Gary Arndt is a travel blogger and photographer who has been travelling full-time ever since he sold his house in 2007. In last eight years, Gary has visited every continent and more than 140 countries, and shows no sign of slowing down. His blog,
everything-everywhere.com, was named one of Top Blogs in the World in 2010 by Time Magazine. He has also been named the 2014 Travel Photographer of the Year for the Society of American Travel Writers and the 2013 Photographer of the Year for the North American Travel Journalists Association.
This is what he had to say when we interviewed him recently.
Where are you currently?
Minneapolis, MN
You sold your house to travel the world. What inspired you to take such a bold step?
I reached a point where I didn't know what to do with my life. I enjoyed traveling and I always wanted to see the world, so it seemed like the right thing to do.
You have been to more than 140 countries. What drives your voracious need for travel?
I enjoy learning and exploring. So long as you are traveling, you are aways learning. It is the greatest school in the world.
Name a country you would love to visit and why?
I'd love to visit China. Despite having been to over 100 countries, I still haven't been to China.
You had an entire remote white sand beach to yourself in Fiji. How was your experience? Was it lonely?
Not at all. It was amazing to have that experience all to myself instead of being on a crowded beach packed with tourists.
You have been to a warzone in Cambodia and got caught in the middle of political unrest in Thailand. How do these things affect your travel plan? How do you manage to carry on travelling in such situations?
You always have to be flexible when you travel. Anything from weather to politics
You love watching movies. Tell us, which are the three travel movies you enjoyed watching the most?
1) Lawrence of Arabia. It was the incentive for me to visit Wadi Rum in Jordan.
2) 2001: A Space Oddsey
3) Up in the Air
From swimming with whale sharks in Australia to bungee jumping in New Zealand and spelunking in Borneo. You are quite the adventurer. Do you seek out dangerous adventures or is it something which just comes with travelling?
I actually try to avoid anything truly dangerous. All the things you listed are actually quite safe. Thrilling, but not dangerous.
You have some incredible travel photographs. Is photography something you were always keen on or did it come gradually to you?
I knew nothing about photography until I started traveling. I went from A complete novice to the North American Travel Photographer of the Year in half a decade.
How was the year 2015 for you? Tell us about your plans for 2016.
2015 was my slowest travel year yet, but that was on purpose. I took some time off from the road to rest and get my life in balance. I'll be traveling much more in 2016. Plans so far include a trip throug the Balkans and a month in Alaska.
This interview with Gary Arndt is a part of Travel Trolley's ongoing 'Best of the Travel Bloggers' series. We are interviewing and showcasing popular travel bloggers who encourage and inspire people to travel. Check out all the bloggers we have interviewed and showcased and learn about their interesting experiences, adventures, travel stories as well as useful holiday tips.
