From Hong Kong to Bristol - by train
It took her 30 days and took in 12 different trains and nine different countries, but Kesty Morrison is one of the few people to travel from China to Bristol solely by rail.
Kesty, 27, from Totterdown, decided to do the epic mile trip after spending 18 months touring around Hong Kong with a travelling theatre company in a production aimed at educating schoolchildren on the dangers of global warming.
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Putting her money where her mouth is, Kesty decided not to fly back home, but to take the train, and thus began an incredible journey, taking her through mountain ranges, deserts and forests.
"It was amazing, absolutely amazing," Kesty said.
"I saw some beautiful sights, met some wonderful people and have so many cool stories to tell. It truly was an awesome experience and one that I will never forget."
Kesty did not book any advance tickets for any of her trips, instead turning up at the stations and buying a ticket there and then, sometimes being able to leave immediately and sometimes having to wait a few days.
She said that the waiting in foreign cities, including bustling Beijing, scenic St Petersburg and perfect Paris was one of the highlights of her trip.
She also took a slight detour from Brussels to Paris via Toulouse, for the birthday celebrations of her step-mother in the southern French city.
Kesty said: "I decided to return to Bristol by train because I knew it could be done. I'm not a train spotter, but love travelling and love travelling by train.
"When I looked into it and planned my route, that was it, my mind was made up. I did it because I could do it and I did it to prove that you don't have to travel everywhere by plane."
Kesty grew up in Montpelier and went to Cotham School.
She left Bristol aged 17 to study acting in London. She has acted in theatres across London, and when the opportunity came to be part of a troupe touring Hong Kong, she jumped at the chance.
Now safely back in Bristol with her wanderlust quenched, Kesty spends her time working on new material for CCQ, the band she is lead singer in.
Kesty added: "I had a great time travelling half-way across the world by train, but I think that next time I will just get on an aeroplane. It's so much easier."
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by Howard, Somerset
Monday, December 22 2008, 9:10AM
“Sounds like a great adventure. Well done.
Mike and Melissa: Doing a similar trip by bicycle is far from impractical. It and similar trips have been done by many people many times. Obviously it takes quite a lot longer! I recommend the many books written by the likes of Dervla Murphy, Anne Mustoe and Josie Dew who between them must have covered pretty well most of the planet by bike. (I'm sure that some blokes have written bicycle travel books but I can't think of them off-hand!)”
by Little Knell, Platform 1 - Outer Wedlock
Sunday, December 21 2008, 5:47PM
“I agree with Derek, I helped produce the DVD "Dream of Steam" £8.99 from all good stockists, (and I don't mean a hot brew). You meet a different class of person when you are trainspotting. We don't just spot trains and list numbers, I know that's the image. We discuss different sorts of thermos flasks, best notebooks, should we note numbers with pen or pencil (I have a propelling pencil from WH Smith). Another interesting topic of conversation is anoraks (best from Millets I reckon). I hope Kesty took lots of photos that she can lend to the EPost.”
by Mike and Melissa, Bristol
Sunday, December 21 2008, 5:41PM
“What a terrific example to us all Kesty. I thought I recognised your picture, and sure enough when I saw the mention of CCQ - http://www.myspace.com/ccqbristol - I realised I has seen you fronting the band at the Bristol Festival on the Harbourside this year and was most impressed by your smiley, happy and energetic performance.for the people there. You set us all a great example. Hopefully others will follow, not necessarily your trip, but maybe "Take the Train to Spain" instead of gas-guzzling aircraft :D
In reponse to Ruby's nonsensical post below, your trip wasn't the "Easy Way", as it obviously required a huge amount of planning, and gave you the ability to cover lots of ground. Covering that distance on a bicycle wouldn't be practical, and travelling in a car over that journey creates far too many hassles. (I've experienced some of them).”
by Derek Crane, Just outside Sea Mills
Sunday, December 21 2008, 5:36PM
“Ruby! You appear to be knocking train-spotters, have you tried it? I spent many years at the Temple of Meads in the steam days, it's where I met my third wife (Platform 4 Aug 12 1978 just after the Cardiff 15.34 went off, she missed it, that's how we met).
As Freddie Mercury sang "Don't knock it 'til you've tried it."”
by Steve, Isle of Steam
Sunday, December 21 2008, 5:22PM
“Well done Kesty, what a great adventure. I would comment on Ruby's comment if I could understand what she was trying to say.”