A century ago Mark Twain journeyed around the world and described his experiences in a book called 'Following The Equator'. 100 years later, Sir Peter Ustinov is to follow in his footsteps, and with his passport and walking stick packed, this is set to be one of his greatest adventures. This unique, witty, thought-provoking journey begins on the Pacific Island of Fiji and remote Kiribati - featuring characters such as an exiled Scot who teaches the highland fling to Fijian school children. With humour, compassion and an insight into the changing world, this makes for provocative and exciting viewing.
On the second leg of his epic round-the-world journey, Sir Peter Ustinov touches down in Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand. In this exhilarating episode, he's intrigued by people's ancestry; by their obsession with roots, and by the damage inflicted by history. It's a curiosity which finds him in some memorable situations; stark-naked in a hot thermal bath; grimacing at a Maori facial tattoo parlour; discussing budgies on a Sydney ferry and leprosy on a remote Hawaiian peninsula.
An 800 year old demi-god living high in the Himalayan foothills and collector of antique ivory dildos are among the extraordinary cast met by Sir Peter Ustinov on the third leg of his epic world journey. Whether he is careering on an ancient brake-cart down the Darjeeling railway track or chortling with eccentrics of Bombay's 'Laughter Club' - he brings his wit and shrewdness to the people he meets and places he visits. Like Mark Twain before him, he discovers 'a riddle at every turn' in the vast and ancient nation of India.
In this the final leg of a round-the-world trip, Peter Ustinov reaches South Africa, finding a country in the throes of political change but awash with hope. Moving and memorable, he closes the trip with an emotional encounter with Nelson Mandela.