Matthew, a native of Australia, and current resident of Aspen, Colorado, USA, has spent much of a lifetime exploring the world, primarily by self powered means: cycling and walking. His journeys by bicycle have taken him through 72 countries on six continents, and his long distance hiking has taken him along the length of the European Alps and the Pyrenees.
Matthew has published two adventure narratives about several of his journeys: Solo Bicycle Journeys Across Six Continents and Hard Road to Nirvana, thoughtful and dramatic stories about hard won explorations by bicycle across the planet. He has also published six fine art photography books of candid and spontaneous photographs of people from non-western countries, under the series title, International Celebration of Culture, with individual titles: Women, Men, Kids, Parent and Child, Faith, and Marketplace. These books celebrate humanity and cultural diversity, an aspect that is diminishing as the world becomes progressively more modern. Matthew's work places emphasis on traditional culture, activity, religion and the array of human emotion and activity within life and landscape.
When not at large exploring the world he can be often found along the trails and roads in the mountains of Colorado.
Starting in Yunnan Province of southern China, Matthew cycled alone, unsupported, and without the necessary permits, into the mountains of Tibet. Cycling roads that varied from smooth pavement to rough rocks and cobbles, he climbed high snow covered passes, crossed through deep arid canyons, and cycled past police checkpoints at night to avoid detection. His tortuous path eventually led him to Tibet's capital, Lhasa, where he trekked through the surrounding mountains, explored its monasteries, and delved into the Tibetan Buddhist culture and its tragic relationship with its modern day overlords. His journey continued past Everest base camp and dropped into the verdant green of Nepal. Matthew continued west on the baking, chaotic plains of India before turning north, cycling deeper into the mountains, over ever higher passes, to Ladakh, to finish on the edge of the Muslim world, on the India-Pakistan cease fire line.
Hard Road to Nirvana is a story of a supremely difficult journey of harsh roads, high altitude, climatic extremes, and trying human circumstances. Yet it is also a thoughtful exploration of the Tibetan Buddhist lands, its people, culture, religion, landscape, and its modern day situation. It is a grand solo journey, a hard-won pilgrimage, through a dramatic and beautiful, yet unforgiving landscape, told with perspective, sensitivity, and insight.
Includes 14 photographs and a map
Título : Hard Road to Nirvana, A Solo Bicycle Journey Through Tibet and Along the Himalayas
EAN : 9780985385637
Editorial : Matthew Cull
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