CHEVY CHASE, Md., April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Trekking through
the Himalaya (with a short stop at Mt. Everest's base camp),
sailing the Ganges River, crossing the North Pacific Ocean on a
container ship, meditating with monks in a Tibetan monastery –
these are not the typical activities you might expect during a
family vacation with two young children. But the Kirkby family is
on an extraordinary adventure halfway around the globe – and
inviting everyone to come along. Travel Channel's mesmerizing and
cinematic new series, "Big Crazy Family Adventure," premiering
Sunday, June 21 with back-to-back
episodes at 9:00 p.m. &
10:00 p.m. ET/PT, follows
wilderness guide, writer and award-winning photographer
Bruce Kirkby throughout this epic
trip – from his home in Kimberley,
British Columbia, to a remote monastery in the Himalaya –
with his wife, Christine Pitkanen,
and their two young boys: Bodi, 7 and Taj, 3. There's just one
catch: on their 13,000-mile adventure they won't be taking ANY
airplanes. To fully experience the life-changing and serendipitous
moments that exploring the world provides, they'll get to their
final destination through surface travel only – canoe, container
ship, ferry, high-speed train, river boat, tuk tuk, pony, their own
eight feet and more. The series is comprised of nine, hour-long
episodes.
Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/70380510-travel-channel-big-crazy-family-adventure
Lifelong adventurers Bruce and Christine did not give up their
passion for exploration once they had children; and they've been
traveling with both kids since they were infants. The couple saw
this opportunity, their biggest journey yet, as an
unforgettable learning experience, but also as a chance to unplug
from technology and expose their boys to some of life's simple
wonders. The 96-day expedition ends at Karsha Gompa – a secluded
cliff-side monastery in Ladakh, India, where they'll live and work for three
months with Buddhist monks. Each episode travels alongside the
family as they experience four Wonders of the World and make their
way through expansive landscapes, challenging climates and unique
communities in some of the most remote areas of the northern
hemisphere. A complex journey, there are challenges at every corner
– from altitude acclimatization and unfamiliar foods, to meltdowns
and missed trains. Yet each challenge reaps even bigger rewards and
unexpected transformations, especially for eldest son Bodi. On the
autism spectrum, a once shy and introverted Bodi matures during the
journey in ways his parents never expect. He gains confidence
bargaining with sellers in the crowded Asian markets, discovers
meditation and overcomes his fear of animals. In three long months
on the road, "Tiny T" (Taj) grows from a toddler into an active and
curious little boy.
"Travel returns each of us to a state of childhood," says Bruce.
"For a moment we look upon the world, crowded with the
unrecognizable and incomprehensible, with the same eyes as our
kids. And in doing so, the distance between us shrinks, just a bit.
These shared experiences, with all their uncertainties, challenges
and enchantments, are like fertilizer for family bonds."
Highlights from "Big Crazy Family Adventure":
- Leg 1: The first leg of the Kirkby family's 13,000-mile
journey involves canoes, camping, a luxury train and taking a
container ship to South Korea.
Storms, life vests and a run-in with Russian Border Patrol create
challenges. Location highlights: Kimberly, B.C.;
Canadian Rocky Mountains; Vancouver,
B.C.; Nakhodka, Russia;
Busan, South Korea
- Leg 2: In South Korea,
the family takes their first-ever bullet train, chow on butterfly
larvae snacks and sail the Yellow Sea. Bruce gets up close at the
demilitarized zone between South and North Korea, while Christine and the boys take
a cable car up to the Seoul Tower for an amazing view of the city.
Location highlights: Busan, South Korea; The Seoul Tower; DMZ
(Demilitarized Zone between South and North Korea); Qingdao, China; Beijing
- Leg 3: The family climbs a remote section of the Great
Wall of China, known as the "Wild
Wall." A 21-hour train ride from Beijing across China brings them to the start of a five-day
acclimatization mission where they'll slowly elevate up to 10,500
feet. But when Taj doesn't respond well to the altitude, his health
and their Tibetan permits are up in the air. Location
highlights: Beijing;
the Great Wall of China;
Xining, China; Qinghai Lake
- Leg 4: A 27-hour ride on the highest railway in the
world brings the family into Tibet where Bodi shows a curiosity in
Buddhism and learns to meditate. They make their way to the North
Base Camp of Mount Everest, at 16,800 feet elevation, for a
breathtaking view and unforgettable moment for Bruce. But time is
ticking as they race to reach the Nepal border before their Tibetan visas
expire. Location highlights: Xining, China; Lhasa, Tibet; Xigaze;
Friendship Highway; Mt. Everest base camp; Nepal/Tibet border
- Leg 5: In Nepal, the
Kirkby family meets a Hindu goddess, Bodi exhibits excellent
bargaining skills and the family rides elephants in the jungle.
Bruce photographs rhinos in Nepal's first national park – a dream come
true – while Christine spends her birthday on the trail of the
elusive Bengal Tiger. Location highlights: Nepal/Tibet border; Kathmandu; Chitwan National Park; Nepal/India
border
- Leg 6: India brings
scorching heat, spicy food, a private boat ride on the holy Ganges
River, a special lesson in lassi-making, snake charmers and the
burning ghats. But the family finds themselves in a race against
time to make a train to the Taj Majal. Location
highlights: India/Nepal border; Allahabad; Varanasi; the
Ganges (the Holy River);
Taj Mahal; Agra
- Leg 7: The Kirkby family explores the renowned
Taj Mahal, where youngest son Taj
learns about his iconic namesake. The kids learn about poverty and
take a Bollywood dance class while Christine cooks an authentic
Indian dinner for her family. Later, they explore a rock and
water-filled adventure park. Location highlights:
Taj Mahal; Agra; New Delhi; Old Delhi; Chandigarh
- Leg 8: Moving deeper into the Indian Himalaya, they
board a narrow gauge "toy" train, encounter monkeys at Jakhu Temple
and Bruce digs into his family history in the town of Shimla. But
when Taj becomes feverish, they must call in a doctor to see if
their trip can stay on track. Location highlights:
Chandigarh; Shimla; Leh Manali Highway; Manali; Rohtang Pass;
Palamo
- Leg 9: To get to their final stop in Ladakh, the family
must trek 100 miles of rugged terrain to elevations of 16,700 feet.
Along the way they deliver school supplies to children in remote
villages, make their way across winding narrow paths with drop offs
of several hundred feet and Bodi overcomes another fear as he rides
a pony for the first time. Their arrival at the stunning cliff-side
monastery, Karsha Gompa, is an emotional milestone. Location
highlights: Palamo; Zanskar Sumdo; Chumik Napko; Shingo La Pass; Kargyak River; Testa; Tangzay;
Karsha Gompa Monastery
"Big Crazy Family Adventure" is produced by WDE and Generate
Entertainment, Inc. for Travel Channel. For WDE, the executive
producer is Wes Dening. For Generate
Entertainment, the executive producer is Assaf Blecher. For Travel Channel, the executive
producer is Dale Roy Robinson.
GET MORE "BIG CRAZY FAMILY ADVENTURE" ON
TRAVELCHANNEL.COM
Go to http://www.travelchannel.com/bcfa for exclusive content
from "Big Crazy Family Adventure," including travel and packing
tips from Bruce and Christine, videos showcasing the family's top
picks from each country, behind-the-scenes vlogs, travel guides and
more. Plus, experience the journey through Bruce's striking
on-location photography. Join the conversation and get more
exclusive content on Facebook and Twitter. @TravelChannel
#BCFA
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visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/13000-miles--96-days--15-modes-of-transportation--12-time-zones--2-kids--1-family--and-not-a-single-airplane-300065148.html
SOURCE Travel Channel