I came across Paul’s blog when he was in the planning stage of his backpacking trip across Asia. He’s a journalism graduate and a language professional who’s proficient in both English, Spanish and Filipino and makes use of these skills to earn a living. Paul also aims to try becoming a digital nomad and become location independent in the near future.
Learn more about Paul and visit his blog at Walk Fly Pinoy.
But before you do that, check out my short interview with Paul.
How did you discover your passion for travelling?
“It all started when I began earning my own money. Naturally, much of it went to leisure, one of which was out-of-town vacations. As with most vacationers, I started with my own country, which wasn’t all too bad! I always like saying this: the Philippines has some of the best tropical landscapes in the world. And when I get to see them in my short weekend trips, I am always mesmerized and exhilarated by the whole experience.
I remember this one time, we were climbing some of Coron’s jagged rocks and cliffs to get to Barracuda Lake (the staircase wasn’t there then). I suddenly found myself shouting expletives into the air at the sight of that unspoiled, crystalline turquoise water. It was unbelievable standing on top of that cliff. I knew I had to jump off of it. I felt a degree of freedom like I have never felt before. That is what travel has come to mean for me. I have continued to jump since then.”
What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?
“It was probably our fault anyway, but on our second day in India, we were supposed to get to the train station, the tickets for which we have booked three months before. Simple task really. So we took our time. Indian trains are rarely early anyway. We realized all too late that we were at the wrong station. Ticket said New Delhi, but the station was Old Delhi. So we rushed through crazy rush hour Indian traffic, got off the middle of the road, strapped on our bags and hurried into the correct station. We got to the platform, almost passing out from being out of breath, only to discover that the train left on time and we were 15 minutes behind it. Our Indian adventure had officially begun.”
What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?
“Hands down, bungy jumping in the Himalayas. I did mention in #1 that I have continued to jump since Barracuda Lake, right? This was bigger though. Bungy jumping was nothing like I have ever experienced before. I guess free fall is like that. Something your brain doesn’t really know how to interpret because it’s something completely unnatural, jumping off heights without the ropes for which you absolutely know you’re toast.”
What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?
“Things fall right into place when you do the things you are absolutely passionate about. I have always dreamed of becoming a travel writer and photographer. It was something I didn’t like admitting to myself for fear that I will fail at achieving it. When I decided to go backpacking mid-2011, pursuing that dream was really not what I was thinking about. I knew I just wanted to travel. But hey, things just started coming in. Photos got featured and published and I am now, at the moment, writing for a couple of magazines about my travels. I hope everything continues to go well. So I guess, I am slowly getting to the dream. It’s funny how things work out when you do the things you love.”
What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?
“What keeps me motivated are the endless possibilities that the road offers. It is unimaginable all the things that can happen out there: all the experiences you’ll get to have, all the people you’ll meet, etc. Knowing that tomorrow is going to be a lot different from today is just too much for me to pass up. So I get on the road, again and again.”
This is a silly and hypothetical one. If you would be given a chance to travel with a popular person or a celebrity, who would it be and why?
“Easy. Michael Palin. He was a British actor, who used to be a member of the comedy troupe, Monty Python. He is now an author and television presenter, and has made a number of travel documentaries, for the BBC no less, and wrote about them in a number of books. He has gone around the world in 80 days, Phileas Fogg style, went from North Pole to South Pole, traipsed through the Sahara, and my current absolute obsession, traveled throughout the Himalayas (all 7 countries, son!). I have unintentionally followed his route: seeing the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala, getting spiritual at the the Golden Temple of Amritsar, watching the bizarre border ceremonies in the India-Pakistan border, and trekked to the Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal. Up next, Yunnan, China!”
Where’s your favourite place in this planet and why?
“Nepal. I knew I always loved seeing mountains, feeling that cool, nippy air, and trying to breathe in whatever little air is available, all the while negotiating a two-hour long uphill trail in your 10-day trek to the base camp of the 10th highest mountain in the world. You have loads of such experiences in that small, beautiful country, probably the most beautiful I have ever seen in my life. The Nepali countryside, with its gentle and kind people, against the backdrop of larger than life, spectacular, and I mean spectacular, snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas, there is just nothing like it.”
What’s your best tip for newbie traveller?
“Four S’s. Stop sweating the small stuff. I used to be really anal about things, especially finances. I used to take pride in being able to account for all that I spend down to the last dollar or rupee or whatever. Then, when I wasn’t able to tally them off, I became really frustrated. Unnecessary stress, really. So I let it go. Just like that. Travel became a lot easier. Let all the small things go. So I spent a little bit more today on food. That’s okay! So I don’t know where my 500 Rupees went. Wait. What?!”
What’s the funniest and silliest thing you’ve ever done while travelling?
“We had been backpacking throughout much of northern India for about three weeks then. If you have been to India, you will know how vegetarian that country is. There are meat dishes, but they are more like footnotes on the menu. Really, I don’t mind eating vegetables. I like them, especially how they are prepared in India. The best vegetable dishes I have ever tasted in my life. Truly a great cuisine thousands of years old. But at some point, I just got to have some greasy, fatty, salty, crispy fried chicken. So we headed to the nearest mall and dined in KFC that day. I am not proud of it.”
What do you think about yourself?
“I am a typical, middle-class educated Filipino twenty-something who is pursuing his dreams, which obviously is travel. I hope to inspire more people to follow their passions, not necessarily travel, of course. Trust me. You will not regret a single second of it.”
“WALK FLY PINOY is travel blog dedicated to, well, documenting my travels through stories, photos and hopefully, videos, too. I am currently traveling throughout the continent of my birth, Asia, tackling one amazing and diverse country at a time. As it is my goal to inspire people to pursue their passions, with a special focus on travel passions, of course, my blog also puts out content informative enough to help others plan their next big adventure.” – Paul Xymon Garcia
Editor’s Note: All pics are provided by Paul
This has been my most favorite interview so far!
Loved his candid attitude and the way his intentions exudes over answering the questions