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?
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.
This week we had the pleasure of interviewing Arun Bhat, a freelance travel writer, awesome photographer, and owner of the Indian Travel Blog: PaintedStork.com
India is an increasingly popular tourist destination that is very diverse and chaotic. We ask Arun questions about traveling in India; highlights, culture, and destinations, and Arun offers us some great advice on taking great travel photos.
BT: If a travel lover wanted to spend a week in India, what places should they visit, what food should they try, and what things must they experience?
Arun: This is a difficult question to answer, knowing that India is too large to cover in one week. I would recommend different plans depending on whether it is your first visit to India or not.
If this is your first India experience, it is perhaps best to stick to the time-tested path that gives a good beginning to what India can be. Arrive in Delhi and spend a day in a good hotel to get accustomed to being in a new place. Take the well-known itinerary that they now call ‘Golden Triangle,’ which covers the Taj Mahal at Agra, forts, palaces in Jaipur, and important sights within Delhi. This will take just about a week to give you an idea of what India is.
If this is not your first visit to India, I would recommend sticking to one area and spending most of your time there. Choose the location depending on your interest. If you want to have a good time walking along the beaches and visiting spas, head to Kerala. If high mountains and some difficult treks are in your mind, go to Ladakh or Sikkim. If you want to see a glimpse of India’s history, visit Karnataka (Hampi, Badami, and Belur). Go to North-East to see some exotic wildlife. India always offers something interesting for every kind of traveler.
First-time travelers often tend to get overwhelmed by the chaos that India is. Know that you are usually safe in most places and let the chaos sink into you. It is a matter of a few days before you feel at home in the country.
BT: Your home city is Bangalore, what makes it a special city to live in and explore?
Arun: Bangalore offers the unique advantage of being situated exactly between two coastlines with both sides easily accessible for a weekend getaway. The city also has quick access to beautiful hilly regions and to some unique historical sites. This means you are never too far from all the good things in life. Even if you get out of the city every weekend (see weekend getaways from Bangalore), it would take you a few years to visit all the places worth going to. The city itself is known for its pleasant weather with nearly uniform temperatures throughout the year. For some reason, weather gods always ensure that just when it is about to get too hot, too cold, or too damp, a quick change in weather comes along and everything is back to normal.
Another good thing about Bangalore is that it has a large number of people who like to get out, explore new places, try to learn new things, and lead an active life. If you are one of those people who prefer to do things in the company of people, you will never be short of them.
BT: What is it like being a freelance travel writer? What are the best things, and what are the worst?
Arun: Let’s have the best things first. When you start writing about your journeys, you start seeing improvements in the way you travel. Because you know that you have to tell new stories to the world, you stay alert and look for interesting things. You go in search of something new that a few people would have seen. You research well before you go; you make sure that you talk to locals to gather all interesting information. Over time, you start seeing that each time you get out, you experience a lot more, see and do much more than a normal traveler would. Travel writers always ensure that they get the best out of their journeys.
The other good thing about being a travel writer is more obvious – you get many opportunities to travel. First, you create an opportunity by not being in a regular job and keeping yourself available to travel all the time. Second, you may often get invited to visit new places and to try new things.
Coming to the downside, the first thing is that there isn’t much money in it. Writing doesn’t necessarily pay well. It is a lot of hard work to ensure that you always have some stories to sell. Perhaps very few people manage to make a living by freelance writing alone; it is a different thing if you are employed by a publication. This would mean you may be doing other things besides freelance writing to make ends meet. Fortunately for me, my other source of income comes from photography, which complements my writing and lets me travel more. Another problem for travel writers is the burden of travel itself. Anything done too much really gets monotonous. But one learns quickly and creates a balance between traveling and staying home. In the first year of my plunge into travel writing, I traveled a lot and enjoyed every moment of it. Now I prefer to be out for no more than 60 to 90 days in a year. This ensures that the excitement of travel never weens off. Otherwise, it can become just like any other job.
BT: We’re a big fan of your photography, what is one tip you could give travel lovers, so they take better photos?
Arun: Thank you. I would begin by telling travelers not to worry about photography. In a rush to capture the most beautiful sunset you would ever see in life, you will realize that you missed the experience while you were busy struggling through the viewfinder. Linger in the experiences first and only then take your camera out. If you give sufficient attention to your subjects first, you will automatically end up with good images.
For those who want to take photography seriously, do remember that one needs to get a better understanding of what's involved in taking a picture to be able to control how an image comes out. There is plenty of material on the internet, including my blog. Get to know the basic theories of photography before handling the camera. Do a lot of reading first and then get out often and practice with your camera. The more you shoot and more you seriously review your image, the better photographer you are likely to become.
BT: You have over 1200 travel photos on your site, most of which are available for purchase, what are your five favorite photos, and why do you consider them to be your favorite?
Arun: It would be very hard for me to point at a few images and call them my favorites. But let me try to pick a few anyway.
My attempts to capture the beautiful monuments in the small town of Orchha in Central India was a very satisfying experience. I spent nearly five days walking all around the town looking for good angles, viewpoints, and compositions. The weather gods helped me here by creating varied conditions (fog, rain, and clear blue sky!) during those five days. This meant I could capture some very different images and unique compositions that I don’t recall seeing from this much-photographed location.
Another photography session that really had me excited was shooting backstage and the performances at a cultural event. Kathakali is a traditional performing art where artists spend almost half a day getting ready for the show. I shot a series of images of various stages of putting on makeup and costumes. I think I like the backstage images much more than the ones from the performance itself.
The other area where I have felt some success is in photographing landscapes. I often work hard to make a vista prettier than how it may appear to normal eyes and have met with mixed success in it. The image of “strings of water” from a small waterfall near my city, and the photograph of winter fog near the city are something that may appear very ordinary unless you look hard to see the beauty in them. It is always satisfying when your photographs tell a story that bare eyes can easily miss.
BT: India is becoming an increasingly popular destination for foreign tourists, what advice could you give us while traveling, so that we show proper respect to the people of India and their culture?
Arun: Indians are mostly friendly and welcoming and do not have stringent cultural etiquette. You can be yourself most of the time, especially in daily interaction with people. You are usually not even required to get your “please” and “thank you” right, and it doesn’t matter what cutlery you use on the dining table. But it is easy to upset people in a religious setting if you don’t follow some set of rules. Since India is a culturally diverse country, it is impossible to formulate one set of rules that applies across the country. Talk to people and be aware of local customs before you enter a religious place. Other things that are not culturally accepted are – public display of affection and any degree of nudity.
BT: India is such a diverse country, from the mountains of Ladahk, to the beaches and forests of Goa, what advice would you give a seasoned traveler, so that they could see and experience all that India has to offer?
Arun: I would recommend not to become greedy! It is only natural that you would want to see everything you can in one visit. But you would get the best of India only if you give it plenty of time, decide to spend time in fewer locations, and explore those places well. Don’t take it for granted that you will be making that one visit in a lifetime, and you better see everything you can. India beckons many serious travelers so often and so strongly that you will never really keep away for long!
I would like to sincerely thank Arun for his time and for giving us permission to display his beautiful photos on Backpacker Travel. Check out Arun’s Indian Travel Blog – PaintedStork.com
After the success of our interview with Scott MacKinnon we have decided to have a good old chat with our new backpacking friends Jason and Aracely from 2Backpackers.com. Jason and Aracely have been traveling through central and southern America for the last eleven months and today we get a small insight into their experiences.
These guys have managed to successfully travel through some very interesting situations and somehow, (with a little luck on their side) come out the other end as an incredibly fun, strong couple.
BT: So how did you guys meet?
2 Backpackers: Aracely and I met in 2006 while working together for Mercedes-Benz USA in northern New Jersey, however, we didn’t actually meet at work. A mutual friend/colleague held his Birthday party at a bar in Hoboken, NJ and we were both invited. I thought I was too drunk to make a good impression, but apparently, things went okay.
We both continued to ask our friends to bring the other along and eventually we began dating. We didn’t work in the same department, unfortunately, it wasn’t that racy.
BT: Tell us a little about your former lives before traveling.
2 Backpackers: We both worked for fortune 500 companies in New York City. Aracely had landed an excellent job with American Express 2 years prior to our departure. I had worked for 6 years at Mercedes-Benz until I departed in 2008 for a career leap with Mercer. We lived together in the socially active town of Hoboken, NJ for 4 great years.
My job was a 15-minute walk from our apartment and Aracely’s was a subway ride across the Hudson River to the World Financial Center in lower Manhattan. We would both agree that life was pretty darn good.
BT: Where does the expedition take you from here and how much longer do you intend on traveling?
2 Backpackers: We are coming to the end of our year-long journey through Central and South America. Currently, I am studying Spanish before returning to the States. I figure after a year of traveling in Latin America it would be good to know the language before I return home. Obviously, Aracely has handled all the communications during our travels.
Aracely is originally from Ecuador. This trip began as a one-time adventure, escaping our known lives and the everyday cubicle life. It’s now turned into something different; to figure out how to continue traveling the world.
BT: Surely you have had to face some adversities while traveling. Has there been a time when you thought you would pack it in?
2 Backpackers: Luck. We always tell people we have been lucky to have had nothing terrible happen to us during 11 months of traveling. This luck has meant we never had the feeling of packing it in. I am sure that emotion would have risen if we got robbed or mugged.
Often, traveling becomes tiring. The worst part of traveling is traveling. We want to see the world, but it’s sometimes annoying moving from hostel to hostel, riding on buses all day or night and never settling down. This was apparent to us early in our trip and we then decided to slow down and remove Sout East Asia from the list.
Slowing down and staying longer in places helped us relax and enjoy our surroundings and the culture more. If we hadn’t made this change, I think we would have been ready to go home by now.
BT: To most of us a relationship is hard enough with the space we have. Do you have any suggestions for couples looking to jet off on an expedition of a lifetime?
2 Backpackers: This is a tough one for us to answer because honestly, we have always enjoyed each other’s company. We never had challenges at home and thankfully we have never had relationship challenges on the road. I could advise couples to give each other space on the road, maybe explore a city alone one day, or take a 1-week excursion separately during your long-term travels. This is what most would suggest, but we haven’t done that once. Believe it or not, we spend every day together.
I think it's most important that couples communicate their interests, desires, and budgets if they are going to travel together long-term. If one person likes to spend their money on expensive dinners and the other prefers cheap street food it will be a problem. If you don’t figure this out before you launch into a foreign country it could get nasty. Money can affect your relationship the most, just as it does at home. Make sure you both are okay with your accommodation styles, eating habits, and adventure desires.
BT: Your journey has seen you traverse through Central and South America so far, what has been the highlight of the trip to date?
2 Backpackers: The highlight was trekking for 9 days through Torres del Paine in Patagonia Chile. The natural landscapes of glaciers, mountain peaks, and lakes appeal most to us. We also loved the challenge of the trek and admit it was not comfortable nor easy.
BT: Your travel blog looks fantastic and it seems you have quite the following now. What brought you to start the blog?
2 Backpackers: The blog idea started during our research of the trip. Impressed with so many backpacker blogs, we were inspired to try to do the same, but with a focus on HD Travel Videos. From the beginning, we believed we could create a travel story that reached beyond our family and friends. Through networking with other travel bloggers, learning what followers desire and communicating heavily on Facebook our blog has grown to become an integral part of our travel.
BT: How much time do you have to spend on it to keep it ticking over and does it pay the bills?
2 Backpackers: A successful blog takes a lot of time to manage, something that can be very challenging on the road. On average, we probably spend 2 hours a day keeping up with Twitter, Facebook, and our Website. Our website traffic dies down when we are on multi-day hikes unable to communicate with our followers. And high traffic is what leads to money.
Balancing travel and the blog is challenging. We have given this trip a higher priority than our blog, but that’s because we budgeted for the trip. In the future, we need to make money with the Two Backpackers brand in order to continue traveling. That means the blog becomes just as important; it becomes our job. It’s not a bad job either as long as it pays the bills. Currently, we make enough money for a few nice dinners in South America, and that’s it.
Blogging is a long-term investment with distant rewards. Aracely and I both know that it will take us several years to make this blog pay for our travels.
BT: Like we say “A picture tells a thousand words!”. Your photography is very professional. Firstly how important do you think your photos have been to the blog’s success and secondly what sort of camera do you use?
2 Backpackers: We are flattered! We are far from professionals, which should inspire many of you out there that enjoy taking pictures. Our camera is an entry-level SLR, Canon Rebel XSI and we also carry a small point-and-shoot camera. The SLR is now broken, along with my MacBook Pro laptop. Our Canon HD camcorder is also on the verge of dying. Sand, water, and just some banging around have destroyed these fragile electronics. I mention this because it’s something to consider when spending a lot of money on gadgets.
Our daily Travel Photos of the Day have become an integral part of our website’s success. People are visual and what better way to show the world than through photos and videos. We weren’t able to deliver on the video like we originally intended, due to the lack of strong bandwidth in Latin America. There are 100 hours of video we need to edit and upload after we return home. It should keep us busy for a while.
BT: Can you leave us with one travel tip that has helped you along the way?
2 Backpackers: Be flexible. Travel, especially budget travel like backpacking can have its challenges. We booked hostels that were full when we showed up after midnight. Our Machu Picchu trek was canceled after devastating floods destroyed the area. Our time on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica and Panama was plagued with rain. We have stayed in areas well beyond our scheduled plans because we met great people. Give yourself time to explore places you didn’t have on your itinerary, enjoy new friends and wait for the clouds clear. Be flexible!
You can read all about Jason and Aracely’s adventure through their website 2Backpackers.
Today we chat with Scott MacKinnon about his incredible journey and that list that has now become famous. Backpacker Travel discovered Scott through his Facebook group Myxtraordinary and has been following his plight now for some months.
We would like to thank Scott for his contributions to our website and wish him all the best in the remainder of his travels.
BT: Ok so the obvious question we want to know is what made you come up with “The List”?
Scott: The list. Well, while I was bartending in Maui, I had the good fortune of meeting people from all over the world. It seemed that every few weeks I would meet someone new and they would paint the most beautiful picture of their country. I would spend the next few days telling anyone who would listen that I was packing up and moving to wherever they had mentioned. Eventually, I would forget about my plans and go back to my everyday life. Finally, after looking back on all my missed travel plans, I decided to take one year and devote it to traveling to all the places I’ve always wanted to go.
While I was making my list of places it dawned on me that not only were there many destinations I had neglected to follow through on but there were also numerous goals of mine that had fallen through the cracks. At that point, I knew the trip had to take on a more meaningful journey, and thus the list was created.
BT: What went into the selection process for the list? Did you struggle to find enough things to do or was it a matter of having to cull?
Scott: The selection process took a long time. Almost two years actually. After posting about 35/40 goals it was a real struggle to think back over all the years and recollect all of the things I wanted to do. At that point, I began actively searching out new ideas on the internet and through conversations with others. Basically, only the first three-quarters of the list is made up of things that I had always dreamed of accomplishing or attempting. I’m fully aware that some of the items on the list would take years to see through to completion, but just dedicating a small amount of time to them has been very rewarding. The second part of the list is comprised of newly discovered things that seem like amazing experiences/opportunities to me.
BT: Had you done much traveling prior to this epic trip? If so where to?
Scott: I hadn’t done much at all actually. Prior to moving to Hawaii, I had only flown on one plane, from Ottawa to Toronto. I had done some traveling within Ontario/Quebec and along the East Coast of the USA, but mostly for family vacations during my childhood. My first real trip came directly after Maui when I went to Panama for a five-week beach and surfing getaway.
BT: In your everyday life what do you do for a living? Did you have to leave your job or are you on extended leave?
Scott: I was a bartending beforehand, but quit my job to travel. When I finish things up, the sky is the limit.
BT: How long did you have to save up for the trip and have you had to set a tight budget?
Scott: I saved for about three years to do this. I did have a fixed budget going in, but have relaxed it a bit as time went on. I found it very difficult to concentrate purely on the love of travel and just being in the moment when I was concerned about my wallet. I was fortunate enough to have saved enough to just let things slide a bit.
BT: One of the items that always gives us a chuckle is you posing nude for an art class. Were you embarrassed and the obvious question – was it cold?
Scott: Haha. Nah, it was actually an honor to be in that situation. I know that sounds corny, but it was empowering to “de-robe” and “let it all hang out”. The owner couldn’t have been more helpful and THANKFULLY there was a heater on me the whole time
BT: Now you have recently completed the task to run with the bulls in Spain. Did it live up to your expectations? Were you shitting your pants?
Scott: I don’t know that it lived up to my expectations exactly. It was all over so quickly. The run lasted just two minutes 14 secs, although it seemed more like ten. You really had no time to let it sink it. You just ran like your life depended on it and it actually kind of did. The feeling that came over you when you entered the stadium afterward was the best part, but it also had its drawbacks. They let three smaller bulls out that run around charging and bashing into everyone and that was a little sad. You’re not supposed to touch the bulls, but people were grabbing them by the horns and smacking them as they ran by. It’s a shame that a few bad apples can give tourists such a bad name. All in all, though, it was pretty crazy.
BT: So is there anything that really stands out as most memorable so far?
Scott: There have been a few things. My Thai Boxing training in Thailand and my time with Pawan Kumar in India have been so special to me. They are two periods of time where I felt I really got a glimpse into someone else’s life.
BT: Do you have any suggestions for anyone reading this who might be considering a similar expedition?
Scott: Take it all in and don’t be put off by “failed attempts”. The goals are far more important than checks on a list, they provide you with so much more. The people, the places, and the memories will last forever. Always remember that.
BT: Finally, do you think that by completing this so-called “bucket list” so early in your life you might feel a little unmotivated when you return to normality?
Scott: If anything it's just the opposite. I feel that if I can get through this and accomplish what I started, it will go a long way in proving to myself that I can be a man of my convictions. Whether running around the globe, teaching in a classroom, or starting your own business; it’s all part of a bigger process in shaping who we are. I consider what I’m doing to be completely normal, I just might have a different set of priorities than others right now. When those priorities change, so will I, but as long as I’m doing what makes ME happy, I don’t think it's possible to be unmotivated.
If you would like to follow Scott's adventures you can check out his blog 1 Year 1 Life 1 List.
After returning, Scott has since written a book about his adventure called Flip Flop. You can pick up a copy on Amazon.com.
