You might think, “Who cares when it was filmed?” But here’s the thing: knowing when Simon was sweating through Mexico or trekking through India’s mangroves unlocks a deeper layer of the show. It was a different world back then—before smartphones ruled our pockets, before Instagram made every travel moment feel staged. Filming in 2008 meant Simon caught a planet that was still a little more wild, a little less connected, and vastly more surprised by a lanky British presenter showing up with a camera crew.
Think about it: 2008 was the year of the global financial crash. While bankers were panicking in suits, Simon was paddling a dugout canoe along the coast of Baja California, blissfully unaware of the chaos. That contrast is delicious, isn’t it? It reminds us that the world keeps turning, tides keep flowing, and adventure doesn’t care about your stock portfolio.
The Glorious, Sweaty Reality of a 2008 Shoot
Let’s get specific: Simon and his tiny crew spent months on the road, often sleeping in guesthouses or tents. The shoot was grueling—no luxury hotels, no air conditioning—just pure, unfiltered heat. The Tropic of Cancer is the line of latitude at 23.5 degrees north, which means Simon was chasing the sun across sixteen countries, from the Caribbean to the Sahara. He filmed in summer and autumn of 2008, which is why you see so many shots of him wiping sweat from his brow. Relatable, right?
Here’s a fun detail: the show was commissioned by the BBC’s natural history unit, not a travel show department. That means the filmmakers treated every river crossing and market visit like a mini wildlife documentary. You get to witness that authenticity—the unvarnished, beautifully awkward moments—because they didn’t have the budget or time to polish it into perfection. And honestly? That’s why we love it.
