Around the world in a Toyota Hilux.
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That’s Paul Moody’s mission.
Most recently, the England-born man from Gibraltar found himself atop a Gibraltar of a different kind: the Highlands mountain.
Far from home in the British Overseas Territory on Spain’s south coast, Paul said anything with a Gibraltar connection intrigued him.
“I definitely came here because of the name – and it’s funny, because at home, our Gibraltar rock is limestone.
“Now I’m up here on Mount Gibraltar, and I’m reading that yours is trachyte,” he said.
Everything around Paul changes: the country, the scenery, who’s sitting in the passenger seat. But his lovable truck has been there for it all.
More than 80 countries across 10 years and counting, Paul has recently touched down in Australia with his wife Wendy, and of course, his trusty Hilux.
Paul said he’d juggled day-to-day work and family responsibilities right up until his retirement, but had always been driven by the premise that “life is a daring adventure or nothing”.
“Having lived life to the full around the world, I hope to have instilled the same values in my children,” Paul said.
One of his daughters, Camilla, has since moved to Adelaide – which inspired Paul to take his trip “down under”.
“We landed our Hilux in Adelaide from Bombay,” Paul said.
“My family has all participated in the trip at different stages, it’s been nice to have them along for it.”
You’d think such a big journey would encounter some setbacks, but Paul has only encountered few he could not get around.
“However, the war in Libya, being deported from Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan and having my convoy cancelled to cross Myanmar last November were in my too difficult box,” he said.
However, the war in Libya, being deported from Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan and having my convoy cancelled to cross Myanmar last November were in my too difficult box.
- Paul Moody, Gibraltar
Having seen so much of the world, Paul said he’d learnt a few key things.
“People of the world are innately good, they love their families and have shown me great generosity.”
Looking to the road ahead, Paul said this year’s plan was to circle Australia on Highway One.
“We’ll trek back to Adelaide and then head through the outback toward Darwin later in the year,” he said.
Victoria Lee
The Canberra Times Journalist, Producer
The Canberra Times Journalist, Producer
