THE BOOK OF INDEPENDENCE. It’s not about what you’ll do after you retire, it’s about what you do before you die.
First we thought we could go around the world in four years. Then we were convinced that we could do it in seven. When we got to the sixth year of travel, we felt that 10 was a good round number. In June 2010 we celebrated 10 years living on the road. And there’s still half the planet left to explore.
“…I’ll never forget that Monday when I put the barrel of a gun to my head and fired until I was out of bullets, without stopping to think of what I was doing so I wouldn’t have a chance to change my mind. It was my resignation to a future which I already knew, a farewell to a secure job, an adieu to a brilliant career in advertising, the microcosm where I had lived for the last twelve long years. It was ten minutes after ten in the morning and my last words were, more or less ‘keep the corpse, I’m leaving.’ My body collapsed and I walked out the door…”
“The Book of Independence works its magic like a bellows on the embers of wanderlust, inspiring us to break away from the norm, to slow down and smell the proverbial roses… or cow or elephant dung. It’s not about what you’ll do after you retire, it’s about what you do before you die.”
Chris Collard, Chief Editor, Overland Journal Magazine
“They’re intent on completing their round the world trip in 10 years and, possibly, to invent whatever excuse afterwards to remain in motion”
Lonely Planet Magazine
“They’ve lived through everything… from elephant attacks provoked by getting too close to a herd with calves to getting shot at in Ethiopia.”
TVE, Spanish Television daily news
“Pablo and Anna are genuine. Their vision is a simple one, without pretense, that offers the rest of us the option to attain our own dreams, no matter how deep. Pablo y Anna, bravo y buena ruta.”
Cemil Alyanak, Excess Noise, Washington DC
“We’re just back from a 3,200-mile overland trek through Labrador and Newfoundland, Canada. Though there were a lot of black flies and mosquitos, we also came across a one-of-a-kind bug on the road, La Cucaracha. We were so surprised to meet Pablo and Anna that day, as they could have been everywhere on the planet. I read Pablo’s book on the way home. With the sunset on the Atlantic Ocean, and dreaming about our next adventure, I thought to myself that this moment gave a magical touch to a trip that was already perfect.”
Jean-Francois Babin, Quebec, Canada.
“The book is hard to put down. Pablo’s writing somehow manages to intimately connect the reader to these far away unfamiliar places with their diverse landscapes and cultures. If you love adventure, travel and delving into the human spirit found in far away cultures ‘The Book of Independence’ is a must read.”
Bryon Dorr, Exploring Elements
“I loved this book. Pablo has such a unique writing style, and my, what an adventure! Highly recommended for all the dreamers out there.”
Jake, Kindle edition
“We are very much enjoying your book! Your stories are wonderful, and really capture what overlanding is all about. Thank you!”
Roseann Hanson, Overland Expo
“I loved your book. I love the image of Anna Amazon Woman chasing off the pursethief with her power. Safe and joyful travels to you.”
Elise and Wolf, California
“An inspiration. I love the way Pablo describes how he feels about places, people and events. Great read. I wish there was more.”
Marc Joinville, somewhere of the United States
“I miss you guys. You are a true champions in freedom.”
Mike Bellamy
“This overland autobiography will leave you laughing aloud, inspiring you to get out and experience another part of the world -one that is well outside your comfort level.”
Jeremy Edgar, Arizona
“When I pick up a book, I hope that the pages that are about to reach my eyes are ones of treasure, ones of inspiration. I want to be transported into the world of the writer as they share their story through their mesmerizing words, those of wisdom, strife, and adventure. Reading a title such as this already takes you to the front step, and Pablo Rey’s enchanting tale does the rest. You hear of so many stories about the race to travel and it leaves you wondering… What happens when you stop running and just be? To take a whole adventure, and make it your whole life? The definition of ‘exploring’ doesn’t even begin to cover it. Pablo takes you through a whole new transformation into a world that the English language barely has words to define. I can only imagine what it would be like to be a fly in Pablo’s brain as his words are so artistically magical, that it is impossible not to whisk you away into this alternate universe.”
Sarah Blessington, wanderer
••••••
Pablo Rey (Buenos Aires) and Anna Callau (Barcelona) also known as #viajeros4x4x4, have been overlanding the world nonstop since 2000 on a 4WD Delica van. They mastered the art of solving problems as breakdowns and police harassment in faraway places while enjoying their nomadic lifestyle.
Pablo and Anna spent 3 years driving through the Middle East and Africa, between Cairo and Cape Town; 7 years all around South America, and 7 years going to every corner of Central and North America. They crossed the Southern Atlantic Ocean on a fishing vessel, trekked the Darien Gap between Panama and Colombia, descended an Amazon river on a 6 log wooden raft, and walked among elephants in wild Africa armed with nothing more than a Swiss Army penknife.
In the last years they started to travel on foot (Pyrenees mountains coast to coast, two months), by motorbike (Asia), and by a Land Rover Discovery’91 (Eastern Europe), carrying as little luggage as possible.
Pablo has written three books and magazine articles and stories for Overland Journal and Lonely Planet.
Pablo and Anna are on the shortlist of the most respected Latino overlanders.
Pablo and Anna still live on the road
•••••
Pablo Rey (Buenos Aires) and Anna Callau (Barcelona) also known as #viajeros4x4x4, have been overlanding the world non stop since 2000 on a 4WD Delica van. They mastered the art of solving problems (breakdowns and police harassment, between them) in far away places, while enjoying their nomadic lifestyle.
They’ve been 3 years driving through Middle East and Africa, between Cairo and Cape Town; 7 years all around South America, and 7 years going to every corner of Central and North America. They crossed the Southern Atlantic Ocean in a fishing vessel, descended an Amazon river in a 6 log wooden raft, and walked with a swiss knife between elephants in wild Africa. On the last two years they started to travel by foot (Pyrenees mountains coast to coast, two months) and motorbike (Asia), with the smallest lugagge possible.
Pablo has written three books in Spanish (one translated in English), many articles to magazines like Overland Journal and Lonely Planet and both are in the short list of the most respected latino overlanders.
¿When will the journey end? It doesn’t end, the journey is life itself.
Pablo and Anna,
It was very nice to meet you guys at Overland Expo. (We were the couple living in the blue school bus, on the road since last December) We bought the english version of your book and so far it has been an incredible read. Very nice writing style. 🙂
It was $20 well spent and hopefully it helps keep you guys on the road. Safe travels and maybe one day our paths will cross again.
Dear Pablo and Anna,
We are very much enjoying your book! It is very fun to read of your time in Egypt, in places we also visited last year. Your stories are wonderful, and really capture what overlanding is all about. Thank you!
Hi Pablo and Anna!
It was great to meet you both in MOAB last week. We have been reading your book and enjoying it very much! I hope all is well with you both!
I wanted to propose an idea I have. I am interested in making a documentary on your travels. If you think this is something you would like to do. please let me know as soon as you can and I will peruse funding for the production.
I really think this will make a great story and would love to make this film.
I hope to hear from you both soon! Please stay safe in your travels.
i loved your book.
i love the image of Anna AmazonWoman chasing off the pursethief with her power.
safe and joyful travels to you,
~ Elise and Wolf
Dear Anna & Pablo,
Congratulations on the publication of the book, will be looking forward to reading it soon! It was a pleasure to have a chance to chat for a bit at OEX; perhaps next year you’ll join us and the growing clan at our remote northern AZ basecamp for a post-show visit!
Pablo,
I miss you guys.
Dr. Jim in Connecticut received the book you signed for him. He is my writer friend. He considered my gift to him with your note as “EPIC.”
I honor my promise to you. I want to help in your journey and translation of volume 2.
I will try to keep up with your journey via cyber messages but the web page does not translate well to English for me.
Please tell Anna she is sweet! And you are a true champion in freedom.
Hola chicos!
Just got around to start reading the book of independence. I love the way you describe how you feel about places, people and events (like fear for example or how freedom = cow shit). Great writing. I must say I am thrilled to have had the priviledge of meeting you guys (a couple of times) and even spend a little bit of time with you both.
Let me reiterate my invitation to stop by our place in Québec if you happen to head east. Our home is a small and simple one but we would have a bed, shower, wi-fi and everything else you may need, even a garage should the cucaracha need attention. Anna, it is not THAT cold in the spring and fall and it is actually pretty hot in the summer :-). You must come by next spring at the latest as it will be our last spring around here for a while (sugar shack time, you must experience it, you’ll love it). We too will be on the road starting July 2014.
Good luck on your talk(s) and again, love the book.
P.S.: Say Hi to Maggie from me (the doll, is she still around? I doubt it…:-)
Hey Pablo and Anna, So you both are in Oregon now. Great state. I have been reading your book “Around The World In 10 Years” and you description of your reason to go on your adventure matches my feeling about my life. I think it matches many people of the earth’s feelings too. I hope you visit us when you come east. So glad our paths crossed during our adventure.
I’m almost done with the book and have really loved it. I’m looking forward to the rest of your books being translated to english. I’m assuming you’ll let us all know when that happens!
I talked with you for a bit at the NW Overland Expo and offered a place to stop and stay north of Seattle / south of Bellingham. I have a nice shop and 50 acres of woods with nice camping and a sweet
treehouse.
Anytime you are coming through this area feel free to call and drop by for a beer! Just 10 minutes from Interstate 5 near Mount Vernon WA.
I also just finished your book and really enjoyed it. I was only disappointed that it ended in Sudan as I have been there (two years ago) and wanted to hear your impression of it.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
New podcast about AROUND THE WORLD IN 10 YEARS. You can download it at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/adventure-iq/id214155885
Read more about ‘Around the World in 10 Years: The Book of Independence’ at Exploring Elements webpage: http://www.exploringelements.com/review-around-the-world-in-10-years-the-book-of-independence/
I love the spirit and fortitude required to see the world through the windshield of a van. No one has more experience with this view than Pablo & Anna, of Viajeros4x4x4, as they’ve seen the world from behind the wheel of the “Cockroach,” a Mitsubishi L300 4×4 Delica van, for over 13yrs now. I’ve now crossed paths with Pablo & Anna 4 times in my travels, and each time I’ve left the encounter even more inspired from their spirit and stories of adventure. Our paths crossed recently at the WA Overland Rally and I was able to finally grab a copy of their new book, “Around the World in 10 Years,” in English. Their previous books in Spanish are probably great; I’m just REALLY bad at foreign languages. “Around the World” paints vivid pictures of far away places and dives deep into the human spirit, inspiring you to experience the “human circus” for yourself.
In the end be sure to BUY this book!
Bryon
Pablo Rey has an understanding of the wonder, fear and joy of starting over. His call to the road is something many of us have felt but very few of us have the courage to undertake! A great read and fantastic adventure.
Dear Pablo and Anna,
My girlfriend and I have been traveling for a bit, and we came across your book “Around the World in 10 Years: The Book of Independence” in the Florida Keys – Fred and B.J. Owen lent it to us. I was wondering when your other books will be translated into English.
It’d be great to meet the two of you on the road.
Safe travels!
– Evan
I loved this book. Pablo has such a unique writing style, and my, what an adventure! Highly recommended for all the dreamers out there.
Jake
Just saw your van driving down Highway 1 in Edison NJ the other, Tuesday June 16th 2014. Way to go, I’ve always wondered about doing a trip around the world in my own vehicle, wondering if it was possible and where I would go. Nice to see someone has actually accomplished such a trip. Good luck on the rest of your journey. May The Lord (whomever he may be for you) keep you safe.
Thank you Nicholas!
This was a great book. I would like to read about the rest of their adventures around the world. Well worth the money.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Pablo and Anna. They are genuine. Now, watching this presentation, I’ve discovered the full dimension of their vision. It is a simple one, without pretense, that offers the rest of us the option to attain our own dreams, no matter how deep. Pablo y Anna, bravo y buena ruta.
We’re just back from a 3,200-mile overland trek through Labrador and Newfoundland, Canada. Though there were a lot of black flies and mosquitos, we also came across a one-of-a-kind bug on the road, La Cucaracha. Unfortunately, the Cucaracha was out of luck with a broken traction bar, and left its owners waiting for replacement part. We were so surprised to meet Pablo and Anna that day, as they could have been everywhere on the planet. I read Pablo’s book on the way home. With the sunset on the Atlantic Ocean, and dreaming about our next adventure, I thought to myself that this moment gave a magical touch to a trip that was already perfect.
Jean-Francois
Saw your van the other day in Clarkston, Washington at Dollar Tree. Had to take a photo and look up your website. Now I will have to read the book. Best of luck to both of you on your journey! I envy what you two are doing!
Nice! Welcome Kelli! See you everyday @ http://www.facebook.com/viajeros4x4x4 ! Enjoy the stories!
We just received another review from Sam Manicom, motorcyclist adventurer we met last year at Overland Expo. You’ll find his words here: http://www.sam-manicom.com/2016/01/around-the-world-in-10-years-book-review/#.VphxvhXhDIX