By Romy Stephens
Covid-19 may have stopped international travel, but a new book is allowing people’s minds to be taken on an overseas journey.
The World Is Your Pearl is a snippet of numerous journals that Dandenong Ranges author Glenda Wise wrote during her adventure travels.
Having visited 40 countries – 20 of which were in the form of adventure travel – Glenda has trekked, cycled and explored some of the most unique places in the world.
Glenda is one of many generations descended from David Sayer, who was a drover and one of the first pioneers of the Dandenong Ranges.
She grew up in Upwey and said she always loved to explore with her brother, Steve.
“It was an enchanted childhood, surrounded by tree ferns, mosses, wild orchids and maidenhair ferns along the edges of the creeks where we caught yabbies,” she said.
“We roamed the hills of the Dandenong Ranges and went rabbiting in the paddocks along Glenfern Road. Exploring was what we loved best.”
Although Glenda travelled a lot with her ex-husband, it wasn’t until their children had grown, and they had divorced, that she “discovered a more extreme way of seeing the world.”
At age 53, she booked to cycle 700km through farmlands of ancient Chinese villages, and the Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan Province.
She bought a bike, joined the Ghostriders Cycling Group in Warburton, learned how to ride and the rest was history.
“This was the start of at least one adventure a year from then on. It was remarkable to become immersed into ancient cultures at ground level,” Glenda said.
“I became hooked, and continued to see the world, either by trekking at altitude, cycling or scuba diving.”
Glenda said one of her most memorable trips was right here in Australia.
“Every adventure in my book is completely different. Though one which stands out, with many tales to tell, was a ride to Perth and back across the Nullarbor, over six weeks,” she said.
“I wrote The World is your Pearl, to share some of my more extreme experiences. Everywhere I went, I kept journals. Volumes of them line my bookshelf, and have been an invaluable reference.”
Glenda said she hoped her book could provide an entertaining “armchair read” during Covid-19.
“I would love to think my book will inspire others, young or old, to go for it,” she said.
“Follow a passion. Even if it is just to learn something new, like riding a bike.”
The World Is Your Pearl is now available for pre-purchase. To find out more about Glenda Wise’s travels and other books, visit www.glendawisebooks.com.
