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Alaska and Russia

Episode number: 1

Overview: Michael Palin travels around the Pacific rim. He starts in the Diomede Islands in the Bering Strait, goes to see the Kodiak bear in Alaska and visits the geysers and hot springs of Kamchatka.

Japan and Korea

Episode number: 2

Overview: In this episode Michael Palin samples the oddity of Oriental life while passing through Japan and South Korea.

China

Episode number: 3

Overview: Michael Palin enters China by boat from Korea. He visits the cities of Qingdao and Shanghai and takes a local steamer down the Yangtze.

Vietnam and the Philippines

Episode number: 4

Overview: Michael Palin visits Hanoi, takes a sampan on the Perfume River, witnesses psychic surgery, sees the Cu Chi tunnels, judges a beauty contest and fails to see the Banaue rice terraces.

Borneo and Java

Episode number: 5

Overview: From the Philippines, Michael Palin crosses the Sulu sea in a leaky ferry. He travels on through the Borneo jungle to Java where he climbs a volcano.

Australia and New Zealand

Episode number: 6

Overview: Michael Palin reaches Australia where his activities include a cameo role in Home and Away. He also looks for sperm whales in New Zealand's icy waters.

Chile and Bolivia

Episode number: 7

Overview: Michael Palin lands on Cape Horn, parties on Chiloé, visits Santiago, the Juan Fernández Islands and La Paz, and crosses the Andes by a train which is derailed.

Bolivia and Peru

Episode number: 8

Overview: Michael Palin takes a reed boat on Lake Titicaca in the Andes, before an 1,000 mile journey along the Urubamba river to the Amazon.

Peru and Colombia

Episode number: 9

Overview: From a canoe in the Peruvian rainforest, Michael Palin visits Machiguenga Indian villages in one of remotest spots on planet. He then he sails down Amazon on a restored riverboat.

Mexico, USA, Canada and Alaska

Episode number: 10

Overview: Michael Palin travels from Mexico City to the Diomede Islands where his trek began. He meets up with illegal immigrants in Mexico, cruises San Francisco's gay scene and visits Alcatraz.