James Little is a father of two who runs a sustainable energy consultancy in Singapore. Born in London in 1970, he has been fascinated by travel ever since his parents brought him and his three younger brothers on the road trip of a lifetime in 1977 – a six-month, 15,000-mile overland journey from Australia to England through countries now closed to tourists.

After studying a master’s degree in Tourism Management, James worked in the travel industry for 15 years, driven by a belief in tourism as a force for good and sustainable development. It was his 2022 move to Singapore – 45 years after his epic childhood journey – that gave him the motivation to finally tell this story. His weekly Facebook blog documenting the journey drew contributions from family and friends across the globe, rekindling memories and connections that enriched the book’s narrative.