Wannabe Backpackers

The story of five self-confessed "spoiled teenagers" who travel to Latin America and Kenya one summer. United by Gerald Yeung, the spiritual leader, the boys discover their true identity throughout the month-long journey: -Justin the narcissist, Lulu the shopaholic, DJ the womanizer (or so he thought), and Brian the modern Romeo. From Machu Picchu in Peru to the Great Rift Valley of Kenya, they do every fun thing they can think of, with the sky the limit. "Reckless" becomes their common middle name. At times, their patience and friendship are put to the test. Will they still be friends after ditching each other in a foreign country? Most important, will they eventually become backpackers?"A Hong Kong story of roughing it the nice way. The story is about the interaction among the five during their 30 days on the road together. 'Some things we found out about each other, we really didn't want to know.'" - Annemarie Evans, SCMP"Written in diary style, the book conveys the precarious state of a young man poised between a protected childhood and imminent independence as an adult, providing fabulous insight for parents into what's really going on in a teen's mind. Encounters with girls, 'weird' food and clubbing in a foreign language are balanced with budding understanding of the differences of other cultures and appreciation of their beauty. Each of the friends adds their own epilogue summing up the group's collective experience." - Parents' Journal, HK"When traveling to a foreign land, it is difficult to overcome one's preconceptions and see what the natives see. Similarly, when writing a first book it is difficult to get past one's preconceptions and be truly honest. Gerald Yeung, in a brilliant first effort, experiences the former and completely overcomes the latter, with hilarious results. If you have ever traveled far from home and experienced that strange mix of wonder and frustration, this book is for you. Buy it and become friends with 5 traveling companions you'll never forget."-A. H. Munter, Philadelphia, PA, USA, Amazon.co