LIAM Cavanagh first read Around the World in 80 Days when he was a youngster, but little did he know he would go on to emulate its protagonist.
Much like Phileas Fogg, he isn’t planning to do his trip to Australia this year the simple way. Instead, he's taking the more than 20,000 mile journey from Perth to Perth by land and sea.
“The journey has really grown arms and legs from where it started because I’m going out there to study IT in Australia and work part-time,” the 41-year-old from Edinburgh (below) told The National.
“I was originally going to get a flight but I decided I wanted to see more of the world because it’s a long journey and I wanted to make the most of it.
“I’m starting in Perth and going down to Southampton to cross the Atlantic. I will then get across America via train and car and get a boat across the south Pacific and then finally a bus and train across the Australian desert to Perth in Australia.
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“It will take around two months and I’m looking forward to seeing all sorts of different places.”
He’s keen to stress the Scottish connections he’s hoping to make when he visits Glasgow in Montana for example.
The adventurer adds that he’s planning to join a Scottish society when he finally lands in Australia towards the end of November.
One thing he is keen to stress however is that it is still possible to do an adventurous trip like this one without using a plane.
“It is still easy to do a trip of this kind. Everybody flies everywhere but it can be done,” he said.
“I read Around the World in 80 Days when I was a kid and have watched so many travel series. The travelling itself is an adventure rather than just going to places.
“I hadn’t quite set out intending to do it like this but I thought I may as well take the opportunity and it’ll be good when I get to Perth to show people where I’ve come from.”
Prior to heading off on September 18, Cavanagh met with the provost of Perth and Kinross Council (above), Xander McDade, who wished him all the best on his journey as well as presenting him with some gifts and a message to send to the people of Perth, Australia.
Cavanagh added: “I think it’ll be a great adventure. I can’t wait to meet people along the way.”
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