UK teenager on 16,000km Ashes trek stranded in Singapore issues SOS for boat travel help
A cricket-mad British teen who refuses to fly has issued an SOS from Singapore as his dream journey to the Adelaide Ashes Test hangs in the balance.
Tommy Lamb’s remarkable voyage to Adelaide for this month’s Ashes Test has hit rough seas, forcing the British teenager to put out an SOS to complete the journey.
The 18-year-old cricket tragic is currently stuck in Singapore as he attempts to finish his 16,000km trek to the Adelaide Oval from his home in the UK – all without catching a single flight.
Mr Lamb had hoped to take a boat from an Asian port to the coast of northern Australia but so far he’s had no luck. The adventurous teen admits he’s “running out of time” with the third Test just 13 days away.
“I’m currently in a port in Singapore, where I’ve been for the last 24 hours. I have exhausted nearly every single possibility. I really don’t know what I can do here,” Mr Lamb said in a vlog on his Instagram page.
“I really need somebody to help me, somebody with a connection who knows something more than I do about this industry that might be able to assist me with a boat to Australia. I’m starting to run out of time. I don’t know where the best place to be. I’m a bit lost.
“Whether it be cargo ships or yachts, I’ll work on a boat, I’ll pay for a boat … all that stuff, anyone who has any information please let me know.
“I’ve had very little luck and it’s looking incredibly challenging.”
Mr Lamb told The Advertiser that he is determined to complete his journey without taking to the skies – and would even consider missing the Adelaide Test.
“I’m feeling nervous but I’m so eager not to fly, knowing it would be a big regret,” he said.
“It’s worth mentioning, as much as I don’t want to, I would be willing to miss the third Test to get there without a plane, but Christmas/Boxing Day Test is where I will draw the line.
“So I do still have some time for that, but as I say, would be a shame to miss the Adelaide Test.”
It comes just days after Mr Lamb lost all his belongings, including his passport and credit card, while hitchhiking through Thailand.
Mr Lamb left his backpack in the back seat of a local man’s car, as they were travelling towards the southern part of the country.
“My backpack has everything … I’m in middle of nowhere in Thailand and I have no passport, no credit card, nothing. I’m a bit screwed,” he said.
Incredibly, Mr Lamb had earlier shot a video with the local for his Instagram vlog, chronicling his travels, which had inadvertently captured the man’s licence plate.
With the help of police, Lamb was eventually able to track down the man, and his backpack – about three hours away.
Already on the road for over 100 days, the passionate England supporter says he can’t wait to get to Adelaide, where he will catch up with his parents, Roger and Natasha.
“It’s been a fair while since I’ve seen them,” he told The Advertiser last month.
“I’m buzzing. I can’t wait to watch England play Down Under.
“It’s been a long-time dream of mine, and I’m sure the Adelaide Oval will live up to my expectations.”
Mr Lamb shoved a cricket bat – his prized possession – into his backpack stuffed full of clothes and departed his home city of Manchester on August 20 bound for Australia.
He has since crossed many continents including Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
The solo traveller was given a financial kickstart from his parents who gave him £2500 ($A5050), and with another £2500 in savings, he has enough cash to make his dream adventure become a reality.
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Originally published as UK teenager on 16,000km Ashes trek stranded in Singapore issues SOS for boat travel help
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