If I could only read one genre for the rest of my life, it would be travel-adventure. I just devour these. It doesn’t matter where or how, I’ll read it. My favourite recent reads have been “Coffee first, then the world” by Jenny Graham – a record breaking solo lap of the planet by bike (and I don’t even cycle), “Ignore the Fear: one woman’s paddle boarding adventure” by Fiona Quinn – a LEJOG (Lands End to John O’Groats) paddle, “Retirement Rebel” by Siobhan Daniels – moving to van life, “From East to West by saddle is best” by Claire Aldritt – a journey across the Scottish Highlands by Horseback, and “Coasting” by Elise Downing. In fact the only one I did not enjoy was the best-selling “Salt Path” by Gaynor Winn – I cannot approve of anyone who thinks it is acceptable to steal from small campsites and small shops, or who thinks living in a council estate would kill her. That makes my blood boil.

Anyway, back to the travel books. In my book group, someone recently asked about funny travel-adventure, and I could only think of “Around Ireland with a Fridge” by Tony Hawkes, so when I was invited to join the book tour for “How to avoid getting mugged in Rio de Janeiro by singing songs by the police and other lesser known travel tips” and “How to survive making yourself look silly while dancing with the German mafia at a Bavarian Nightclub and other lesser known travel tips” by Simon Yeats, I was keen.

I started with “Rio” (seriously I am not typing that long title again!) and the entire first chapter was admonishing me for not reading book 1 first. Ahaha I thought, setting it aside and picking up “Bavarian nightclub” (ditto). This did not lecture me on reading the books in order so I plunged in. Turns out this is Book 3 in the series. I think. I’m still confused. Perhaps the author doesn’t like typing the titles in full which is why he calls then just Book 1 and Book 2 and Book 3.

So I’ve been asked to review “Rio” first. Which might be Book 2. Thankfully, it turns out there is absolutely no need to read them in order, they are perfectly standalone. And funny. I think travel humour can tread a fine line between being rude/ stereotyping, and this stays on the right side. There’s a super balance of people stories and location insights, perfect for lazy travelling, and after reading so many challenge based travel books recently, I’m definitely in the mood for something a bit lazy!

Blurb

Australian author Simon Yeats, who from an early age learned that the best way to approach the misfortunes of this world is to laugh about it.

Simon shares his comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living life as an Aussie ex-pat and having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as the Bubonic Plague in the 1300s.

From what to do when several people converge to rob you after midnight on a deserted Copacabana Beach, to how to save the Sierra Mountain Range from a wildfire outbreak due to a lack of quality toilet paper, to where not to go in Tijuana when trying to locate the origins to stories of the city’s mythical adult entertainment, to how to save yourself from drowning when caught in a storm while sailing off the California coast.

Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to lose an eye or damage your liver. 

About the Author

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

A final thought from me

Oh, and I just remembered laughing at “Twitchhiker” by Paul Smith – a challenge to travel to the other side of the world for free using only the power of Twitter. That makes ten.