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Every Day an Adventure #2
Under Asian Skies
Sam’s second book Under Asian Skies shines with his joy of being on the road from Australia and New Zealand, through Asia and across the Middle East. This book is packed with adventure and the pure adrenaline buzz that each day brings. Sam narrowly escapes a serious wipeout in the vast Australian outback, he falls critically ill in Thailand and is rescued by a prostitute, he gets arrested in Madras and dodges the manic traffic of India’s Grand Trunk Road. Louis L’Amour, the author of many great Westerns wrote, ‘ Too often I would hear men speak of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen.’ Mr L’Amour would have approved of this tale.
319 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2007
12 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Sam Manicom
13 books30 followersSam Manicom, overlander, traveller and author of 4 motorcycle books, was born in the Congo in Central West Africa where his parents worked. His family returned to the UK when he was 10 and he has been travelling for much of his life.
His first solo trip was age 16 by bicycle into Europe. Many backpacking, hiking, cycling and hitch hiking journeys later, and back in the UK but wanting to do something completely different, Sam learned to ride a motorcycle. Within 3 months of starting to ride, he set off to travel the length of Africa. This 1-year trip turned into an 8-year, 200,000 mile, around the world motorcycle adventure across 55 countries.
Sam’s 4 'Every Day an Adventure' series books take the reader travelling through the different sections of the eight-year journey. Africa – ‘Into Africa’, Asia and the Middle East – ‘Under Asian Skies’, Southern Africa and South America – ‘Distant Suns’, and North America – ‘Tortillas to Totems’.
His 5th book, released in February 2022, is called ‘The Moment Collectors’. An anthology of 20 authors original work compiled and published with the subtitle ‘Twenty Travellers’ Tales from Around the World.’
Sam now works full time in the world of adventure travel. He’s a keen advocate of motorcycle travel in particular and when not writing his books, magazine articles and conducting multimedia travel presentations within Europe and the USA, he’s very much involved with travel related organisations. Sam is a co-host for Adventure Rider Radio RAW.
In 2017 he was awarded the Overland Magazine ‘Spirit of Adventure’ Award for his contribution to Overlanding.
When he isn’t writing or presenting, Sam and his partner Birgit are usually off riding somewhere.
Find out more about Sam and his travels via his website www.Sam-Manicom.com ‘Every Day an Adventure’
And the first Adventure Bike TV ‘Under the Visor’ interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bToV6...
Catch up with Sam on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
His first solo trip was age 16 by bicycle into Europe. Many backpacking, hiking, cycling and hitch hiking journeys later, and back in the UK but wanting to do something completely different, Sam learned to ride a motorcycle. Within 3 months of starting to ride, he set off to travel the length of Africa. This 1-year trip turned into an 8-year, 200,000 mile, around the world motorcycle adventure across 55 countries.
Sam’s 4 'Every Day an Adventure' series books take the reader travelling through the different sections of the eight-year journey. Africa – ‘Into Africa’, Asia and the Middle East – ‘Under Asian Skies’, Southern Africa and South America – ‘Distant Suns’, and North America – ‘Tortillas to Totems’.
His 5th book, released in February 2022, is called ‘The Moment Collectors’. An anthology of 20 authors original work compiled and published with the subtitle ‘Twenty Travellers’ Tales from Around the World.’
Sam now works full time in the world of adventure travel. He’s a keen advocate of motorcycle travel in particular and when not writing his books, magazine articles and conducting multimedia travel presentations within Europe and the USA, he’s very much involved with travel related organisations. Sam is a co-host for Adventure Rider Radio RAW.
In 2017 he was awarded the Overland Magazine ‘Spirit of Adventure’ Award for his contribution to Overlanding.
When he isn’t writing or presenting, Sam and his partner Birgit are usually off riding somewhere.
Find out more about Sam and his travels via his website www.Sam-Manicom.com ‘Every Day an Adventure’
And the first Adventure Bike TV ‘Under the Visor’ interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bToV6...
Catch up with Sam on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 15, 2012
This is Sam Manicom's second episode of a series of four books (so far). I am only half way through right now but I couldn't get to sleep until 4am last night because I was just too immersed in it. Sam's descriptive style is addictive and, having visited most of the places he crosses myself, I really feel "at home" in his narration... it's like travelling there all over again!
October 13, 2012
Love Sam's books - entertaining, funny and well written.
November 8, 2013
Not had much time to read recently but really enjoyed Sam's adventure through a continent I know well.
Sam paints a great picture and kept me entertained!
Sam paints a great picture and kept me entertained!
May 19, 2022
I've often heard Sam Manicom described in motorcycle travel circles as the nicest overlander. This may well be true, I've met Sam a few times now and he really is a lovely bloke. But being nice doesn't necessarily make you adept at budget travel or a good writer, luckily for those of us who enjoy reading travel books, or who aspire to big trips, he's both. Also, don't let the Mr nice guy aspect fool you into thinking Manicom's travels are anything other than hardcore.
Sam's writing is at times sublime. He can paint a view with words as Turner would with oils, be it mount Ararat or a sunset in the Punjab. You can loose yourself for a page or so in his beautiful descriptive style. That ability isn't confined to the transcendent either, Sam can deliver the stench and horror of travelling too and the book is the better for it. If books were movies, Under Asian Skies would be with the latest Dolby and wide screen.
Sam is by nature a people watcher and just as you can't write unless you read, you can't know people unless you watch them. Portraits of people are detailed and well rounded without verbosity, we get a good insight into peoples behavior and attitude as well as their dress and appearance. No effort is spared in describing the countries traveled through, from Australia to Germany, culturally. But not so overtly that the reader isn't left to read a little between the lines.
This book walks a fine line with descriptions and information covering geography, history and anthropology. It manages this adroitly with the reader never feeling lectured at. The people who populate Sam's books really bring them to life and provide drama. The overlanders often provide a thread that carries us from one journey to another. While the locals encountered shed light on, and give perspective to the areas traveled through.
I can't end this review without mentioning the other main character in the book, that being Libby. Libby is a R80GS BMW motorcycle, commonly known as an airhead. The author may be accused of Anthropomorphism in his description and relationship with his mode of transport. But I'm completely with him, I do it with mine. Machines have characteristics and if treated in certain ways they behave in others. To have this described eloquently brings in elements of Robert M. Persig style. The ghost in the machine that is Liberty (Libby) is strong and she deserves credit as a co protagonist.
My only regret is that my reading is catching up with Sam's travelling. I've enjoyed this book every bit as much as the previous two of his I've read. I should take heart that there's still another, but I'm dreading turning it's final page. If there's anyone on the planet who could take on the mantle of inspirational motorcycle traveler, created by Ted Simon in the 70's, here's your Manicom.
Sam's writing is at times sublime. He can paint a view with words as Turner would with oils, be it mount Ararat or a sunset in the Punjab. You can loose yourself for a page or so in his beautiful descriptive style. That ability isn't confined to the transcendent either, Sam can deliver the stench and horror of travelling too and the book is the better for it. If books were movies, Under Asian Skies would be with the latest Dolby and wide screen.
Sam is by nature a people watcher and just as you can't write unless you read, you can't know people unless you watch them. Portraits of people are detailed and well rounded without verbosity, we get a good insight into peoples behavior and attitude as well as their dress and appearance. No effort is spared in describing the countries traveled through, from Australia to Germany, culturally. But not so overtly that the reader isn't left to read a little between the lines.
This book walks a fine line with descriptions and information covering geography, history and anthropology. It manages this adroitly with the reader never feeling lectured at. The people who populate Sam's books really bring them to life and provide drama. The overlanders often provide a thread that carries us from one journey to another. While the locals encountered shed light on, and give perspective to the areas traveled through.
I can't end this review without mentioning the other main character in the book, that being Libby. Libby is a R80GS BMW motorcycle, commonly known as an airhead. The author may be accused of Anthropomorphism in his description and relationship with his mode of transport. But I'm completely with him, I do it with mine. Machines have characteristics and if treated in certain ways they behave in others. To have this described eloquently brings in elements of Robert M. Persig style. The ghost in the machine that is Liberty (Libby) is strong and she deserves credit as a co protagonist.
My only regret is that my reading is catching up with Sam's travelling. I've enjoyed this book every bit as much as the previous two of his I've read. I should take heart that there's still another, but I'm dreading turning it's final page. If there's anyone on the planet who could take on the mantle of inspirational motorcycle traveler, created by Ted Simon in the 70's, here's your Manicom.
November 13, 2021
Sam Manicom says he was bitten by 'The Travel Bug' during his Africa trip, described in his book 'Into Africa' He travels with his beloved Libby (which is the nickname of his motorcycle) via boat from South Africa to Australia, where he supported himself as one of many fruit pickers.
He brings these fruit pickers to life and the description of their existence is a highlight in the book, I think.
The journey continues through Asia, the motorcycle is sent by boat to Madras, India. There he fights for six !! weeks together with a German motorcyclist to get their motorcycles out of the port area.
A wonderful description follows of bureaucracy in its absolute highest stage.
Together with Sam, we travel through Asia, slowly and contemplatively and takes part of all the new, unknown, fantastic, that this continent can offer.
The details, the presence, the humanity, the understanding for other living conditions.
This makes Sam Manicom stand out among other travel writer ́s
No, you do not have to be a motorcyclist to travel with Sam Manicom.
Just interested in experiencing something different and exciting.
He brings these fruit pickers to life and the description of their existence is a highlight in the book, I think.
The journey continues through Asia, the motorcycle is sent by boat to Madras, India. There he fights for six !! weeks together with a German motorcyclist to get their motorcycles out of the port area.
A wonderful description follows of bureaucracy in its absolute highest stage.
Together with Sam, we travel through Asia, slowly and contemplatively and takes part of all the new, unknown, fantastic, that this continent can offer.
The details, the presence, the humanity, the understanding for other living conditions.
This makes Sam Manicom stand out among other travel writer ́s
No, you do not have to be a motorcyclist to travel with Sam Manicom.
Just interested in experiencing something different and exciting.
July 17, 2020
This book should come with a warning label!
Never before have I read a book that I’ve had to ration.
Several times, I found myself getting so lost in the story that I thought I’d only been reading for a few minutes but when I stopped reading my cup of tea was stone-cold and I’d lost the last two hours to a far away land and two-wheeled adventures!
Sam’s writing style is wonderfully personal, so much so that it made me feel like i could bump into him in a bar and we would immediately click and share travel stories.
Under Asian Skies is Sam’s second book, I thoroughly enjoyed his first book ‘into Africa’ and this one is even better! Although I am now addicted and I’ve already ordered his third book, ‘Distant Suns’ and cannot wait to read about what happens next in his adventures!
Never before have I read a book that I’ve had to ration.
Several times, I found myself getting so lost in the story that I thought I’d only been reading for a few minutes but when I stopped reading my cup of tea was stone-cold and I’d lost the last two hours to a far away land and two-wheeled adventures!
Sam’s writing style is wonderfully personal, so much so that it made me feel like i could bump into him in a bar and we would immediately click and share travel stories.
Under Asian Skies is Sam’s second book, I thoroughly enjoyed his first book ‘into Africa’ and this one is even better! Although I am now addicted and I’ve already ordered his third book, ‘Distant Suns’ and cannot wait to read about what happens next in his adventures!
November 16, 2023
I met Sam about 10 years ago when he was at the HUBBUK. And drove my Land Rover over a section he had coned off.
We exchanged pleasantries and have stayed in touch since.
I bought the book ages ago but just hadn't read it till recently, Sam's style of writing is captivating and I really couldn't put the book down.
So much so I purchased Tortillas to totems the next day and read that cover to cover in 48 hours.
If you like travel books especially on 2 wheels you have to have at least one of Sam's books on your shelf.
We exchanged pleasantries and have stayed in touch since.
I bought the book ages ago but just hadn't read it till recently, Sam's style of writing is captivating and I really couldn't put the book down.
So much so I purchased Tortillas to totems the next day and read that cover to cover in 48 hours.
If you like travel books especially on 2 wheels you have to have at least one of Sam's books on your shelf.
July 23, 2025
great read, great adventurer
I loved the book and having enjoyed the first one, and now this one I will be moving onto books three and four
I loved the book and having enjoyed the first one, and now this one I will be moving onto books three and four
October 1, 2025
I love Sam’s books. His observations, pacing, and adventures keep me engaged. I am looking forward to reading his others.
January 2, 2024
What a fantastic read! I purchased this book on my Kindle, I wish now I would have gotten a physical copy as I would love to see some of the pictures. It was a difficult book to put down, looking forward to reading more from Sam.
December 15, 2015
It is perplexingly rare to find a person who is both a good traveller and a good writer, particularly in today’s increasingly uncurated world of self-publishing. In this context, Sam’s work easily rises to the top, sitting comfortably alongside the best modern writers in the genre. As a traveller, he is intrepid, patient, open-minded, resourceful, and philosophical; equally likely to recount what he learns as what he conquers; his mistakes as his victories; as he travels from Australia back to the UK overland in the seat of his trusty motorbike (with the exception of a memorably comical and bike-less few weeks in India). As a writer, he is perceptive, clear-minded, eloquent, and able to swing from finely shaded anecdotes to broad brush-strokes of time and space without the result ever feeling disjointed. Because of the vulnerable nature of motorcycle travel – open to the whims of those he meets, whether he likes it or not – and because he is limited only by finances, as opposed to by time, his journey is free to meander, become sidetracked and delayed in all sorts of delighful ways, and this gives Sam the time and space to perceive keenly those around him and relate his shared snippets of their lives with vividity and colour. All in all, classic overland journey recounted with mastery and passion – I can’t recommend it enough.
October 27, 2014
This was a very fine book even better than the last one! This book I did not read but listen to the audiobook version of it as I was traveling on my motorcycle. I found it to be incredibly fascinating giving me a view of the world that you don't see through normal media. Though I don't think I will be riding those roads and routes that he took in this book I do feel inspired to travel more distances on my motorcycle. Because I know realistically I'll never do any traveling like that of what he does in this book it is nice to be able to read/listen to the adventures that he is been through. I find myself very easily giving this book 5 stars.
October 27, 2015
Absolutely fabulous reading
I love motorcycle riding and Sam is able to convey brilliantly the magic of travelling. His positive energy and enticing style make his books such a joy you want to look for the next one.
I love motorcycle riding and Sam is able to convey brilliantly the magic of travelling. His positive energy and enticing style make his books such a joy you want to look for the next one.
March 7, 2016
Good motorcycle travel book
Good book on travel through Southern Asia. Lots of time spent off the bike though.
I'll bet this trip would be worse now for a westerner.
Good book on travel through Southern Asia. Lots of time spent off the bike though.
I'll bet this trip would be worse now for a westerner.
November 23, 2022
Great read, wonderful storytelling. In my opinion much better than Ted Simon, less tedious self introspection and more about the places and the things he sees.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews