The Wrong Way Round: How Not to Travel to Burma by Motorcycle

by Andy Benfield

"A thrilling roller-coaster of a book! Gripping from start to finish." Joanna Lumley, British actress, TV presenter, and travel writer.Just why exactly hadn't anyone attempted to motorcycle from India to Burma before, and how hard could it actually be? Against his better judgment, woefully unprepared, and desperately trying to impress his new aristocratic girlfriend, Andrew Benfield decides to find out. The ensuing adventure takes the couple across the Himalayas and through some of the wildest parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Burma as they contend with suicidal roads, tribal head-hunters, an alarming number of men with guns, and a border that hasn't been crossed in fifty years.The Wrong Way Round is the true story (and photos!) of 6,000 kilometres of hilarious and terrifying adventure as the odds become increasingly stacked against them making it to their destination with themselves, their motorcycle or their relationship in one piece.

Genres: Motorcycle, Travel

322 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2020

Reviews

[Dave Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you can look past the way that Lady R is portrayed (a spoilt brat) and the quite heavy political history at times then this is a cracking read. Sadly I found those parts bogged it down and there was the start of an argument that was just left hanging in the air half way through the book that really annoyed me.

That being said though, huge kudos to Andy and Lady R for taking on and more impressively completing such a journey, especially on the Enfield

[m larkin]

Nicely balanced travel oddesy

A real adventure. Confirmed my own view that people are basically helpful and kind which is nice.A good balance between bike stuff plus the country's visited plus the people plus your relationship.(If I may say,you both made the right decision by the way). I kept thinking you'd have been better off on a 250 Honda but I also think that would have missed the point.A good read which kept me turning the pages.RECOMMENDED✓

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read by a great writer. One does not need to be a motorcyclist to enjoy this book.

[Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review – “The Wrong Way Round” by Andrew Benfield.
Ok I do this because, it’s fun, it is my opinion and I’m not paid to do it. As I said my opinion.
But if any author out there wants an honest review on their book, just send me the book.

So this is the story of Andrew and Lady R who together ok “together” physically or mentally may be a stretch at times and their attempt to become the first to ride a motorbike from India to Burma.
So yes, the bike is a Royal Enfield so we know there will be some mechanical problems to overcome and they do in a series of luck, humour, faith and the continuous help from characters they meet on their journey. Can you fit a library of books on a bike along with clothes, camping gear, essentials well you need to read the book to find out.
The journey is full of interesting people, and you learn their stories, and the interaction with Chris and Lady R, and one of the things you will continuously try to work out is, who the hell is Lady R, as she goes from nice and pleasant, to annoyingly annoying, to constant reminding of “It’s ok I will sort it out” you will also experience the relationship of 2 people and how they deal with been together and the struggles they encounter while learning part of the histories and connection to Great Britain and its connection with India.
Oh and in answer to are they the first people to ride from India to Burma, you will have to read the book to find out.

So, Do I recommend buying this book, I enjoyed it and I’m still wondering who Lady R is. There is photos in the book, but don’t get carried away, they are the usual amazon grainy images, the kindle version may have better images or even colour I don’t know.
The book is available from the usual places.

[Amy Lu · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a brave adventure and I love how the author shared his journey in a witty, truthful, and humane way. It made me laugh and it also made me tear up with the ups and downs. The vivid descriptions of the sceneries and encounters of each country were incredible as if I was at the scene. Absolutely beautiful and terrifying at the same time. The book gave a lot of insights and backgrounds of the people and places they visited. The conversations in the book showed real emotional connections, and compassions. There were so many challenges and unexpected obstacles to complete the trip as a couple. It would have been easy to just quit, but they didn’t. They overcame the mental and physical limits, mechanical troubles…a lot more to make it to the end. Salute to the determination and the honesty of human weakness that the author shared with the readers. It is very entertaining to read and definitely gave me some different perspectives of those places and life overall.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Over all it’s a good read regarding the adventure of the trip and the challenges it presented. The thing that almost ruined it for me and brought me to the point of nearly giving up on it several times, was none other than ‘Lady R’….what an irritating spoilt brat of a human she comes across as. And perhaps equally annoying was how Andrew for the most part just rolled over and pandered to her.

If you can ignore that, it is worth a read and I’m glad I stuck with it. But Andy….go on your own next time mate!

[Richard Snell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written Astonishing Adventure.

So well written that it was difficult to put it down. Not only was the story gripping, I learnt a lot Labour the countries crossed?
A first class read! I look forward to his next adventure, and thoroughly recommend it!

[william patrick kiely · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felt I was with them all the way

Heartwarming story full of proper adventure.
Who is the mysterious Lady R ? No photographs of her at all, maybe she was just in his imagination