Last updated October 6, 2019
1. Don't Tell Mum I Work on the Rigs (2005) by Paul Carter
The author makes every word count in this semi-autobiography. After spending the forteen pages detailing his first eighteen years of his life, Carter then proceeds to regale us with hilarious escapades during his time working on oil rigs in far flung places such as Brunei, The Philippines, Nigeria and Russia.
Chock-a-block full of bar room fights, masturbating monkeys and the odd gruesome and lethal rigging story, this is definitely a guy who likes to live hard, party hard and write hard. Certainly one to avoid for the PC-brigade, but if you like your books raw and filled with hilarity, with a more puerile slant, than give this one a twirl.
For more of the same, read Carter’s follow-up book This is Not a Drill (2007), which picks up directly after this story. You might also want to have a look at Chuck Thompson’s To Hellholes and Back (2009) which is a read in other desperate places, albeit without the same hijinx antics.
2. Footloose: Sydney to London Without Flying (2015) by Mark Walters
Footloose is a comedic travelogue covering Walters’ 9 month overland journey from Sydney to London. The title refers to his penchant for jandals or flip-flops by virtue of not wanting to imprison his feet in closed shoes.
This is a book that will definitely divide people. For some, the off-key and inappropriate humour will be too much, while for others it will be guaranteed to provide a laugh a minute. There is probably more laughter material contained within the covers than any other travel book I’ve ever read, with (sometimes questionable) humourous efforts every other sentence. If you’re not put off by the first chapter then this will be one of the funnier and more politically incorrect books you’ll read in some time.
Walters has published two further books, both of which make this list and are just as inappropriate as this, his first offering. If you’re also looking for another Sydney to London jaunt with humour, then check out The Wrong Way Home (1999) by Peter Moore, which Walters admits inspired him for this journey.
3. Lost on Planet China (2008) by J. Maarten Troost
Lost on Planet China is Troost's hiliarious travelogue based on his travels around China trying to come to grips with and understand this vast and complex country. Honest and at times unflattering, this is not your run of the mill fluff piece extolling the virtues and beauty of a country but instead shows what China is like from the eyes of a first time visitor.
Since writing his debut book, The Sex Lives of Cannibals, Troost has taken the travel writing scene by storm. Lost on Planet China improves on his earlier offering and provides twice the laughs. However, it is also sure to divide readers into groups that either love it or loathe it. With plenty of inflammatory comments and delivering a large number of gross generalisations based on his own limited experiences, anyone with a mind to, could classify his writings as xenophobic rantings. However, doing so deliberately misinterprets exactly what it is that Troost is setting out to do by writing his book - to entertain and that he does in spades.
4. It’s Only the Himalayas (2016) by S. Bedford
Sue Bedford's debut travelogue is a crack up providing outrageous stories from her year spent backpacking with her bestie around the world. Packed full of hilarity, this is a book that will delight both older backpackers looking back nostalgically at misspent youths and those thinking about embarking on their own wild travels themselves.
It’s sort of like a backpacking Eat, Pray, Love spent with your bestie instead of searching for love. Actually, it's not really anything like it at all - it's much better and a real hoot. The book scales the heights of the best of backpacking books out there and leaves you gasping for air at the situations Bedford finds herself in. Whilst it is a quick and light read, there is so much fun packed into it that the only disappointment is knowing that the end is rapidly approaching. Hopefully, Bedford has more material which she can share with us either from this, her first backpacking trip, or from her next.
5. Whatever You Do, Don't Run (2007) by Peter Allison
Australian-born Peter Allison regales us with retellings of his experiences during his career as a safari guide in the Okavanga Delta in Botswana. Each relatively short chapter is self-contained and most of these will have you laughing at the situations he and his “guests” find themselves in.
If this book leaves you wanting more, you’ll be pleased to know that you don’t have to run far as Allison has written another book fun of more amusing anecdotes in his follow up book Don’t Look Behind You, But… (2009).
6. Amerzonia (2019) by Mark Walters
Walters trades in his flip-flops for Chelsea boots, in this his third travel book, as he smashes his way through Central and South America over seven months. In my opinion, Amerzonia is Walters best written book so far, providing far greater insights and information on the countries that he travels through than his previous books. But don’t fret, as there’s no less profanity or political incorrectness than his previous offerings, which is exactly what makes Walters a breath of fresh air.
Eye wateringly funny chapters on birding in Honduras, saving the turtles in Costa Rica and lying on idyllic islands in Nicaragua stand alongside chapters detailing Walters numerous interactions with “white coffee” in Colombia, Ayahuasca in the Amazon rainforest and tear gas in Honduras. The last being the only one he willingly didn’t choose to ingest/inhale.
If you’re easily offended, this probably isn’t the book for you. But if you’re after a rivetting tale of full on travelling that breaks the shackles of conventional travelogues then make sure you pick up this Amerzing book.
7. Don’t Need the Whole Dog! (2012) by Tony James Slater
I wasn’t much taken with Slater’s first book, but boy am I glad I fetched his second. Part memoir, part travelogue, this entertaining book details his hiliarious antics while trying to achieve his dream of stardom. Whether holidaying with his family in the Grand Canyon, “starring” in a reality TV DIY house-show, sailing 2,000 miles to Lanzarote in gale force winds, financing his travels through medical trials or leading the ex-pat lifestyle to become a dive master on Koh Pha Ngan, Slater’s hijinx are guaranteed to make you smile at the sheer stupidity of the situations he gets himself into. A very easy read from a really likeable guy, this is a book that will definitely convince you that Slater really is barking mad!
8. Hokkaido Highway Blues (1998) by Will Ferguson
Having drunken far too much Sapporo beer, Suntory whiskey and sake at the annual Faculty Cheery Blossom Viewing party, Ferguson is inspired by Japan's national obsession and announces that he will follow the Cherry Blossom Front all the way from Kyushu in the south of Japan up to Hokkaido in the north.
Cycnical without sneering, like a great sour lolly, Hokkaido Highway Blues manages to inform and educate on a wide range of topics in an effortlessly coherent and hiliarious fashion.
Hokkaido Highway Blues is clever, funny and inspiring and well worth reading. If you like the way Ferguson writes, make sure you check out his other books, most especially Beauty Tips from Moose Jaw which is equally as good. Unfortunately, for some reason you aren’t able to get hold of Ferguson’s books on Kindle, so you’ll need to track down paperback versions.
9. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1971) by Hunter S. Thompson - NOVEL
Hunter S. Thompson's legendary road-trippin novel follows Raoul Duke and his Attorney, Dr Gonzo, on their drug-fuelled search for the American Dream in Las Vegas. The book that birthed gonzo journalism, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is widely considered as an American literary classic and one which deserves to be read time and time again.
Written as a first-person narrative of someone heavily under the influence of drugs, the story comes across as completely unscripted, somewhat plotless and a paranoid stream of (sub)consciousness spewing up out of its pages. It is seriously depraved, hedonistic and entirely screwed up. There is some extremely heavy, sick $hit going down amidst all the drug taking, which in certain places makes for extremely uncomfortable reading, but which also, bizarrely, makes Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas not just funny, but extremely hiliarious.
Of course, Thompson needs no further introduction and is pretty much in a league of his own, but if this floats your boat you might also want to check out Weisbecker’s Cosmic Banditos.
10. Neither Here Nor There (1991) by Bill Bryson
The master of humourous travel writing thoroughly entertains us on his journeys through Scandanavia, Paris, the Low Countries, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. In amongst all of this he also manages to find something to write about in Liechtenstein, which is no small feat!
Bryson writes with killer wit partly retracing his steps from an earlier four month backpacking trip taken in 1973 with his friend Stephen Katz (who Bryson fans will recall from A Walk in the Woods). The retelling of some of these hiliarious stories in this book adds to his current experiences and our enjoyment of the overall story. A laugh-a-page travel book that is sure not to disappoint.
A hard task to try and find something that compares to Bryson’s writings, at least from a humour standpoint, but I Came, I Saw, I Lost My Luggage (1997) by Peter Biddlecombe has some very funny moments in some of the same countries that is definitely worth checking out. Also, New Europe (2007) by Michael Palin is plenty good too.
11. Beauty Tips From Moose Jaw (2004) by Will Ferguson
A funny and extremely well written book detailing Ferguson's travels "in search of Canada" among the outposts and enclaves of the Great White North during the early 2000's. Whilst the trips take place in a non-contiguous fashion over a period of three-and-a-half years, the quality of writing ensures that each of his excursions melds seamlessly with the next, as he travels from the southern end of Vancouver Island in the west to the northern tip of Newfoundland in the east.
Ferguson has a unique voice and storytelling style that is extremely sharp, wry and engaging and Beauty Tips from Moose Jaw is a must read book for anyone interested in the early (European) history of Canada who prefer it served up in an offbeat, fun and lively fashion. It is especially recommended for those with a love for Canada and who are interested in discovering some places off the usual snow trodden path.
Make sure you also check out Ferguson's back catelogue, where has written at least a further six travel-related books, a number of which centre on Canada such as Why I Hate Canadians (1997) and How to be a Canadian (2003).
12. Are You Experienced? (1997) by William Sutcliffe - NOVEL
I’ve heard it said before that travellers fall into two categories – those who have been to India and those who haven’t. Whilst I believe that to be a load of pretentious shite, when it comes to travel writing I’ve always thought that there are two categories of travel book readers – those who’ve read Are You Experienced and those who haven’t.
This novel follows Dave who decides to travel to India, primarily to bed his best mate’s girlfriend and his subsequent disillusionment with India itself and more generally the entire backbacking scene. Having spent three months travelling in India himself during his gap year, the author absolutely nails it when it comes to describing the pretentious souls that have journeyed to India either to get it on their travelling resume or to “find themselves”. Be assured that what this book lacks in story length, it more than makes up for in hilarity and is definitely a read that you must experience yourself.
If you’re looking for something similar, you could do a lot worse than reading The Beach (1996) by Alex Garland or The Backpacker (1997) by Dave Harris.
13. Don’t Go There (2018) by Adam Fletcher
On the face of it, Don’t Go there: From Chernobyl to North Korea is simply another dark tourist travelogue written for a few cheap thrills. However, what sets its apart from the others is that what starts out with a few chuckles ends up in providing a torrent of laughter as Fletcher hits his stride in some of the most out of way places in the world such as Liberland and Transnistria (and yes, in case you’re wondering, these places really to exist). So make sure you take the trouble to jump aboard Fletcher’s journey to places where he finds himself mixing with protesters in Istanbul, Orthodox Jews in Israel, Hare Krishnas in Argentina and the Devil Incarnate on the Booze Bux whilst also describing Chernobyl as the modern-day Pompeii. It might be juvenile at times, but it still is a whole heap of fun.
Flethcher has written a follow-up book to this entitled Don’t Come Back which you must read, if you liked this one. Else, if you’re looking for something similar then you could also give Mark Walters a whirl.
14. Where's Wallis? (2006) by Brian Thacker
Where's Wallis (Travels without a guidebook) is an unpretentious and funny retelling of Thacker's experiences through a number of disparate countries after hearing the name of a country he'd never heard of at the 2004 Olympics. Each country runs to between 40 to 90 pages each, providing ample opportunity for Thacker to get himself lost and marooned, meet fascinating locals, ex-pats and royalty, get up close and personal with the wildlife and dodge the odd bit of civil unrest.
Fans of Thacker, who has written a further six travel books, will be familiar with the lighted-hearted approach he takes to writing and should not be surprised that Where's Wallis delivers some genuinely hilarious moments. As Thacker states "There's no danger of me asking deep and meaningful questions. I just want to know important things like where to buy beer and where the best beach is". Of course, there is (slightly) more depth to Where's Wallis, than that, with a modicum of historical information provided on the countries he travels through, as well as some dispensing of general worldly facts and knowledge.
15. Complete Notes from Singapore (2007) by Neil Humphreys
Brit ex-pat Neil Humphreys’ Complete Notes from Singapore consists of his first three books detailing his observations and adventures through his adopted home country. Through his journeys you get to find out a lot about life in Singapore, albeit through the eyes of a non-native, and what you do learn is told with warmth and told often in self-deprecating style.
Full of easily identifiable stereotypes, the books proved to be especially popular in Singapore where they made the bestsellers list. For Ang Mohs looking to visit this tiny island-state, it’s well worth picking it up in order to get an insight into everyday life while along the way picking up some Singlish slang.
If you particularly enjoyed Humprey’s omnibus and want more, don’t fret as he can’t help himself and has shared more of his insights in two further books on Singapore; Return to a Sexy Island and Saving A Sexier Island.
16. The Sex Lives of Cannibals (2004) by J. Maarten Troost
There’s a lot to be said for a dead beat lay-a-about who manages to extract cash from people by writing about his experiences whilst trapped in the life of a house husband on an equatorial atoll in Kiribati.
Appealing for its political incorrectness, this book is at times bitingly funny although the title of the book is very much a misnomer, conjured up either by the author or editor in order to elicit more interest in the book. Don’t expect to be too much the wiser about Kiribati life on completion of this book, but do expect to be entertained.
If you enjoyed this book and keen to go further out on the un-PC spectrum, then have a crack at Mark Walters.
17. Kevin and I in India (1986) by Frank Kusy
Written in diary format but resembling nothing like the dry diary entries of our own travel journals, Kevin and I in India is a funny account of four months' backpacking through India and Nepal in the mid 1980's.
The book concentrates more on the difficulties and real-life experiences of travelling around India, than the glossy brochured (or in these days Instragrammed) version that travel agents would like you to see. As such there is plenty of hiliarious descriptions of flea ridden dogs and beds, cockroaches, feces eating pigs, open sewers and general squalor nestled amongs the beautiful sights of the Taj, Fatehpur Sikri, Shree Meenakshi, Ellora Caves, Goan beaches, Kerela backwaters and burning ghats of the Ganges.
Underpinning the book is Kusy's love of the country. Whether it is the funny Indian "signs", beautiful sights encountered or simply dealing with the hardships of daily travel, Kevin and I in India ensures a great read of the ultimate backpacking trip through India in the 80's.
Kusy has a number of other books which I haven’t read, but if you’re also after other funny Indian backpacking books, Sutcliffe’s Are You Experience is great (although a novel) and Sarah Macdonald’s Holy Cow is also pretty good.
18. Cosmic Banditos (1981) by A. C. Weisbecker - NOVEL
A chaotic tale blending marijuana smuggling, quantum theory mechanics and all kinds of other things I probably didn't understand. Extremely funny, Cosmic Banditos is an action packed novel following the escapades of Mr Quark and his motley crew of degenerate Banditos as they create mayhem across South and Central America. Imagine a cocktail blend of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and the Beach and you'll come close to getting a feel for the style of Cosmic Banditos, which, in part, also pays homage to the author's own life.
In addition to his cult classic, Weisbecker has also written one of my favourite travel books, In Search of Captain Zero. Whilst there’s no humour in this one, you will not be disappointed if you pick it up and give it a read.
19. New Europe (2007) by Michael Palin
The companion book to the TV-series of the same name, which was filmed in 2006 and early 2007, sees Palin visiting those countries in what used to be called Eastern Europe, as they look increasingly to the west and inclusion within the European Union.
Visiting such a large number of uniquely different countries ensures that there is a wide range of interesting encounters for both the book and TV series. Whether it is having conversations with transsexual gypsies in Bulgaria, watching belly dancers in Turkey or discussing important matters with Ukranian or Polish politicians, Palin serves these offbeat experiences up in an amusing, yet dignified manner.
Palin's understated style of humour is not an easy thing to replicate but probably Bryson or Will Ferguson come closest to writing in similarly.
20. Footloose: India(ish) (2017) by Mark Walters
Walters second offering (and third on this list!), India(ish) has the same offbeat and politically incorrect humour as his previous book Footloose – Sydney to London Without Flying (2015), but this time focuses on his loose circumnavigation of India (via land).
After a brief false start on the type of adventure he was looking to undertake, Walters delivers an enjoyable book of his 3 month loop of India taking in everything India can throw at him. The book benefits from being slightly more focussed than his first, without quite reaching the same levels of humour, although there’s plenty in this story for those who enjoyed his first book or are looking to dip their jandal in the water with their first foray into the zany humour of Walters.
You don’t need to read the first instalment of Footloose before this one as the two books are standalone. If you’re also looking for a non-rose tinted glasses viewpoint of India with some humour, then you’ll definitely want to check out William Sutcliffe’s novel Are You Experienced? (1997).
21. No Shitting in the Toilet (1997) by Peter Moore
A funny send up of travel guides which in addition to providing generalised (un)helpful sections on the usual things you’d see in a travel guide such as transport, health, eating and accommodation, also provides the author’s top 10 lists on a variety of more specialised topics such as top 10 shitholes, top 10 rip-offs and top 10 horrific bus rides.
Like a guide book, this is something you can easily dip into at your own pleasure and has the added bonus that if you don’t like it, it can also be used in emergency situations while travelling in third world countries if you’re caught short and don’t fancy going local.
22. The Wander Year (2011) by Mike McIntyre
A collection of short dispatches, each about 3 pages long, which formed part of a regular travel series for the Los Angeles Times during 2000 detailing the author and his girlfriend’s year long trip around the globe.
Some poignant, nearly all funny, the stories are written chronologically as they visit 20 countries as varied as Scotland, Nepal, New Zealand, Morocco, Bolivia and Cambodia. There is little by way of detail of each country they visit and major sights such as the Taj Mahal regularly receive only one paragraph. The narrative instead focuses on general travelling observations that could apply to us all in any situation. I finished this in one sitting, due to the engaging writing style and was disappointed when the book came to an end. Due to barely scraping the surface of each place visited, it did make me wonder, however, just how good this book could’ve been with a more in-depth approach.
Whilst this journey included a lot of flying between destinations and is a bit dated now, if you enjoyed it, you’ll probably also enjoy Wisner’s Honeymoon With My Brother.
23. In a Sunburned Country (2000) by Bill Bryson
Bryson goes down under and details his travels through the Australian outback and its “civilised edges” in his usual humorous and insightful fashion. What shines though is his pure love of the place and its people, even when detailing the numerous gruesome and painful ways in which the country’s non-human residents can kill you.
Packed full of Australian history and vernacular, this will have you speaking the lingo like a fair dinkum Aussie larrikin in no time before grabbing your swag to go bush yourself.
As the modern day master of travel humour writing, Bryson has plenty of other books to immerse yourself in before searching for other stories. Once you’ve exhausted yourself on Bryson, have a look at anything by Michael Palin, Will Ferguson or Peter Moore.
24. The Wrong Way Home (1999) by Peter Moore
Peter Moore’s first travelogue details his overland journey from London to Sydney as he follows in the hippy trail popularised during the 1960’s and 70’s. The author effortlessly weaves humour throughout the story which adds to this great journey and despite the trip occurring in 1994 still resonates well.
Travelling through war torn areas such as the former Yugoslavia and a brief foray into Afghanistan, there’s a multitude of off-piste and irregular destinations that successfully separates this book from your standard run-off-the mill travelogue and makes this a right on read.
Once finished with this story, make sure you go back in the opposite direction via Jamie Maslin’s The Long Hitch Home (2015) who co-incidentally faced the very same overland journey crisis as Moore some 20 years later, proving difficulties in travelling rarely change.
25. A Walk in the Woods (1997) by Bill Bryson
Concerned at the rate at which the Appalachian wilderness is disappearing, Bill Bryson teams up with his long-forgotten college friend, Stephen Katz, to walk the granddaddy of hiking trails, The Appalachian Trail. Told in Bryson's usual humourous fashion, this story of two middle-aged mountain men shambling down the pathway munching on Snickers bars is an extremely fun read and one that brings the AT to life.
Bryson's writing and humour is as crisp as a New England autumnal morning and he describes the Trail and environs so well that you almost feel spared from having to take that walk in the woods yourself.
Needless to say, there's plenty of other Bryson books on offer that will allow you to get your fix once you've finished gamboling with this book.
26. Always Feel a Friend (2004) by Peter Biddlecombe
Travelling businessman Peter Biddlecombe provides a collection of insights into 19 countries scattered around the globe with his own unique brand of slapstick humour that is unlikely to appeal to all. Written like a travel author overdosing on Ritalin, we find ourselves one minute reading about the ethnic make-up and history of Macedonia, the next about American spy satellites over Kosovo before veering back again to the architecture of Macedonian churches and mosques.
Always Feel a Friend covers a range of lesser known countries such as Kosovo, Cape Verde and the Cook Islands, which guarantees that you will learn something about a country you didn't know before. And despite the rapid fire and relentless delivery of Biddlecombe's humour, there are some genuine quality observations imparted.
Biddlecombe has written a further 10 travel books, mostly in the same fashion as Always Feel a Friend, which are worth a read is this book grabs you. Else, Brian Thacker's book have a similar feel to them and also are worth picking up.
27. Kiwi Tracks (1999) by Andrew Stevenson
Leaving the long nights and his girlfriend behind him in Norway, Stevenson heads to New Zealand to hike its nine Great Walks. Contrary to what you’d think, the book doesn’t actually provide any real information about the tracks but instead concentrates on his interactions with fellow hikers and New Zealanders he meets along the way. Kiwi Tracks begins brilliantly and there are a lot of funny incidents to get it moving. However, as it progresses Stevenson goes off track and sucumbs to his own melancholy ending up focussing too much on delivering a ham fisted account of interactions between Pakeha and Maori as well as his own issues. A pity, as this book could’ve been a lot better and there are some geniunely funny bits that will get you laughing.
28. A Piano in the Pyrenees (2006) by Tony Hawks
Most of us who might stumble into a mid-life crossroads wouldn't go off and purchase a house in a new country, but then again most of us aren't Tony Hawks, a man known for taking on absurd bets such as travelling around Ireland with a fridge for 100 pounds.
Hawks' tells this ex-pat story in an easy-going and likeable fashion doused in a fair amount of laddish humour. Don't expect any real soul-searching moments but you can expect a genuinely nice read, accompanied with visions of Hawks tickling the ivories in an idyllic location.
Hawks other travel books are also worth reading including Round Ireland With a Fridge and Playing Moldovans at Tennis. He also makes a habit of this renovating house malarky and describes a subsequent effort, this time in Devon, in Once Upon a Time in the West .... Country.
29. The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost (2011) by Rachel Friedman
Friedman’s debut book is a heart-warming and funny story of self-evolution and mateship, as defined through travel. her journey takes us across Ireland and Australia before venturing to South America, at which point she is able to fully earn her backpacking stripes. There’s plenty of adventures and dark tales on the road and Friedman is able to share a lot of the wonder and fun that accompanies their travels.
The Good Girl’s Guide to Getting Lost is more than just a travelogue-based memoir. At its heart, it gives us great insight into the author’s personal growth as she feels emboldened to break away from constantly seeking the approval of her parents and discovering how she should spend her life. Friedman allows her anxieties and neuroses to play out in her writing, in what is an honest and refreshing story of someone coming to terms with themselves and has written an extremely enjoyable and light-heartened account of someone not quite sure of how best to live up to societal norms.
If you like Friedman’s story then also consider reading Lauren Juliff’s book How Not to Travel the World.
30. Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before (2003) by Tony Horwitz
Following in the footsteps of one of the world's famous explorers from the 18th century doesn't naturally lend itself to hilarity, but Horwitz is able to instill plenty of laughs into his journey from his beginning in the North West Pacific to its ending in the Hawaiian Islands. Ably supported by his mate Roger for the majority of his outings (who steals the show on quite a few occasions), this is a book that's lots of fun whilst also being informative at the same time. Fortunately for Horwitz and all his fans, his ending also isn't nearly as gris(t)ly as that of Cook's.
Hortwitz has written quite a number of other travelogues, one of the better known outside of Blue Latitudes being Baghdad With a Map (1991), which also is highly recommended.
31. Free Country: A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain (2013) by George Mahood
George and his mate Ben set off from Land’s End to travel the length of England and Scotland on bike to John o’ Groats. Nothing too extraordinary in that, except they start out with nothing except the underpants they each are wearing and a camera to document their travels.
Whilst technically a cycling travel journey, the book focuses more on the challenge that they’ve set for themselves around not spending any money. It is a great tale on their resourcefulness and the generosity of the people who they meet along the way. Told with good humour and genuine humility, this is a story that officially, is a very nice read.
Pick up Tour de Armenia by Raffi Youredjian (2014) if you’re looking for a similar off the beaten path cycling travelogue or anything by Josie Dew.
32. The Sun in My Eyes (2001) by Josie Dew
A light-hearted cycling travelogue detailing Josie Dew's second trip around Japan, The Sun in My Eyes is an enjoyable book that is much more than your typical cycling jaunt around a country.
Latching onto a winning formula by not focussing too much on the cycling aspect of the journey, Dew instead concentrates on the wonderful, friendly people whom she meets along the way. In addition to this, she spends a fair amount of time taking in the sites that Japan offers, rather than simply cycling on past. By doing so, she is able to provide history of these places and as a result of the insights that she shares, we are able to get a much better feel for the country and its magnificent sites.
If you're looking for another cycling-focussed travel book written with humour then you might also like to check out Tim Moore's Geronimo or French Revolutions.
33. Vroom With a View (2003) by Peter Moore
Vroom with a View: In Search of Italy's Dolce Vita on a '61 Vespa is a very amusing travelogue through Northern Italy as seen from the back of that most iconic of Italian motor scooters - the mighty Vespa. Meandering via the back roads through bucolic countryside and visiting the best tourist spots the regions of Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany and Lazio have to offer, Vroom with a View provides a breezy armchair escape to one of the most loved parts of the world.
Moore has fashioned a great travelogue through the land of olives, coffee, vineyards, gelatos and famously cured pigs. Vespa enthusiasts will also be overjoyed, as there is plenty of history provided on this motor scooter and whilst Vroom with a View isn't quite amore for me, it is a fantastico read that'll have you chortling most of the way to the end.
34. Three Men in a Boat (1889) by Jerome K. Jerome - NOVEL
No, you haven’t read it wrong, this is a story that was published in 1889. Described as a comic novel this is an all time English favourite that somehow has managed to transcend 130 years and arguably be as funny now as it was at the end of the 19th century.
The fictional journey in a row boat down the Thames River from Kingston to Oxford and back again is merely the portal for the author to regale the reader with usually unrelated humorous stories. And while this is light on the travel component, it is a story that is well worth reading and guaranteed to have you smiling frequently and more than likely astounded at how the author’s insights about the world would not seem out of place in modern day life now.
Make sure you pick up the free kindle version, which is a steal at twice the price, and if impressed with this, do the same with Jerome’s follow-up book, Three Men in a Bummel (1900).
35. The Long Hitch Home (2015) by Jamie Maslin
An unstoppable read which follows the author as he hitchhikes from Tasmania back home to London, a distance of over 17,000 kms through 19 countries.
What might otherwise be just another themed “a to b” travelogue is set apart by its inclusion of some extremely thought provoking historical and geopolitical insights of the countries he passes through. And while his expressed views may not be to everybody’s liking, he writes in an easy going, engaging and oftentimes humourous fashion which makes this book both an enjoyable and informative read.
If you liked this, then check out The Wrong Way Home by Peter Moore or Mark Walters’ Footloose, both of which cover similar ground.
36. My Holiday in North Korea (2016) by Wendy E. Simmons
While I’m not a fan of Simmons book on her escorted tour through North Korea (or NoKo as she refers to it), there are more than a few parts that actually are very funny. Also, it’s worth mentioning that it’s not your normal travelogue book, with nearly half of it taken up with photographs, lists and bullet points of Simmons' observations. As such, in terms of actual reading content, the book is actually relatively short and can be polished off quite easily in a day.
There's a fair amount of profanity within the pages of MHIMK but this isn't out of place with the overall style of book. I’m certainly not the type to turn away from a book that might be classed as politically incorrect, nor from any excessive use of swearing, but there is a fine line between being funny and insensitive to being down right rude, especially if it’s outwardly directed.
So, is MHINK funny? Yes, at times it really is. But is it clever? No, not particularly. Although, if you think Borat's (Sacha Baron Cohen) portrayal of Kazakhstani culture is funny, then I suppose it is possible that you might also find MHINK hiliarious (in Cohen's defense, however, he also does mock Americans and their culture). I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether it’s the right kind of holiday reading for you.
37. The Full Montezuma (2000) by Peter Moore
Moore’s second foray into epic overland journeys sees him this time bringing along his girlfriend of six weeks, referred to as the GND (the Girl Next Door).
Over six months the author and the GND travel through Mexico and all of Central America before watching the Australian cricket team take on the West Indies in Jamaica. From here a quick trip to Cuba before going full circle back to Mexico.
The book is a good read with some great experiences not least due to Hurricane Mitch that proceeded their arrival and throwing their travel plans somewhat into disarray. The only downside is that the constant references to the bickering between the author and the GND becomes repetitive and distracts from the quality of the rest of the story.
Peter Moore has a number of other books in similar vein worth reading if you liked this one that should keep you entertained for a while. Else, check out Walters’ book Amerzonia which is more R-rated in its subject matter but, in my opinion, a much better read.
38. Destination Saigon (2010) by Walter Mason
Destination Saigon is a series of short “chapters” between three and eight pages long centred on an experience of Mason as he enlightens us on the peculiarities of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people. Despite its title, although mostly based around Saigon and Hanoi, the book ranges across the entire country taking us to out of the way destinations that aren’t on the typical tourist to do list.
Mason’s snapshots of the people and country with which he has fallen in love with are superbly packaged and do a wonderful job of providing insights into the Vietnamese mind set and way of life. This makes it a great read for those looking to travel to this country or for those who have returned and want to make some sense of their time while they were there. As a Buddhist, himself, the stories are imparted in a loving and gentle fashion and surprisingly with a healthy dose of humour.
Mason has written a further book in similar fashion within the region called Destination Cambodia (2013) which should provide additional reading if you enjoyed this book.
39. The Backpacker (1997) by John Harris
Reading like a misogynistic version of Alex Garland’s The Beach on steroids, this supposedly true story traverses South East Asia and briefly Australia after the author initially embarks upon a three week holiday to India. Here he meets up with his soon-to-be best friend and heads off in search of a life of sand, booze, drugs and beautiful girls which sets in motion an outlandish set of circumstances that come across as more fiction than true life.
You’ll need to dispel a certain amount of belief in order to fully enjoy this book and it won’t appeal to a wide range of people due to the stereotyped depiction of non-Westerners and constant frequently of prostitutes, but the writing is crisp and the stories so wonderfully entertaining that it’ll have you searching for your backpack well before the end.
The similarities to The Beach (1996) by Alex Garland, make this the obvious candidate to read if you liked this book and haven’t already done so (is there anybody that hasn’t read The Beach, though?).
40. Honeymoon With My Brother (2005) by Frank Wisner
Honeymoon with My Brother is a memoir of two brothers experiencing your run-of-the-mill, mid-life Republican backpacking crisis after the elder is jilted by his fiance a couple of days before his wedding. Deciding to plunge ahead with both a party for those already committed to arriving for the celebration and then onward to a honeymoon already paid for, sans the bride, what begins as a two-week break manifests itself to a two-year voyage of self discovery.
After getting their fill of Europe, the book then moves up a couple of gears as they travel on to South East Asia, South America and then southern Africa. In all, this results in travels to 53 countries across four continents with plenty of amusing anecdotes from trips to Komodo Island, the Galapagos islands and Machu Picchu amongst others.
This is a well written and inspiring read for those of all ages who might be contemplating trading in their conventional lifestyle for one out of a backpack, with a few extra trimmings. In order to achieve it, being stood up at the alter is optional, although definitely not recommended.
41. Torn Trousers (2015) by Gwynn & Andrew St. Pierre White
A charming and often times funny story about a husband and wife who decide to trade-in their Johannesburg life to manage a safari camp in Botswana's Okavango Delta.
Having no experience of managing a safari camp, this is a story full of humourous anecdotes of their adventures and. most especially, the matatas they had dealing with staff, wildlife and the occasional rogue tourist. With alternating chapters written by each person, this is a book that focuses less on safari experiences and more on the wildlife office politics, which differentiates this story from others. Certainly, one to read for anyone with rose tinted glasses thinking that the grass is greener over in the safari camp.
If the safari-focussed approach is your thing, Peter Allison has written two books, also in Botswana, that are well worth checking out - Whatever You Do, Don't Run and Don’t Look Behind You, But… .
42. A Land of Two Halves (2004) by Joe Bennett
Having relocated from Britain and having lived in New Zealand for the past 16 years, Joe Bennett decides to hitchhike his way around the country to help him make a decision whether he will continue to stay living there.
The path of his journey is somewhat dictated by where the people picking him up are heading which ensures that he visits a number of places that are off the usual tourist trail and makes for a more authentic exploration of the country. Imparting a fair amount of history on each place as he goes, this story is as much a story about the people he meets as it is the journey per se, in similar fashion to Bill Bryon’s books. And whilst some may find his attitude towards some of these people condescending, it is all the more forgivable as he his is just as quick to turn his razor wit inwards on himself.
It is refreshing that Bennett doesn’t gush over the sights he encounters, preferring to present things in his own unique way and for a number of readers his caustic sense of humour will not appeal, but there is no denying he has an eye for detail and great ability to translate the mundane into some very amusing anecdotes.
43. Where the Hell is Tuvalu? (2002) by Philip Ells
Describing the two and a bit years Ells spent working as the People's Lawyer, or the People's Liar as came to be known, in the world's 4th smallest independent nation during the mid 1990's, Ells self-deprecating humour makes this an interesting read.
Where the Hell is Tuvalu? provides a bit of knowledge on what life on Tuvalu is like and given the dearth of books available on this tiny Polynesian nation, is definitely recommended for anyone wanting to find out more about this tiny island nation.
Given his visit to, and Tuvalu's close historical connection to Kiribaiti, the book naturally lends itself to comparison with J. Maarten Troost's book, The Sex Lives of Cannibals. While Where the Hell is Tuvalu? contains a greater number of funny events that take place, Troost's superior writing ability makes his book the pick of the two by some distance.
44. Iranian Rappers and Persian Porn (2009) by Jamie Maslin
Iranian Rappers and Persian Porn provides glimpses of life in Iran from the viewpoint of a young British backpacker as he is showered with hospitality from nearly all he meets during his journey in and around the country in 2007.
Maslin utilises a light-hearted approach to describing his time in Iran whilst also infusing this travelogue with a good smattering of history. Whilst the book is entertaining and there are flashes of the quality of writing that made the Long Hitch Home so good, in general it remains relatively unpolished. For someone specifically interested in Iran or looking for a different take on Iranian attitudes, however, this is worth a look.
45. That Bear Ate My Pants (2011) by Tony James Slater
An, at times, very funny book which details the author’s three months spent working at an animal rescue facility in Ecuador. Whilst the book mostly devotes itself to the experiences he had among the many varied animals that he looks after, it comes into its own when describing his interactions with the human inhabitants at the facility.
As a self-published book, the purists might argue that the pacing is a bit off at times but as evidenced by the wide following he now has, the writing is of a good quality. His self-effacing and heart-warming writing style dishes up plenty of bite sized morsels for our consumption and this will appeal to those who are after a travel-lite story which focuses on a series of incidents involving the author chasing escaping animals and his resultant injuries.
Slater has written six (at last count) other travel related books that I haven’t yet read and which from the looks of it focus more on the travelling aspect. If you like That Bear Ate My Pants check these out…. or any one of his three sci-fi adventure novels - the man definitely is versatile!
46. Beyond Dubai (2014) by David Millar
Millar takes us on an historical travel journey around the United Arab Emirates as he attempts to convince his girlfriend of the cultural merits of the UAE, beyond the stereotyped images of glitzy shopping malls.
Extremely well researched, the book provides a veritable treasure trove of information on the history and potential places of interest to visit in the Emirates and neighbouring Oman. Whilst not laugh out loud funny, the author’s observations are injected with humour and he makes what might ordinarily be a dry story, very interesting. An honest account of the region and written almost as a guide book narrative, this is certainly one to read for anyone interested in relocating to the UAE.
47. Congo Journey (1998) by Redmond O’Hanlon
Also known as No Mercey: A Journey to the Heart of the Congo O’Hanlon’s book is ostensibly a story about his search through the unmapped forests of the People's Republic of the Congo, in search of a living dinosaur, the Mokélé-Mbembé. Previously sighted in the remote Lake Télé, in its most basic form, the adventure is sort of like an African exploration for Big Foot.
At various points, O'Hanlon writes as if in a hallucinatory state, due to being afflicted by malaria, narcotics or bone-tired weariness from his arduous journey. To me, these philosophical interludes, coupled with flashbacks and random meanderings through other topics were overtures to the madness themes inherent within Conrad's The Heart of Darkness.
All told, this is an enjoyable read of an amazing journey, ableit one where the humour is very understated. It is not an easy read and at times is overly detailed but it does reward the reader for the effort, not least by avoiding the usual African tropes. If you're looking for a thought-provoking, well written, alternative travel-lit book heavy on wildlife descriptions, then this definitely is the journey for you.
48. Fat, Forty and Fired (2005) by Nigel Marsh
A warts and all story covering the Author’s year off from work as he looks to reconnect with children, wife and self after being made redundant.
As befits someone who has previously done stand-up comedy, there is plenty of laugh out loud moments of which some are cringe-worthy given how close they strike to home. While the story is mostly an inner journey, there are some actual travels around Tasmania, to the UK and Italy which gives this a nice balance.
Whilst a superficially a light hearted approach to a life changing event, the book covers off some deeper issues and themes that face not only the author himself, most probably all of us. This most probably is of more appeal for those of us questioning our 9 to 5 existence and of a certain age (cough… 40’s… cough) but one that I definitely enjoyed.
49. How Not to Travel the World (2015) by Lauren Juliff
How Not to Travel the World: Adventures of a Disaster-Prone Backpacker is a travel memoir written by well-known travel blogger Lauren Juliff. Suffering from an anxiety disorder, Juliff's memoir is an inspiring and uplifting account of the early years of her travel experiences around the world, since she first left the UK in 2011.
Juliff’s book is an extremely good travel memoir written by a gutsy young woman who made a life changing decision to not let her ailments rule her life. Her never-ending string of calamities that accompany her travels are told in humourous fashion without any pretension and with it Juliff has delivered an inspiring read for anyone wanting to lead a non-conventional life centred around travel.
50. French Revolutions (2001) by Tim Moore
Despite claiming not to be cyclist, the author decides to cycle the 3,630km Tour de France route that is due to take place in a month’s time. Whilst a few shortcuts occur on the way, his efforts are rather remarkable, most especially given the number of “watering” stops that he takes in order to refuel in the appropriate French fashion.
Whilst the writing is very witty, be aware that the focus is very much on the riders and history of the Tour de France and less on the surrounding countryside and towns that he passes through. As such, this will appeal more to cycling aficionados and most especially to Tour de France nuts than someone who might be looking for a travelogue through France.
Moore (not to be confused with the Australian Peter Moore) has written a number of other cycling stories which you could also check out if you enjoyed this one, such as Geronimo! Riding the Very Terrible 1914 Tour of Italy (2014).
51. Do Travel Writers Go to Hell? (2008) by Thomas Kohnstamm
Drawn instantly to this book due to its title, this “gonzo travelogue” consists partly of an expose on the travel guidebook writing industry but predominantly focuses on the author’s drug, alcohol and sex trysts, whilst attempting to update the north-eastern part of the Lonely Planet Brazil guidebook.
At times, there are some genuinely funny parts and the book is well written but in the most part the author’s overdose of cynicism and forced depravity come across as somewhat contrived with a deliberate attempt to court controversy.
A reasonably quick read and certainly in the R-rated category, but for my mind there are better offerings in a similar vein such as To Hellholes and Back (2009) by Chuck Thompson and Mark Walters newest book Amerzonia.
52. Continental Drifter (2001) by Tim Moore
Continental Drifter details Moore’s journey as he retraces the footsteps of Thomas Coryate, an English traveller in the early 17th century who was credited with bringing the eating fork (and the umbrella) to the English dinner table (although one assumes he left the umbrella in the coat rack).
Travelling through modern day France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands in his Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow Moore undertake this Grand Tour of Europe popularised by British aristocrats during the 17th and 18th centuries in his usual offbeat fashion. Whilst the book does have some funny moments, I found myself midway through tiring of the journey and drifting off myself.
If you looking for a more upbeat, and in my opinion, better read of a European journey, read Bill Bryson’s Neither Here Nor There (1991).