Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series: Volume 2
BUMBLING THROUGH SUMATRA
Written and Illustrated by Tom Schmidt
Follow the humorous illustrated day-to-day antics of Bumbling Bob, a wayward American architect, on his continuing quest across the Indonesian island of Sumatra with a ragtag troupe of bumbling backpackers. Share a harrowing nautical sojourn through the pirate-infested waters of the Strait of Malacca, misadventures in ports along Malaysia’s west coast, and an arduous overland journey across Sumatra ending with a mystical encounter with the shamans of the indigenous tribes of the Mentawai Islands. Discover Sumatra — a land rich in ancient treasures whose fate teeters in the environmental balance!
PARENTAL NOTICE: The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series is intended for Ages 13 and above, and contains material that may not be suitable for younger readers.
ORDER NOW!
Each Bumbling Through Sumatra book contains a collectible bookmark — collect all four styles and win a free gift! CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!
AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
AWARDED CITATION BY AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS FOR PROMOTING VALUES OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
BOOK REVIEWS:
Click here for more reviews“The only problem with Bumbling Through Sumatra is deciding whether to read the cracker of an adventure story or meandering over to the pages about piracy, orangutans or what causes a tsunami. The thing is those pages are just as engaging as the story. Devious man that Tom Schmidt … makes you learn stuff without your realising it.”
— Joan Lau, Managing Editor, The Malaysian Insider
CLICK HERE for an exclusive feature on book author Tom Schmidt by The Malaysian Insider
——————————————————————————-
“I enjoyed Bumbling Through Sumatra and am very supportive of the environmental awareness and culturally sensitive messages that are promoted in this book. It is a very educational and informative book while providing an entertaining way of telling various conservation messages through adventurous stories. The illustration and narration blend together very well, and brings the reader to explore the uniqueness of Sumatra’s land, water, culture and rich biodiversity.“
— Desmarita Murni, Communications Coordinator, WWF – Indonesia
——————————————————————————-
“Much like what Redmond O’Hanlon’s book, Into the Heart of Borneo, and others like it did for a score of adventure seekers, Thomas Schmidt’s book will tantalize those whom long for adventures in far-away places in Asia. There is much in this book to captivate the reader — the beautifully drawn illustrations, interesting characters, rich histories, encounters with local peoples and their customs, and tidbits about everything from pirates to indigenous cultures to the orangutan. In today’s world of tailored tourism, it is refreshing to see Schmidt travel the way travel ought to be done — with arms, eyes, and mind wide open.”
— Robert Lee, Ecologist, UNESCO
————————————————————————-
“Bumbling Through Sumatra is funny, beautiful and informative. It conveys the local colors, describes the local communities with respect, and highlights environmental problems. It is a new kind of travelling book which I recommend everyone to read, not only us former backpackers. I am eagerly waiting for the third book in the series.”
— Mahmud Bangkaru, Founder of Yayasan Pulau Banyak (Foundation), Aceh
————————————————————————
“Architect, artist, writer, and modern-day adventurer, Tom Schmidt has combined his imaginative talents to thankfully create this engrossing sequel. Bumbling Through Sumatra picks up the dangling closure of his first book, continuing the travels and travails of his intrepid group in hiking, sailing, riding, or biking their way through some of the planet’s last fragile environments. The reader becomes the silent companion to his undaunted trekkers, connecting on many levels with their discoveries and disappointments in exotic places.With his entertaining drawing and journalistic writing styles, he brings into focus Sumatra’s people, customs, foods, wildlife, and architecture — and more. From the informative, well-researched sidebars of important ecologic facts, environmental or cultural issues, as well as practical traditions of everyday life, readers will become aware of the country’s biodiversity and its endangered condition.Travelers will be excited enough to get bags ready for a trip of their own. For readers of any age and culture, Bumbling Through Sumatra is a uniquely conceived, very entertaining book — and sheer fun!”
— Frank M. Costantino, Co-Founder, President Emeritus, American Society of Architectural Illustrators
—————————————————————————
“A wonderful blend of story and things-you-should-know about Sumatra, really well written. Travelling to Sumatra? Take this. And a bednet.”
— Rob Mather, Founder, Against Malaria Foundation
BOOK STATISTICS:
Title: Bumbling Through Sumatra
Author / Illustrator: Tom Schmidt
ISBN: 978-988-18066-6-6
Category: Travel / Environment /Humor
Length: 144 pages
Retail Price: US$12.95
Binding: 6.14″ x 9.21″ (15.6 cm x 23.4 cm) paperback
Additions: Maps, Travel Checklists, Internet Resources, Collectible Bookmark
Illustrations: Original Line Art; 202 illustrations
Paper Stock: Printed on FSC Mixed Sources product group from well-managed forests and recycled wood of fiber
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tom Schmidt is an architect, award-winning writer, illustrator, musician, and part-time stand-up comedian.
Born in the United States, following his studies of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, his wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world, while based in the Asia-Pacific region.
Schmidt is a licensed US architect, a LEED AP, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI). He is the founder of the architectural consultancy Sepia Design Consultants Limited.
He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997.
LINKS RELATED TO THIS BOOK:
Malacca Straits Research and Development Centre (MASDEC)
Trademarks: “Bumbling Traveller” and the Bumbling Traveller logo are registered trademarks of Kakibubu Media Limited and may not be used without written permission.
