The original idea came from Ewan who wanted to travel on motor bikes with his best mate, Charley. After discussing when and where this trip would take place, they decided to travel around the world. Ewan had read a book by Ted Simon called Jupiters Travels, which is a textual documentation of Ted Simons travels riding a motorbike around the world. This really inspired the motorbike enthusiast in Ewan to want to do a similar trip. Knowing how demanding this journey would be, they hired a crew to not only film as they go along, but join them traveling in their own vehicles. Two support vehicles with 2-3 camera men, the two producers of the show Russ Malkin and David Alexanian followed Ewan and Charley the entire way. Claudio Von Planta, a cameraman from Switzerland, was hired to ride a motorcycle and join Ewan and Charley to film them more closely. The support vehicles allowed the bikes to travel on their own, and choosing to only meet at border crossings or they would travel together when the terrain became unsafe. They also hire what they call "fixers" who seem to be ambassadors. They hire one for each country to help with translation and security.
The footage that was captured is very honest, rough, and very exciting. Viewers would enjoy watching this if they love to travel, document their journey, and learn about the cultures they are traveling through. Long Way is a great example of the difference between a "tourist" and a "traveler." They camp with the locals in the towns they stay in, and even learn some Russian to help communication. I have been traveling since I was six months old, crossing oceans at four years old. Watching this program helps me expand on my future dreams of travel and experiencing cultures. The filming for the program also takes place in 2004, right after Ewan wrapped filming for Star Wars Episode III, so viewers get to endure many of his Obi Wan Kenobi references.
Long Way Round, seems longer than Long Way Down, which was filmed in 2007. It feels as though it takes longer for progression because they keep getting held up in countries. In Long Way Down, they travel through more countries so it feels like it moves faster. They also frequent UNICEF projects throughout both seasons. In the first season, Ewan and Charley encounter the majority of their problems traveling through Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and the Road of Bones in far eastern Russia. During the early preparation of the first trip, the guys were testing bikes, deciding which motorcycle company they would go with. Representatives would come to their offices in London to discuss the journey, the terrain, and the possibilities of them not completing their trip due to high water levels in eastern Russia.
They were travelling in the summertime, and the bad winter that just passed has caused the river levels to be too high and a rick to cross. Ewan and Charley never felt that the journey was impossible, until they actually arrived at the Road of Bones. The program really captures just how dangerous it was to cross the rivers and how the crews teamwork helped them to safely overcome the challenge.
They were travelling in the summertime, and the bad winter that just passed has caused the river levels to be too high and a rick to cross. Ewan and Charley never felt that the journey was impossible, until they actually arrived at the Road of Bones. The program really captures just how dangerous it was to cross the rivers and how the crews teamwork helped them to safely overcome the challenge.
Right after Ewan and Charley arrived home from their first trip, Charley was quoted saying he would do the Dakar Rally in Africa if they successfully finished. Race to Dakar is the second installment in the box set of the series. Without Ewan in this part of the series, the humor is substantially lacking. However it is a very informative program. People have died in the past doing this race, and Charley spent a great deal of time getting in shape preparing him for the challenge. He sustained injuries while riding in Africa, but thankfully ended the race alive.
Ewan supported Charley at the finish line of the Dakar Rally. Which brings us to Long Way Down. After Ewan arrived in Africa, he knew he wanted to go back and really experience it. The second season begins filming in 2007 after the genocide began in Darfur. The guys were determined to go to Africa, and capture it's beauty, experience the cultures, and show us that there is nothing to be afraid of. Libya didn't allow the two American crew members to enter the country, so they had to travel separately for a few days meeting in Egypt instead. So perhaps, there is something for Americans to be afraid of?
I appreciate their trip to Africa more, because I personally have always admired Africa for it's beauty and wildlife. There is so much we don't know about Africa. Ewan and Charley visit a genocide museum in Rwanda to touch on this point. The museum is a church where people took refuge until they were burnt alive inside. A young woman who hosts at the museum tells the guys about what happened. They asked their "fixer" named Daddy, why didn't the rest of the world know about this? Why didn't we help? Daddy explained that there was so much going on at that time that Rwanda wasn't recognized. A fantastic highlight at this point in the series, is their meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame. He talks about his childhood growing up in a refugee camp, becoming President and putting and end to the genocide.
The journey through Africa begins in John O'Groats, Scotland, a quick pit stop in London to reexamine the vehicles and what they had packed, then through France, Italy, then Africa. Their trip ends at Cape Town.
If I want to forget my stress, and influence good dreams, I put in a DVD of the series and I can fall asleep in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, or under the citrus sunset in Africa.
This series is great for the modern traveler, especially if you go camping or backpacking. It is a great education, and a generous dose of motivation!
Russ, Charley, Ewan, and David
Ewan, Claudio, and Charley
It's a great series. It's not just for guys. My fave is Long Way Down.
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