Before I went on my RTW travels, I could be often found stalking other travel blogs but what really interested me was the travel blogger behind the witticisms of their writing. Who are they? Are they real? Are they fit? So hence, for a long time coming, I wanted to do some travel blogging interviews and crack them open for their rawness inspiration of travel inside. Think Michael Parkinson.
Making waves, this week’s interview is no other than the most Surfer dude Travel Blogger around. I first met him as an intern at MyDestination Offices when we worked together. Sharing stories of his time travelling around Africa, Australia and South Pacific, he showed himself to be quite the photographer with his fancy equipment. (Okay, I’m jealous of his GoPro). Now he hopes to be a the best travel photographer whilst working as a Content and PR Manager for a digital marketing company. Without much further ado, I give you Iain of The Kava Tree.
2. Twitter: @Beabs7
3. Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/thekavatree
4. Blog URL: COMING SOON – Check Facebook page
5. Where are you originally from and where are you now?
From London, now back in London
6. Describe yourself in 3 words.
Constantly over excited
7. Tell us about your blog. What makes your blog unique from all the other bloggers out there?
The site started off purely as surf photography, then has kind of evolved into a blog too. I like exploring quite different places and doing things that challenge me. I firmly believe that we should take every opportunity that comes our way and I try to inspire people to do the same through my writing, films and photography.
8. Why did you start writing a blog? And did you find it easy to set up?
Started the site about 8 years ago to have somewhere to display my photographs from trips and it just grew from there. Started out as a Moonfruit site then went to Tumblr and now the new one is being built using Joomla!
Photographers are very mean. First, they frame you, then they shoot you, then hang you on the wall.
9. If you had to travel with 3 other travel bloggers who would they be?
Umm probably @aquabumps because he is a hero, @theblondabroad just because and go on then mate, I’d have to choose your good self too. (ED NOTE: You charmer you! But only if I can grow a beard like yours)
10. What’s the best advice you can give for new bloggers?
Ready, fire, aim! Just get it going and guide it as you go. Create something unique and update regularly with attractive content.
11. Other than a job, what’s the easiest way to make money for travels?
Porn (ED NOTE: Okay, did you save enough for a deposit?)
He made his money in shooting surfing themed ‘art films’ involving sharks. Sharknado anyone?
12. Where have you been in the world? And which was the best, worst, funniest, most random and scariest?
9 countries in Africa, America, Australia, NZ, Fiji, Indonesia the list goes on!
The best is probably New Zealand, there are not enough words to describe that place.
Wouldn’t say anywhere is the worst but Jakarta really needs to take a long hard look at its self!
Most random was Bogor on Java, very odd place!
Scariest was being driven by the local mini buses in some South African towns. Had a local sitting on my lap, the dude was driving at 100mph with deafening dubstep playing! No idea where I was going.
13. Naughtiest experience on your travels?
Ooh dunno about this one, I still want people to travel with me! (ED NOTE: Really? It might make more people want to travel with you…go on, spill)
14. Luggage or Backpack?
Backpack…and a camel
15. Top 3 items that you would save from your backpack if it was about to be sunk in shark infested waters?
Camera(s), surfboard, boardshorts. Then I’d jump in and swim the sharkies.
Iain often liked to go wild with the natives.
16. Skydiving or Bungee Jumping?
Skydiving for the win!
17. Best travel idol (aside from me, of course) that you would want to sit next to on the plane?
Sir Ranulph Fiennes, what a fricken hero.
18. What’s your party trick to show to other backpackers in hostels?
Getting in late and not turning the light on or playing with plastic bags. (ED NOTE: You are truly Backpacker Marriage Material!)
19. Hostel, Guesthouse, Hotel or Couchsurf?
Hostel, best way to meet people. Always try to take up chances to stay with locals in guesthouses too.
At this moment, Iain suddenly thought ‘wait…did I leave the iron on?’
20. Day Trip, Backpack or live? UK, Australia or Vietnam?
Live Australia, backpack Vietnam, daytrip to UK
21. Lonely Planet or Rough Guide?
Neither, just crack on with the locals. (ED NOTE: Through Chat Up Lines?)
22. Will you go out with me, a sexy, tall, dark and handsome god?
Depends if you come with Alana Blanchard or not! (ED NOTE: I’m sure Alana and I can work something out…actually now seeing her pictures, she’s all mine!)
23. Did you find love on your travels?
Insert corny ‘fell in love with the world line’ here
24. Would you go on I’m a Celebrity and eat pig’s testicles?
Only if it comes with crackling
25. And possibly, the most important question…Neighbours or Home and Away?!
Home & Away for sure, more surf .
Surf’s Up!
26. Which 3 songs have you played the most on your ipod on your travels?
Miles Away by Years Around The Sun, Sunshine by Matt Costa and Follow The Sun by Xavier Rudd (wow they all include the word ‘sun’)
27. You travelled on your own, how did that go for you and did you find it easy to make new friends on the road?
Loved it, great way to really discover a place at your own pace. Met heaps of great people. It gets you out of your comfort zone and encourages you to talk to randoms! Plus I can surf allll the time!
28. What are your next travel plans?
India. I’m fascinated by the place. Would love to travel Tibet and Nepal too while I’m there. Since doing Kilimanjaro, I’ve fallen in love with hiking and would love to do the 21,500ft Mera Peak in the Himalayas.
Shortly after this picture was taken, he proceeded to lead a west end production style video of ‘Climb Ev’ry Mountain’ by the Sound of Music
29. What’s the best advice you can give to first time travellers?
Don’t be scared. Say yes to everything, do not let opportunities pass you buy.
30. Finally, tell us a funny travel story..
I was diving in Fiji once, off a huge stunning coral wall innocently minding own business checking out some off the fish and a cool little Nudibranch dude. I caught something rather large moving out of the corner of my eye. Turned around and a big old shark had started circling quite close to us. I’ve seen many reef sharks but this was a real shark, at least 2 metres. Que panic bubbles everywhere! He started circling us a lot and making very fast darting movements towards us. I looked over to our guide who I imagined would obviously been calm and collected, instead he was holding a huge knife, definitely not good a sign. I figured the best place to be would be close to the wall so the shark couldn’t come up from behind me. However in my panic swimming, I got too close to the wall, bashed my foot on the reef and started bleeding everywhere with old mate sharkey below; this was officially not going well. Luckily enough the man in the grey suit seemed to have had enough with our bubbles and eventually swam away, leaving us to swim to the surface. It was an awesome experience and great to see a big shark in hunting mode up close…not sure if it beats the Great White incident though! (ED NOTE: Why what a lucky escape!)
Now I don’t normally do this but I really have to promote Ian’s fantastically inspiring video about his travels in Indonesia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Absolutely sterling work with the videos and he has become without a doubt, THE photographer/videographer to watch. So watch out for the legend that will be the Kava Tree.
Thanks Iain for doing this interview! If you would like to know more about his journeys, click here.
If you would like to have an interview, please drop an email to rexyedventures@gmail.com and we’ll get you featured on here!
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great interview! will have to check out the facebook page. that story about the shark is crazy!!! I would have forseen my last days the second I saw blood. definitely lucky escape.