woman, but this Arabist, political analyst, and died-in-the-wool explorer shares much in common with Ibn Battuta. Beyond their love of the road, they both relish and admire the culture and people of the Islamic world.
Since starting her trip—and her blog—last year, Carolyn has surveyed tombs in Damascus, lived through robbery and salvation in the Casbah, and investigated "the fine art of qat chewing" in Yemen. Her candid and lively posts provide insight into a region of the world that is much discussed, but often misunderstood. We can't think of a better use of the Web. Journey on, Carolyn!
Filed under: Travel, Blogs, Middle East, Travelogues, Yahoo! Picks Profiles
Filed under: Sports, India, Outdoors, Travelogues
Filed under: Surfing, Mexico, California, Travelogues
Filed under: Travel, Blogs, Travelogues
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