chapter XXIl 



TREKKING IN THE TROPICS 



Trekking in the Tropics is no longer the arduous busi- 

 ness that it once was. In the early days of exploration 

 and travel journeys were made on foot at considerable 

 risk and at the mercy of the tropic sun and torrential 

 rains. When one looks back on what our fathers ac- 

 complished, handicapped as they were by lack of motor 

 transport, their endurance seems astonishing. Even on 

 foot they did much, but their journeys were of necessity 

 restricted on account of time and cost. Later the bicycle 

 was some saving in certain types of country, but so long 

 as loads had to be carried on the heads of labourers, the 

 distance travelled was restricted to the marching distance 

 of the carriers. But whether on foot or on bicycle, the 

 person trekking in the tropics was limited to his own 

 power which was often reduced by the exacting cli- 

 mate. 



The coming of the light car and motor transport has 

 now largely solved the problem of transport and today, 

 thanks to the opening up of new roads, the explorer, 

 settler, trader, or Government official can travel in com- 

 parative comfort in spite of the exigencies of the climate. 



2IO 



