Ep 180 w/ Shafik Meghji - Small Earthquakes: A Journey Through Lost British History in South America
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🎙️ Exploring Train Journeys & Forgotten British Histories with Shafik Meghji 🚂 | Winging It Travel Podcast
In this week's episode, I'm joined for a hat-trick appearance by award-winning travel writer, journalist, and broadcaster Shafik Meghji, as we dive deep into the romance of train travel, chance encounters on the road, and his brand new book Small Earthquakes: A Journey Through Lost British History in South America (out July 24, 2025).
We start with a ride on the Tren del Fin del Mundo, the world’s southernmost railway near Ushuaia, Argentina — a former prison line turned into a stunning tourist route through Tierra del Fuego National Park. We chat train adventures across the globe, from the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada to India’s rail journeys, the Trans-Siberian, Vietnam’s Reunification Express, and future plans for travel by rail through Europe, Japan, and Australia.
But that’s not all — we explore unexpected British footprints across South America, from Welsh-speaking communities in Patagonia to Victorian architecture in Montevideo, British-built railways in Argentina, and even the story behind the iconic Fray Bentos pies in Uruguay.
Whether you’re into epic train journeys, unusual travel histories, or looking for South America travel inspiration, this episode will ignite your wanderlust.
🌍 Topics Covered:
Shafik’s top global train journeys & bucket list routesLife and landscapes aboard the Tren del Fin del MundoA deep dive into Uruguay’s underrated capital, MontevideoThe incredible stories behind his new book Small EarthquakesBritish history in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile & beyondSerendipitous travel encounters and the magic of slow travelCentral America travel tips – including El Salvador, Panama & BelizeThe polar bears (and beluga whales!) of Churchill, Manitoba via trainStreet tango, carne asado, and the culture of the River Plate
📚 Pre-order Small Earthquakes – A powerful and fascinating narrative connecting British history to forgotten corners of Latin America. Out July 24, 2025 - order here!
Shafik Meghji
Website
Instagram
💬 Have you taken a memorable train journey? Visited South America recently? Drop a comment and share your stories – we’d love to hear them!
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Timestamps
00:00 Exploring 'Small Earthquakes' and British History in South America
02:47 Travel Plans and Adventures for 2025
06:02 The Allure of Central America and El Salvador
09:12 Chance Encounters and Connections While Traveling
12:05 The Impact of Travel on Personal Growth
15:01 The Hidden Gems of Uruguay and Montevideo
18:00 Tango, Carnival, and Cultural Experiences in Montevideo
21:04 Traveling to Uruguay: Tips and Recommendations
24:01 Exploring the Unique Attractions of Uruguay
27:05 Train Travel in South America: Tren Del Fin Del Mundo
43:41 The Southernmost Railway Adventure
47:10 Booking and Accessibility of Train Travel
49:55 Polar Bears and Unique Train Journeys
52:18 Top Train Routes Around the World
56:25 The Allure of Train Travel
01:03:24 Exploring British History in South America
01:11:04 The Impact of British Influence on South America
01:17:55 Rugby and Other Sports in South America
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Winging It Travel Podcast Credits
Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond
Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com
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