.

Questions and Answers on The Planetary Travel Challenge
.

Q. Why did you choose a slice width of 10 degrees for both
latitude and longitude?

A. It seemed a reasonably fine grain for Planetary coverage. I felt that
every 15 degrees was a little too coarse, while every 5 degrees might
trivialize one's geographic experience of the Planet if the difference
between two adjacent 5-degree bands was minimal. Also, over the
centuries, mariners who were navigating the higher latitudes
traditionally referred to the prevailing winds in latitude bands that
were 10 degrees wide---the Roaring Forties, the Furious Fifties, the
Screaming Sixties. Finally, today many published world maps and
globes are marked with latitude and longitude lines that are 10
degrees apart.

Q. If I experience, for the first time, one of the 36 longitudinal slices and this also happens to put me, for the first time, in one of the 18 latitudinal slices, can I count both as having been achieved, or is that cheating by double-counting?

A. Why should this be thought of as cheating? This is your adventure, not a contest or admissions test being checked by referees. Your Planet's 54 slices are there for you to discover, sense, enjoy---and to remember. When you have visited and assimilated the unique dimensions of each of the 54, you will know the geography and biosphere of Planet Earth.

The Planetary Travel Challenge guides you to experience the globe in the fullest sense, in any amount of time or sequence you wish. Think of your grandchildren: wouldn't it be something precious if one day you could tell them that you have visited, recorded and experienced all 54 slices, and could instill in them a sense of wonder and responsibility for Planet Earth? May "The Challenge" be with them!

Q. On this website, can I contribute my experiences and impressions of my travels to the various slices?

A. Absolutely; I can think of nothing better! Send your comments via the "Your comments" page and indicate that you would like these posted on this website (all comments come directly to me, only, and I do not post any comments received unless you give me permission). I shall post them, with just minor editing for style, but you will be given a chance to check, in advance, what I plan to upload (in case you'd like to change something). Only then, can website visitors read what you have written. It's a great way for you to share your advice and suggestions with like-minded adventure travelers.

The "Your comments" page asks for your e-mail address when sending your thoughts to me. This is so I know how to reach you. Nobody else gets to see your e-mail address, and I certainly will not share it with others or put it on some distribution list.

Q. When I have successfully met The Planetary Travel Challenge, can I get some kind of certificate suitable for framing that marks my achievement?

A. Of course you can. Write to me, giving an address where you'd like it sent,
and I'll see to it that this happens.