The next WSGT Travel Influencers are Alesha and Jarryd of Australia’s top adventure travel blog, NOMADasaurus, specializing in adventure travel, sustainable tourism, overland journeys, off the beaten path destinations, photography and creating travel as a lifestyle.
In honor of our Inspiration Travel Writing Award, we’re asking successful bloggers for personal advice on how to break into travel writing. Alesha and Jarryd recommend: “If you want to become a travel writer our best advice is to simply read lots of books and travel. You don’t necessarily need a course, conference or secret tip to break into the industry. Start a blog, start writing and start reaching out to publications.”
1.)Where was the first place you traveled that made you think WOW—travel is amazing (think history book come to life or …..)
We would have to say trekking to El Mirador, the largest Mayan ruins ever discovered in Guatemala, was the first time we really went “wow”. Even though we had already been travelling for years, it was this opportunity of hiking 60km through dense jungle to visit an overgrown temple complex that made us really fall in love with travel.
2.)If you had unlimited resources, where would you go and what would you do?
We would buy a four wheel drive and completely deck it out for overland travel, then explore the world with our own wheels, shipping between continents every few years.
3.)What were you afraid to do and how did you find the courage to overcome it?
Getting on the plane to leave home for the first time was nerve racking, but the thought of travel encouraged us to hit the road.
4.)What apps do you use regularly that make your life easier?
Google Translate, Currency Converter and Maps.me.
5.)What place do you wish more people have seen?
Central Asia! Trekking in Kyrgyzstan, travelling the Pamir Highway and wandering through the blue-tiled madrassas and mausoleums of Uzbekistan are an incredible experience.
6.)Best advice you have been given and by whom?
“Just go. If you don’t like travelling you can always come back. But I promise you will love it.” My Dad.
7.)When were you surprised by the kindness of strangers on a trip?
Two times spring to mind. The first was when we were travelling Canada, living out of our van. On the east coast we met so many Canadians who were amazed that such a young couple would be exploring their country and invited us to their homes, gave us food and tonnes of tips.
The second time was when Alesha became horribly sick in San Pedro de Atitlan in Guatemala; many of the locals noticed that I was walking around without her (we had been there 6 weeks). They asked where my wife was, and I said she was sick. Instantly they started giving me a whole range of natural medicines to try and help her, and refused any money whenever I offered.
8.)What inspired you to travel for extended periods of time or live in a new country?
The thrill of learning about new cultures, discovering new destinations and seeking exciting adventures.
9.)I travel because….
Life is too short to live in a bubble.
We are Alesha and Jarryd, the award winning writers and photographers behind Australia’s top adventure travel blog, NOMADasaurus. We have been travelling the world together since 2008, quenching our thirst for adventure and culture as we go.
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Our next Travel Influencer interview will be up in a week, follow the series here.
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