Only Two Seats Left The Incredible Contiki Story./

Local Review: An insight into the inception of 'Contiki' by a then young John Anderson who had a thirst to see the world and take people along with him. He decided in order to be able to do this, he was best to try and get other likeminded travellers to join him, paying for their seat and food in essence paying for his trip!. He purchased a combi van, put some posters around well-known kiwi haunts in London advertising the trip of a lifetime with 'only two seats left' his shrewd way of marketing meant people had to make the decision there and then in case they missed out on one of the two seats! The first trip eventually ran into some troubles to which John had to come clean and tell fellow travellers that this was the inaugural trip. Strangely these first travellers went on to be some of John's best friends and future business partners and Contiki grew from strength to strength taking tour buses full of 18-30 year olds all over Europe, Britain and as the years progressed all over the world. The book is a frank admission by John of the humble and exciting beginnings of Contiki to its multi million dollar heyday and to the troubles it encountered years later. For anyone who has been on their 'OE' and signed up for a Contiki trip, this book brings the memories of their experiences flooding back. I loved this book as having myself survived a 61 day Contiki tour around Europe in 1980's the mention of the many places we stayed at and visited brought back some forgotten memories. This is a must read for anyone who had the privilege of riding a big yellow bus, sang the day's theme song, partied in the camping grounds, meet people who would go on to be friends for life and loved every minute of it. Donette Fargher