Travel and Transport Around the World

Travel and Transport Around the World

In China there are 250 times more bikes than cars

And Venice in Italy is made up of 120 Islands and has canals instead of streets so many people travel by boat or gondola.

But what about

• a Bamboo Train – a train with a wooden frame, bamboo planking, an upright engine and reused military wheels - in Cambodia,

• a TukTuk – a motorised three-wheeler - in India or Thailand,

• a Junk Boat –an ancient Chinese sailboat - in Hong Kong,

• elephant trekking – through the forests and hills to boost tourism and generate funds to help the survival of elephants - in Thailand,

• Zorbing – rolling down a hill inside a giant inflatable ball - in New Zealand,

• a Totora Boat – a sailboat that looks like a dragon - in Peru,

• Sleds - with huskies or reindeer - in Scandinavia.

So it’s not only Santa that uses reindeer to travel!

Around the World in Eighty Days is an adventure novel by a French writer called Jules Verne. It is about a wealthy English man called Phileas Fogg, who makes a bet with some friends that he will be able to travel around the world in eighty days. He travels with his valet, Monsieur Passpartout, across three continents and two oceans. This was in 1872.

QUESTION - How do you think he made the journey?

(Pause for effect)

There were no aeroplanes so they could only use trains and boats.It was a difficult journey that made a very exciting story. The journey has been copied many times.

In 1988 actor Michael Palin completed it in 79 days and 7 hours. And in 2009 twelve celebrities performed a relay version of the journey for the BBC’s Children In Need.

QUESTION - Can you think of any unusual modes of transport or ways you could travel around the world?

Thank you for listening andstay safe!