
“Three friends, four continents” is the cover tagline of this rewarding, if lengthy, account of modern independent travel.

The Third Place – it’s a late 90s, done-to-death concept which still works for me – not home and not work – instead a relaxed and pleasant space to hang out in.

My trip packing list starts like this: Passport, credit card, toothbrush, headtorches – how anyone can travel without (at least) one is a mystery. Granted, they’re dull and geeky, But I’ve been in more Asian toilets which don’t have lightbulbs than do and your hands are, well, “occupied” in such situations, so humour me.