Vol. 3: Bumbling Through Hong Kong

Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series:  Volume 3

BUMBLING THROUGH HONG KONG

Written and Illustrated by Tom Schmidt

THE ADVENTURE ACCELERATES! Follow the continuing illustrated daily antics of Bumbling Bob, a wayward American architect entrusted to carry a mysterious treasure, on his random travels throughout the Pearl of the Orient with a ragtag troupe of backpackers.  Share a fast-paced adventure through one of the most densely inhabited population centers on the planet, and a series of educational discoveries while the bumbling travelers search for an elusive doctor who holds the key to a lingering mystery.   Discover Hong Kong — a land rich in natural assets and cultural treasures whose fate teeters in the environmental balance!

PARENTAL NOTICE:  The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series is intended for Ages 13 and above, and contains material that may not be suitable for younger readers.

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AWARDS & RECOGNITION:

SILVER MEDAL WINNER

2013 MOONBEAM CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDS

BRONZE MEDAL WINNER

2013 INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER BOOK AWARDS


BOOK REVIEWS:

“With its comic book reminiscent approach, Tom Schmidt’s Bumbling Through series presents pertinent and often overlooked information in a reader friendly way through various adventures around the globe.  Light manneredly evoking a desire to learn more from a global perspective, these books are perfect, offering a fun take for the traditional nonfiction reader.  Bumbling through Hong Kong takes us to another land, full of energy, rich in culture and bursting with productivity!” — IP Notables, Independent Publisher Magazine

CLICK HERE for the full INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER IP NOTABLE REVIEW

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“Hong Kong has amazed the world through its rapid global interaction, efficiency and cosmopolitan environment.  However, behind such speed and convenience, Hong Kong’s alarming per capita emissions rank second globally, if emissions from imported goods and their transportation are included.  Bumbling Through Hong Kong does not provide tips of where to shop or dine out, but exposes the true cost of being a metropolis and the vivid urban pollution that residents and tourists face on a daily basis.  A good snapshot of another face of Hong Kong!”  — Gloria Chang, Campaign Manager, Greenpeace HK

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“Overall, Bumbling Through Hong Kong is a fun, informative and engaging read which is also pleasing to the eyes.  I just can’t help but admire each illustration in the book.  I’ll definitely recommend this book to  those who loves travelling or just want to know a little more about Hong Kong!” — Michelle Chew, Michelle Chew Writes

CLICK HERE for the Michelle Chew’s full review & author interview

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“The book series contain beautiful illustrations of Asian scenes and nature and many box outs with detailed information on specific socio-environmental issues or cultural traits. They are, in sum, a treat for the eye, food for the brain and a stab in the conscience … The Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series makes a great gift for older children, young adults and anyone who needs to be clued in on the socio-environmental impacts of fast growing Asia. Apart from gaining insights on real life issues, readers will have many chuckles over the comic styled educational book that can only be Tom Schmidt’s landmark style.” — Mallika Naguran, Founder, Gaia Discovery

CLICK HERE to read GAIA DISCOVERY’S FEATURE ARTICLE on the Bumbling Traveller Adventure Series

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“Presenting Hong Kong in an interesting and casual way that not many travel books can compare.  We are impressed and thank the author for introducing the normally ignored world class geological heritage of Hong Kong. Very well done and congratulations!” Association for Geoconservation, Hong Kong

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“Tom’s story and drawings are a witty illustration of Hong Kong’s challenges and a guide of both bustling and serene beauty.  Enjoy the trip.”  — Paul Zimmerman, CEO, Designing Hong Kong

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“Tom Schmidt is one of those very creative writers that makes learning about history and socio-economic issues fascinating.  His masterful descriptions of Hong Kong neighborhoods, customs and other issues are hidden in a fun, adventure/mystery story following Bumbling Bob, the architect and his sidekicks throughout the city and outer islands.  In between the dramatic chapters are bites of useful information on what makes Hong Kong tick.  Where does our water come from?  Where does all our waste go? How does bamboo scaffolding work, where do our traditions such as lion dancing come from and many, many more interesting facts.  The book opens your eyes to many key issues Hong Kong faces and took me to neighborhoods I have never seen in over 20 years of residing in Hong Kong.  Makes me want to go explore Hong Kong again.”Amazon.com Customer Review

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“Bumbling through Hong Kong is a great read.  Informative and enlightening.  The story continues from the previous successful books, Bumbling through Borneo and Bumbling through Sumatra and although light-hearted touches on a number of important and often overlooked issues in Hong Kong.  Can’t wait for the next installment.”Amazon.com Customer Review

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“Bumbling Through Hong Kong is an award-winning unofficial guide book extraordinaire.  Three discerning backpackers with a mission to find the mysterious mastermind behind cryptic messages and ancient parchment fragments romp through parts of the territory that many people don’t see for the shopping malls.  Illustrated by an attractive comic strip, the narrative is fast-paced, humorous and engaging.  Panels are subtly added for fascinating facts relating to Hong Kong’s culture, heritage, geology, religion and food.  Underlying the wild goose chase there are strong messages about environmental protection, heritage and important contemporary social issues.  Lonely Planet move aside!  Although readers are advised not to use the book as a travel guide, newcomers as well as Hong Kongers will find this book a compelling mix of fact and fiction.”  — Jane Houng, Author

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“As another American living in Asia and a researcher that studies many of the issues Tom writes about, and deals with in his other job as an architect in the hospitality industry, I was very excited to see these urbanization issues presented in such an accessible manner.” — Melreese, Encountering Urbanization Website

CLICK HERE for the full review


BOOK STATISTICS:

Title: Bumbling Through Hong Kong

Author / Illustrator: Tom Schmidt

ISBN: 978-988-18066-7-3

Category: Travel / Environment /Humor

Length: 144 pages

Retail Price: US$12.95

Binding: 6.14″ x 9.21″ (15.6 cm x 23.4 cm) paperback

Additions: Maps, Travel Checklists, Internet Resources

Illustrations: Original Line Art; 193 B&W illustrations

Paper Stock: Printed on FSC Mixed Sources product group from well-managed forests and recycled wood of fiber


CALENDAR:

RTHK RADIO INTERVIEW

Date:  Thursday, 11 April 2013

Time: 11:00 – 11:30 am

CLICK HERE for a link to the broadcast

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HONG KONG BOOK LAUNCH

Date: Thursday, 18 April 2013

Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Venue:  Bookazine, 3/F Landmark Prince’s, Central, Hong Kong

Visit the Bookazine website for more details

CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS

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TEDx VICTORIA HARBOUR – TRAVEL PERSPECTIVES & TRAVEL PERSPECTIVES

Date: Saturday, 11 May 2013

Time: To be determined

Venue:  Sunbeam Theatre, 423 King’s Road, North Point, Hong Kong Visit TEDx Victoria Harbour for more details

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

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SINGAPORE AFCC BOOK LAUNCH

Date:  Sunday, 26 May 2013

Time:  2:45 – 3:15 pm

Venue:  Asian Festival of Children’s Content (AFCC), The Plaza, National Library Board, 100 Victoria St., Singapore

Visit the AFCC Website for more details

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RTHK RADIO 3 “AROUND TOWN” INTERVIEW:  The Bumbling Traveller Story

Date: Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Time: 9:15 pm

CLICK HERE for a link to the broadcast

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SINGAPORE BOOK LAUNCH & SIGNING

Date:  Saturday, 01 June 2013

Time:  3:30 – 4:30 pm

Venue:  “Crossroads” within Kinokuniya Books, 391 Orchard Road, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, Singapore

Visit the Kinokuniya website for more details

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SAN FRANCISCO BOOK SIGNING / ARCHITECTURAL ILLUSTRATION EXPO

Date:  Thursday, 03 October 2013

Time:  1:30 – 4:30 pm

Venue: San Francisco AIA Offices, AIA San Francisco, 130 Sutter Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA, USA

Visit the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI) website for more details

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LITERARY DEATH MATCH

Date:  Wednesday, 12 March 2014

Time:  7:30 – 10:30 pm

Venue:  XXX Gallery, B/F, 353-363 Des Voeux Road West, Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong

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HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY – The Bumbling Traveller Story

Date:  Thursday, 26 March 2015

Time:  4:30 – 6:30 pm

Venue:  Hong Kong Baptist University, Shek Mun Campus, Hong Kong

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RTHK RADIO INTERVIEW – “Sunday Escape” – Volume 4 Announcement

Date:  Sunday, 03 May 2015

Time:  10:30 – 11:30 am

CLICK HERE for a link to the broadcast

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ELSA HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL LECTURE – The Bumbling Traveller Story

Date:  Thursday, 04 June 2015

Time:  2:30 – 4:00 pm

Venue:  Elsa High School, 460 Shau Kei Wan Road, Shay Kei Wan, Hong Kong


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tom Schmidt is an architect, award-winning writer, illustrator, musician, and part-time stand-up comedian. Born in the United States, following his studies of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, his wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world, while based in the Asia-Pacific region. Schmidt is a licensed US architect, a LEED AP, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI).  He is the founder of the architectural consultancy Sepia Design Consultants Limited. He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997.


LINKS RELATED TO THIS BOOK:

Greenpeace HK

International Union for Conservation of Nature

Civic Exchange Hong Kong

Designing Hong Kong

Society for Community Organization (SOCO)

The Nature Conservancy

UNESCO Hong Kong Association

WWF Hong Kong

The Conservancy Association

Centre for Heritage (CACHe)

Clean Air Network

Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society

Association for Geoconservation Hong Kong

Geological Society of Hong Kong

Taipo Environmental Association

Earthwatch Institute Hong Kong

Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve

Friends of the Earth

Stephen Hui Geological Museum


Trademarks: “Bumbling Traveller” and the Bumbling Traveller logo are registered trademarks of Kakibubu Media Limited and may not be used without written permission.