Once upon a time, a Belgian comic artist drew a red-haired journalist boy and named him Tintin.
Well, at first, he was not exactly red-haired. The first comic novel “Tintin in the Land of the Soviets” had black-white illustrations. The book was considered to be anti-communist propaganda, and the author was severely critiqued for it later on.
That said, Tintin comic rarely may be called a tale for kids, for the events that are happening in each issue are usually quite realistic, tragic, and politically framed.
Yet, let’s not talk about it today.
Being a journalist, the main character travels a lot with a friend of his, Captain Haddock. He’s a middle-aged sea captain and, simply put, a drunkard. Yet, though their adventures are deadly dangerous, they manage to have fun along the way all around the continents.
They get to see people, cultures, celebrations, festivals, and traditions around the globe.
Hergé’s illustrations are an immersive experience, for he depicts every trip with such passionate accuracy. Many places in Tintin’s adventures are fictional, yet based and combined with actual countries, cultures, and locations. Once a reader sees the picture – they feel through.
So today let’s not bring here the pictures of the places, but take inspiration from those illustrations, from the vision of a great comic master.
Table of Contents
Tintin in Tibet
Tibet is a great place to visit. Not only is it a spiritual journey, but such an ordinary way to explore the world from above quite literally – Mount Everest, which is in the Himalayas and is 8848 m high.
Tintin goes to Tibet to save his friend, whose plane crashed into the Himalayas. The issue inspires trying hitch-hiking and, perhaps, some Yeti hunting.
Here is what Dom Joly writes after going on such a journey:
It was like when I went to the Himalayas looking for the Yeti. I felt almost at home in Kathmandu as it was so similar to what I’d seen in Tintin in Tibet (even though he was in Nepal). I trekked up to Everest Base Camp, actually found some Yeti footprints, and felt very pleased with myself. I decided against an actual ascent of the mountain – even adventurers have their limits, and besides, Tintin didn’t do it, so why should I?
Recently, the conquest of Mount Everest has become too popular of a hobby. That led to contamination of the mountain top, as well as to numerous cases of death. So being in Tibet, it is better to think about it twice. We advise you to choose another peak for climbing and go to Tibet for a spiritual and mental evaluation.
Along with travelling to Tibet, in this issue, main characters are also passing by India and Nepal, so let’s take a quick look at the illustrations of the architecture and local flavour.
Tintin and the Picaros (Sri Lanka, Ceylon. Monaco. Columbia. Venezuela. Ecuador)
Adventure for extreme-lovers!
As we have already found out, Hergé used excisting artifacts of history to create elements of his fictional places. For example, according to the plot, the events never occur in Mexico. However, the pyramid that appears in one of the issues definitely inspired by a Mayan one in Yucatán, South Mexico. It is called El Castillo de Kukulcan.
Besides, this issue provides a huge amount of time when Tintin and Captain spend time in wild tropical forests.
Everywhere there is the greenery of different emerald shades, twisting branches, and tall tropical trees from which the monkeys are shouting from above.
Have you ever thought about going to Mexico to wade through the bushes, cutting them with a machete?
Or, perhaps, it would be worth renting a large all-terrain vehicle and taking a ride to an area that is too difficult to reach by foot?
The Black Island (Dover, Glasgow, The Black Island (a fictional island off the Scottish coast)
This issue is the good old Scotland, the mountainous and rocky terrain that Hergé depicts with comfort and warmth. So, as when looking at the pictures, you get a feeling that you have fallen into an old legend, a fairy tale – and this can happen if you follow Tintin.
Now, Scotland is undoubtedly famous for its whisky. Particularly “Whisky” spelled without an “e”, is in Ireland or US.
Quick guide. The definition of a good whisky is the whisky that you like, and that’s that. And the right way to drink it – however you want.
The right glass is the one that doesn’t leak.
We only suggest doing it while watching the fog is slowly rolling down from the Scottish mountains, or as the last setting sun illuminates the ruins of an old Scottish castle where kings once sat.
Land of Black Gold (Arabian Peninsula’s coast, close to Jordan. Haifa)
& Cigars of the Pharaoh (Saudi Arabia)
Now, we must say that traveling to Arabian countries is not for the faint of heart, for the climate is quite harsh – ultra-hot, sunny, sultry, and dangerous if you do not withstand high temperatures well. If all this does not frighten you, and you have stocked up on sunscreen, a good hat, and a kufiya, then you are to hit the road.
Those are the drawings of plants and geometric shapes depicted on the walls and ceilings as you look up. Purple and blue along with gold shades — those magnificent colours create contrast with the stucco shapes.
Modern architectural buildings express Allah’s unlimited power. Arabic architecture is restrained and modest on the outside, while all the beauty and grandiose ornaments and forms are inside.
The art of photography is breathtaking and takes a lot of time and effort. However, today our eyes glaze over, as we see the abundance of photographic material taken by tourists. The photos are beautiful, and artfully made, but we get too used to them, especially if they are often taken from the same popular tourist angles.
Today you have looked into some corners of our beautiful world through the vision of Hergé, and we hope this will encourage you to great achievements in the footsteps of the Belgian journalist.
