crocelover I actually saw this series before I watched, Long Way Round. I was not disappointed in the least. I was amazed by so many things in this program: the beauty of Africa, the struggles of the people, their openness, the wonderful friendship between Charlie, Ewan and the crew. I loved seeing how completely humble, caring and super funny Charlie and Ewan were especially. What an excellent example of a strong and lasting friendship. I admire their courage and sense of adventure.I thought Eve, (Ewan's wife) joining them for part of the trip was brilliant! To the nay sayers, I say, look at her courage in learning to ride a bike, her dedication and her obvious love and appreciation for her husband. She was an appreciated addition; being friendly with all, and making an effort to keep herself in the background so as to give Charlie and Ewan their adventure time. Why would anyone complain about a wife wanting to join her husband in an epic adventure? Besides, Eve is truly lovely! I highly recommend BOTH series. It's a wild ride of fun, learning and laughter.

tinyone2 I absolutely loved Long Way Round. It was an adventure with 2 lads that inspired and intrigued.So when this documentary was aired, I was excited to see the next leg of the adventure. But the first episode was pretty much like Long Way Round. Same issues, same struggles, same everything really. A tad boring.Then they head off to Africa. A place I was looking forward to explore with them. Unfortunately they were constantly rushing and talking about time. Africa is soooo not about time. Besides, I was hoping to watch this without being reminded of the pressures of my day job. Instead the constant issues about time was exhausting to watch. I didn't want to watch endurance, I wanted to watch adventure.Then Ewan decided to take his wife along. Yawn!! What a buzz kill. She looks lovely and it is wonderful he wanted to share it with her. But that is a poor entertainment decision, as she was bland and boring and overbearing. Absolutely killed it for me. He shouldve taken her on a different trip on his own time. Ewan also winged constantly, complaining and moaning. Africa is not for the faint hearted and surely he shouldve known that. Not to mention, if I wanted to hear some one whine Id go back to work instead of trying to relax in front of the telly listening to his complaining.He also seemed more aware of the camera and playing up for the camera than the first. This felt like a more calculated money making scheme than 2 mates wanting to ride bikes. It felt fake and forced.Honestly, this one was a huge disappointment for me. A heavy painful experience that I wish I didn't see.

Bart Watch the SE not the original 6 episodes of Long Way Down. The Special Edition contains 10 episodes with some great footage previously cut.Ewan, Charley and Claudio are reunited for another adventure, this time from the top of Scotland to the bottom of Africa. Ewan's wife Eve also makes an appearance for part of the trip (closer to the end) riding her own bike with the guys. Instead of just riding footage, this Special Edition has some fantastic and much needed visiting time at various villages, towns and wild animal reserves. Ewan and Charley get to meet some interesting people from all walks of life, from farmers to Presidents. And what African documentary would be complete without some wildlife? You get a bit of that here too sprinkled throughout the series. Ultimately this makes it a much more enjoyable documentary to watch (compared to the original release) as you get to experience Africa with Ewan and Charley a bit more 'properly'.As a motorcyclist and a fan of travel in general I hope that Ewan and Charley will take more trips. It's a pleasure to watch such well shot documentaries and good friendships grow stronger.Ewan and Charley, if you're reading this, please take me with you on your next trip!! :-)

fwomp Traveling vicariously with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman in LONG WAY ROUND, I was pleased to see them continue their adventures in LONG WAY DOWN, a trip from the top of Scotland to the bottom of Africa.I thoroughly enjoyed Long Way Round. Their travels were tremendously entertaining, with absent roadways, accidents, and playful banter that made it a fun travelogue. It was also strange to see such out-of-the-way places where roads vanished, streams swelled requiring special crossings, and the people that turned out and took them in. It was a microcosm event where we got inside the heads of both the travelers and those they visited.But things changed for the worse with Long Way Down.First is the overuse of the helmet cameras and microphones. The sound was often exceptionally muffled, forcing one to rewind the DVD and turn up the volume in hopes of hearing what was said. The helmet cams, too, gave poor quality video and were often grimy or rain-splattered, not letting the viewer enjoy the sites around Africa and beyond.And where Long Way Round started off with a bang, giving us some great entertainment right from episode one, Long Way Down didn't really pick-up for me until episode four when we are fully entrenched in Africa's amazing countries.It was also a bit perturbing to see so much time given over to their time with UNICEF. Although I think this is a very worthy cause, it isn't why I like watching travel diaries like this. I want to experience the road and the people and the countryside. Having it on the DVD's extra features was fine, which is where most of the UNICEF information should've remained (I still would've watched the extras, too).For those familiar with Long Way Round, they'll be happy to learn that Claudio is back in the saddle with our two boys, filming every move and crashing and burning yet again! The guy needs to pay closer attention to the road.There's been some negative comments made about Ewan's wife's choice to join them on one leg of the journey. I thought this was excellent. She turned out to be a good diversion for Ewan and Charley, as well as quickly becoming an adequate motorcyclist.I will also say that it was wonderful to see so many different cultures as the two crossed the African plains. I was particularly impressed with Ethiopa, which I'd always pictured as arid and depressing. But here we get to see the lushness of its green, verdant lands ...and it's incredibly gentle people.Indeed, all of the people Charley and Ewan meet are amazingly gracious and hospitable. Perhaps even more than the tough roads they traveled. Many miles and many friends were passed during this trip. And I'm glad I watched it. Just not as glad as when I'd finished Long Way Round.