How I Chose Where To Travel Next

“Dust from a distant sun will shower over everyone” – Neil Finn. 

I hate repeats and I like to close doors so if it is a new country or a new city, I would prefer to choose that first. So when I look at a map and see 5 countries that I wasn’t in, they have a bigger chance to be next to than to do repeats. I only really do repeats now in Poland, England, and Northern Ireland. For the rest of my journeys, I am looking for new places. I get bored of the same place and returns don’t inspire my wandering heart.

Before the Coronavirus kicked off, I was travelling 3-4 times a year on 2-week trips. Before 2016 (when I settled in Poland), I was backpacking it hardcore, almost non-stop for 3.5 years. It’s not always solo though – sometimes with family, friends, new backpacking buddies, and all the lovers (that have gone before) 

My Favourite Travel Memory!

“Tony Kane loyal” – GAWA. 

Playing football next to an ancient Buddhist monastery in Afghanistan with only locals stands out as amazing. I was the only foreigner and on the “pitch” made of sand beside the monastery was a former Afghanistan under 19 international. He and I were the two captains and we played in the heat. I played in Afghan-style clothing, with an AFC Bournemouth scarf, sunglasses, and a hat. The match finished 0-0 but I firmly believe I scored the winner with a 40-yard fluke lob that I thought was under the bar. It was ruled out and on with the show!

Some Things That Prevent Me From Traveling More

“Close your eyes so you don’t feel them. They don’t need to see you cry” – Robbie Williams. 

Viruses, money, visa rejections. They are the main things that prevent travel for me. Normally there is a way around the visa problems, but the viruses and money have a stronger hold on us. 

The biggest challenge is overcoming depression. I travelled alone in 2014 and encountered a nasty person who caused my depression. Life has been a struggle since. After that, a fellow tourist became a stalker to my friends in Poland and England, and to my family. That has been very tough too. If you beat depression, you have won the Travel World Cup. I’m sitting on bronze. It’s a tough fight. 

Advice To New Solo Travelers

“I find it hard to belong to something new” – Ben Paulley. 

I could write a lot about this but here are five quick points. 

1. Work as hard as you can every day and never turn down jobs or offers. Keep working.

2. Always try the beer and food in a new country or city.

3. Don’t follow the trends and become a follower of obvious places. Get “off the wheaten craic” (off the beaten track) and be the only tourist in some of the places you visit.

4. Never buy water. But drink loads of it. Every time water is included in the price of things, take it, fill your bottles up, milk it. I hate buying water.

5. Kiss the girl; she’s not behind the door. 

Other cool travel stories you might enjoy! 

• 137 Countries And Counting: This Is How Danay Travels 11 Months Out Of The Year Without A Full-Time Job

• 33 And A Half Months Later: This Traveler's Craziest Stories Can Be Found In The Pages Of His Passport

• From Being A Couch Potato to Everest Base Camp

• Derk Spent His Thailand Adventure Living With Locals, Eating Very Traditional Food, And Getting A Tattoo From A Monk

• After Being Laid Off In 2008, Ric Started On His Journey To Visit Every Country In The World: He Only Has 51 Countries Left To Go

• She Quit School And Has Hitchhiked In 72+ Countries: Iris Shares Her Top Stories & Advice From 7 Years Of Non-Stop Travel

• From Alaska To Argentina With $0: This Is The Story Of Leon And His Kindness Diaries