I listened to Himalaya and could therefore enjoy the soothing voice of Palin as he recounted a year spent in and around the tallest of mountain ranges. Palin and his crew start their trek in Pakistan and make their way through India, Nepal, Bhutan, Ladakh, China, the area of China formerly known as Tibet, Myanmar (Burma) and Bangladesh. This is no mere travelogue however since Palin is famous in his own right (BBC and Monty Python) and can therefore gain an audience with luminaries such as the Dalai Lama, the King of Tibet and other dignitaries of cities and villages through which they travel. Palin has a keen eye for the traditions and customs of the different cultures and his descriptions easily transported me to the exotic locales.
I have read a little travel literature over the years and Palin's story ranks up there with some of the best I've read. Having his roots in theater and comedy, Palin is quite engaging and his dry humor brings forth unexpected chortles and gasps. I could visit places that I may never experience and see these foreign lands through an interesting and educating lens. I am keen to read Palin's "Sahara" and watch the accompanying DVD series that gives the visual aspect to this himalayan journey.
