AN avid explorer has penned his first book based on his adventures around the globe.

Tiptree resident Jonathan Moss published Tom Tom Corner based on his passion for travel which has led him to spend more than a decade abroad.

Jonathan has explored more than forty countries on five continents.

His 35-chapter book brings together a collection of travel stories of life on the road from the Caribbean, Easter Island and Hawaii to the Atacama Desert and the high Andes.

Mr Moss, 55, grew up in Maldon and is the son of former Plume Academy teacher Alan Moss.

His passion for travel started after a two-month train tour of Europe in 1985.

He said: “Six years later I set off again, this time flying Down-Under with a work visa and vague dreams of a watersports venture.

“Instead, I discovered the freedom and adventure of life on the road.”

Jonathan then explained how he came up with the title of the book and what it was all about.

He added: “In the heart of Hanoi's hectic Old Quarter lies a small chaotic junction where five narrow roads converge.

“On one corner stands a large glass fronted store called Tom Tom, opposite, is a popular restaurant bar named Com Ga.

“Above the corners bustling streets, the bar's broad balcony soon became a favourite spot, and while sitting there people watching, the idea for this book was born.

“As you will see, my book spans many years of travel stretching back to the eighties, so well before the advent of the internet and easy access to information.

“Tom Tom Corner's pages are full of memorable moments from many countries: drinking moonshine down a Bolivian mine with a Shining Path leader in front of the Devil; feeding fearsome flesh-eating Komodo Dragons on their remote island home, and even busking outside Sydney Opera House dressed as an oversized, sweating koala.

“There are tales about Khmer jungle temples in Cambodia, caving beneath Vietnam’s ancient limestone karsts, and gruelling chicken-bus rides through Guatemala.

“At 55, I still have a passion for travel as it's inspiring and rewarding in so many ways, and despite exploring 40 countries there are plenty more I haven't visited.

“I still have more stories to share so haven't ruled out a second book, but I have not yet made a start as this one took two years to finish.

“The hardest part to write was the back cover, as it was almost impossible to summarise 330 pages into a two-paragraph synopsis.”

The book is now on Amazon.