Every Thursday, A Dangerous Business will be shining the spotlight on a world nomad, travel blogger, armchair adventurer, or just someone really cool in the travel world. This week, the traveler is Monica Stott of UKTravelBug. Two years ago, after a bottle of wine (or two), Monica and her boyfriend bought one way tickets to Australia and have never looked back. They have well and truly caught the travel bug.
1. How do you define the word “traveler,” and why would you consider yourself one?
A ‘traveller’ to me is someone who wants to explore every inch of the world. A traveller doesn’t just want to find the nicest beach or the best view, a traveller wants to be submerged in a place and see everything that a certain place has to offer. A traveller wants to meet the locals, learn about their culture, try the traditional cusine and experience a different way of life.
I think I left home as a ‘tourist’. I wanted to spend my days lazing on the beach and my nights partying with fellow Brits. But this quickly became boring and I soon realised that spending an evening chatting and eating dinner with locals was much more fun! I started to realise that there is so much to learn from other cultures and it’s made me want to visit as many places as possible.
2. What has been your favorite travel experience thus far?
Driving an old campervan around the whole of Australia. This was an epic journey and took over 6 months and was probably the best experience of my life. We saw so much, from big cities to deserted beaches, through the jaw-dropping national parks, the barren outback, the lush tropical rainforests, the great barrier reef and so much more. We also met so many amazing people along the way!
3. How about your proudest travel moment?
Learning to scuba dive. I’m a total scardy-cat so doing something like scuba diving was a real challenge for me. I now love it and even got my Advanced qualification.
4. Have you had any travel mishaps or bad experiences? If so, have these influenced how you view the place where they happened? Would you go back?
In 18 months, I’ve only had one bad experience. In Java we had both of our cameras stolen and also my iPod.I hate to be negative about places because I know you can have a bad experience anywhere. We did learn from the experience and we’re now very protective of our belongings.
5. Name one thing you can’t travel without.
My camera. I love to be able to look back through my photos and remember all the good times.
6. Name one thing you wish you COULD travel without.
Everything! Well, everything except my passport, my bank card, my camera and maybe some clean underwear! I’d love to be one of those poeple who travel with just a tiny bag. They breeze through airports and generally spring around like they have nothing weighing them down. My backpack weighs almost as much as I do and every single item seems to be vitally important, even the yoga mat, the snorkelling gear, the hair straigheners and the running shoes!
7. What do you think has been the biggest thing you’ve learned while traveling (about yourself, a destination, a culture, travel itself)?
I’ve learnt so much but I think the biggest thing is how important family is. Being so far away from them makes you realise how important they are. I’ve been to so many places where close family life is such a massive part of their culture. In some places, whole families live together in one house and they share everything. I don’t think I could cope with living with my WHOLE family, but I am looking forward to having them all close to me again.
8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Ooo, thats a toughy! I don’t want to actually ‘live’ anywhere yet. I’m happy travelling the world and I’m sure that one day I’ll find that perfect place to call home.
9. Name one place you’d like to see or one experience you’d like to have before you die.
I really want to go to India. It’s at the top of my Travel List so hopefully I’ll be there soon!
10. If there was one thing you wish somebody would have told you before you started traveling, what would it be?
Travelling is easy! Before I left home, I was so nervous about everything. I wanted to know exactly what hotel I’d stay in, what bus I’d catch to get to a certain place and I tried to plan a strict budget. Travelling is all about trying new things, having new experiences and generally iving every day as it comes. And if it doesn’t go so smoothly… you’ll always have fun in the process!
Visit Monica’s site: UK Travel Bug
Follow Monica on Twitter: @UkTravelBug
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Are you a travel blogger who has something to say on these topics? Do you know of somebody really interesting in the travel universe that you’d like to see interviewed? Speak up! The Thursday Traveler needs some interview subjects.
1 negative in 18 months aint so bad
interesting interview!
Anthony recently posted..How to make money without leaving your house
Definitely not so bad! and we’ve tried to look on the positive side of it too, we’ve learnt that we really need to take care of our belongings and not be too flashy!
There is such a huge difference between a tourist and a traveler. Huge! I don’t think people recognize it (or admit it) until they cross over to traveler. Tourists are there to see the country. Travelers are there to experience it!
Amy recently posted..Know Before You Go- Ways to Learn From Home and Make Your Trip Easier
I love how you differentiate between a tourist and traveler. I hate the people who label the tourist “bad” and the traveler “good.” I don’t agree with those definitions. But I quite like how you’ve said it!
Monica seems to have a great outlook on life.
I agree! I love doing these interviews and getting to know fellow travelers better.