For love and a beetle: A tale of two journeys and a retirement
Maker and role
Ivan Hodge, Author
Production date
2016
Object detail
Accession number
PUB-2017-91
Maker
Description
"In 1961, after a two-year stint in England, young Ivan and Beth Hodge decided to drive home to New Zealand. They bought a brand new Volkswagen Beetle for £439 and, with their possessions strapped to the roofracks, they set off into the unknown: across Europe, through communist countries, the mysterious Middle East and into the Asian subcontinent. Thirty-five years later, Ivan and Beth dust off the old Beetle to retrace their steps and relive the memories. Now in tier sixties, the couple call it their 'second honeymoon'. They have a different perspective of the world, as well as a mobile phone and a laptop. Ivan and Beth have recorded their impressions of these two journeys - the changes in cultures, the impact of tourism and technology, the decay of communism, the continuing hostilities in some countries and the constant friendliness of the people. Through it all, the Beetle overcomes the harsh desert, the wild weather and chaotic roads to deliver Beth and Ivan safely to their destination. This new edition includes an epilogue, bringing the Beetle story to its final journey. Even as grandparents, Ivan and Beth's adventurous spirit has remained strong. They have visited many new places, including driving up to the Arctic Circle. Their final Beetle journey takes them around New Zealand before they donate the car to the Museum of Transport and Technology [MOTAT] in Auckland. You can visit the Beetle and see mementos from the journeys at the Museum (www.motat.org.nz)."--from publisher's description.
Media/Materials
Physical description
322 pages : illustrations (16 colour plates) ; 21 cm
ISBN/ISSN
9781742578620
Collection
Credit line
Ivan Hodge. 2016. For love and a beetle: A tale of two journeys and a retirement, PUB-2017-91. Walsh Memorial Library, The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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