What an incredible adventure. My thoughts when reading were that for all the modern convenience we enjoy today, we have lost so many opportunities for exploration and adventure.
Although I suppose I could go ride my bike across Japan this weekend if I wanted to. And while I wouldn't be the first to do it, it would no doubt still be a memorable adventure.
and is an interesting listen, which is a record of how Europeans and Americans used to view the rest of the world (and to some degree, for some folks, still do).
>>>>>In every town and village one is struck with the various imitations of European goods. Ludicrous mistakes are everywhere met with, where this serio-comical people have attempted to imitate name, trade-mark, and everything complete
Seems like quality control came after the innovation post-war boom to the japanese :)
Yes, he carried some spare parts, one at least one occasion, he had a local blacksmith do repairs, and I think he might have been paused at one point, waiting for additional spares by post.
Although I suppose I could go ride my bike across Japan this weekend if I wanted to. And while I wouldn't be the first to do it, it would no doubt still be a memorable adventure.