TRAVEL: THREE YOUNG Munster men have set off on a five-month road trip through 20 countries with a final destination of Australia armed with just a jeep, a tent and a few bags of supplies.
Michael Kennedy and David Hally from Tipperary and Jimmy O'Keeffe from Newmarket, in Co Cork, took the ferry to Wales on Sunday before making the Dover to Calais crossing. The trio then plan to travel through France in their 1997 Toyota Landcruiser before travelling across Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and towards Turkey.
The route will then take the men to Iran, Pakistan and India before the last leg across south east Asia and then to Australia.
The men, who are all in their 20s, were looking for an adventure beyond the "usual Bondi Beach thing", with David Hally relishing the day he drives an Irish registered jeep over Sydney harbour bridge.
Geologist Michael Kennedy's plans for the next five months include "playing hurling off the Taj Mahal".
Jimmy O'Keeffe is also a geologist with a thirst for travel. He recently returned from climbing to Everest base camp.
On his return from the Himalayas he vowed to "visit everywhere between Cork, Kathmandu and beyond." All three men plan to stay in Australia for a year.
The trio have lined up visas for entry to Iran, India and Pakistan. Their jeep also had to have its own "passport" for entry into various countries.
The men say they are travelling to Australia via jeep for the thrill of the journey.
"We're driving for the experience and the craic, the spirit of this journey is adventure for adventures sake. It is 20,000 miles, 20 countries and millions of potholes.
"Along the way we'll motor along autobahns in Europe, travel desert highways in the Middle East, through passes in the Himalayas and venture through jungles in South East Asia."
• The three men plan to blog on www.threeladsinajeep.comin the coming weeks