If you’ve been following my posts over the last two weeks, you know I like a good bicycle tour. Well, Keiichi Iwasaki likes one more.

In April of 2001, Iwasaki quit is job and, with 2 bucks to his name, set out on a year-long tour of Japan. He found this so rewarding that he decided not to stop. Eight years later, he’s covered 45,000km and pedaled through 37 countries.

Wow.

And he hasn’t stayed on the bike the whole time either. No, among Iwasaki’s accomplishments are sailing the Ganges from source to sea, climbing Mont Blanc, and…wait for it…summiting Mt. Everest.

His financial secret? Apparently, he’s paid his entire way by “performing magic tricks.” Says Iwasaki,

“Most travellers and adventurers need money but instead of giving up an opportunity to travel the world I want to clarify that dream can come true if you have a strong will.”

Now that’s some magician.

His plans for the future include Africa, South America, North America, and finally (in about five years’ time), returning to Japan to — naturally — write a book about the adventure.

So…what did you spend $2 on today?

* Photo by Robert Thomson (note: NOT Iwasaki’s bike)

Is the opportunity to escape the surface and explore an underground world few tourists ever see something you look for in a travel destination? Then you might want to hop on over to Web Ecoist’s 20 Extreme Adventures for Spelunkers and Cavers.

Even if you’re already familiar with the 20 cave systems they describe, you’ll no doubt enjoy the collection of photographs they’ve lined up to illustrate their points.

The article also touches on cave diving — an activity that, as you can see above, is perhaps really cool but maybe just ludicrous. You be the judge.

Are there any spelunkers out there? TheExpeditioner wants to know, what caves have you explored, and which one is your favorite? Share your story below in the comments.

* Photo by: dMap Travel Guide

One of the lessons that comes from extensive travel is this: People are creative…and weird.

Just have a look at Nerdabout’s photo essay of the Top 10 Coolest Statues in the World to see what I’m talking about. You gotta love the artistic flair these unexpected monuments can add to your trip. And then, you gotta take a step back and scratch your head.

Random index finger emerging from the water in Stockholm doesn’t do it for you? What about Budapest’s melting cow popsicle or the shark crashed into the roof of a building in Oxford?

Seriously, check out the link.

* Photo by Metro Centric

Need some good news for your Monday morning? Here it is:

Shoulder season is here!

So say the prognosticators over at Budget Travel. “Shoulder season” is how they refer to those times of year when “the tourist hordes have left (or haven’t yet arrived), prices have dropped, and the weather’s just delightful.”

In other words, it’s time to hit up all those places you wanted to visit during the summer (or last winter) but couldn’t afford.

The article runs down an interesting list of choice destinations by shoulder season month. Here are some highlights:

September - Iceland, Cape Town, Denali National Park
October - Nova Scotia, London, the Greek Islands
November - Costa Rica, Paris, Beijing

Cheap hotels, empty beaches, gorgeous weather…what’s not to love?

* Photo by eric.surfdude