OTWS Charity Expedition December 2011 News

Dear OTWS Friends,

January 2011 Where is Charlie's adventure update:


Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa2ydUaFIZo

Raising money for 3 expedition Charities & Search of Global Warming.

Since Charlie left Hong Kong Cape D’Arguilar Lighthouse on 19^th May 2010 he has been in China 10 cities (May), Mongolia 13 cities (Jun/Aug), Siberia 9 cities (Nov/Dec), Northern Russia 7 cities (Nov), Norway 4 cities (Nov), Finland 9 cities (Dec), Sweden 5 cities (Dec), Denmark 5 cities (Dec)…. So far over 50 cities

Under a Polar Night and with a smashed window, Charlie headed from Murmansk to the Norwegian border town of Kirkenes with gale force winds and ice on the roads making the driving treacherous.

Passing Russian military outposts, war memorials and cities that have become ecological dumps, this part of the world was both bleak and eerily quiet.

Once into Norway, Charlie drove to the most northerly point in mainland Europe to visit the town of Gamvik and Slettnes Lighthouse.  'Arctic scenery is quite simply stunningly beautiful, even if at times it felt 'remoter' than driving through parts of Mongolia.'

 Facing -35 C temperatures, Charlie struggled to keep the Hilux running, passing reindeer herds on the road and driving through snow laden pine forests.  During a short stop Charlie decided to switch from 4x4 to a 5 husky dog mushing experience and raced along frozen rivers at incredible speeds!

 Once into Finland, a visit to Santa Claus at Joulupukki, to interview Santa on global warming and a photo for all the kids at both Christina Noble Children's Foundation and SOS Children's Village International.

The roads through Finland became busier as Charlie approached the city of Turku and took the overnight ferry to Stockholm in Sweden.

Approaching Denmark, wind turbines dominated the skyline, a view that was to follow Charlie across to Jutland and down into Hamburg, Germany the Green Capital of Europe for 2011.  Happy New Year!

Somewhere out there

Charlie Frew

www.onthewrongside.info