Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover.
– Mark Twain
Ken plunged into the adventure with little idea of what long-distance travel entailed.
The original scheduled six-month trip was to become eight years – a fifty country saga across Europe, The Middle East, Asia, Australasia, and Central and South America. At times, his resolve was tested to the limit.
Many set-backs had to be overcome. The first concerned lack of money.
Alan and Ken did a whistle-stop trek through Europe. They diplomatically kept to their ambassadorial roles in the pinstripes, shaking hands with the locals, meeting with the media, and popping in to see the local British consul for tea and chat.
But they also lived it up, enjoying life in the bars and nightclubs of whatever country they were in.
By the time they reached Iran, much of their money had gone, and they had to return to their former occupations as croupiers in a remote casino on the Caspian coast.
Then came the second setback. Alan missed his family and decided to return home. Ken was crestfallen.
"At first I considered finishing the trip as well – I was so used to sharing everything with Alan. But then something inside told me I had to go on."
Potter worked through the busy summer period in the casino to replenish funds.
He spent his time constructively, developing his writing and fulfilling that aspect of the trip.
Two of the other croupiers were very good musicians. John Woods had been a bass player with Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart and was a slick guitarist. Jimmy Carr was a Scottish folk guitarist and singer.
Ken formed a group with the two of them and organised concerts to entertain the casino staff.
He took his writing in a new direction by writing a not entirely complementary pop opera called 'Johnny' about one of the management.
Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.
– Omar Khayyam
IRAN
In the Ramsar Casino, Ken (left) formed a group with John Woods (centre) and Jimmy Carr and performed for the entertainment of staff.
Always the rebel, he wrote a pop opera called 'Johnny' about
one of the management.
Meeting with the locals in downtown Ramsar, a small town down the
road from the casino.
He struck out with his guitar to entertain the locals.
A visit to the greengrocers. Have to keep up on the vitamin count.
"No, thanks! I don't want any chewing gum."
"How much do you want for this loaf?"
After Ken left the Ramsar casino with travel funds replenished, he journeyed through Afghanistan and along the 'Hippy Route' to Nepal.
Whilst trekking in the Himalayas, he contacted hepatitis. He spent two months convalescing in a Delhi missionary home then continued travelling down through South East Asia to Australia.
AFGHANISTAN
Before the appearance of Russian tanks and in spite of the filth and flies and unapproachable toilets, Afghanistan was a peaceful and popular
haven for overland trekkers.
Ken entered from Iran and then travelled in a ramshackle old bus crammed with Afghanis and their carpets from Herat on one side of the country
to Kabul, the capital, on the other.
Sitting in with the locals. Very peaceful.
INDIA
Connaught Place in central New Delhi. Given the rise of India economically
and the fact that Connaught Place is now a financial hub, it
probably looks a lot different today.
A welcome from Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
All around, street traders were hawking their services:
"You like hotel? Cheap hotel? I take you hotel."
"You like change money? Good rate. Better than bank."
"I make student card for you. Very good. Like real thing."
"I take you Taj Mahal. Only thirty rupees."
"Hashish? You like Hashish? Opium? LSD? What you want I get. Very good price..."
Two hundred kilometres south-east of Delhi, the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It took the finest craftsmen 22 years to complete. In such a romantic setting
a little chivalry seemed
in order.
Most people live way too long in the past. The past is a springboard to jump forward from, not a sofa to relax on.
– Tawfiq Al-Hakim