It has been a couple of weeks since TACA Airlines swooped us from Mexico City, Mexico and safely delivered us to Lima, Peru. Two weeks?! We can’t believe it either. Cancun still feels like yesterday, and the aftertaste of taco al pastor still lingers on our tasted buds.
We are currently shacking in the cheapest hostal we found so far this round-the-world trip in Arequipa City, a 16 to 18-hour southbound bus ride from Lima (and more than 2,000 meters above sea level). As I lay on our dingy, seemingly unwashed sheets, I flip through the pages of our Lonely Planet South America On A Shoestring in search of economico accommodations in Puno where we’re heading tomorrow.
Until this day, I am overwhelmed by the fact that we are actually using it as reference. You see, the hubby gave it as a wedding present to me. I remember feeling elated when I tore off its gift wrapper and found out what it was. But, I never assumed that we will actually explore South America someday. I just thought that it is, nonetheless, an awesome addition to my pile of dust-collecting paperbacks.
I guess you could say that I am quite obsessed with Lonely Planet’s story (I became so after reading the autobiography). In case you don’t know yet, the founders of this company is a married couple. Tony and Maureen Wheeler did an overland Europe-Asia-Australia trip (among the countries they crossed were Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan) for their honeymoon in 1972 to get rid of the travel bug before “settling down”.
During the 1970s, as you could imagine, information was scant. After that epic trip, a light bulb moment led to the production of their very first guide, Across Asia On The Cheap (which by the way they typed and stapled themselves at that time). Its success brought forth the establishment of Lonely Planet Publishing (its name came from misheard Space Captain lyrics which should have been “lovely planet”, but Tony thought it was “lonely planet”), and a second guidebook, Southeast Asia On A Shoestring. Currently, it’s the largest travel guide book publisher in the world! I reckon we all know that.
Now let’s go back to that guide book of mine. Hubby initially didn’t plan to purchase that particular copy. Months prior our wedding, he contacted Lonely Planet’s headquarters in Melbourne, Australia and asked for a message from either Tony or Maureen. Surprisingly they replied, and hubby was instructed to order one of the books so Tony could write a short note on it for me. South America On A Shoestring was sort of a random choice.
It was so fortunate that the staff was able to get hold of jet-setting Tony for a quick scribble. It may be a mere autograph for him, but for me, it’s a lifelong inspiration.
Oooh….. Noice!
Hopefully I can get my Under the Tuscan Sun signed both by Frances Mayes and Diane Lane – it’s worth a shot!
It’s so sweet that I actually verbalized an “awwww” while reading it! Kainis, kayo na ang may happily ever after!
Hasta luego!
such an inspiration! i saw anthony bourdain with his daughter in sanur, bali but was too shy to ask him for an autograph. lost opportunity. i should be braver now!
Eileen, worth the shot indeed! Haha! I’d like to see Diane Lane’s autograph 🙂
I almost had an argument with my guest over their book. The guest was insisting on the boat price on the book published a couple of years earlier. It was pure nose bleed explaining why those prices weren’t applicable anymore. It was good though she understood in the end, and she probably had a great time back then.
Ohhh sooo envious! I admire Tony and Maureen Wheeler so much too! They started out really humble, working out of their kitchen. Dream ko rin yan, to travel and write. Grats for getting their autographs!
RV, sayang!!! Hope you get the chance again… Maybe next time you’ll see Anthony himself 🙂
Theirs (Tony and Maureen) is a colorful life indeed. Just imagine the experiences they both had since the 70’s…and I’m pretty sure (betting on my sando) that yours and Shervin + Luna’s life as a traveling hippie family will definitely be as colorful.
Aleah, yeah! I remember a photo of Maureen on the kitchen table working on their draft 🙂
awesome! So great to have received an autographed book and an inspiration indeed Gaye. Super liked this one post of yours.
I know that your Latin American jaunt is a great one, where I can find snippets of inspirations
Marky, your sando?! Hahaha! Thanks dude.
Thanks too Doc Wends!
I really had a great time reading your blog. This is such a very informative one.
this is waaaaay beyond cool! ang galing! i love the lonely planet story, too. they paved the way for a whole generation of travelers! at tayo yun! haha.
Haha! True Paul 🙂
Wow galing naman! Super sweet naman ng hubby mo.. Kakilig!!! 😉 I love the story of MAureen and Tony too, and you got an autographed copy pa, galing! 😉
Yeah, best gift ever 🙂 He rarely gives gifts, so this one really shocked me!
your hubby is so sweet and supportive. i agree you best gift ever. =)
It was a premonition of things to come. =)
Michi, cheesy at times, yes 🙂
Tin, yup. Guess we could say that. Hihi.
Inspiration indeed! Thanks for sharing. A new fan here:)
That’s so sweet! I got a Southeast Asia backpacking book for Christmas. I hope it means I’ll be doing that soon, too!
Yey Yols! Premonition na yan 🙂
Wow, that was a great story. I only have 1 LP and that is about dear old Pinas. Baka kailangan magkaroon din ako for other places para mainspire to go out and explore more. 🙂
I got LP Philippines too Oman 🙂 Yeah, maybe you should get LP Southeast Asia on a Shoestring next? Someone gave that to me as a present many years ago… And it did inspire me to do more backpacking.
Who knows? you might be the next Maureen and Tony! 🙂 Happy Travels! -from an avid follower
Hihi, that would be a long, long (near impossible) shot. But we’re already happy just having the chance to travel the world 🙂
Ang sweet naman ayyyeeeeeeee!!! Excited akong malaman kung anu ang next surprise ni hubby. Please do inform us again if it is not too much to ask, hehe. 🙂
Mexico then, now in Peru! Inggit much! Gusto ko din pumunta dyan. Dream ko din makita ang Arequipa at Machu Picchu… you already! Haha… Enjoy your South American travel – Tenga un gran viaje en Sudamérica!
Thanks Ian! We were in Arequipa for just a couple of nights. Sad we weren’t able to explore it much.
Fantastic story!! Just goes to show dreams CAN come true – even if you didn’t realise it even WAS a dream at first!!
Your adventures are awesome! Look forward to many more!!
Dreams DO come true 🙂 Thanks for dropping by!
Tony and Maureen are really an inspiration to many. They’ve been to so many destinations some of us could only dream of.
Super sweet ng hubby mo that he even manage to get a signed copy from Tony himself! That is sooooo cool!!! Maybe your destined to write your own guide books as well some day!
Joan, hihi. I’m already happy writing for the blog 🙂
huwaw!!! i’ve read their story too and its really inspirational… collectors item na yang LP mo Gay 😉 ingat sa byahe sa South Am 🙂
Ang sweet sweet naman ni Shervin! Mark and I prefers LP din. Travel bible talaga! We’ve started collecting the LP Magazines PH edition too! =)
Maybe you can write for LP babe! Sayang, dapat nag pa autograph na pala ako sayo when I last saw you! For sure matagal na naman bago tayo magkita!
Hahaha! Pressure to write for LP mag. Oks nako sa blog, gurl 🙂
call me envy. astig Gay. sobrang inggit kami. i once saw this book on sale. i regret not buying it.
Aww… Antay ng next sale Dom 🙂
I’ve read their story too and I’d be star-struck in their presence – they are both a legend already!
Enjoy Peru – my favorite South American country!
Thanks Dennis! OMG, dunno what I’ll do if I see one of them in person. LOL.