THE WORLD’S OLDEST HACKPACKER
Is your excuse for staying at home tired? The indisposition? A little pain here, another there? Like he was, I don’t know, 80 years old? So get to know the story of this gentleman, Keith Wright. The Australian and retiree was considered the “oldest backpacker in the world.” At 95 years old, Keith left at the end of May 2012 for a two-month trip to Europe. But this wasn’t his first trip with a backpack on his back.
Keith said in an interview with the British newspaper The Telegraph that he started backpacking at the age of 85 after the death of his wife. On his first trip, he crossed the whole of Türkiye by bus. Soon after, he embarked on a journey through Eastern European countries. In this last venture, he traveled to Spain, Germany, Austria and Great Britain.
“I see things that most tourists don’t know about, because I avoid the tourist attractions and I’m always taking buses and trains to get around,” says Wright. “Most people I know are surprised to learn my age and realize that I come from as far away as Australia.”
Proving to all of us that age is just a number and living up to the title of backpacker, Keith stayed in hostels, also known as youth hostels, and made many friends wherever he went.
The determination of the smiling and adventurous little gentleman is inspiring. A great example for us about youth. That’s right, about youth… the youth of the soul, the one that doesn’t die. The one that makes us enjoy life until the end, whether enjoying a long trip, taking an unusual walk, meeting new people, enjoying nature in a park, or contemplating our own backyard.
We, from the Brasil Raft Park team, believe in this youth, body and soul, and we are like that too. Come enjoy your youth here with us!
