Episode list

For the latest proposed travel adventure of Marco Polo's route from Venice to China, Karl wants to take along a mate for support and companionship. Who Ricky assigns is Warwick Davis, who Karl believes will be more of a hindrance than an asset if only because of his dwarf stature. But as their stay in their first locale - Venice - progresses, Karl realizes that the biggest problem with Warwick as an adventure travel partner is their total incompatibility in terms of what they want to do and experience. Their first Warwick chosen event is to attend a masquerade ball, which is a ritual of the area dating back centuries. Their choice of costumes reflects what they want to portray of themselves, although Karl feels less inclined to partake in the masquerade portion of the costume selection. This Warwick chosen activity is balanced by a Karl chosen activity: using a jet pack to fly over the canals. This activity ends up being a little less fun than Karl had anticipated. They then take a short cut from Marco Polo's route to go to Macedonia, first to hang out with Romani gypsies. Then on Warwick's suggestion for both their enjoyment, they go to see practitioners of Sufi Islam, they who perform mystical exercises. Karl is surprised that he himself enjoys participating in the ritual of the exercises, until... Finally, on Ricky's want, Karl goes up in the air attached to over-sized helium balloons. But Karl figures what is good for the goose is also good for the gander, which doesn't sit well with either Ricky or Warwick, if only for Karl's rationale.

Karl and Warwick arrive in Mumbai, India, the country which Karl hated on his last visit. Warwick, who is immediately taken by the sights and sounds, hopes Karl will appreciate it this second time around, while Karl wants to expose Warwick to the down and dirty side of life in India. They partake in the morning activity of laughing yoga. Ricky manages to get both Warwick and Karl parts in a Bollywood movie, which is right up Warwick's alley, but in which Karl wants to do his own improvisation. Next, Ricky gets them on a train to Varanasi, specifically so that they can watch the sun rise over the Ganges after they camp overnight by the riverside. That once in a lifetime activity is jeopardized specifically by Karl's reaction to some neighbors and on the sun in general. It is the life and death daily activity that fascinates both Karl and Warwick. They hop back on a train to head to West Bengal for the next activity chosen by Warwick, performing in the Olympic Circus, which is challenging if only in choosing what they will do that will impress the crowds. It's what Karl chooses next to see that could threaten his friendship with Warwick.

Still in India, Karl and Warwick are still clashing over Karl's want to be part of the Spider Sister's "act", as Warwick feels it's solely to capitalize on his dwarfism and the old mentality of him and the Spider Sisters being sideshow freaks. Once in China and on a Yangtze River cruise, Warwick believes that Karl's experience on the cruise is some retribution. They next travel to a panda reserve, and are required to get up and close and personal with one in what Karl considers a less than safe way. They decide to do some people watching on a down Sunday in Chengdu, with them being the ones watched at a food fair. This experience demonstrates how far Karl has progressed in what he is willing to do as a regular tourist. They next plan to scale Mount Emeishan to visit a Buddhist temple atop. This experience shows to the other how much they have relied on the other on this trip. They finally reach what is supposed to be their final destination of Hong Kong. Ricky, however, wants to provide them with what they think is a special side trip to Macau, but what is meant for their adventures to end on a high.

A commentary track for The Short Way Around: China (2012).