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There's something about the Antipodean people, they are the terns of the human kingdom. Drifting from continent to continent, wherever they hang their hat, Aussies and Kiwis turn up anywhere and usually with tales about the far-flung corners where they've just been. John Mckenna is one such example. The Aucklander who left Mckenna first arrived in "I was on my way home and I'd planned on being here for about a month. I ended up traveling around for three months," says the fitness fanatic between training sessions for his upcoming 250-kilometer There are five key words in that last sentence that might be worth reviewing: "We've got to carry all our own food," he says jovially. Luckily, and perhaps crucially, organizers provide the competitors with 1.5 liters of water every 12 kilometers. "I'm trying to average 100 kilometers per week in training," says the robust and cheery Kiwi. "We will be carrying an 11.5-kilogram pack. I've been learning a lot about shoes. My New Balance ones are ideal because your feet swell quite a lot in those conditions." Last year Mckenna competed in the 3,500-kilometer China Xinjiang Around Taklimakan Off Road Rally. He rode one of the 55 motorbikes, there were also 140 four-by-four vehicles. "We stayed in 10-yuan (US$1.3) hostels riddled with scorpions," says the intrepid adventurer. "One day we'd be in sandy desert, the next on snowy mountains, it was great." The 10 foreigners who competed were classified together and Mckenna came in the fourth. "The last stage's cut-off time was eight hours, I came in at eight hours and 20 minutes. If I had made the cut-off time, I would have actually come first. It was pretty tough out there." June's run involves six stages and competitors should take seven days, averaging 35 kilometers per day with stage five an epic 90 kilometers. During initial travels in In He came to Within a week of setting up his Website he'd sold a tour. He doesn't advertise at all, relying purely on word of mouth. "About 60 percent of our clients are expats living in It's an important difference. "Those who have been in the country know when somebody is trying to rip them off, if they haven't, they don't," he adds. The clue to Mckenna's travel business lies in the name. He believes in showing visitors the real "Changshu is great," says Mckenna. "It's a wealthy town and it's close to Mckenna, like many others, bemoans the absence of budget airlines operating in "For example, Ctrip is an amazing Website with lots and lots of information about even the smallest, most remote places, but if you can't read Mandarin, it's no use," Mckenna says. Most of Mckenna's tours are booked by the wives. "We take on board-time pressures, husband's work pressures and various family pressures, a typical tour is five days and four nights long. We generally budget on slightly more than 1,000 yuan per person per day, with three-star-plus accommodation," he says. "Most of our clients are former backpackers who now appreciate their basic comforts." A
Nationality: Age: 44 Profession: Travel consultant Picks and hates Love the dynamism, energy and the way it changes so quickly. Don't hate anything about Favorite way to spend a weekend? I like to get out and about and explore the small, charming, nearby places like Changshu. What can be done to improve Time will improve Attitude is everything, don't be afraid of the big decisions. Three words to describe yourself? Excited (about life), happy and adventurous. Advice to new expats? Take your time when trying to understand things here. Relax and enjoy yourself, things in (Shanghai Daily May 8, 2007) |
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