The Arm Chair Traveller
look at this GQMF. Photograph © Simon Reeve
Livening up my Sunday evenings is a wonderful programme by the name of ‘Tropic of Cancer’. My whole family enjoy travelogue programmes - me and my brother were raised on them - and we are big fans of Simon Reeve (above). Here are a few reasons why I like him:
1. He’s incredibly well-informed on the countries he visits. He pays particular attention to areas of conflict and explains the politics of each situation in a way that even I can understand.
2. His attraction to troubled areas and danger means that you’re never sure what scrapes he’ll get into next. You can live vicariously through his adventures whether it's getting ripped off by Mexican taxi drivers or driving through landmines.
3. Simon has a very dry British sense of humour which comes through in the programme but he doesn’t try to be Michael Palin. He casually observes the absurdities of life without mocking the people or places he visits.
4. Have you seen his face? I rest my case.
I love off-the-beaten-track type travelogues and Tropic of Cancer fits the bill perfectly. Cosying up to my telly on Sunday nights has never felt so good.