What started as a three-month trip to South East Asia, turned into three years on the road, an incredible YouTube video with over 600k views and a successful Kickstarter campaign.
After graduating from NYU with a degree in film and television, Walter Chang got a job as an audio-visual technician at Columbia University. Four years later, he was feeling trapped and began to evaluate his life.
Having very limited travel experience, he decided to start saving in earnest for a three-month trip to South East Asia, a seemingly enormous journey compared to his longest trip till then, 10 days spent in Europe with friends.
Looking back, Walter never imagined that he would soon be setting off on a three-year, 60 country, adventure of a lifetime. Since returning home, he tore through hours and hours of footage to come up with this beautifully edited video below. The video exploded on social media, and after just one and a half months has been viewed more than 600k times on YouTube.
Using the viral effects of the video, Walter successfully launched (and funded) a Kickstarter campaign for the production of a hardcover book comprising his photography from the trip.
Big thanks to Walter for taking the time to chat with us. To find more about Walter’s trip or pre-order the book, go to his website wecallthishome.com. You can also connect with Walter here on Backpacker Travel.
Video Edited with Adobe Premiere and After Effects.
BT: To most people, three years on the road seems out-of-reach. How did you save up for the trip and did you need to work while you were away?
Walter: I really didn’t go into this trip expecting to be gone for so long. What started as a three-month getaway, soon turned into seven months and a lot of planning. To keep my costs down before leaving, I spent an entire year sleeping on friends’ couches. At one point, I was basically living out of the projector booth at my old job. This turned out to be the best preparation for traveling on a shoestring I could have hoped for and I was able to save enough to fund the entire trip.
During my travels I often stayed in budget hostels, couchsurfed, and used the cheapest transport methods to keep costs to a minimum.
BT: You studied film and tv at university so I’m wondering if you had a plan for a video in mind before setting off?
Walter: I definitely wanted to shoot a lot of videos and take plenty of photos throughout the trip. There was a rough plan for some of the types of shots that I wanted to get and for a basic storyline prior to leaving. I also got a lot of new ideas along the way from watching other people’s videos on Vimeo and YouTube.
BT: This entire experience must have been a massive step outside your comfort zone. How did you go making new friends and dealing with challenges?
Walter: I wouldn’t say that I’ve ever had a problem making new friends in the past. While on the road, I met a ton of travelers. They’re generally pretty easy-going people, so once you are comfortable approaching a stranger it’s not that hard to strike up a conversation.
I generally made friends at the places I stayed. Hostels are excellent for socializing and making new friends from all over the world. You will bump into people from so many different walks of life. I made sure to couchsurf regularly too. This kept the cost of accommodation to a minimum and gave me access to local people. I had already hosted some couchsurfers at home before leaving so it was nice to be on the other side of the world, feeling like I’m at home.
As for challenges, you don’t get to travel without going through your fair share of challenges. Just don’t let anything overwhelm you, keep calm and try to deal with every challenge rationally.
BT: In keeping with that theme, what were some of the biggest challenges that you were faced with over the three years?
Walter: There are two incidents that come to mind. In Namibia, I decided to do some exploring and hired a compact car for a little more flexibility. While driving one day, I felt the rear of the car start to drift. Before I knew it, the car was inverted, rolling end over end, it all seemed to happen in slow motion.
Luckily for me, my side of the car suffered minimal damage and I escaped with only minor injuries. Had I been sitting on the other side of the car, it could have been a very different outcome.
Once the shock subsided, I was ready to call it quits and go home. Thankfully, the lady at the rental car company swiftly organized a replacement car so I continued on my journey.
The second challenging incident happened at a bus stop in Chile. After a 23-hour journey, I was waiting for my next bus when a group of men approached me and started talking in Spanish. Not knowing Spanish, I was struggling to communicate with them.
Little did I know that this was all a distraction from what was really going on. After they left, I looked down and noticed that my main pack was missing. They scored the jackpot, as this pack had my cameras, tripod, laptop, tablet, passport, money, and a bunch of other stuff. The most disheartening of all was the two external hard drives containing two months' worth of footage.
Lesson learned – backup your footage online as often as possible, keep important documents with you at all times and try not to get too distracted when people act overly interested in you.
BT: You recently ran a Kickstarter campaign to fund a photography book. The initial goal was a lofty $12,000 and by the completion, you managed to raise nearly three times that …..over $30,000! How did you get so much support?
Walter: Since coming back home in March I have yet to start another full-time job. This gave me the time to work on editing the video which was the biggest tool in getting the word out about the Kickstarter campaign. My friends and family were a huge help as it is very important to keep the momentum when running a crowdfunding campaign.
BT: Finally, do you have any advice for people who are reading this, thinking about traveling the world?
Walter: My biggest suggestion is to be flexible. While planning is important, you will miss out on some amazing impromptu experiences if you over-plan.
The people you meet along your journey are valuable resources. Don’t be surprised to find yourself invited to a local wedding or festival. Imagine how bummed you would be if you had already planned too far in advance and missed out on an opportunity like that.
1. Benin
2. Burkina Faso
3. Cote d’Ivoire
4. Egypt
5. Ethiopia
6. Ghana
7. Kenya
8. Lesotho
9. Mozambique
10. Namibia
11. Rwanda
12. South Africa
13. Tanzania
14. Uganda
15. Zimbabwe
16. China
17. Cambodia
18. Nepal
19. India
20. Indonesia
21. Israel
22. Japan
23. Jordan
24. Kyrgyzstan
25. Malaysia
26. Myanmar
27. North Korea
28. Philippines
29. Russia
30. Singapore
31. South Korea
32. Taiwan
33. Tajikistan
34. Thailand
35. Turkey
36. Ukraine
37. United Arab Emirates
38. Uzbekistan
39. Vietnam
40. Belarus
41. Belgium
42. Croatia
43. Germany
44. Greece
45. Netherlands
46. Switzerland
47. Australia
48. New Zealand
49. Palau
50. Cuba
51. Mexico
52. United States
53. Argentina
54. Bolivia
55. Brazil
56. Colombia
57. Chile
58. Ecuadaor
59. Peru
60. Venzuela
Rahela Jagric is an international filmmaker, with her passion for stereoscopic filmmaking leading her to work in cities including Auckland, Berlin, London, and New York. Over the course of her award-winning film career, she has been selected to attend the Kyoto Filmmakers Lab in Japan, received a fellowship from the reputable German Filmmaking program Nipkow, and attended the reputable Russian Drama Theatre in Lithuania.
Most recently, Rahela was selected as an artist-in-residence for The Ingmar Bergman Estate on Fårö Island in Sweden, where she completed the screenplay for her next short film.
Rahela’s unique combination of craft and creativity has allowed her to develop skills in every major facet of production, including working as a script supervisor and assistant director on feature films, TV dramas, and commercials.
While Rahela is currently based in Slovenia, thanks to her strong and irresistible impulse to travel, she is always looking to join exciting and challenging international projects.
Below we feature one of her amazing videos from her time spent in Chile. Enjoy!
BT: Filmmaking is an obvious passion of yours, when did you first know that you wanted to create movies?
Rahela: I’ve been involved in filmmaking since as long as I can remember. My father is a cameraman, mostly working on documentary films and image videos, so filmmaking has always been very natural for me. Being around him helped me develop my skills, which I later applied on my own projects. I also studied film directing, which has deepened my passion for filmmaking.
My second passion is traveling. When I see something impressive, I just feel the urge to film and share the moment with everyone who cannot be with me in that specific moment. I just wish I could make a living by combining these two passions of mine.
BT: Are you always behind a camera when you travel or do you sometimes take time away from the lens?
Rahela: When traveling, my priority is to explore and find a connection with the people and places. So filming is just another way of approaching the journey. There are always some spontaneous moments that happen along the way, so I always carry a camera with me. You never know when something unexpected can happen in front of your eyes. I want to catch these moments in order to share them with others in the hope I can inspire them to travel as well.
BT: Of the places you have traveled to, which has been the most interesting to film and why?
Rahela: I’d say Chile because it has such a diverse landscape; from glaciers and volcanos to the desert, not to mention amazing food, wine, and my favorite pisco sour drink!
The people are so proud of their country and it shows on their faces. Everything is so colorful! The streets, the clothing, the buildings, and the culture are all vibrant and full of life and all that combined makes it even more interesting to film.
BT: Apart from your camera, what’s the most important item in your daypack?
Rahela: Food of course:) We have a saying in Slovenia that an empty potato sack can’t stand in an upright position.
BT: We have compiled a guide on How to Create Compelling Videos, do you have any tips you can add to this?
Rahela: Take your camera with you everywhere you go, because many times the best moments happen unexpectedly. Don’t forget to take a hard drive with you, so you’re not limited by the amount of footage you take. The magic happens in editing and you’ll be happy to see the amount of footage you took.
Natural voices are always a great addition to your video and should be recorded at the location rather than in post-production. Finally, use music that will increase the emotional impact of your video.
BT: Video is starting to surpass photos as the new medium when traveling. What advice would you give to someone looking to create travel videos?
Rahela: Firstly, know what you’re camera is capable of. Then observe, explore, and be brave in approaching your theme. You don’t need to have a complete script before the shoot but try to have at least a slight idea about the story you want to tell with your video.
Have fun while shooting and traveling, as this will always show in the video. Try to be innovative in your style, either while shooting or later on in post-production.
BT: Finally, where are you off to next?
Rahela: We will start where we left off the last time – in South America. Starting in Bolivia, then Peru, Ecuador, and finishing in Galapagos. I really want to see the giant tortoises and film them. Aren’t they the most adorable and photogenic creatures?
Big thanks to Rahela for taking the time to chat with us today. You can find more of her projects on her website www.rahelajagric.si
I discovered Kien Lam the same way as most of you would have recently after seeing a post on Facebook simply titled “Time is Nothing – Around the World Time Lapse”. Being an avid traveler and having a fascination.
Being an avid traveler and having a fascination with time-lapse movies I clicked on the link not knowing what was to come of it.
When the video started I so was captivated by the combination of beautifully captured images and delicate musical accompaniment that I was mesmerized and totally fixated on the screen. Having traveled around the world myself, it brought back many memories of my own adventures and drew me in further and further emotionally.
When the video was over I played it again, then one more time, just to feel that magic of ‘wanderlust’. I then had a quick search around to try and find out more about the creator Kien Lam.
A couple of days later I decided to send an email to Kien asking for a brief interview about his adventure. I didn’t expect a reply as by now the video had gone viral with nearly a million views and coverage across most major media. I was very surprised when I received an email back the very same day accepting my invitation.
Before we get started here is some important information regarding Kien’s trip and the movie.
17 Countries. 343 Days. 6237 Photographs. One incredible journey.
Now if you haven’t already watched the movie I would suggest that you do so now before reading the interview below.
BT: So what made you decide to take a year off and go traveling?
Kien: I wanted to travel for more than 2 weeks at a time. Whenever I used to visit a country and meet other travelers, I was always envious that they had 2 months or 6 months, or a year to travel. My entire “vacation” or “travels” was just one of a long list of places they were visiting on one trip. I felt like I wanted to do it now, rather than put it off for later.
BT: How did you pick the places that you wanted to visit?
Kien: That was hard. I wanted to start in London to see some friends and then follow the sun and warm weather. 2010 was a particularly cold year in San Francisco and I just wanted to go where it was warm. I had places I wanted to visit and made my decisions from country to country as I arrived.
BT: What got you into photography and have you had any training? If so, what?
Kien: I took an introductory photography course my freshman year in college and joined my college newspaper after that. Having access to professional equipment and shooting real events taught me a lot about photography. The rest I learned on my own through shooting and a lot of trial and error.
BT: When did you decide on doing the time lapse and what gave you the inspiration to make the video?
Kien: I had the idea for this project right before I left while trying to come up with a way to capture this amazing adventure I was soon to embark on. I wanted it to show what I saw when I had traveled before: the people, the traffic, the energy, and even just the pace of the place. More importantly, I wanted to put it together in a way I could share with my family and friends in a few minutes rather than having to show them thousands of pictures that would no doubt bore them after the 15th photograph.
I was inspired by other time lapse videos I had seen and Matt Harding’s dancing videos. That video introduced me to so many new places and definitely inspired me to continue to travel. I wanted to be able to do the same if somehow the video was able to reach many people.
BT: How much time did you spend on average at each location making the time lapse?
Kien: I spent as little as 3 minutes and as long as an hour shooting. Most of the time, I spent about 3-10 minutes shooting each scene. I shot whenever I saw something beautiful that had movement.
BT: Were there any situations where you did a whole time lapse and then didn’t use it?
Kien: Definitely. I shot at least 150 scenes. Some of it didn’t make it to the final cut because it was either similar to another scene shot at the same location, or I overestimated the amount of movement there would be during the elapsed time.
BT: How difficult was it to edit the raw images and create the final movie? How long did that take and how did you coordinate it with the music?
Kien: It took me quite a while to organize, select, and edit just the photographs. After that, I spent time learning how to work with video editing software to sequence each set of images and play with the speed.
My brother and I worked on the music after I finished a general cut of the video. We tried many different compositions and experimented with different combinations of scenes to get something that would fit with the scene changes. When we had a nearly finished song, I synced everything to the beats and we made the final adjustments from there.
BT: After you watched the final cut of the movie did you think it would be as much of a success as it is now?
Kien: I was very happy with the final cut and hoped that people would find it compelling enough to an entire 5-minute video and like it enough to share it with others. I am absolutely amazed at the success of the video and the global media attention it has received.
BT: And finally, how does it make you feel knowing this movie has viral and inspiring others to travel?
Kien: It’s awesome. I’ve been getting so many emails from people telling me their stories, asking for advice, and simply writing to tell me that they loved my video and it was inspiring to watch. I try my best to answer every person's message or at least refer them to my Travel FAQ on my site where I’ve answered some popular questions about the trip.
I would like to personally thank Kien for taking time out of his day to answer my questions and can’t wait for his next installment.
How did Kien’s movie make you feel about travel?
They say a picture is worth a thousand words and that definitely rings true with our guest today – Azim Zainudin.
Azim is a 26-year-old Malaysian with a formal background in the oil and gas business who turned his photography hobby into his career. Instead of living a routine life of 9 to 5, he has chosen to become a freelance portrait and travel photographer. Currently based in Kuala Lumpur, Azim Zainudin is available for any assignment both locally and internationally, specializing in travel photography and portraiture. Azim shoots both photos and videos whenever required and continues to generate wonderful images over the years. Even though he is still considered a newbie in this industry, his artworks have been featured in some prominent local and international publications.
You can check out more of his work at his website azimzainudin.com
BT: So what made you get into photography?
Azim: Back in 2003 when I was still pursuing my bachelor's degree, I was a biker. Traveling around the country on our motorbikes is one of the activities that were done a lot as bikers. It is in this activity that I began to appreciate more the scenery and beautiful faces in Malaysia. Malaysia is one unique country blessed with various lifestyles, green forests, and beautiful islands.
Throughout my student years, I used to borrow a compact camera from my friends. I made it a point to carry a camera or purchase a disposable one wherever I go out to capture these priceless moments. You never know what you are going to bump into during traveling.
BT: How is it that you came across Backpacker Travel?
Azim: I came across Backpacker Travel on Facebook. During leisure times, I constantly search more on travel sites and personal blogs of travelers. I did a search for “backpacker travel” and you came up first in the results.
BT: You have recently been bitten by the travel bug. When did you start traveling and where have you been so far?
Azim: Traveling has always been my interest since my motorbike days in 2003. But given that I was just a student back then, I could not afford to travel abroad. Therefore, during semester breaks, with a group of friends, we would usually travel just around the country, especially to the beautiful beaches and islands. Whenever life gets more “interesting” with its challenges, I will find my way to these islands just to relax for a day or two.
In 2007, after finishing my Industrial Training as part of my degree program, I decided to sell my bike and bought my first DSLR camera. It was a tough decision but I know it was for the greater good. Then, what was seems like a hobby turns into a passion. After graduating in 2008, I determined to hit the roads to gain more interesting travel and photography experiences. Since then, I fell in love with the thrills and excitement I get being far from home.
Southeast Asia has always been my favorite destination because I get to experience and learn more about cultures and lifestyles. And it is very affordable.
Every journey has taught me different things. I loved meeting new people, being friends, and getting to know their lifestyles. It will make me appreciate my life even more and more. I have been to Thailand, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the island paradise of Maldives. I hope I will finish traveling around South East Asia by end of this year. My next destination will be Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, the Philippines, and Myanmar for the next 4 months. Can’t wait!
BT: Has the experience of traveling changed the way you take photos?
Azim: Definitely, YES. I enjoy capturing portraits and lifestyles. Human is my main favorite subject. Taking good photos is one thing but getting to know them closer is another story, which always ensures better results in terms of photography. They are friendly, accommodating, and sometimes very colorful with their local traditional costume.
I try to put every single expression, emotion, and character of the subject that I click on so that every time people look at the picture they can feel what I feel at that very moment. I share this to inspire others to always remember the power of simple little things that we gained during traveling, and also to publicly retract old travel stories while the new one takes shape.
BT: If you could give our readers two tips on how to capture the best image what would they be?
Azim: For me, the best picture always tells a story. You need to have a subject. Always keep it simple and be creative. Explore different unique angles, techniques, and approaches. Doing some research and study about the place/event might help a lot to get the best picture, as you will know where and when is the best moment in time.
Be friendly; getting to know the locals will add drama to your picture. Finally, the most important things keep passionate about it and have fun all the time!
BT: What do you look for when trying to compose an interesting and unique scene?
Azim: Human behavior and lifestyle is my interest in photography, I will make sure there’s a subject and story in the picture. I’m not a big fan of landscapes but if I do take one I will always try to include a person in it. May it be a person doing work, walking, etc. The picture will turn out to be more interesting. I believe that is what travel photography is all about. In addition, when traveling I will try my best to capture unusual views, moments, and actions that we could not see every day in our routine life.
The culture and unique lifestyle of different people from different countries all over the world, I must say I love it so much. It is an amazing experience to observe and capture those beautiful things and I see it as a great privilege that I am able to share the beauty and diversity of the world I have seen with others. I hope what I have done now will inspire other people to go out, travel and see the world for themselves.
BT: Everyone always compares Digital SLR cameras with Point and Shoot type cameras. To the average person will they see a noticeable difference in their photos depending on the camera they use?
Azim: For me, it depends. This is because sometimes normal people from non-photography backgrounds do not have the ability to differentiate it.
But, today, most of the young generations are more “photo educated”. They even can identify the type of camera and lenses that has been used, although they are not photographers. I think it is called “the art of seeing”. It’s just my opinion.
BT: What type of camera are you using at the moment?
Azim: My gear is simple. I do not have an expensive full-frame body and lenses. Most of the time, I use 35mm or 50mm only. I just bought a new body which is Nikon D7000 which includes full HD video. Before this, I was using a Nikon D90. Occasionally I shoot videos for my personal collections. I’m a Nikonian. I feel more comfortable with Nikon.
BT: Let’s say I wanted to go traveling and I don’t have any gear yet. What camera and equipment can you recommend for the first-timer and how much should they look at spending?
Azim: I always get this question from my friends who love to travel but don’t take pictures and from those who want to start photography. It really depends on how serious you want to go, how much you are willing to spend etc. There are lots of factors to be considered. In my honest opinion for first-timers, a compact digital camera is good enough. It is cheap and easy to bring along anyway.
Learn the basics of photography and composition. But if you have the budget for a proper DSLR, there is no harm in getting one. When traveling, try not to bring a lot of equipment. I always travel light and do not carry all my camera and equipment together. Most of the time, a camera body, and two lenses are sufficient.
BT: Now my final question is a tough one but do your best….. What is your favorite photo that you have taken so far and why?
Azim – This is a tough one. Personally, I have lots of favorite photos. But I have this one photo to share; it is a portrait of the younger generation of sea gypsy people from Borneo, Malaysia which was taken last year. Through the picture, I can sense his feeling. The way he looks at me, giving such a sincere look. This photo also reminds me of a quote that has always been my favorite incessantly. “To a beautiful heart, everything appears beautiful”.
Recently we were lucky enough to interview fellow blogger Josh Summers whose site Far West China takes an in-depth look at the Xinjiang region of China. Josh spent almost four years living and working in the region and was nice enough to give us an insight into his time there.
BT: What made you decide to go to China? And out of all the places in China, why Xinjiang?
Josh: Who doesn’t want to go to China? Ok, so maybe I didn’t want to go at first, but now that I’ve been there I can’t imagine any other place I’d like to live. It’s just so different; so captivating; and it’s continually growing.
Xinjiang was an accident, but it was a good one. A friend told us he had contacts in Xinjiang that needed two teachers, so my wife and I answered the call. Again, not a place I ever would have purposefully picked, but I would never want to live anywhere else in China. Absolutely gorgeous.
BT: If a traveler was going to get the most out of a visit Xinjiang, what should they see, what should they eat and drink, and what should they experience?
Josh: To get the most out of any place you visit I suggest living there for a while. Of course, this isn’t always possible, I know! To get the most out of Xinjiang I suggest getting out of Urumqi, the capital. Go to the southern part of Xinjiang and experience the Uyghur culture, food, and music.
Visit Turpan during the grape season. See the call to worship during Ramadan in Kashgar. Smell all the animals at the livestock market in Hotan. These experiences are worth more than any souvenir.
BT: In the roughly four years you and your wife lived in Xinjiang, what was your fondest memory?
Josh: My fondest memory was traveling to a remote village on the Xinjiang/Kazakhstan border to attend a wedding. We were some of the first foreigners to ever step foot in this village and the police didn’t quite know what to do with us! There were no hotels so they had to let us stay at our host’s house. We had to sleep in separate rooms which were heated by old coal furnaces.
We were walked around the entire village to meet almost every person, all of whom seemed to be related in some way. It was a special time, especially since we got to attend our friends’ wedding.
BT: Xinjiang is attracting more development with the rich oil resources found in the area, and is also home to the greatest population of Uyghur people. In your opinion, what challenges does the area face, and how can the area attract more tourists?
Josh: The challenges are obvious: social tension is the single greatest reason for concern in Xinjiang. A lot of the distrust between the Uyghur and Han people is misplaced if you ask me, but it’s hard to convince people of that. It’s also hard to convince tourist that they are perfectly safe coming to Xinjiang. Nobody foreigner has been hurt, even during the riots.
I think the best way attract these tourist – both Chinese and foreign – is to hear the stories of those who have lived and traveled there. That’s one of the main reasons I write about Xinjiang and encourage others who travel there to publish reports of their journey.
BT: What’s the most popular post on your site? Why do you think that is?
Josh: The most popular post so far has been about the demolition of Kashgar’s Old City. I believe it offers readers one of the few balanced views of a situation that usually attracts very polarizing opinions. It’s an interesting story that still continues today.
Equally popular was last year’s post on the internet in Xinjiang after the 2009 riots. It was amazing to me just how little people knew about the situation outside of the province. This article was one of the few pieces of information that managed to get beyond the internet block and quite a few blogs around the world picked up on it.
BT: You’ve taken a lot of cool ‘photos of the week’ from your time in China, what are your favorite five photos, and why do you like them so much?
Josh: There are so many pictures it’s hard to pick! I know for sure my favorite – City in a Desert – which was taken about 1 mile from my apartment in Xinjiang. This was a favorite picnic spot for my wife and I and it will always be a good memory.
As for four others I’ll just have to pick out of a hat: I like the Sexy Men photo for its humor, the picture of Kanas Lake for its beauty, the pictures of Hong Shan Park for its history, and the picture of the Urumqi skyline for accomplishing the impossible task of making the capital look appealing.
BT: What’s the funniest “cultural misunderstanding” you had when you lived and taught in China?
Josh: There are far too many of these “cultural misunderstandings” as you call it. I prefer to think of them as “embarrassing moments I’d like to forget”, but whatever!
The most memorable moment was on the aforementioned trip to the small village. One of the “uncles” of our friend – who was severely drunk – decided to make it his mission in life to get me to drink baijiu, a terrible alcoholic drink known by some as “jet fuel”. His drunken state and my inexperience made for an hour-long battle of wills. I didn’t quite understand the implications of refusing to drink with him and nobody explained to me the best way to say “no” to Chinese people. It all ended with me faking a drink and running gracefully exiting. Fortunately he was too drunk to remember a thing the next morning.
BT: Lastly, is it true that eating rabbit meat with celery will make you bald?
Josh: Well that depends, is it fresh rabbit meat?
All kidding aside, the health notice you’re referring to was taken very seriously by my Chinese colleagues. I thought it was funny. I mean really, who thinks to eat rabbit meat and celery together?
When you hear the name of a city or a country, the first thing you’ll probably visualize is its landmarks. These landmarks are not only well-known attractions that are associated with a particular place – but they also help give that location its identity. In today’s quiz, test your memory and ability to recognize each landmark and identify where it is in the world. Good luck!
This week we’ve had the chance to interview Norbert Figueroa of GloboTreks.com. Norbert is a travel lover who offers solid backpacking tips and advice, chronicles his current and past trips, and is saving up for an around the world trip sometime next year.
BT: Firstly Norbert, congratulations on 100 posts and 6 months of GloboTreks.com! What has been the best thing and the worst thing about travel blogging, and where do you see GloboTreks.com in another 6 months' time?
Norbert: Thanks! The best thing has been the ability to connect with other like-minded people that are looking to experience this world through travel and who are looking to grow by opening themselves to other cultures. I strongly believe in this. The worst, well, I won’t call it the worst but instead it was the most challenging. It was learning in such a short time all the technicalities that blogging requires. I came into this knowing nothing about how blogs work, so I challenged myself to learn all the ins and outs and all the important details that would help me build this blog from the ground up.
I see GloboTreks expanding its audience and still delivering the same high-quality budget traveler-oriented content. Would love to have GloboTreks work more like a community where posts serve as platforms for two-way communication. I’m glad the site is starting to deliver that.
BT: You’ve done a fair bit of traveling in the past from Thailand to Germany to Peru, what’s been your favorite country so far, and what made it special for you?
Norbert: Wow, this one is a hard one. I still can’t make up my mind on this one, but I’m debating between Thailand and Peru. Thailand was my dream destination I always wanted to go, but Peru, on the other hand, managed to deliver ten times more than what I was expecting. They both blew me away. Even though they are both completely different, their culture, lifestyle, history, and friendliness made them feel special. They made me feel happy and that I was in the right place.
BT: In addition, you’re also currently saving for another round the world trip in the near future. What country that you haven’t visited previously, is at the top of your list to visit, and why?
Norbert: On top of my list is Indonesia. This is another Southeast Asian dream destination of mine. I like the exotic feel it has and I love its culture, ancient history, and landscapes. I’m dying to go scuba diving in Bali. I know that country will deserve a couple of weeks of my Round the World. Even though I know it will not be the first stop on the itinerary, it will be the one I’ll be looking forward to the most.
BT: We particularly enjoyed reading your posts about your 27th birthday Incan trail adventures, what advice would you give a traveler looking to hike the trail to Machu Picchu?
Norbert: My biggest advice would be to always walk at your own pace and to drink a lot of water. Don’t try to be a hero by showing off or by trying to keep up with faster hikers. Doing that will only burn your muscles, thus making the hike a painful experience. Another piece of advice is to arrive in Cuzco at least a couple of days before starting the hike in order to acclimatize to the high altitude. Believe me, you don’t want shortness of breath and headaches while hiking. Chewing coca leaves, they will help with the altitude sickness symptoms.
BT: You’re an architect by trade, in your opinion what are the top three buildings or structures in the world, and why?
Norbert: Wow, this is a tough one and strongly debated by many architects and artists, but in my opinion, these buildings deserve a spot in the top three:
Jewish Museum in Berlin, by Daniel Libeskind – Visiting the building that houses this museum is an experience in itself. The building delivers a strong message that parallels the effect created by the holocaust expositions.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, by Maya Lin – This memorial says so much with so little. The silence behind these two walls represents the scar the United States got in the Vietnam War.
La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, by Antoni Gaudi – Gaudi challenged the notions of beauty in the late 19th century and still challenges them today with his fluid gothic designs. This cathedral has been under construction since 1882 and is not expected to be finished until 2026.
Why those three? The experience of the user transcends the limits of the physicality of those spaces. They deliver a strong message and they challenge the notions of beauty in a unique way.
BT: You’ve also got a lot of handy tips on your site for travelers and backpackers, including what not to pack and how to travel in a responsible manner, what is the best piece of advice you could give someone who is looking to travel or backpack, perhaps for the first time?
Norbert: For a first-time traveler I would say to keep an open mind to new cultures and to appreciate the new experiences, good or bad. Doing this will make you a happier traveler and it will help you absorb foreign cultures in a better way.
BT: You’re also an active participant in the travel blog community, what are your three favorite travel blogs, and why do you enjoy reading them?
Norbert:
yTravelBlog – I believe this is one of the most inspirational travel blog. Caz and Craig know how to deliver their travel stories, and their ups and downs while on the road, and they also show how travel has helped them grow and become who they are.
Art of Non Conformity – Chris Guillebeau is one of the most influential bloggers. His blog focuses more on challenging authority and building the life you want, rather than his travels (which are also impressive). He has influenced me, and my blog, in a huge way.
Globetrooper’s Blog – Globetrooper is a site that connects solo travelers with other travelers interested in similar journeys and adventures. What I love about their blog is how highly informational it is. It often goes a step further to give you the details behind the how-to’s and the why’s behind their tips.
BT: Lastly, you’ve got some nice photos from your travels on your blog, what are some of your favorite photos, the ones that bring back the best memories and/or inspire you to travel more?
Norbert: Well, the pictures that inspire me to travel more are not the best ones, composition-wise, but those are the ones that remind me of either the happiest moments while on the road or moments of great reflection and growth. These are of me at Machu Picchu in Peru, at the Wolf’s Lair in Poland, and at Wat Chai Watthanaram in Thailand. I cherish those moments and look forward to building a life full of memories like those.
Many thanks to Norbert for his time and we think you’ll agree this is one of the best interviews we’ve had so far.
During the recent holidays, we decided to forgo the New Year parties and spend some time away from the crowds. We packed our bags and set off on a road trip from our home in San Francisco down to Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California.
Joshua Tree National Park is located around 140 miles (225 kilometers) to the east of Los Angeles in the middle of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts. This large range of elevation makes for a varied landscape. The higher cooler Mojave, with its scattered Joshua trees and sporadic boulders, has a unique look and feel to it.
If you are into camping, hiking, and rock climbing, this place is epic. There are hundreds of trails and climbing routes for all levels of experience.
Packing is one of those tasks we both love and loath. We love it ’cause it has a direct relationship with the excitement of an upcoming trip, yet we hate having to ‘tetris’ our clothes and belongings into our backpacks, only to remove and repack at every stop.
Well, loath no more! I recently got to test out Eagle Creek’s packing cubes, and they were a godsend. Here’s why…
I got to test two different versions of their packing cubes. The first was the Eagle Creek ‘Pack-it’ Specter Compression Cube Set (as shown on the left), and the second was the regular Eagle Creek ‘Pack-it’ Specter Set (as shown on the right).
The only real difference between the two was that the compression set contained a medium and large cube, each of which had an additional zipper that allowed the cube to be expanded (see image below). The regular set contained a small, medium, and large cube. The small cube proved to be the perfect size to fit all my toiletries.
One of my pet peeves is having to find specific items at a moment's notice in my backpack, especially when I am away on an extended trip. The huge benefit of packing cubes is segregation. You can separate your underwear in one cube, your t-shirts in the other, and toiletries in another. This makes finding things a whole lot easier and provides a barrier should something spill in your pack.
By rolling your clothes and compressing them in the cube, you end up making more space in your pack. It’s a little like those vacuum-sealed bags (without the vacuuming).
Both types of cubes are made with a very durable, lightweight nylon. You really don’t want any additional weight when packing and I definitely didn’t feel any difference by using the cubes.
Silnylon Ripstop
3 liters to 13.5 liters (expanded)
45 grams to 63 grams
14 x 10 x 4cm to 36 x 25 x 10cm
There are not a lot of areas to go wrong with a product like this but one feature I would like to see changed is the zipper. As you can see in the photo (right), the zipper stops on one side.
This is most certainly not a deal-breaker, but it would be quite a lot easier to load items if the zipper opened the whole way.
While the nylon material used seems strong, I did catch it in the zipper on a couple of occasions which could potentially result in a small tear.
While a little on the expensive side, these packing cubes are quality and worth the investment if you are looking to travel and with a limited lifetime warranty you can’t go wrong.
Grab yours on Amazon
Around the world, people are getting together with family and friends to celebrate the holiday season. While you are probably familiar with Christmas traditions such as Santa Claus giving presents, kissing under the mistletoe, and singing Christmas carols, some countries also have some quirky cultural customs. Here are 10 interesting traditions we found.
The Christmas pudding or plum pudding is a necessity for Brits at Christmas. Families often claim to have their own secret recipes that have been passed down for generations. It is a tradition for each member of the family to stir the pudding and make a wish. Brandy is poured over the pudding and set alight when served.
Santacon is an annual gathering/pub crawl where people dress up as Santa (it has now expanded to other Christmas characters). Started as a theatrical prank in San Francisco back in 1994, it has now grown into a worldwide event with over 350 cities in 50 countries in 2015.
It’s incredible how powerful advertising can be. Back in 1974, Kentucky Fried Chicken (now KFC), ran an extremely popular campaign associating its fried chicken with the Christmas tradition, replacing the unpopular turkey. See, marketing works!
Goats play a big role in Swedish Christmas celebrations from small ornaments to gigantic structures, such as the goats in the city of Gävle that are set up every year in December. Strangely, the big Gävle goat is traditionally vandalized or burnt down each year. Since 1966, the goat has survived until Christmas Day only 13 times.
The Tió de Nadal (meaning “Christmas log”) is a hollow tree trunk with little legs and a face painted on it. Each night, the children give the tió, or log, a little bit to “eat” and cover it with a little blanket so that it won’t be cold at night. On Christmas day, they put the tió into the fireplace and order it to poop, encouraging it by beating it with sticks while singing traditional songs. The Catalans also display a Caganer – a figurine shown to be pooping, appearing in nativity scenes and wearing the traditional Catalan red cap with its trousers down. Statuettes of well-known people pooping are a strong Christmas tradition in Catalonia, dating back to the 18th century – and symbolize fertilization, hope and prosperity for the coming year.
In the Czech Republic, single people who want to find a spouse before the next Christmas celebration stand with their backs to the door and throw a shoe over their shoulders on Christmas day. If the shoe lands with the toe pointing to the door, congratulations – you’re going to get married soon!
The Night of the Radishes (or Noche de Rábanos) is an annual event in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico dedicated to the carving of oversized radishes to create scenes that compete for prizes in various categories. The event has its origins in the colonial period when radishes were introduced by the Spanish. Oaxaca has a long wood carving tradition and farmers began carving radishes into figures as a way to attract customers’ attention at the market in the main square a couple of days before Christmas. In 1897, the city created a formal competition.
In Ukraine, Christmas trees are often decorated with (fake) spider webs to usher in good luck during the coming year. The legend goes that a poverty-stricken family went to bed on Christmas Eve upset because they wouldn’t be able to decorate their tree. The spiders, roaming the home’s walls and floors, heard the cries of the family and took it upon themselves to decorate the tree with their webs. On Christmas Day, the strands turned to gold and silver, changing the family’s fortune forever.
Many years ago in Norway, people believed witches and evil spirits came out on Christmas Eve to play. Needing transport, they would look for brooms to ride on. Not wanting their brooms to be stolen, the local people made sure that the brooms were well hidden. Today Norwegians still hide all brooms in their house before going to bed on Christmas Eve.
In Austro-Bavarian Alpine folklore, Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic figure who, during the Christmas season, punishes children who have misbehaved, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards the well-behaved with gifts. While it’s unclear how the myth of Krampus started, Krampus is one of a number of companions of Saint Nicholas in a number of European regions – it is featured on holiday greeting cards called Krampuskarten and in traditional parades – such as the traditional procession in Hallein, Salzburg, you can find young men dressed as this scary creature.
