Drifting into a Side-Stream

A Travelogue by Hendrik Erasmus

Join Koos, the authors alter-ego on an epic overland trip along the legendry Cape-to-Cairo trail an onward into the mystique of Asia. This is not only a tale of a wanderers attempt to escape the `mainstream, but also an open-minded spiritual quest to explore the essence of life and the course of destiny. Koos, a hard-drinking bachelor who is not averse to a bit of hanky-panky, opens his diary in Cape Town, the `Mother city of Southern Africa. Due to visa problems he misses the initial departure with his travel companions only to meet up with them in Namibia. From there the colourful narrative leads the reader up the Skeleton Coast and on into the Okavango, Victoria Falls, the Chobe, South Luangwa, Malawi, Zanzibar, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Crater. There is adventure in Ethiopia, and the gripping ordeal through the Nubian Desert, up the Nile, and onward into ancient Cairo. Barred entry into Europe and Turkey, Koos heads off to Bangkok, and northward onto a Mekong River boat to Luang Prabang. The tale unfolds into the wonder of Angkor Wat and explores the horror of the Kmer Rouge. Inspired by tales of the fabled Shangri-La, Koos joins an inspirational companion to venture beyond Kathmandu into the breathtaking heights of the Annapurna Mountains. India unravels Calcutta, the Bay of Bengal, the ruins of the Vijayangar Empire, and on to the golden Goan beaches. After a crisis in Bombay he returns to Bangkoks warm embrace for a glimpse into his future.