#4 Sebastian from “off-the-path.com”

Written by urbantg on May 31, 2013 in Uncategorized - No comments

Today, We’re simply thrilled to welcome Sebastian from the popular travel adventure blog off-the-path.com.

Sebastian grew up hiking, swimming, sailing in a little town on the Spanish Island of Mallorca where he lived for nearly 14 years. Traveling is his biggest passion, and he flew the first time when he was three months old. Since then you can find him in a plane between 5 to 10 times a year discovering new countries and cities. here’s what we’ve got for you from one of the most exciting traveler in the world:

What is your favorite travel quote?

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page – by St. Augustine. I have this quote everywhere, on my business card, my website even on the wall in my apartment in Berlin! Having visited so many countries I can truly identify with this quote.

Let’s talk experiences – what has been the most
awesome travel experience you’ve had on the road? The
worst?

That’s difficult to say… I think both happened in Australia. The best was in Bunburry in Western Australia. I was a few days before christmas when I visited some friends who were working on a farm. The owner, Mario, was so kind to let us crush in their guest house and when we wanted to leave he invited us back for christmas. We didn’t want to accept, cause it’s a family holiday but he insisted. So we returned on the 24th and celebrated Christmas day together at the river in a huge house with beer and delicious food from 11 AM onwards. At around 10 PM, I was talking to one of the cousins in the garden and he mentioned that at the delta of the river the dolphins always swim and that if I wanted we could do it the next morning. I wanted to do this so bad, this was one of my big dreams and on top of my bucket list. To swim with wild dolphins. Unfortunately, I had to fly to Sydney from Perth the next morning at 8 AM. About 30 minutes later, he tapped me on the shoulder, handed over $300 and ordered to change the flights. I didn’t want to but he kind of forced me. Everybody in the house (About 30 adults) paid $10 so that I and my friend were able to swim with the dolphins the next day. We did and loved it, even being a little hungover… This definitely was the best experience ever. I was at the right place, at the right time with the right people.

The worst experience was in Sydney a few years earlier when my drink got spiked, I got robbed and hit by a car in one night… I spent about 2 weeks in hospital and was seriously injured. You can read all about it on my blog, but this time I was at the wrong place at the wrong time…

Who would be your ideal travelling companion?

A beautiful and smart woman that has the same interests. Since that is really hard to find, I’d say Bear Grylls… I’m not as crazy as he is but only because I don’t have the knowledge about all the survival techniques. I’d love to do a trip with him one day!

What would be your Dream trip?

Antarctica, Galapagos, New Polynesia, South Africa… there is just so much. Antarctica though is on top I think. I just fulfilled a dream trip last month when I visited northern Norway to see the northern lights. It was incredible to see the lights dance over my head.

What do you never travel without?

Pen and Paper. I also always have my phone with me and my laptop but it happens often that you have no battery or just cant use those things. Therefore I always try to have pen and paper with me and a knife… But I had to leave it behind at numerous airports already because I forget to check it in.

What would you do if you loose your passport, money
and phone in a foreign country?

I would be screwed. But all this happened in Australia when I got hit by the car. It costs you a lot of nerves and time but eventually you’ll be fine. I always try to have my national ID and Passport in different places. If you loose your passport, you can still travel with your national ID if the consulate gives you a letter with a special permission. That’s way faster!

Where are you going next?

I’m heading to Bologna in Italy for a few days and then will sail from Venice to Slovakia and Croatia. Excited to get out of the cold in Berlin. This winter has been dark and very cold.

What have you learnt from your travels?

So much. Too much to write everything down. I think the most important thing is that people that have nothing will give you everything they have. We live in a culture of keeping things to us. We have so much and we should give so much more away and be happy to share.

What advice or counsel would you give first-time
wanderers hitting the road?

If you are afraid of traveling alone, don’t, on your travels you will meet so many great people in hostels, tours or wherever that you probably will be happy if you have some time to be alone. A friend of mine did a tandem tour through south east asia. He picked up random people to ride with him. In 3 months, he was 10 days alone.

Also, don’t be afraid, to visit those so called “dangerous” places. Most places aren’t that dangerous as the media is saying. You have to be cautious but there is no reason to miss something beautiful just because somebody or something is badmouthing it. Just be careful and you’ll be fine. With normal common sense you’ll be alright!

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We would like to thank Sebastian for his time and participation to Travelers Nation, we highly recommend people interested in adventure travel to visit off-the-path.com and follow Sebastian on Twitter @offthepathcom