Around the world in 10 years | Bundaberg News | Local News in Bundaberg

Jean Beliveau stops in Bundaberg as he nears the end of his 10-year walk around the world.

Max Fleet

AFTER 10 years on the road, Canadian Jean Beliveau is nearing the end of his bid to walk around the world.

Along the way he has worn out 44 pairs of shoes, become a grandfather twice and met luminaries such as Nelson Mandela.

After a day’s rest in Bundaberg yesterday he will hit the road again today, heading for Melbourne and then Hobart.

When he leaves Australia he will have covered 66,000km, with only 9000 to go before he reaches home in Montreal.

Mr Beliveau said he was prompted to set out on his trek by a mid-life crisis as he neared his 45th birthday in 2000.

“I was in a huge mood of crisis and depression, wondering what I was going to do with the rest of my life,” he said.

He came up with the idea of the big walk to help the children of the world grow up in peace.

Two weeks before his 45th birthday he announced the plan to his startled wife, and on his birthday, with funds of just $4000, he set out.

Mr Beliveau has relied on the kindness of strangers ever since to support him.

People see him on the road and offer accommodation – sometimes they make donations of money or equipment to help him on his way.

“Since October I have paid for four nights. The rest of the time I have stayed in people’s homes,” he said.

When he had to get from South America to South Africa to continue his trip, South African Airways gave him a discount on his fare and two Brazilian men paid for the rest of it.

Every year his wife flies out to join him and they spend a month together in one spot before he sets out again.

Mr Beliveau says he walks 30 to 35km a day, pushing a trolley that is loaded up with some food, clothing, a small tent and a sleeping bag.

So far he was worn out three trolleys and 14 sets of tyres.

With about a year and a half to go, Mr Beliveau says he has been shown hospitality by Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists on his way.

“It shows me we should try to develop harmony, we are all connected,” he said.

Mr Beliveau is unsure what he wants to do with the rest of his life when his walk is over.

He is writing a book about his travel experiences, and says he may become a public speaker, telling people what he has learnt about the world along the way.