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 travelers are Captain and Clark (Chris Staudinger and Tawny Clark) of Captainandclark.com. Captain (Chris) and Clark (Tawny) met while on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 2008, and haven’t looked back since. Their travels have taken them around the globe to places like South Korea, Bahrain, Thailand, the Philippines, and beyond. Their passions are travel, video documentation, exploration, and partaking in the unknown. They recently finished a 3-week road trip across the U.S. with Rand McNally and USA Today, and are about to embark on a trip around the world.
1. How do you define the word “traveler,” and why would you consider yourself one?
To us, a “traveler” is one who seeks experience and knowledge through exploring the world. A traveler might be someone willing to put themselves in uncomfortable situations in order to get to know something (or some place) better.
2. What has been your favorite travel experience thus far?
Picking a favorite travel experience is like choosing a favorite child. We’ve had so many amazing experiences, but one that really stands out for us is our brief trip to Bahrain. While there, we were able to experience Azza or Ashura hands-on. It’s a mourning ritual that commemorates the martyrdom of Hussein, a grandson of the prophet Muhammad. Many, overcome with grief, often flog or beat themselves in the streets. We were so ignorant to Muslim beliefs before, and it was quite the learning experience for us to see it first hand. Check out the video:
3. How about your proudest travel moment?
Our proudest moment so far is probably getting chosen by Rand McNally and USA Today to explore the best small towns in America. They trusted us enough to send us out on the open road, searching out the “most patriotic” small towns. We were able to experience things we never would have dreamed of — like a helicopter ride over Mt. Rushmore, dining with three different Commanding Generals, visiting an archaeological dig (where Pocahontas married John Rolfe), and leading a patriotic golf cart parade.
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?
We’ve definitely had our share of travel mishaps! I think one of our most memorable was while we were in the Philippines. We left without packing any sunscreen, thinking that it’d be easily accessible on the small island that we were staying on. We were wrong. So wrong. Chris — being the fairer of the two of us — decided to take a stick of chapstick labeled SPF15 and rub it all over his face and body in order to protect him from burning. It worked! He might have had zebra-like stripes all over his body, but it kept him from peeling!
5. Name one thing you can’t travel without.
The sappy answer — each other. The more realistic answer — our video cameras! We love being able to document our travels and share them with friends, family, and strangers.
6. Name one thing you wish you COULD travel without.
Our equipment. We need to have our video cameras and laptops in order to blog, but we hate traveling with expensive equipment. It’s not only heavy, but it keeps us a little paranoid that it’ll get stolen or misplaced.
7. What do you think has been the biggest thing you’ve learned while traveling (about yourself, a destination, a culture, travel itself)?
You never, EVER need to pack as much as you think you do… until you don’t, and realize you forgot something. We’re still learning compassion, patience, and understanding — all things that travel enhances for us.
8. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Chris would live on a ship, even if that’s cheating. He’s a captain, through and through. Tawny could probably live in Thailand for a long period of time. It’s so exotic and hot, with beautiful beaches and the best tasting food!
9. Name one place you’d like to see or one experience you’d like to have before you die.
AHHH! SO MANY! Nepal is big on our list at the moment. Antarctica would also be a dream! It’s the last continent that Chris has to hit.
10. If there was one thing you wish somebody would have told you before you started traveling, what would it be?
It’s easier than you think. If you keep an open mind and have compassion for each place and person that you meet, your experience will be that much better. Travel is possible, you just have to be prepared that it might turn out to be a different trip than what you’re expecting.
Visit Chris and Tawny’s site: Captain and Clark
Follow them on Twitter: @captainandclark
“Like” them on Facebook: Captain and Clark
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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.
Cool feature-even cooler that they met on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro!
Claire recently posted..Packing Heat on a Sunny Day at the Pool
I enjoy doing this feature, because I love learning about my fellow bloggers! I, too, thought it was awesome how these two met!! What a story.
This blog features differently. I mean, I was enjoying reading you post. I learned from this. I am also a traveler> i’m fond of taking pictures wherever I am.
Monika recently posted..Tips on How to Hide Man Boobs