I watched Long Way Round on DVD, and I was very excited when I heard about this follow-up series. Basically, actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman return for another journey around the world riding on BMW motorbikes. They plan a journey that would take them 15,000 miles from John o' Groats, Scotland to Cape Town, South Africa, travelling southwards through Europe and Africa. They are joined by the support crew in four-by-fours, director/producers David Alexanian and Russ Malkin, and cameramen Claudio von Planta and James Simak. The crew would link up with them at borders and help with logistics, equipment and supplies, but otherwise, they were on their own, with handheld and helmet cameras. Ewan and Charley travel through the United Kingdom, Italy, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa. They stay mainly in hotels, but occasionally were given places to stay from natives of the countries and camped where possible. During the journey they meet many interesting people, see the famous sites, experience the culture, and eat food, and they visit UNICEF projects (Ewan is an ambassador). They go through many towns, villages, and cities, and through various types of scenery, including forests, mountains, deserts, jungles, and rivers, through hot, cold, wet, and windy weathers. There are many challenges along the way, including dangerous territories, hostile environments, tough terrain, and occasional accidents, but team try to remain optimistic, and there are some surprises along the way (Ewan is surprised by his mother Carol appearing). They are also joined on the last lengths of the journey by Ewan's (then) wife Eve Mavrakis, who trained to ride a motorbike. The six-part series is full of struggles, success, and exploration, the sights make for wonderful viewing, and you really get the sense of adventure from the two best friends. It has the catchy title song by Kelly Jones, lead singer of the Stereophonics, Ewan and Charley and the members of the crew are great characters, this is perfect for anybody who likes a road trip, motorbikes and seeing the world, a fantastic travel documentary. Very good!
Review of Long Way Down
