Tintin!

As a kid, one of my favourite memories is going to the bookstore, picking up a new Tintin comic book, and spending the day engrossed in another crazy adventure. Tintin, for those of you who don't know, is the intelligent and witty world-travelling super-sleuth created by Herge, who together with his "talking" dog Snowy, best friend Captain Haddock, and a whole slew of weird and wonderful colleagues solve weird and bizarre mysteries. A few years ago came the good news that Spielberg had bought the rights to the books, and was going to develop a movie series. After being on the backburner, it has been announced that both Spielberg and Peter Jackson will direct Tintin movies!

I truly believe my love for travel grew from reading Tintin stories, whose exotic locales, different languages and cultures really are an integral part of the stories. The illustrations were marvelous and romantic - windswept deserts, raging oceans, lush jungles... I still read the "comics" occasionally today, and am surprised at how the stories work on different levels - there is a lot of humour that I missed as a kid but now appreciate.

People, do yourselves a favour. Buy a Tintin comic for yourself or your kids. It will take you back to a more innocent time, but best of all will entertain you for an afternoon.

cheers.