Grant Snider, the creator of Incidental Comics, has long displayed this imaginative, somewhat surreal approach to life in his work, which captures both its burdens and its moments of lightness. Now we can all see the world from Grant’s perspective through his first book, The Shape of Ideas.

>>>> Read our review of The Shape of Ideas here.

Grant has been kind enough to share a dash of his philosophy exclusively with 203challenges.com:

Grant Sinder| Photo by Mark Woolcott Photography

Who is Grant Snider and what are his dreams?

I’m a 31-year-old cartoonist, author, and orthodontist. My biggest accomplishments are my three children and my first book, The Shape of Ideas. My dream is to continue pursuing new ideas for the rest of my creative life.

I started Incidental Comics… when I had no idea how to make comics! My artistic abilities have grown and changed with me. It seems like a different person was responsible for my earliest work.

The first of my drawings that I remember… were detailed and imaginative worlds of dinosaurs, aliens, and dragons. I drew in crayon, marker, and pencil on old computer paper – early ’90s computer paper was the best.

Photo courtesy of www.incidentalcomics.com

When I started drawing, I couldn’t even imagine that… it would remain such an integral part of my life. Then again, I could never imagine giving it up.

I consider myself… a failed perfectionist. I keep trying to make something perfect, but I’m always coming up short. This dissatisfaction drives me to continually make new things.

I would never… try to draw while riding a bicycle. Too many things could go wrong.

I would always… bring a pen and sketchbook with me. I might need it at any time.

The creative process is… beautiful, mysterious, frustrating. A locked room where the key is hidden in your mind.

Photo courtesy of www.incidentalcomics.com

Ideas are born… at inopportune times. You have to be ready to catch them.

Asking questions is… something we should all keep doing, even when we know there’s no answer.

My favorite place in the world is… on a blanket under a tree in my backyard, on a spring afternoon when everything is in blossom and the mosquitoes haven’t started biting.

I never travel without… a backpack full of more books than I could possibly read during one trip.

Challenges in life are… a good source of artistic inspiration and wisdom – but only after the fact.

One challenge for anyone who is reading this: Go for a long walk with a pen and a notebook. Don’t take your phone. Don’t take your dog. Find something outside of you or within you to write or draw about. Repeat until it becomes necessary.

Photo courtesy of www.grantsnider.com

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Joseph De La Cruz and Simon Vandekerckhove met on the road in South America and their paths intertwined in such an intriguing way, that they can now present their perspective of the inward and outward scope of their experiences in their book, “Paths to Pachamama”.

The indigenous people of the Andes revere Pachamama, or ‘Earth Mother’, as the goddess who carries the power to create and sustain life on the planet. Written independently, these are two stories of self-discovery proving no matter our unique journeys, we all travel the same spiritual path. A tale suitable for any traveler on the adventure known as life, in “Paths to Pachamama” you’ll understand there’s more to this world if you’re willing to look hard enough.

We contacted Simon and Joey to ask them more about their story, plans, and dreams.

– Who are Simon and Joey and what are their dreams?

– Joey grew up in Boulder, Colorado, a graduate of a K-12 bilingual Spanish education program and the University of Colorado, Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Italian. After the passing of his mother, he was forced on the road to discover the meaning of life and death. Through his travels he has opened himself up to the universal consciousness that drives our existence, and ever since he has sought to continue his personal evolution by learning to tap into this vast source of powerful energy and endless wisdom available to us all.

Simon from Bruges, Belgium, is a historian and avid traveler who spent a few years abroad studying in Spain, teaching in Thailand, working around Australia and backpacking through South America. Throughout his journeys, the symbolism and coincidences he’s experienced have also widened his perspective to the spiritual dimensions of reality.

For both of us, travel has been a way to get to know ourselves beyond the surface illusion of our physical world, and we both dream that by combining our stories and insights, we can make more people aware of the powerful spiritual force that resides within us all and discover together how we can use it to our advantage.

– How did two independent journeys through South America intertwine and make you a team?

– Fate. We met at a very energetically charged location, Iguazu Falls, and after a short bus ride and a few conversations we got a glimpse of what we could learn from each other. Each independent journey would have been incomplete had it not been for the experiences and input we shared from a distinct, yet complementary perspective of the other. In short, we needed each other to further concepts and ideas we were both discovering on our own after we both had encountered meaningful experiences during our travels. After our meeting we realized that by combining our stories and insights, we were able to gather a much greater understanding of the enigma that is life, which we would not have attained individually.

– How has the concept of Pachamama changed the way you see the world?

– Looking at the world through the lens of Pachamama has removed our sense of physical boundary to some extent and lifted barriers which have blinded us to a greater truth, that everything in this universe is conscious vibrating energy and that we, as energetic beings, have the ability to direct this field of endless opportunity. Pachamama has taught us that we can steer our life experience with our directed conscious intent and take greater control over our lives. Thanks to Pachamama, we have also become much more aware of the signs that are put in front of us to guide us along our journey through life. She has become the fundamental filter through which we see the world.

– What’s the connection between traveling and spirituality?

– There is a fundamental connection between traveling and spirituality. While traveling we are presented with the rare opportunity to be ourselves. Our authentic disposition, our real personalities hidden underneath the costume of everyday life, are given the chance to come out. We are no longer a doctor, a policeman, or a teacher. Our identity becomes fluid, and we simply become a traveler. Without the weight of these labels holding us back, we get the chance to see ourselves in a new light. For a brief moment, we are no longer defined by what we do. What matters most is who we are and who we have always been. In this more elemental state of being, we can look beyond the countless separations and boundaries we usually impose on one another. We can understand that people everywhere are not all that different from one another and that deep down we all share the same hopes and desires. And isn’t that what spirituality is all about?

– Your book is called “Paths to Pachamama”. So there’s more than one path?

– Yes, each and every one of us travels our own personal path towards the highest evolution of our spirit. We all have different lessons and challenges we must face in this life and different ways by which we must overcome them. There is no one path, there is only your path. We must each honor our individual journeys, while at the same time we need to respect the path and personal choices of another.

– Was there one powerful experience during your journey that was a turning point and made you reconsider your lives?

Joey: That moment came to me in the first month of my year long journey. I was sitting utterly alone on a beach in Colombia with nothing but the open road ahead of me. From this place I could see for the first time that I had the choice to bring my past with me on the road, or drop everything I knew and leave it in the sand behind me. I could see that I had an opportunity to completely rewrite my identity, to live free from the layers and constraints of a predetermined identity imposed upon me by friends, family and society back home telling me who and what I should be. Sitting on that beach in solitude, I gifted myself the opportunity to redefine who I was, what I was capable of and who I wanted to become. It was there I began to reconsider every aspect of my life, and it’s never been the same since.

Simon: For me that moment happened in Cadiz. I was out with a friend during carnival, and a tragic accident took the life of my friend that night. I won’t say anything more, other than the fact that the events that took place on that night changed everything for me and have become the bedrock of my spiritual belief. It is all described in the first chapter of the book.

– Your journey to South America has inspired you to be the change you want to see in the world. What are some specific changes everyone can make to make the world a better and more balanced place?

– Redefine your identity. Realize that you are not merely a physical body, but an eternal spark of conscious light vibrating in a void of potential energy over which you have a high degree of creative control. In order to come to this understanding, first you must recognize that an intelligent universal consciousness exists. That is the first step. The second step is recognizing and feeling that we are in constant communication with this universal consciousness, through a personal spiritual connection within an infinite field of opportunity. The final step is to engage in mutual conversation with this energetic source, and send it our desires and intentions with focus and determination so we can allow them to be received, processed, and sent back to us.

An important tool to use in this creative process is your breath. Take the time to focus on it every now and then and learn to control it. By taking control of your breath, you take control of your life.

– What’s the one thing you never travel without?

Joey: My backpack. When traveling my backpack becomes my home. I bring only what’s essential and leave the rest behind and embrace the freedom it provides me as I explore the intriguing paths of life.

Simon: Honestly, every time I travel I tend to take less with me than the last time, as each trip I realize that I really don’t need all that much. So my question is: is there anything that you really cannot travel without, other than your eyes, limbs and sense of wonder?

– What is your next big challenge?

– Writing a book is challenging, but it’s a much greater challenge to have people read it, and an even greater one to get people to the point where they will actually change some of their ways as a result of it. We believe firmly in the ideas presented in the book and are convinced that it can help many people move their lives forward with greater purpose and understanding. Therefore, the next big challenge is to achieve a certain degree of practical implementation of the spiritual constitution and other ideas presented in the book with regard to how we deal with relationships, commerce, money, media, or politics. This will not be easy, but we are hopeful. Thanks to the digital revolution and the technological advancements it is bringing, such as online currencies and green energy, the way we interact with each other and our environment will fundamentally change, and this development will inevitably accelerate the evolution of our spirit.

– Share something inspiring with everyone reading this!

– You are a traveler of many worlds, but ultimately it’s the spiritual journey within that matters the most and will take you the furthest.

***

Paths to Pachamama is available on Amazon:

All images: courtesy of Joseph De La Cruz and Simon Vandekerckhove/Paths to Pachamama

>>> Discover more travel books and interviews with travel writers.

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But first things first. Let’s start with John.

– Who is John Meadows, and what are his dreams?

– The last time I was asked about ‘my dreams’, I was at Primary School in the 1950s. I remember writing down two ambitions:

1. One was to travel the world; which I have achieved several times, having been to over 100 countries (so far!)

2. The other was that I would like to play for England at ‘some’ sport. I have also achieved this, having played in a University Rugby League International for England against France in the 1970s.

I am a retired art teacher who was bitten by the travel bug at an early age: I think it was listening to my Dad’s stories of his time in the Royal Navy in the 1940s when he was stationed in India and Ceylon. I am a graduate of Leeds University, I qualified as a teacher at Reading University and I have a Master’s Degree from Manchester University. I have been married to Norma for 44 years, after meeting in 1967 at the age of 18. 1967 isn’t known as ‘The Summer of Love’ for nothing! Sgt Pepper, Flower Power, Whiter Shade of Pale, Jimi Hendrix etc… the best era to be a teenager. At my age I am lucky enough to have achieved most of my dreams, but there’s always room for more. My love of travel, art, cinema, theatre, music and sport has kept me active, and hopefully young at heart, and my dream is to maintain a high level of fitness and health; physically and mentally. I enjoy singing and playing guitar.

Since retiring at the age of 60, I have had three books published:

“You Did Say Have Another Sausage?”… “Ten Camels for My Wife”… “Sir, Where’s ’ Toilet?”

They are collections of anecdotal, light-hearted true stories, mainly to do with travel, but also many other adventures. I hope to continue with further adventures. Also, I work as a professional artist and I have had my work displayed in major exhibitions. I receive many commissions, including sports clubs. I have continued to travel extensively, and my wife and I hiked the Inca Trail in Peru up to Machu Picchu, a few years ago. We sold our house at the end of 2016 and down-sized drastically; to a motorhome. We now divide our time between our apartment in Spain and touring the UK and Europe for the next couple of years. We will be setting off from Spain in April to tour Scotland and Ireland.

Ugly faces at Angkor Wat

– Can you tell us a story that is a living example of you on the road?

– In the 1970s, Norma and I resigned from our jobs, sold our worldly possessions and set off to travel round the world: The Magic Bus to Kathmandu through Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Kashmir. Then on to the Far East, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific and South America. All the stories from this trip are told in my second book, ‘Ten Camels for My Wife’.

Many of our fellow travellers became good friends. There was a broad demograph of personalities and ages. Many were Australian or New Zealanders returning home after spending time in Europe for a variety of reasons. We met doctors, nurses, teachers, insurance executives, and some hippies.

Being an artist, I always carried basic drawing and painting materials, and this aspect of my travels has led to some interesting encounters on the road…

In Jerusalem, we had arranged to meet some of our friends at a well-known restaurant called ‘Uncle Moustaches’, just inside Herod’s Gate. It was late afternoon and the restaurant was already quite full.

“We have ordered a traditional Israeli dish of chicken, rice and soup for all of us,” said Barry greeting us cheerfully, “It’s called ‘falafel’.”

The restaurant was plainly furnished and generated a friendly atmosphere. We noticed that the walls were covered with numerous drawings, many of them cartoons of figures which we recognised as members of staff. Notably amongst them were images of a gregarious character proudly sporting an outrageous moustache, obviously the eponymous Uncle Moustache himself. Without warning, Colin went over to a waiter and arranged for a piece of paper and pen to be delivered to our table as he volunteered me to do a drawing. The waiter duly obliged and immediately adopted a pose as if it was second nature or part of his job. I accepted the challenge and after a few minutes a small crowd of diners from other tables came over to watch. Just as I finished the drawing to a gratefully-received small ripple of applause, a large jovial gentleman, dressed in an all-white chef’s uniform together with a cartoon-like hat, came over. The moustache was a give-away. It was large, black and luxuriant, fashioned in a handle-bar style which would have been the envy of any World War II R.A.F. pilot. It curled up slightly at the ends and, together with his dark, twinkling eyes, gave the impression that Uncle Moustache wore a permanent smile. He cleared a space on our white table cloth by moving our dishes to one side with a sweep of his arm. He handed me a large black felt-tipped pen and then stood back proudly with his chest out, legs apart and hands on hips; the kind of stance Henry VIII favoured when posing for Hans Holbein. He grinned warmly and gestured with both hands towards his face and then pointed at the white table cloth. I regarded it as a great compliment that the owner of the restaurant should request a total stranger to draw on his table cloth. The crowd of onlookers remained in place and were joined by some of the waiters as I sat looking apprehensively at the daunting virgin canvas in front of me.

“Make it a good one,” whispered Norma encouragingly. No pressure there. Fortunately, my drawing started to turn out well, and after about five minutes, drinks for our party were delivered to our table. Being on a tight budget we protested that we hadn’t ordered further drinks only to be reassured that they were on the house.

“Stretch it out as long as you can,” whispered Colin mischievously as he took a sip of beer.

Uncle Moustache appeared delighted with the finished portrait and he insisted that I sign and date it, which I was happy to do. He then cut out the centre of the table cloth and pinned it up on his wall. I felt relieved that I had passed my test and as we sat down at our table further plates of food were served. Again, on the house.

“From now until Kathmandu,” announced Barry raising his glass “I am going with you to every restaurant. I will save a fortune!”

Portrait drawn by me of a local trader on the road.

– What is the one thing that you never travel without and why?

– That’s easy: My wife Norma, she keeps me on the straight and narrow. After 50 years and over 100 countries together it would be like travelling without a shadow.

Seriously: books, portable art materials and music.

– What is your recipe for keeping it light when you encounter difficulties on the road?

– Humour and a friendly demeanour often works wonders. For example, I organised a tour to Russia and I had to leave my group in Red Square to go to a nearby office for some documentation. When I returned, a barrier had been erected and was manned by two armed soldiers. I tried to explain that the rest of my party were inside the square waiting to visit Lenin’s tomb and the Kremlin. They weren’t prepared to budge, and that’s when I found out that everything in Russian ends in ‘off’.

An American approached me and asked if he could be of assistance. He was accompanied by his Finnish girlfriend, who spoke Russian. So I explained my predicament to him in English; he related it to his girlfriend in Finnish and she spoke to the soldiers in Russian. As the conversation passed back and forth along the line, a small crowd gathered. Two painters on scaffolding even put down their brushes to watch the drama unfolding below. This seemed to go on for ages, as I kept looking frantically at my watch. One particularly long question from the Russians seemed to take even longer in Finnish and then in English. I couldn’t resist; I asked, ‘Could you repeat the question please?’ The American laughed, then his Finnish girlfriend and then sections of the gathered crowd. The Russians kept a straight face, then smiled and raised the barrier. I even received a slight ripple of applause and a thumbs-up from the painters. Thank God for humour.

Alms giving in Laos.

– How has travelling changed for the last several decades?

– There are two distinct sides to this coin:

In one respect, the world has ‘shrunk’ and long-haul travel is much more accessible to many more people. On the other hand, the increase in terrorism, and unstable flashpoints in various parts of the world means that many countries are virtually impossible to visit.

Great advancement in the airline industry means that it is now commonplace for travellers to go on holidays to countries like Australia, New Zealand, America, China, South Africa. Similarly, with cruises: it is no longer exclusive for the rich and privileged elite as it was in the 1950s and 60s. Nowadays, it is perhaps the fastest-growing holiday sector which enables millions to visit far-flung exotic destinations.

However, the world for more adventurous travellers tends to be closing-up: For example, the ‘Arab Spring’ and subsequent terrorist attacks has resulted in tourism to countries such as Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt being severely affected and consequently decimating the economy. When I travelled overland by bus to Kathmandu, the countries I mentioned in Q2 were beautiful, friendly and rich in cultural heritage. Sadly, this trip would be impossible today.

This brings me neatly to another major change: Technology.

When we were on the road there was no such thing as email, facebook, mobile phones, satnavs, tablets, laptops, twitter, or internet.

Our only line of communication were postcards or air-mail letters. Before we left England, we gave family and friends approximate dates of when we would be in a particular town. It was exciting to go into the main post office of say, Damascus, Baghdad, Kabul or Delhi to see if there were any letters waiting for us. Also, Internet banking was unheard of; it was either cash or travellers’ cheques.

Building the Palace in Mykonos.

– You have travelled to more than a hundred countries. From this point of view, what is a common misconception you see many tourists believe in when they start exploring the world?

– Don’t assume that everyone you encounter speaks English. Avoid the age-old British tradition of speaking in English, and then even louder if you are not understood. Try to learn just a couple of words of the local language, such as ‘please’, ‘thank you’, ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’. It will be welcomed warmly. Since I retired I have learned to speak Spanish, and this has been appreciated many times, not only in Spain but also in Central and South America.

Be friendly and polite if a street trader will not take ‘no’ for an answer. It is their mission in life to sell you something, and after all, they are trying to make a living.

Remember that you are a guest in a foreign country: respect customs, religions and traditions.

If you visit a ‘third world’ country, accept the fact that levels of hygiene, street litter, poverty, sewers, public utilities are not what you will have grown up with.

– What is your next great challenge?

– The only Baltic country I haven’t visited is Lithuania. I am planning to travel by train from the capital Vilnius to Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine. Countries rich in architectural detail, cultural heritage, fairy-tale cobbled city centres, and, I hope, excellent beer.

All photos courtesy of John Meadows.

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Who is Meg and what does she dream of? I am a 29-year-old travel addict, an outdoor adventure enthusiast and adrenaline junkie with an incurable disease called “the travel bug”. I am from Australia and have a degree in both journalism and law. My passion for traveling and writing overtook my desire to sit in a corner office, and instead, I am now a professional travel blogger, my office ranging from villas in the Galapagos Islands, to beaches on the Great Barrier Reef, bungalows overlooking volcanoes in Costa Rica, and everywhere in between!

Pros and cons of solo travelling are… A definite pro of solo travel is the freedom – you can make your own decisions, travel to your own timetable and schedule, and don’t have to compromise or follow anyone else’s rules. It also opens the door to making new friends, as when you’re traveling alone you’re forced to put yourself out there, while having a travel companion may mean there’s no incentive to meet new people along the road. Cons might include not having someone special to share incredible moments with, that it can be scary and intimidating heading out on your own, and you might not be pushed to do things which are outside your comfort zone.

Pros and cons of travelling with my spouse are… The pros and cons of traveling with my spouse are essentially the opposite of the pros and cons of traveling alone! Pros include having that special person to share moments with, it’s often cheaper sharing the costs between two people, as with sharing the planning, and you’re often able to see things from a fresh perspective having a second pair of eyes. On the flip side, you do have to compromise as it’s unlikely you’ll both love everything the other does, and traveling with a partner may mean you don’t feel the need to meet new people and make new friends.

Volunteering abroad taught me… I’ve long since been an advocate that volunteering abroad is one of the best ways to travel – not only are there a large number of placement opportunities which enable volunteers to travel and live overseas for free, but it genuinely does shape you as a person. And it’s not a cliché to say so. It broadens your worldview, it humbles you, and it forces you to put the needs of others before your own.

The one thing travelling and law have in common is… They both facilitate intellectual stimulation. I found that a career in law is one of the most mentally challenging and rewarding pursuits available. But then I found that travel was the same. Thrust into entirely new environments, immersed in entirely new cultures, translating new languages; I found that travel was just as much of an intellectual challenge as law, if not more so.

I never travel without… а spare change of clothes in my carry on – my father is a frequent flier, and taught me this hack on my very first trip in 2003. For 14 years I did this without fail, and the one time I opted to save the space, the airline lost my bag! Not cool wearing your husband’s clothes for 48 hours until they relocate it!

Before setting off I always… change my voicemail to let people know I’m away – I always switch off roaming when I’m overseas so I don’t rack up a crazy phone bill, so if you’re trying to reach me while I’m away, best not try the mobile phone!

The first thing I do when I arrive at a new destination is… hit up the local grocery store – we always book accommodation with kitchen facilities so we can self cater. It saves an incredible chunk of money if you can cook vs eating out for every meal, and is always a fun adventure trying to read food labels in Icelandic!

The strangest thing that ever happened to me on the road was… kissing a Giraffe while in Africa… well, actually she kissed me! We visited the Giraffe Sanctuary while in Kenya, and part of the experience was being able to feed the Giraffes. Pellets were provided and the normal way to go about feeding them was to let them eat from your hand. I, on the other hand, thought it would be fantastically funny to place a pellet in-between my teeth, not realizing that a Giraffe’s tongue is about as big as my face itself! (Slight exaggeration but that’s what it felt like!) I was wiping saliva off my face for what felt like a week!

The trip that changed me… I don’t think I can pinpoint one specific trip which had a transformative effect. I think I have changed as a person from my travel experience overall. Because of traveling I like to think I am a very grounded, well-rounded person, able to accept and listen to all points of view, appreciative of all world cultures. Travel taught me how to survive by myself – taught me to become street smart. It taught me that kindness exists in the world, and that strange cultures should be explored and not judged. It continually teaches me new skills, and has opened my mind to new perspectives on history and politics. Because of travel, I will forever be curious, and forever be intrigued by different cultural norms, and forever have a thirst for world knowledge and new experiences.

The most helpful thing I’ve learned on the road that could be used in everyday life… to be thankful. Thankful for having never gone hungry. Thankful for the comforts of the Western World we generally take for granted. The amazing opportunity to travel through poverty-stricken lands really gives you perspective as to what is truly important in life, and reminds you to be thankful every day for the life you were given.

The place that surprised me the most… Bolivia. It is like no other place on the planet. There are the breathtaking Andes, the daunting altitude, the lush rainforest, the too-small bowler hats worn by the indigenous women, the vast salt flat, the decorated llamas, the pink flamingos, and that famous harrowing mountain bike ride. Bolivia wasn’t even on my radar, though we decided to visit the Amazon here instead of Peru as it was more authentic and cheaper. We spend 2 weeks in the country outside of the Amazon and our hearts were captured by the diverse and perplexing nation.

The place I would come back again and again is… Italy. Because between the culture, the history, the stunning countryside, and the friendly, hospitable nature of the Italian people, who doesn’t love an excuse to eat pizza and gelato every day of the week?

The most friendly people are in… One thing travel will teach you is that friendly people exist all over the world. In every country and culture I have visited, the local people have always been warm and friendly to foreigners.

The most challenging trip I’ve been to… climbing to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro. I’m so proud that I managed to make it to the top and prove everyone wrong, as there were a large number of people who told me I wouldn’t make it. It was one of the most challenging experiences I have faced in my life – the first 6 days of the climb were difficult, but relatively easy in that it was straight walking with a little bit of dangerous rock climbing thrown in there. The final day, the summit climb, was what it came down to for me. We rose at midnight for 6 hours of straight uphill climbing, and when I say uphill I mean at very close to a 90-degree angle kind of uphill. It very was physically draining, and we were suffering from the altitude (19,000 ft above sea level will do that to you!), however, it was more draining mentally. You truly have to push yourself and stay focused and determined to get to the top. You have to keep putting one foot in front of the other when your body is screaming for you to stop. I cried when I finally made it to the top. Collapsed in a heap and couldn’t stop bawling, because it was truly one of the hardest things I’ve worked for in my life, and that overwhelming sense of incredible achievement is something I’ll never forget.

If I have to share something inspiring with you, it would be… It is possible. I started my travel blog with the intention of inspiring others to embark on their own adventure. Everyone has what it takes to travel – you just need to act on it, and you need to truly want to do it.  There’s no point in waiting for an opportunity to arise… MAKE one arise! Otherwise one day you will wake up and there won’ be enough time to do the things you’ve always wanted. So do it now. You would be surprised at how easy it is once you decide to let yourself do it. I think fear is what prevents a lot of people traveling, but once you push past that fear you realize that the possibilities are endless – and to hell with anyone who tells you you can’t achieve something or live your dream!!

One travel challenge for everyone reading this… Do something today that will make tomorrow jealous!

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Who is Aditi and what does she dream of? I am a 29-year-old full-time travel blogger, freelance travel writer, and also a postgraduate student in Asian Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. My biggest dream is to lead a purposeful life. Travel around the world connecting with people. I want to do good things for humanity. Her biggest accomplishment? I come from a small town in India and belong to a fairly conservative family. I have chosen not to follow the usual (the expected one) Indian life, if this is counted as an accomplishment, then I am in.

I think local cuisine is an important part of a trip because… food is the soul of the place. Food speaks so much about the destination – the cultural influences, the history of its people, the origin of the food, etc. For example – Bak Kut Teh, a pork rib soup, is famous in Singapore and Malaysia – this dish used to be the poor man’s food, in older times this soup gave them strength to do physical labour and cost them nothing. Over the time it has become a local delicacy. Similarly, the origin of Biryani in India is so fascinating.

I never travel without… a book.

Before setting off I always… I don’t think I follow any rules as such. I am an disorganised person.

The first thing I do when I arrive at a new destination is… to find a map.

The strangest thing that ever happened to me on the road was… Once when I was travelling solo in Eastern Europe in 2012, I got robbed on a night train from Krakow to Budapest. My DSLR and all the cash was gone, thankfully, they spared my passport and cards.

The trip that changed me… I recently did a bike trip in Arunachal Pradesh, the easternmost state of India. We were on a motorbike for 17 days. We biked through the villages and stayed with indigenous tribes (not homestays but in their homes). It was quite an eye-opener and self-reflective as I got to understand what kind of travelling I enjoy the most and that travelling should not be a pure pleasure but have a meaning.

The most helpful thing I’ve learned on the road that could be used in everyday life… Use of words – Please and Thank You – goes a long way. This I have learnt from my husband –  be more humble towards people and you will receive the same.

The place that surprised me the most… Siem Reap –  in a bad way. I felt overwhelmed by the western influence there. I had a modest and low-key image in my mind.

The place I would come back again and again is… The Himalayas, any part of it. No need to mention why.

The most friendly people are in… Singapore. No doubt about it. Only rarely I come across a grumpy taxi driver, but most of the time people are smiling.

The most challenging trip I’ve been to… the bike trip to Arunachal Pradesh in peak winter, we survived the brave temperatures of -7°C.

When I organize a walking tour, I always… 1. Collect the information and take 2-3 printouts to share it with the group members. 2. Make a WhatsApp group for an effective communication.

If I have to share something inspiring with you, it would be… Travel Inspirations – people travelling in different ways without compromising with their lives. By travelling I don’t mean counting countries but really doing what they like. I have inborn wanderlust. I used to dream of faraway lands when I was young. By the time I reached my early 20s I started travelling on my own money. Now I am in my late 20s, married but have not stopped travelling. So, I guess if you are really passionate about something, nothing should stop you from doing it.

One travel challenge for everyone reading this… eat a local dish today and find out about its origin.

The post Inspiring travel bloggers: Aditi Mittal from The Sailing Bee appeared first on 203Challenges.

If you have already read Alastair Humphrey’s previous book “Microadventures”, now it’s time to grow and plan your first grand adventure. Alastairs’s new book “Grand Adventures” will guide you through the process step by step.

15 years of adventure experience are more than enough to listen carefully to what Alastair says (trip around the world by bike, rowing across the Atlantic Ocean, Iceland adventure – glacier crossing and packrafting with 40 kg packs only, just to mention a few). The book also contains interviews with 100+ great world adventurers who will provide a gentle kick up your backside and show you that anything is possible once you have decided what you want.

Here’s Alastair:

“Consider this: if you saved up £20 a week for a year, you’d have £1000 which is more than enough money to cycle all the way to Japan… Dream Big, Plan Quick, Go Explore.”

This is just an example to show you how easy it could be if you just stop thinking “I don’t have enough money”. It s the same for “I don’t have enough time”, “I don’t want to go alone”…

If this is not enough, here’s what Alastair told us on how to overcome inertia and head for your first grand adventure:

– How would you describe your adventure self in three sentences?

– My adventure self is very different to my real self! My adventure self is curious, bold, willing to dice with failure. It also constantly battles against my lazy, wimpish side that wants to give up, go home, and watch football.

– How does adventure change you?

– It doesn’t change you so much as make you realise who you really are. Your strengths and weaknesses become brutally clear out in the wild when times are tough. And adventures make you realise that you are capable of more than you realise.

– Why is it so easy to dream about adventures and so hard to actually go for them?

– Because the reality is often hard work, repetitive, tedious, uncomfortable, expensive, painful and frightening! Of course, all these things are what makes it worthwhile and sweet in hindsight…

– What is the first step to overvcome inertia in life?

– To acknowledge it. Then to do something about it. That sounds obvious, but it’s actually hard yet crucial. Take the first tiny little step necessary to get yourself in motion. Then tomorrow do the next tiny little thing.

– Is it necessary to be an extraordinary person to complete an adventure?

– No! Very few adventurers I know are extraordiary people! The only thing that separates the adventurers from the dreamers are the steps in the answer above…

– You have included inspiring stories of adventurers of all kinds. Is there a common thing among them?

– See above! I mean it. Beginning. Acknowdleging you are scared, lazy, poor, inexperienced etc., etc., but then getting on and beginning anyway.

– What is the one thing that you never travel without?

– A camera.

– Where is the bench with the best view in the world according to you?

– The back of the Kop at Elland Road…

***

5 things we liked about “Grand Adventures” by Alastair Humpreys

> The definition of Grand Adventure – it is the most life-changing, career-enhancing, personality-forging, fun adventure of your life. Have you recognized yourself in these words?

> The easy to follow step by step guide

> Plenty of ideas for adventures of all kinds (bikes, on foot, rowing, motor, water, climbing…)

> Wise words on adventures by travelers

> Enough inspiration to make you stop and acknowledge you need a change.

The post How to plan a grand adventure – step by step appeared first on 203Challenges.

That’s what Ben Pike told me when I asked him about his upcoming adventure – kayaking across Europe in a double kayak where everyone is welcome! Yes, you read that right; if you are somewhere on the route, you are invited to join.

The plan: Kayak from the coast of Holland to the Black Sea, crossing the whole of Europe by river over about three months. Thanks to the canal system in Europe there exists the unique opportunity to cross the entire continent by river.

When and where: Ben is arriving in Amsterdam on Wednesday, August 16, and he plans to buy a two-person kayak as quickly as possible and head southeast towards Germany. Ben will have a free space in the kayak and he invites anyone who wants to join him for part of the trip.

“It won’t all be beautiful scenery and butterflies, but if you like a challenge, want to push yourself and love storytelling, then get in touch! Also, if anyone lives on route and could offer a shower/a place to stay/or even just wants to come say ‘hey‘, then I’d love to hear from you!” says Ben.

Photo courtesy of Ben Pike

A short background: Ben is not an adventure newbie – his last trip was 17,000 km around India in a tuktuk that Ben turned into one of the world’s first camper-tuktuks… Before that he cycled a tandem bicycle from England to China, picking up anyone who wanted to join along the way. Before that he built a raft to sail from the Caribbean to South America. So… are you ready?

Follow Ben’s trip on his YouTube channel.

The post To cross Europe by kayak, join this epic challenge (even for a mile) appeared first on 203Challenges.

The llama: Enter the no-drama llama zone of the Llama With No Drama project for a pinch of daily inspiration brought to you by an adorable stuffed llama who travels the world. If for some reason, you haven’t felt light and carefree recently, this llama can teach you how. Less drama, more fun. 

The creator: Eylül Savas, 27, is a brand consultant from Turkey based in the USA. “I’ve done a couple of corporate social responsibility projects at the time I was working in Turkey that I’m pretty proud of, but I definitely see the project Llama With No Drama as my biggest accomplishment.”

My biggest dream is… It’s a little cliche but my biggest dream is to see each country before I’m 40, so that I can have enough time to go on a second tour to the ones that I love the most and spend a lot more time. And I really want Llama With No Drama project to turn into some sort of drama-free traveling movement.

It's all about quality of life and finding a happy balance between fun and fun. 🎊 🎉🍾 Llove you all, humans! 💗#llamawithnodrama #joshuatree #noahpurifoy #visitcalifornia #desert •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #huffpostgram #bbctravel #passionpassport #forbestravelguide #tasteintravel #cntraveler #livetravelchannel #traveldeeper #bestvacations #wonderful_places #travelgram #travel #worldplaces #welivetoexplore #traveler #mytravelgram #discoverearth #travelawesome #beautifuldestinations #llama #wanderlust #exploringtheglobe #guardiantravelsnaps #theglobewanderer #lama

A post shared by Llama With No Drama (@llamawithnodrama) on May 29, 2017 at 11:41am PDT

Llama With No Drama was born… in April 2016 as a reaction to the world’s drama.

At the beginning, I couldn’t even imagine that… people would love the llama this much. It turned out that they really needed this in their lives as a daily breather from their day to day struggles.

I never travel without… my llama and my camera.

I swear I'm only one cocktail away from telling everyone what I really think… That I love you all!🤗❤️😘#llamawithnodram #taola #dirtymartini #love •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #huffpostgram #bbctravel #passionpassport #forbestravelguide #tasteintravel #cntraveler #livetravelchannel #traveldeeper #bestvacations #wonderful_places #travelgram #travel #worldplaces #welivetoexplore #traveler #mytravelgram #discoverearth #travelawesome #beautifuldestinations #llama #wanderlust #exploringtheglobe #guardiantravelsnaps #theglobewanderer #lama

A post shared by Llama With No Drama (@llamawithnodrama) on Jun 4, 2017 at 11:01am PDT

The first thing I do when I arrive in a new place is… try to get done with the tourist attractions ASAP, then get lost in the back streets of the cities, and explore the food and art scene.
If I had to stop traveling for five years, I… would be in an incurable depression.

The best travel tip I’ve ever heard is… roll, don’t fold. It’s life changing! 🙂

My favorite place on the Earth is… planes, right before landing at a new city.

The funniest thing that happened to me and Llama With No Drama on the road was when… a receptionist asked where my baby is as he had a note given by his manager to put a crib in my room. And I told him that I don’t have a baby, but a llama by not stating that’s it’s a stuffed one. He was so confused, you should have seen his face the moment he heard that – as he thought it was a real one.

Boldly be a pop of color in a black and white world. 💚💜💙❤️💗💛#llamawithnodrama #lacma #museum #losangeles #discoverla #cartoon #roylichtenstein •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #huffpostgram #bbctravel #passionpassport #forbestravelguide #tasteintravel #cntraveler #livetravelchannel #traveldeeper #bestvacations #wonderful_places #travelgram #travel #worldplaces #welivetoexplore #traveler #mytravelgram #discoverearth #travelawesome #beautifuldestinations #llama #wanderlust #exploringtheglobe #guardiantravelsnaps

A post shared by Llama With No Drama (@llamawithnodrama) on May 17, 2017 at 9:25pm PDT

A traveling llama is always… super happy.

A traveling llama would never… stop exploring.

Drama in life is… finding excuses instead of making changes.

The most important life lesson Llama With No Drama could teach you is… making one person smile can change the world. Maybe not the whole world, but their world.

I support wildlife conservation causes by… partnering with groups supporting wildlife and conservation efforts and donating a portion of our proceeds to these organizations.

I was going to work out, but then I realized; this nap isn't going to take itself. Also this bed is too comfy to leave. 💤#llamawithnodrama #llamahoteltour #hotellamee #vienna #wien #nap •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• #huffpostgram #bbctravel #passionpassport #forbestravelguide #tasteintravel #cntraveler #livetravelchannel #traveldeeper #bestvacations #wonderful_places #travelgram #travel #worldplaces #welivetoexplore #traveler #mytravelgram #discoverearth #travelawesome #beautifuldestinations #llama #wanderlust #exploringtheglobe #guardiantravelsnaps #theglobewanderer

A post shared by Llama With No Drama (@llamawithnodrama) on May 4, 2017 at 8:06am PDT

My contribution to saving the planet is… believing that I can make a change. Being mindful when throwing away things by always considering to recycle or donate. Donating to charities that I believe in.

One inspiring thing I’d like to share with you is... the quote; “Traveling is not something you are good at. It’s something you do. Like breathing.”

One travel challenge for our readers:… Travel at least 5 countries with a real llama.

The post Llama With No Drama reveals the secret of happy travels appeared first on 203Challenges.

Here’s the inspiring story of Lexis Noelle and her little converted blue-bus “Lola”:

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– Who is Lexis Noelle and what does she dream of?

– My name is Lexis Noelle, I am a 19-year-old girl from New York with a strong desire to travel and explore new places. I was never the college/bookwork type so after I graduated High school I went to my mom and told her I need to do something that I’m going to love doing and sitting in school was not it. She knew who I was and what I loved so we decided since I love camping and exploring new places, why not get something that would make traveling a lot easier and fun to do! And that is where “Lola” came along. My biggest accomplishment so far was being invited by “Girl Camper“ (Janine Pettit) to be in the Rhinebeck NY, “Country Living Fair”. For years I had the “Country Living Magazine” delivered to my house and I remember flipping through the pages and looking at all the awesome décor and content they had. I never thought that “Lola” and I would be a part of the fair! Going to the fair really made me realize what I accomplished and it made me look at things so differently. Talking to women/men about why I bought a bus instead of just going to a dealer and buying a brand new camper, and what she is capable of made them look at my idea in a totally different way than they could imagine. It was a 3-day fair with a lot of questions, a lot of answers, and a lot of pictures. It was an experience I will never forget.

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– Who is Lola and how (and when) did she come into your life?

– “Lola” is a 1989 Canadian blue-bird short bus that my mother and I turned into a “glamper” on wheels. I was looking around for something that would suit my needs, and would be practical for me to handle driving. After months of looking for the perfect vehicle I was giving up hope on finding the right one. I stopped looking for little bit and went online one day just to see if maybe something came up, and there she was. A light pastel little blue vintage bus with endless possibilities. I contacted the seller and he was a few blocks away from my house in the same town!!! My mother and I hopped in the car, went to his house, took her for a test drive, and the rest is history. She was mine.

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– How long did it take to renovate and furnish your bus?

– My mother and I did the conversion together, being that she already had her own bus conversion. She knew how to lay a floor and do all the stuff I didn’t know how to do. She helped me with the layout and the “hard” parts and told me the rest was up to me to decorate and make my own. The conversion took about 3 months of sleepless nights, late night shopping runs, and a lot of laughs.

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– What was the hardest part?

– The hardest part was choosing how I wanted my layout. What would be most practical for me, and utilizing the most space I could.

– What was the fun part?
– The fun part was definitely the decorating! I had tons of ideas and seeing those ideas come to life was amazing.

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– What are the perks of living a bus life?

– The perks of living a “bus life” is escaping the everyday norm that a lot of people have a hard time separating from. Living a “bus life” means you can literally take your little home on wheels anywhere and always have a place to hangout, cook, sleep, shower, go to the bathroom in. The feeling of being able to open your back door and having a different view of wherever you go, whether it is mountains, a lake, a sunset, a beach is something you cannot even put a price on.

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– What was one thing you hadn’t realized about living in a bus before you actually did it?

– Right now I am currently part time “bus life” working to save more money to be comfortable hitting the road full time in “Lola”. I travel on my weekends off and my vacation days, always with a plan to see or explore something new.

– How do you find living with so little stuff?

– One thing about “bus life” is that you seriously realize how much you don’t need. There is no better feeling than having only what you really need and not having the burden of clutter on your shoulders.

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– What’s the trip that has changed you the most?

– My trip to Rhinebeck NY has been my favorite, seeing and meeting so many people and encouraging them to think outside the box gave me such an amazing feeling. Also watching them take a inside tour of “Lola” and seeing their reactions to how a short bus can fit a kitchen, bathroom, dining room and a full sized bed and still have a ton of space to move around freely completely shocked them.

– Many people dream of breaking the routine and start living in a van or converted bus. What would you tell them?

– I would tell those people if it is something they really would love to do, then they should 100% go for it. Make sure that the vehicle you want is going to suit your needs and comfort the best, watch a ton of Youtube videos on others living this lifestyle and most important have fun with it!

Photo courtesy of Adventuring with Lola

– What’s one inspiring thing you’d share with us?

– I am beyond happy that I have “Lola” and that she came out to be exactly what I wanted. I can’t thank my mother enough for pushing me to accomplish this goal, and always motivating me to go beyond my comfort zone .

– One challenge for everyone reading this?

– Go somewhere that you’ve always drove past, biked past or even walked past and always wanted to stop and see and take pictures of but never took the time out to do

*

Follow Adventuring with Lola on Facebook and Instagram.

Pin it to your travel board:

The post This cute bus to camper makeover will inspire you to follow your dreams appeared first on 203Challenges.

His book, “Terning: Around the World by Bike”, is a story about the challenges he faced, but it is also a story about the kindness and generosity of the people he met along the way. As Sam says, “I am no brave adventurer; the book is the story of a twenty-three-year-old who cycled around the world in spite of himself, his flaws and (often pretty stupid) decisions’. 

We reached out to Sam to ask him about his dreams, his inspiring encounters on the road and his next challenges. There he is.

– Who is Sam Gambier and what are his dreams?

– I grew up in Cornwall, UK, and went to uni in London. When I was twenty-three, I left England and spent two years and eight months cycling around the world and since then have lived in Spain and China. (I know you didn’t really ask me, but…) I believe our experience on this planet should not be confined by the borders drawn across it and I feel lucky and guilty, in equal measure, that I was born in a place that allows me to explore the world more freely than most. I dream about a world in which we recognise ourselves as inhabitants of one shared place, rather than several disparate places separated from each other (though perhaps I should do less dreaming and more doing!).

– What was your motif to choose a bicycle as a means of transport to circumnavigate the world?

– A bicycle brings you closer to people than most other forms of transport could. The barrier of a window pane is removed, as is the ease and comfort that the window pane brings; the world is not framed for you to look at, rather you become part of the picture. On a bicycle you feel each metre, every hill and all the space between us, and I’m sure in some way this leads to a greater understanding of our world, at least its physical form. I am also quite a shy person, and a bicycle piled high with belongings starts conversations better than I do.

– What was the most heartwarming act of human kindness you experienced during your trip?

– I experienced so many moments of miraculous human kindness that it is really difficult to highlight just one. In almost every country I cycled through, people gave me food and shelter, and shared their lives with me. I think the place in which I was most overwhelmed by kindness was in Sumatera, Indonesia. Almost every day, people invited me into their homes: I slept on the floors of single-roomed houses with families of five or six; visited schools and mosques; rode about the towns visiting friends and seeing the local sights and was always met with openness, kindness and curiosity.

– What was the biggest challenge you hadn’t expected?

– Probably myself! Loneliness set in quick, and at the beginning I couldn’t shake the idea of spending so much time alone. Two-and-a-half-years by myself seemed unfathomable, and I felt the love I have for those close to me with a keenness I hadn’t experienced before. I am no brave adventurer; the book is the story of a twenty-three-year-old who cycled around the world in spite of himself, his flaws and (often pretty stupid) decisions. That I made it was a testament to the kindness and generosity of the people that I met; it was these meetings that made the journey worth it and encouraged me to carry on.

– What would you say to someone who considers repeating your feat?

– Do it, first and foremost. It will give you much more than you could ever put in and will be a life-affirming, enriching experience. People will show themselves to be wonderful and kind and you will see parts of the world which most people fly over or drive through. There is no need to plan in meticulous detail, but be prepared; it is a deeply rewarding way to travel, but it is not always the easiest. And, of course, you will not be repeating anything. I feel like when we travel we visit a time as much as a place. Even if you followed a route cycled a thousand times, it would be your adventure, remarkable and unique.

– What is your next big travel challenge?

– In the summer, I’m planning to walk a little way across Norway, from Otta to Odda, because 1.) it has a nice ring to it, 2.) it seems like a nice amount of walking to do in a month and 3.) it seems like it will be absolutely stunning. I’m a little older now, and maybe have more patience for walking; I’m looking forward to living in a tent in the real world and escaping the man-made one with jobs and bills and all that stuff for a little while.

– Share something inspiring with everyone reading this!

– Ummm… that’s put me on the spot! I really don’t consider myself to be a very inspiring person. The only thing I will say, if you are thinking about going on a mammoth adventure, is that if I can do it, anyone can.

***

Sam Gambier’s book, “Terning: Around the World by Bike”, is on Amazon here: 

To get an idea of what you can expect, read an excerpt from the book HERE.

All photos: Courtesy of Sam Gambier

Discover more travel books and interviews with travel authors here!

The post Sam Gambier’s trip around the world: 2,5 years by bike appeared first on 203Challenges.