Traveler Tuesday – Jub of Tiki Touring Kiwi

I love meeting travel bloggers that have really cool niches, like space, dogs or in the case of Jub of Tiki Touring Kiwi, sports! Sports and athletics seem like a great way to connect with people all over the world (while keeping healthy yourself!) as there are some form of organized activities wherever you go, even if it is just the local kids playing kickball! Food has always been my vehicle, but I think sports is equally authentic and relatable which makes Jub someone I'd definitely like to hang out with.

Let’s meet Jub!

[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
The term traveller is a funny one for me, I’ve just Googled what the definition is:

a person who is travelling or who often travels.

So based on this, it would be March 2013. That’s when I travelled to Vancouver on a Working Holiday Visa. The plan was to stay in Vancouver for a year, but I guess the bug took hold and I ended up being there for about six months before heading to Southeast Asia where the travels continued.

Since then, I’ve been nomadic with no more than two months in a destination at a time. It’s tiring, and I think a home base somewhere is coming to my future. I’ll be heading back to New Zealand for the first time in over two years in June/July and we’ll see what happens there.

[2] What kind of traveler do you define yourself as?

I guess if you’re looking at the stereotypical categories, I’m a budget backpacker. I stay in hostels, don’t eat at fancy restaurants, walk everywhere (taxis are the worst) and look for free activities wherever possible. What I will pay for are sports activities, even then I cringe at the ticket prices from time to time.

[3] What do you love most about traveling?

The unknown. No two days are the same. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure every day. There are so many random situations I find myself in that I can’t help but laugh half the time. As much as it’s sometimes nice to have a routine from time to time, my natural state doesn’t seem to gel with a routine which travelling suits well.

[4] What do you dislike about traveling?

The same conversations every day. In hostels, I walk in and so often before saying hello back to me, they’ll ask me ‘where are you from?’

Perhaps it’s because of my kiwi accent I get the question more than most, but fuck it’s annoying when it occurs 10 times a day. Then you’ve got the rest of the questions about where you’ve been, where you’re going, etc.

I’ve made it a goal this year to spend time with friends wherever I can which has worked well. Helps to be able to skip most of the basic conversations and get to deep conversations ASAP.

[5] Why should people travel?

People should travel because you get to learn so much. I think most of the learning is subconscious learning, but that comes through when you return back to ‘real life’. Compassion is a massively underrated skill, and for most who are lucky enough to be born into a white, middle-high class family in the western world you can develop a lot of compassion when travelling to areas where many live in less fortunate circumstances. Not to say that they aren’t compassionate, but that was just the example I chose. Compassion!

[6] What famous person would you like to travel with?

Hmmm, interesting. I think Arnold Palmer would have been great to travel with, but equally annoying. He always made time for everyone, but that also meant travelling took ages.

[7] Travel essentials – 3 things you always travel with.

My hat scarf – this was a freebie I got during a rugby game at University. I remember adding it into my bag at some point and it’s a godsend.

Universal Travel Adapter – I buy them from 7/11 in Thailand/Malaysia and have only ever had to buy two. And the second one was only because I left the original at a hostel. These are quality universal adapters.

Grizz – He is the one thing that’s been a constant with me since leaving Wellington after University. He hangs out at the bottom of the bag, only to be seen once a month at most…but at least he never gets lost way down there. He was a Christmas present from Santa when I was 5 years old or so.

[8] If you’re a foodie, what's your favorite food city? Do you have a restaurant recommendation?

I’m not a foodie, but I always love going back to Chiang Mai as it’s a great place for vegans and vegetarians. As a vegan a lot of people expected India to be the best spot for me, but they use ghee (butter) in lots. So yea, Chiang Mai and their green curry with vegetables and tofu have to be my favourite food city. I’ll suggest going to Chiang Mai night market and get a fruit shake from Pa, at her Pa Fruit Shake stand. No idea how she does it…BEST FRUIT SHAKES EVER.

[9] What's one location on your bucket list?

Augusta, GA to watch the Masters. Ideally, I will get to watch Tiger win the event.

The prestige of the event is insane, combined with the magical moments over the years, and the traditions (they have more or less kept food prices the same) make it something I have to experience. Any major sports experience would do though.

[10] Do you have a piece of advice for bloggers starting out?

My advice is to not worry about anything other than writing content for the first month. Write about what you want to write about, don’t let all the big blogging terms like SEO, keyword research, monetisation, social media, get in your way. If you are enjoying the writing process you’ve a much better chance at being a sustainable blogger in the long run. After a month, start learning about these other skills.

[11] What are three other blogs that inspire you?

Hmmm, I do read a lot of blogs.

Jackson from JourneyEra.com -> He is all adventure during the day, then optimises his time in the evenings working on his blog.

Mar from OnceInALifetimeJourney.com – She is a luxury blogger who actually pays for 90% of her luxury travels so you know she’s genuine. She doesn’t stick to Bali and Thailand, she gets way off track.

Kate from AdventurousKate.com -> A model of consistency in the blogging world. Has never got carried away by shiny things, just keeps blogging and serving her audience (which isn’t me, but I still read most of the posts)

Jub's Lightning Round of Favorites

Airport: Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Mode of Transportation: Plane
City or Country: Chiang Mai
Travel Gear: Tui hat scarf
Travel snack: Clif Bars
Book: What Makes You Not A Buddhist by Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse
Movie: Any Casey Neistat Vlog
Song: In The Summertime – Thirsty Merc
Quote: Well, we knocked the bastard off – Sir Edmund Hillary

Thanks Jub!

You can keep up with Jub on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and of course on his blog. Wherever you catch him, I am sure you will enjoy his travel adventures!

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