Celebrity Interview

                                 

Whilst I was in Sri Lanka, I happened to glance through a magazine written in English and I came across an interesting article. It was a travel themed interview with a female celebrity. I made a note to myself that when I returned from my year of travel, I would be asked similar questions, so I took a picture of said article and promptly forgot all about it.

It is only now, as I approach the end of my first few weeks back in the UK, that is has come back to mind. People have been asking me plenty of questions and I have enjoyed coming up with answers. I therefore invite you all to sit back and enjoy my version of the celebrity travel interview.

                                           

What made you want to travel?

I have always enjoyed the adventures and travel experiences of others, be they fictional characters in books or films, celebrities like Michael Palin or holiday tales from friends. Over the years I have watched countless programmes celebrating the beauty and diversity of the world, from David Attenborough to Dan Cruickshank, Jacque Cousteau to Billy Connolly. The world is an infinitely interesting place filled with peoples, cultures, wildlife and wonders I have always wanted to experience and see for myself. Couple this with the fact that I have never had a gap year, have been working far too hard for far too long and have found myself single without dependents at this particular time in my life, and I decided it was time for an adventure. Moreover, a few people in my world have faced unexpected health issues over the last few years and I have realised that putting things off for the future is not a good idea.

           

  

                                   

Where did you get to?

Well I split my year between four different continents and 15 different countries. I started in Sri Lanka, before travelling to Nepal, China, Vietnam, Cambodia and Singapore. Then I left Asia and went to Australia and New Zealand for 10 weeks. Next was North America, where I spent three months in Alaska, Canada and mainland USA. I finished my trip in South America, beginning in Chile before heading overland through Argentina, Bolivia and Peru.

Which was your favourite travel destination and why?

My favourite place was actually Alaska. I really expected to say New Zealand, but Alaska was truly epic. I believe that the time of year I visited, just as Spring was beginning to make an appearance, coupled with the lack of tourists, the scale of the landscape, the variety of wildlife and the magical experiences I enjoyed, all combined to make it truly spectacular. It also exceeded my expectations and surprised me with its beauty and sheer size at a time of year when I had not planned to go. Exploring Alaska was a vast, majestic adventure that had me excited and awestruck in equal measure. It is definitely a place I would like to see again. 

                                

What were your favourite viewpoints?

This is such a tough question. So many places stand out in my mind and there were so many beautiful 'moments' of awe and wonder. That said, ones that come instantly to mind are:- Machu Picchu from the Sun Gate, Taquila Island at Lake Titicaca, the Mendenhall Glacier and lake in Alaska, the temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, flying over the Inside Passage as I descended into Juneau, Alaska, sailing through Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, the view from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Lake Wanaka in the South Island of New Zealand, admiring the sunrise over the mountains of Nepal at Poon Hill and climbing to the top of Sigriya, the holy mountain near Kandy, Sri Lanka. I could go on and on.

Which essential things did you take with you?

My camera and my iPad were probably my most important possessions during the year. I took thousands of photographs (which all still need editing, pruning and sharing!) and my iPad allowed me to surf the web, keep in contact with family and friends and even watch the odd movie. I must also mention the fabulous rucksack I was lent to take with me. I gave myself a 20kg limit in the main bag and a 7kg limit in the smaller one which I used day-to-day. It helped me to pack essentials only and was robust enough to survive countless journeys by planes, trains and automobiles. I also took a travel kettle, a travel mug and some Yorkshire tea bags with me which were priceless. Sadly, the kettle died in Alaska (it was leaking badly) and the travel mug cracked and lost it's handle (though it survived until my last day in Lima.) I cannot tell you how nice it was to make myself a cup of tea whenever I reached a new destination or felt a little homesick. 

Did you have any disasters whilst you were away?

I am very pleased to say that I didn't. Minor issues were a pain, but nothing was truly disastrous. Being trapped in New Delhi Airport for 36 hours was annoying (when I couldn't get my transit Visa online before hand.) Discovering I needed an onward flight out of New Zealand before Emirates would let me fly into the country was an inconvenience - (fortunately, I arrived at the airport sufficiently early to quickly buy a ticket to Fiji from Auckland which I subsequently cancelled after landing there.) Dropping and breaking my second camera was upsetting. 

However, when I really think about it, I was actually very blessed during my year. No injuries or illnesses, no significant losses or crime, no accidents or mishaps. In fact, many of the places I visited experienced disasters and tragedies before or after my arrival, but not whilst I was there. Floods and landslides in Sri Lanka, storms and earthquakes in Nepal, volcanic eruptions in South America, cyclones in China and New Zealand, civil unrest in the US, earthquakes and a tsunami in Chile - and I was affected by none of them. All prayers were very much appreciated!

Was there anywhere in the world you would not want to return?

I am pleased to say that I liked all the countries I visited enough to say that none stood out as 'no go zones' in terms of a return. However, China is not a place I plan to return to any time soon. Culturally, it was fascinating and I am very glad I went. The Terracota Warriors in Xi'an, the Great Wall, the Imperial Palace of Beijing, the Panda Sanctuary of Chengdu and the remarkable islands of Hong Kong were truly amazing. However, the government, the immense population and the terrible levels of pollution make China a very challenging country. The people are taught to only take from the 'West', their history books say that the student protesters of Tiananmen Square were a national embarrassment and, with 1.4 billion inhabitants, 'white ghosts' like me are invisible to the masses. Fortunately, I met some lovely Chinese individuals, caught up with friends and saw all the best bits of this once closed civilisation. That all said, if my friend Cindy invites me back to Hong Kong for a visit, I will be back like a shot!!

What was your scariest experience?

That's easy - jumping from the Auckland Sky Tower. I still can't believe I did it. What was I thinking?

                                     

What did you miss the most about life in the UK?

Gluten free food. Cider. The BBC. The Guardian newspaper on a Saturday. Doctor Who. Bacon sandwiches. Brown sauce. And of course, the company of good friends and family. 

What things during your adventure are you most proud of?

Quite a few things stand out, as I really pushed myself at times during my travel. Riding the length of Vietnam on a second-hand motorbike was truly amazing. Qualifying as a Rescue Scuba Diver in Phu Quoc was excellent. Paragliding in Queenstown was superb. However, whilst I could continue to list some of the things I did (like diving the Mikhail Lermontov or cycling Death Road), I am most proud of the fact that I totally nailed travelling alone. 

                                 

How far did you travel?

I've been trying to work that out since I returned.

                                 

                                             My Mum's map was a good place to start

                                 

              Of course, as I kept a record of every journey - working out distances is not too hard

                                 

It turns out that I travelled a very long way. Even by my most conservative reckoning, I journeyed close to 62,000 miles - that is 2 and a half times the circumference of the Earth. And that figure doesn't include the walking and cycling I did either.

                                

How have you changed as a result of this year of travel?

I feel I have changed in many, many ways. Physically, I am fitter, healthier, lighter, stronger and more confident in my own skin. Emotionally, I am more open, confident and mature and I am certainly more decisive, positive and capable. Spiritually, I have a stronger faith and a greater love for the world and the people in it. Materialistically, I am far less greedy, needy or affected by western commercialism. Intellectually, I am wiser and better informed about the world in which I live and I have learned Spanish and a significant smattering of Nepalese. Socially, I am more gregarious, more capable of making and maintaining friends and I like myself more.

What would you say to others who are considering an around the world trip?

Three things.

1. Do not be afraid. The world is not a scary place.

2. Know you will not be alone - technology today means that contact with family and friends is nearly always possible in neary all areas.

3. Do not put it off. None of us know what is just around the corner.

    

                                       

How much did you spend altogether?

As the Americans would say, "I am going to take the fifth" with that question. I do know how much I spent based on my empty bank account, but I never like to dwell on how much something cost, as it  somehow taints my experience and my retrospective enjoyment. Suffice it to say that my initial budget of £1000 per month was extremely inadequate!

Where do you intend to travel next?

Another good question. There are so many places I have yet to visit and quite a number of places I had planned to go to which I never managed. There are also a few places I would like to revisit. Therefore, do not be surprised if I manage to get to the following places within the next couple of years (though as I am currently skint, they will remain a dream for the time being) :- 

Sweden, Norway and Denmark - I have always wanted to visit this Nordic part of the world and now I have a great excuse to visit Ida and Oliver whilst I am there!

Cuba and Mexico - I had to abandon my plans to go to both during my travels for reasons of time and money. I only hope I can still get to see Cuba before it changes drastically now political relations with the USA are beginning to thaw.

Cross Canada by train - this was due to be my final travel experience on my world trip before I had to change my plans to fit in with Machu Picchu. 

Re-visit Alaska, Nepal and Vietnam - places I would really like to see again if I get the chance.

   

I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog this year. I have truly enjoyed writing it and plan to keep up the habit in the future.

Lots of love

Paul xxx