Around the World in 80 Ways
Listen to Gillian (part 1)
(part 2)
The world is quite gargantuan - it’s hard to get around.
But you could always take one of the 80 ways I’ve found.
If pedalling is what you like then you could take a bike,
or equally a unicycle, pedalo or trike.
A tandem or a motorbike, with sidecar or without,
a scooter or a quad bike - these will help you get about.
Perhaps you like to go by sea - well, then you’ll need a boat.
A speedboat, kayak or canoe - it only has to float.
A junk or sampan, pirate ship, or ferry (very slow).
A cruise ship or a sailing boat, a submarine slung low.
A bathtub or banana boat, a schooner or a yacht
a river boat, a lifeboat - just depends on what you’ve got.
A pickup truck, a transit van, a shiny bumper car,
a taxi comes and picks you up no matter where you are.
A steam train or a bullet train, a cable car, or tram -
You’ll never end up stuck for ages in a traffic jam.
A caravan, a minibus, a double decker bus
A coach can go long distances - wonderful for us.
A helicopter, hovercraft, a rainbow parachute.
Or if you swim - a pair of flippers and a diving suit.
A camper van, a pogo stick, a skateboard is quite fun
A jet ski, or a surfboard, or a hoverboard for one.
A sleigh or a toboggan will help you in the snow
A sled or pair of ice skates will really make you go!
Hot air balloon, a go-kart made from four wheels and a crate,
Roller skates, a scooter - all will circumnavigate.
A rickshaw or a horse-drawn cart, an aeroplane or jet.
A shuttle or a rocket ship, we haven’t finished yet.
An elephant, a donkey, an alpaca or a camel
A llama or another kind of quite substantial mammal.
A dolphin or an orca, or a most enormous whale.
A friendly shark might let you hold on to its pointy tail.
An eagle, crane or emu, if you want to go by bird.
An ostrich is particularly speedy, so I’ve heard.
A chariot, a glider, magic carpets work quite well,
A broomstick is an option but you’ll need to know the spell
Around the world in 80 ways requires a little luck.
But with some creativity you’ll find you’re never stuck!
But you could always take one of the 80 ways I’ve found.
If pedalling is what you like then you could take a bike,
or equally a unicycle, pedalo or trike.
A tandem or a motorbike, with sidecar or without,
a scooter or a quad bike - these will help you get about.
Perhaps you like to go by sea - well, then you’ll need a boat.
A speedboat, kayak or canoe - it only has to float.
A junk or sampan, pirate ship, or ferry (very slow).
A cruise ship or a sailing boat, a submarine slung low.
A bathtub or banana boat, a schooner or a yacht
a river boat, a lifeboat - just depends on what you’ve got.
A pickup truck, a transit van, a shiny bumper car,
a taxi comes and picks you up no matter where you are.
A steam train or a bullet train, a cable car, or tram -
You’ll never end up stuck for ages in a traffic jam.
A caravan, a minibus, a double decker bus
A coach can go long distances - wonderful for us.
A helicopter, hovercraft, a rainbow parachute.
Or if you swim - a pair of flippers and a diving suit.
A camper van, a pogo stick, a skateboard is quite fun
A jet ski, or a surfboard, or a hoverboard for one.
A sleigh or a toboggan will help you in the snow
A sled or pair of ice skates will really make you go!
Hot air balloon, a go-kart made from four wheels and a crate,
Roller skates, a scooter - all will circumnavigate.
A rickshaw or a horse-drawn cart, an aeroplane or jet.
A shuttle or a rocket ship, we haven’t finished yet.
An elephant, a donkey, an alpaca or a camel
A llama or another kind of quite substantial mammal.
A dolphin or an orca, or a most enormous whale.
A friendly shark might let you hold on to its pointy tail.
An eagle, crane or emu, if you want to go by bird.
An ostrich is particularly speedy, so I’ve heard.
A chariot, a glider, magic carpets work quite well,
A broomstick is an option but you’ll need to know the spell
Around the world in 80 ways requires a little luck.
But with some creativity you’ll find you’re never stuck!
This poem is copyright (©) Gillian Spiller 2026
About the Writer
Gillian Spiller
Gillian Spiller is a Scottish poet and children’s author, who has spent many years living and teaching in S-E Asia, E Asia and the Middle East. She is the author of four picture books, The Blue Sock (2019), Star Sailor (2020), On The Shelf (2021) and A Shell for Cleo (2022) by Marshall Cavendish Ltd. (Asia). Her poetry for children is available on the British Council’s Learn English Kids website, as well as here on The Dirigible Balloon.
