What do you think?
Rate this book
Journey through India: Two Pensioners Backpack Their Way Across the Subcontinent... What Could Go Wrong?
Ever wondered what it's like to backpack across India? Two sixty-somethings go for one more adventure and just about survive a five-week journey involving world famous sights, crazy incidents and lots of cows.
- GenresTravelNonfictionIndia
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 20, 2021
97 people are currently reading
96 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 2, 2023
the two intrepid ‘old duffers’ did us proud
This is a very personal, considered and ultimately positive travelogue of 2 men and a subcontinent. It does not focus or dwell on the obvious issues the country faces, nor are the challenges of travelling independently laboured, the key theme is the amazing people who treat travellers like family and the need to ‘do as the romans do when in Rome’. I am sure any visitor to the UK can find the irritating eccentricities of our way of life and bureaucratic anomalies but I doubt they will find Ganesha on their side to make them all just fade into the background of a life changing experience - the acknowledgement that you have to give yourself over to fate and accept everything India has to offer was what made this journey and it’s written account special for me.
The writing style is very Palinesque and had me variously chuckling and cringing at the actions of my British forebears. The two travellers experienced northern India at breakneck speed with the journeys from place to place providing an equally rich perspective as the destinations and activities themselves.
Well done gentlemen you did us proud and I can’t wait to see India II ‘the southern states and return to Amritsar’ or the I66 travelogue. I get the impression you will fit in anywhere.
This is a very personal, considered and ultimately positive travelogue of 2 men and a subcontinent. It does not focus or dwell on the obvious issues the country faces, nor are the challenges of travelling independently laboured, the key theme is the amazing people who treat travellers like family and the need to ‘do as the romans do when in Rome’. I am sure any visitor to the UK can find the irritating eccentricities of our way of life and bureaucratic anomalies but I doubt they will find Ganesha on their side to make them all just fade into the background of a life changing experience - the acknowledgement that you have to give yourself over to fate and accept everything India has to offer was what made this journey and it’s written account special for me.
The writing style is very Palinesque and had me variously chuckling and cringing at the actions of my British forebears. The two travellers experienced northern India at breakneck speed with the journeys from place to place providing an equally rich perspective as the destinations and activities themselves.
Well done gentlemen you did us proud and I can’t wait to see India II ‘the southern states and return to Amritsar’ or the I66 travelogue. I get the impression you will fit in anywhere.
January 31, 2025
This is a fun book to read especially if you have been to India or plan to visit India. The story's were as if you were traveling along with the authors. It is enjoyable but doesn't avoid the issues of poverty and associated problems. It is an upbeat look at things even when things go wrong, so I loved the spirit of the book. If I have one complaint it would be that the author reminds us all too often that the two travelers are in their sixties and pensioners. Despite the authors age it is a book for any age. I wish they had written a book on China, actually I wish I could go with them to China.
April 28, 2025
Fantastic
I’m thinking about visiting India for the first time. I came across this book while doing research and I must admit that there were times while reading this book that I felt like changing my mind about doing a solo (68-yr old female) trip.
Having got to the end and read the last bit twice, I have decided that I will do it.
Thank you Mark and Nick.
The book is easy to read, informative, funny at times and enlightening.
Highly recommended if you’re planning a trip to India.
I’m thinking about visiting India for the first time. I came across this book while doing research and I must admit that there were times while reading this book that I felt like changing my mind about doing a solo (68-yr old female) trip.
Having got to the end and read the last bit twice, I have decided that I will do it.
Thank you Mark and Nick.
The book is easy to read, informative, funny at times and enlightening.
Highly recommended if you’re planning a trip to India.
December 30, 2021
Enjoyed the journey
My plans to travel through India were put on hold due to the pandemic, reading "Journey through India" has increased my desire to visit this amazing country. The book provided honest , factual and humorous travel anecdotes from a whirlwind tour of tourist attractions in India.
My plans to travel through India were put on hold due to the pandemic, reading "Journey through India" has increased my desire to visit this amazing country. The book provided honest , factual and humorous travel anecdotes from a whirlwind tour of tourist attractions in India.
September 6, 2024
The language is very good, typical of British authors.
I didn't feel surprised by anything in the book nor felt like there's something new for me. Since I've grown up here I know that the traffic is insane and that it's going to be shocking for a foreigner to see. So neither of it was something new to me.
I dropped this at the 23% mark.
I didn't feel surprised by anything in the book nor felt like there's something new for me. Since I've grown up here I know that the traffic is insane and that it's going to be shocking for a foreigner to see. So neither of it was something new to me.
I dropped this at the 23% mark.
August 3, 2025
Brilliant, funny travel book
I loved this book. I’m hoping it’s all true, as I’m storing up the knowledge for our pared down pit stop tour of India (the Golden Triangle) in February next year (2026).
I found it amusing, very human and heartwarming. He’s a great writer and I will read more of his books in future. Thank you Mark!
I loved this book. I’m hoping it’s all true, as I’m storing up the knowledge for our pared down pit stop tour of India (the Golden Triangle) in February next year (2026).
I found it amusing, very human and heartwarming. He’s a great writer and I will read more of his books in future. Thank you Mark!
December 25, 2021
3.5*
Quite a pleasant read, can't fault the reactions of the travelers towards most places and experiences.
I am actually looking forward to their travels in the South, and a book about their experiences.
Quite a pleasant read, can't fault the reactions of the travelers towards most places and experiences.
I am actually looking forward to their travels in the South, and a book about their experiences.
August 28, 2022
Excellent narrative of two older gentlemen travelling through India. Lucky enough to have visited many years ago and brought back so many memories. Especially enjoyed the Varanasi chapter can picture standing on the ghats watching events go by.
September 3, 2022
Loved this book. I’ve been to India twice and loved it, now I have another several trips to plan thanks to this book.
Written in a funny and easy to read style, witty and humorous I was laughing out loud.
If you like travel then this is one to read for sure.
Written in a funny and easy to read style, witty and humorous I was laughing out loud.
If you like travel then this is one to read for sure.
December 14, 2022
What can 2 pensioners do next
Well, this was a great read, from the start to the end. Just goes to prove age is no barrier to having 'experiences'. Well written & researched, with enough detail to keep you informed.
Well, this was a great read, from the start to the end. Just goes to prove age is no barrier to having 'experiences'. Well written & researched, with enough detail to keep you informed.
February 28, 2023
It was good to read about travel through India by two pensioners and realize that it would be possible for me to do the same. The author was good at the descriptions, making it easy to imagine being there.
May 20, 2025
I brought this with me on my first adventure in India, and loved it. It was also fun to talk with our driver about what I had learned that day, and was slightly smug when I knew about the places he was telling me about
October 26, 2025
lone female traveller
I’m due to go to India on a work assignment for five weeks. I’ve loved reading your book, noting the problems and challenges as well as feeling reassured by the warm hospitality that is a feature of many Indian people. Thank you
I’m due to go to India on a work assignment for five weeks. I’ve loved reading your book, noting the problems and challenges as well as feeling reassured by the warm hospitality that is a feature of many Indian people. Thank you
June 13, 2022
Great!
Can't wait to go on my own journey! Full of fun and laughter with good descriptions which bring India to life.
Can't wait to go on my own journey! Full of fun and laughter with good descriptions which bring India to life.
February 18, 2023
A interesting book that did not draw me in. Also I found the constant use of planes a bit unadventuras. He describes things well but his writing his a bit dry.
May 24, 2024
Really enjoyed this book but wished the authors had experienced something of the poorer communities especially in Kolkata.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews