The Thoughtful Travel Podcast

Travelling as a teenager or with a teenager is eye-opening in many ways, and Episode 107 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast is all about trips and holidays with teenagers. My son is a still a few years away from the teen years but I'm ready to learn about how to make travelling with teens as enjoyable as possibile! My first guest in this episode is Erin Gustafson who regularly travels with her three teenagers. She has a huge array of useful tips that I'm holding on to dearly for future years! I then chat with Tamara Gruber who has a young teenage daughter and I loved hearing about how they plan their mother and daughter adventures. Finally, I talk to Cheri Shanti about her first travel experiences which, of course, happened to her as a teenager. I think she was a very brave 15-year-old who figured out a way to spend six months on the other side of the world! Links: Erin’s blog Oregon Girl Around the World - https://oregongirlaroundtheworld.com/  Tamara’s podcast Vacation Mavens - http://vacationmavens.com/

Sometimes food is the whole reason for a trip, but other times, like what we'll hear about in Episode 106 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, it's the unusual food experiences (planned or unplanned) that are what you remember. In this episode I chat first with Eva Westerling, who had some particularly unusual eating experiences while on a ten-day hike in the desert in Oman. Some parts of this chat are not for the squeamish! Next up I talk with Jacky Lamenzo about comfort food when we travel and about her experiences of eating like the locals when she was a teacher in China. Finally, I talk with Matt and Marilyn from Words With Winos about some of the more unusual foods they have tasted on their travels around the world, particularly in Asia - and if you don't like creepy-crawlies, you may not want to imitate them!  Links: My tasty sponsor Bokksu –  https://bokksu.com/ - remember to use THOUGHT5 to get $5 off any order of amazing Japanese snacks Eva’s blog Not Scared of the Jet Lag - http://www.notscaredofth

Lots of people enjoy visiting art galleries on their travels - I didn't start out that way but I'm definitely a convert now. In Episode 105 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast I chat with three art lovers who have some great tips and ideas about art gallery sightseeing around the world. To start with I chat with Christine Knight, a fellow Aussie who spent a few year living in New York City - arguably one of the best places in the world to explore art galleries, and she definitely made the most of it. After that I talk to Erin Gustafson, who has a background in art history and is really passionate about it. She currently lives in Copenhagen and has some great tips on her favourite galleries in Europe. Finally I talk with Anna Kwiencinska, very much an art lover and former art gallery owner, too. She has lots of interesting art experiences along with some fabulous art plans for the future, too.  Links: Thanks to The Boy Who Draws  https://www.theboywhodraws.com/— use AMANDA10 for 10% discount on any City Serie

As promised, I wanted to tell a bit more about some of the experiences we had on our recent Fiji trip, and I asked some of the friends I made on tour to join me for a chat - so Episode 104 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast is all about Fiji and Empowerment Tourism.  I actually asked my friends Whitney and Luana to tell me about their favourite part and, like me, they both decided it was our day in the village where Hands On Journeys have set up an empowerment tourism project. Whitney chats with me about all the different things we did on our day in Nailaga village in Ba province, western Fiji, and I learnt quite a lot - she and her partner got to chat with different locals and learn more about their life and culture there. It was also great to chat with Luana, who was visiting Nailaga for the second time. She also had a different perspective as she and her husband are from Brazil, and found some similarities between the Fijian and Brazilian cultures.  Links: Hands On Journeys - https://handsonjourneys.com

As a fairly hard-core extrovert, tackling the topic of “introvert travel” is something I have definitely had to leave to my guests, but Episode 103 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast is all about their experiences of travelling as an introvert and I found it all fascinating! First up, I chat with Samantha Fisher who surprised me by saying she’s an introvert - she’s from the US but I met her when she attended my travel writing course here in Perth and seemed far from introverted. Our chat reveals just why that is and it was fascinating. Next I talk to Michela Fantinel, an Italian friend of mine who has done a lot of solo travel, especially around Australia. As an introvert travelling alone most of the time, Michela has some really interesting observations about how people treat her. Finally, Lindsay and Marshall from the Tumble podcast discuss their differing approaches as introverts moving to a foreign country. You definitely have to listen to find out the strategy of an “aggressive friend-making policy”! L

Are certain places better - or perhaps easier, and more fun - take your children travelling? In Episode 102 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast we talk about child-friendly cultures for travellers, a topic that came up after I started hearing from my interviewees about some particular countries and cultures where kids were especially welcome. First up, I chat for the first time with Lindsay and Marshall of Tumble Travels. They moved from Austin, Texas to Barcelona, Spain with their young son and have been thrilled by how much the locals embrace kids - I particularly love the story of the soccer ball! Then I chat to Lucas Peters who has spent a lot of time in Morocco. He feels that Moroccans really bend over backwards to help with kids when you are travelling with them; we also segue into a bit of a chat on one of my favourite topics, which is just how much travelling can benefit children. Finally, I talk with Sandra Muller about her experiences with her young son in both South Korea and Japan, quite different

Which destination would you love to return to? In Episode 101 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast I’ve asked some of my guests about the destinations they keep returning to. Mine, for the record, is Japan - I lived there for two years, and have been back twice since, but want to go as many more times as is humanly possible! My first guest on this episode is Lucas Peters, who currently lives in Paris - which used to be a destination he wanted to keep returning to - but he chats with me about a Moroccan town named Asilah. Next, I talk with Jim Jones about two popular tourist destinations that he likes returning to for many different reasons - Las Vegas, and Paris. I’m with him on Paris but I’ve never been to Vegas - I think he convinces me I need to try, though. Finally, fellow West Aussie Erin Holmes and I talk about the place virtually every Perth person has been to: Bali. Erin has been there many times and has plenty of good reasons as to why she keeps returning. Links: Sponsor - Hands On Journeys https://h

I asked in the Thoughtful Travellers Facebook group for some ideas for celebrating the milestone of releasing Episode 100 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast and Emma came up with the fabulous idea of going behind the scenes. Thanks to everyone who pitched in with more questions and especially to Kati Craythorn who offered to interview me. This episode is a chat with Kati asking me those questions and it was so much fun to talk about the origins of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, some of the technical behind the scenes stuff, what I like and dislike about creating the podcast and how it's changed me. It was just wonderful to talk to Kati about all these topics and I hope you all enjoy listening to it too. Links: Hands On Journeys/Thoughtful Travel Meet Up - 27th June 2018 - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hands-on-journeys-thoughtful-travel-meet-up-tickets-46836956598 "Arigatou" to sponsor Bokksu - http://bokksu.com - use the code THOUGHT5 to get $5 off your Japanese snack box order (do it - they're delicious!) Th

Travel safety is often a concern and I'm sure I'm not the only one who checks government safety advisory messages (often with a grain of salt, it must be said) before I travel to a new destination. But honestly, crazy things can happen whether you're at home or abroad and I tend to agree with Pam Lynch, one of the guests in Episode 99 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, when she talks about the sentiment that either it was meant to be your time or it wasn't. In this episode, I start by talking to Pam about her experience of the Nepal earthquake of 2015. I know Pam well and have heard her speak about this close call many times, and yet every time she tells the tale I end up with goose bumps down my arms and shivers down my spine. You just never know what's around the corner, and Pam tells the tale in a way that will make you think. My second guest is Margarita Pas, a Polish globetrotter now based in the United States, who tells me about a trip she took to Namibia. It's a great warning tale about being prepared

Ever got lost when you've been travelling? In my experience getting lost usually means you have a fun story to tell and that is definitely the case with the guests in this episode of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast.  First up I chat with Kelly from Global Goose who had a bit of an incident following a hiking trail in the jungle in Borneo. All worked out well, of course, because Kelly lived to tell the tale on my podcast!! Next I talk to Erin from Oregon Girl Around the World who has a hilarious tale to tell of a family trip in Latvia. Let's just say that Erin will be a lot more careful with her Latvian place names in the future! Finally, I chat to Sandra Muller who has a particularly interesting perspective on getting lost when she travels (and one I wish I could adopt myself!). Links: My tasty sponsor Bokksu - https://bokksu.com - remember to use THOUGHT5 to get $5 off any order of amazing Japanese snacks Kelly’s site Global Goose - http://www.global-goose.com Erin at Oregon Girl Around the World - http://

If you ever get the chance to choose to live in another country (perhaps for study or work, or many other reasons) then you're very lucky because it's a special experience indeed. In Episode 97 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, I talk with three lovely guests about their experiences of living in other countries for work or as part of their studies and we truly traverse the world, talking about Thailand, Tanzania and China. First up, I speak with Clare Harris who spent several years living in Thailand and teaching English to people from bordering countries. She had an amazing experience and we chat about how she learnt what it was like to be illiterate, because the Thai language confounded her! I then chat with Eva Westerling, who needed to complete an internship as part of her studies at medical school and fairly randomly ended up working in a hospital in Zanzibar! We also talk about our desire to live in many more places around the world if we can! Finally I talk with Jacky Lamenzo, a teaching graduate in

Africa is one of those most amazing destinations, and of course it's not a single destination but countless different countries and regions which are all so different to each other - yet we tend to lump them in together, probably because many of us haven't got to exploring too much of Africa yet. I start Episode 96 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast chatting with Linda Schlencker, who has spent many, many months guiding small self-drive groups around various parts of Africa so really knows what she's talking about. We discuss some of the fears that people have that might prevent them coming on such a trip, too, and I have to admit that wildlife passing right by my tent at night is something I'm not entirely comfortable with either! I then chat with Anna Kwiecinska who has fallen in love with Morocco and spent some long stretches of time there in recent years. She tells in particular of her romantic vision of heading out into the Sahara - and what the reality was like. (Fortunately - still good!) Links: Huge

Mishaps and misjudgments are part of the fun when we travel - right? Well, at least that's what my guests and I decide in Episode 95 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast. I start off chatting with Matt and Marilyn from the Words with Winos podcast, who managed to make a bit of a misjudgment when they very first set out on their long travelling journey ... but of course, they recovered from it and I'm glad they did (I love following their travels!). Following on from that I talk to Samantha Fisher who ponders the idea that perhaps there are no mistakes when we travel. She has some examples of what's happened to her when she's made what we might call a travel mistake - and perhaps it's not all bad. Finally, I have a fun talk with Elizabeth and Jeff Newcamp, who have had all kinds of travelling adventures over the years and have rather a long list of mishaps to tell about - and definitely prove that mistakes often make the best travel stories. Links: Huge thanks to this episode's sponsor, travel writer Alistair M

As parents, we have so many choices on the way we influence our kids. In Episode 94 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast, the influence we talk about is - of course! - travel. I love the way my son's habits, attitudes and personality reflect his many experiences of travel (and yes, he's very privileged, even though we are usually in the budget traveller category), and I'm happy to know that many other parents feel the same. My first guest is Stina Frantzich Gardiner, a Swedish friend of mine here in Perth, and we chat about how her two children have been influenced by their trips back to Europe - along with how travel influenced Stina herself as she was growing up in Europe. I then chat with Reeva Cutting who has quite a unique experience of travel as a child, when she would fly regularly within South Africa to visit her father. That experience has certainly set her up for a lifelong love of travel and importantly the confidence to do it. Finally, I speak with the always delightful Luke Mackin who speaks to th

Many a well-travelled travel-lover experiences travel anxiety and the guests in Episode 93 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast are no exception. (And neither am I!). In this episode I chat with Kelly Dunning about her first big trip, aged 21, and a particularly pivotal moment which helped her to get over travel anxiety. I also talk to Kati Craythorn who gets anxious about flying, as many of us do, and we discuss a few different travel anxiety tips from other listeners too which I hope will help everyone with overcoming travel anxiety - because it’s worth it!    Links: Our sponsor Travel Journal School at traveljournalschool.com - you can try the “Facts Plus One Thing” module now for free! Kelly Dunning at Global Goose - https://global-goose.com Kati Craythorn at Queensland and Beyond - http://www.queenslandandbeyond.com Episode 71 - Getting Past Travel Anxiety - https://www.notaballerina.com/2017/10/getting-past-travel-anxiety-episode-71-thoughtful-travel-podcast.html Jodi’s Gluten Free cards - https://www.leg

Travelling to other countries is one (amazing) thing - actually living abroad for an extended time is quite another altogether and it’s an experience my three guests in Episode 92 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast all share.  I’ve been lucky enough to live abroad in Japan, Slovakia and Germany and each experiencing was completely life-changing. In this episode, I speak with other travel lovers who have also taken the plunge to live in another country and had all kinds of different and fascinating experiences. First up, I speak with Sandra Muller who has spent a lot of time in Asia, but particularly living in South Korea. I’m rather envious of her experiences but you’ll have to listen to see why! Next I chat with Cheri Shanti, an American who spends a lot of time based in Cuba these days. Cuba seems exotic and so different to me, from down here in Western Australia, so I was fascinated to chat with Cheri about her expat experiences there.  Finally, I talk with Sarah Ridout, a fellow Australian whose expat ex

Do you love to haggle at the local markets when you travel to get down to the cheapest possible price or are you happier when there's a fixed price and no bargaining needs to take place? We talk about bargaining (and tipping) on your travels in Episode 91 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast and it's a great mix of ideas. First up I chat with Matt and Marilyn from the Words with Winos podcast and they reminisce about some of the bargaining they had to do when they were travelling throughout south-east Asia. Next up, ESL teacher Clare Harris and I discuss some of her experiences with money and the differences in value depending on where you come from, and discover that just like me, Clare would prefer a fixed price sale any time! Finally, I chat with Luke Mackin of Wild Sumatra who, after living for some years in rural Indonesia, has a particularly unique perspective. I really liked what Luke had to say and it's definitely reinforced my opinion that learning to bargain better is not on my list of things to do. Lin

It’s two years since I launched The Thoughtful Travel Podcast for my fortieth birthday. (Because why not do something crazy like launch a podcast for your fortieth?!) For the two-year anniversary, I decided to turn the tables and instead of getting other people’s stories, I asked my Thoughtful Travellers Facebook group to ask me the questions!They came up with many and varied questions and I had a lot of fun answering them - and I got my friend Kristy who featured in the very first episode of the podcast to interview me. Hope you enjoy it!Links: Thanks to Kristy Morton for interviewing me - https://kristymorton.com My post about my love for green tea - https://www.notaballerina.com/2014/11/really-like-green-tea-lessons-japan-meeting-locals.html My "18 for 2018" list - http://www.amandakendle.com/18-things-2018/ Thoughts on privilege - https://www.notaballerina.com/2012/05/two-egyptians-and-my-privilege-to.html Mina Mahrous, the Egyptian blogger - http://www.somedayillbethere.com/2012/04/no-not-everyone-can-tr

Housesitting works for both sides of the travel equation but in Episode 89 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast I talk to four travellers who have used housesitting as a great way to get free accommodation and to see parts of the world they wouldn't otherwise see.Pam Lynch has been house-sitting for about eight months now around Perth, Western Australia - spoiler alert, she's my housesitter! - and chats to me about all of the reasons she loves this lifestyle and intends to continue it for some time to come.I then chat with Becky Livingston who spent over two years wandering the globe doing many various housesits, some in particularly gorgeous locations too. She does touch on some of the perils of housesitting though, particularly the risks involved of being responsible for people's beloved pets ...Finally, I talk to Matt and Marilyn from Words with Winos about their recent housesitting experience in Italy.Links: Our great sponsor Career China Pam Lynch’s site Travelling Bag Pam’s new book, How the Hell Did I Get

I always think it's a shame we preach about "stranger danger" when in reality 99.9% of strangers are just people waiting to be kind to us - and Episode 88 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast reinforces my thoughts because I have three guests who've had delightful experiences with random acts of travel kindness from the people they've met when they've been travelling. First up, I chat with Matt Eakin - if you've heard Matt speak before you know his stories are always rippers! - and this time, Matt tells me about what happened when he decided to check out the Muslim festival of Estema on his trip to Bangladesh. Let's just say that the kind and interested strangers numbered literally into the thousands! Next I chat with Cheri Shanti who recalls some of her favourite small acts of kindness from strangers when she's been travelling, in places from Thailand to North America - including a time when she was suddenly very ill. Finally, Joanne Karcz has spent time walking on the Camino and has some really beautiful mom