Many
of you would have read the classic adventure novel "Around
the world in 80 days" written by the French writer
Jules Verne. The inspiration to write this novel came
from the The 1870 Daily Telegraph news (1870) about
the opening of a new railway section in India between Bombay
(Mumbai) to Calcutta (Kolkotta). This news came on close
heels to the news about the completion of Transcontinental
Railroad in USA (1869) and the opening of Suez Canal for
travel (1869).
In
this story the protagonist (Phileas Fogg) agrees to go around
the world in 80 days for a wager of 20,000 pounds. His travel
plan was as follows:
1.
London to Suez - Rail & Steamer - 7 days
2. Suez to Bombay - Steamer - 13 days
3. Bombay to Calcutta - Rail - 3 days
4. Calcutta to Hong Kong - Steamer - 13 days
5. Hong Kong to Yokohama - Steamer - 6 days
6. Yokohama to San Francisco - Steamer - 22 days
7. San Francisco to New York - Rail - 7 days
8 . New York to London - Steamer & Rail - 9 days
Total = 80 days
The story is about the various challenges Phileas faces
before he finishes his trip on time to get the prize money.
Have you ever wondered how much
time it would take to go around the world if one went by
walk, bike, car, passenger ship, balloon or aircraft. Guess
the answers!
Check the guiness rules (below) before guessing!
