Traveler Tuesday – Nick of Travel Echo
I met Nick virtually when he reached out for support on the launch of his new e-book, “[email protected] Pasta and Ketchup.” When I took a look at the book and checked out some of Nick's adventures on his blog Travel Echo, I knew that I wanted to interview him here for Traveler Tuesday.
Let’s meet travel blogger Nick!
When and how did you become a traveler?
I used to be an IT businessman before my days as a fulltime traveler started. It all began with a three weeks' vacation in New Zealand back in 2009. Driving around the Islands living my dream day by day – it was then when I got bitten by the travel bug. I got back home and realized, that there is so much more to discover then my desk, a fancy business car and a career in a suit.
Where do you love to travel?
I don't really have a favorite spot. I always say it depends on the experiences and the people you meet. If I really have to choose – the best lifestyle in Australia. The best food in Thailand and Mexico. The most stunning landscapes Canada, Bolivia, Peru and Vietnam. Most fun I had in the US (e.g. dancing in front of the MGM Grand in a Lederhosen to make some money or working there as a stripper for one night 🙂 )
Most memorable travel moment:
Getting shot with a spear gun. In Fiji.
What won’t you travel without?
Music – it makes your trips memorable for a lifetime and can quickly change your moods if having a bad day on the road.
A day isn’t complete until I…
…at least learn one new thing every day.
Travel essential – 3 things you always travel with
Mobile Phone – mostly for music
My Swiss Army knife – it helped me a lot during my last 6 years of traveling. If for opening a coconut on the beach, fishing in Canada or opening endless bottles of wine 😉
Name one thing people would be surprised to find in your travel bag:
A bag of pure cinnamon powder. It is the best cure for a bad stomach! I always have it with me.
Perfect travel day from start to finish.
Local coffee and talking to locals at the beach. Renting anything with a lot of horse power to have a ride through the jungle and eventually do some extreme adrenaline pushing / stupid / dangerous stuff. Going back to the beach and having a light lunch. Cozy afternoon nap in the shade while lying in the hammock. Walking through a local market to get fresh ingredients for the pot luck with other travellers and locals. After finishing dinner, we all sit down watching the sun set at the beach.
What are your favorite food cities? What restaurants do you go to in each?
Mexico City, Oaxaca, Bangkok & Mumbai. No restaurants – Streetfood is the best!
Have you been anywhere which turned out to be totally different to how you imagined? If so, how?
Cuba – I didn't expect to be seen as such a money magnet to locals. It was quite hard to get in touch with locals to really connect. It worked out in the end – but it was way tougher than I imagined.
What has travel taught you?
Nobody gives a shit about you – so do whatever you want to. Follow your own path and don't be scared of failure! Don't compare yourself to others – every person has its own path. Be more polite and generous and less materialistic – there are so many people out there who have less and seem to be happy all day.
What's one location on your bucket list?
Northern lights or TransSiberian railway.
Nick's Lightning Round of Favorites
Airline: SWISS Airline
Airport: Singapore
Mode of Transportation: Local transportation or a Catamaran
Travel snack: Cashew nuts
Country: It is all about the experience and the people you meet 😉
Travel Gear: Vaude Travel Trousers
Travel App: Maps.ME
Travel Book: The Alchemist, Borderlines
Travel Movie: Into the Wild
Song on your smartphone: Watasun – the water song
Thanks Nick!
You can keep up with Nick on Instagram and Facebook, and of course on his blog. Don't forget to check out is e-book, nobody should eat ramen and ketchup! Wherever you catch him, I am sure you will enjoy his adventures!
How about you? What would you like to know about Nick?
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How fun to be able to travel the world and explore so many unique places! I love his statement to be more polite and generous and less materialistic. I bet traveling to other countries and seeing how they live and their culture really opens your eyes to just how blessed we are.
Hey Kristy,
I totally agree with your opinion that traveling the world opens up your eyes (and mind!) to appreciate even the smallest things in your life. We are indeed blessed, but sometimes it seems like we have to see people which are not that lucky – to eventually realize we actually got nothing to complain about.
What a great interview. This guy sure lives the dream life. I can only image the incredible experiences he has had so far. I think I need to order and read his book. I’m pretty excited about it.
I can only imagine all the stories he has to share from his travels.The picture are absolutely beautiful. I would love one day to travel to other countries and experience new places. Maybe when the kids have grown up.
Love the cover of that ebook. “Maybe one day a Number 1 Bestseller” is hilarious! I love to read interviews and really enjoyed this one.
How cool to travel for a living. That is truly a dream come true! And working as a stripper at MGM for a night? What a fun story to have forever. I love traveling. My husband has a demanding schedule, we have two small kids, and there never seems enough money, but this year I’m making #noexcuses and take a lesson from Nick Martin. Maybe I can start small and just buy his cook book though. 😉
Hey Diana,
I like your commitment to #noexcuses – go F%[email protected] to it! If you wait until your husband has time, kids grown up and you have enough money… guess what time thats gonna be? …you know it by yourself 😉
Traveling is cheaper than a lot of people imagine. So yes, no excuses! Hope my personal travel tails in the cook book inspire you to set off for YOUR adventures around the world 😉 All the best, Nick
I feel as though I need to get this book ASAP! As an avid traveller and a personal trainer it’s nice to see someone creating a cookbook that isn’t just about pasta which is so common (at least in the backpacking arena!). Also its so hard to answer the question on your favourite place so far!
I really don’t travel at all and after reading this I have that wanderlust even more than before. I really want to see the world or even the country but at this point I would settle for the state. I just want to get out and have experiences again, it has been a while since I have went anywhere due to an illness and extended hospital stay. I want to get shot with a spear gun in Fiji too! Not really, but what a cool story to tell!
Trust me Melissa, you DO NOT want to get shot with a spear gun. But yes, it is a good story to tell 😉
i would love to ditch the corporate world and travel! The idea of seeing new things and learning something new everyday sounds so amazing! Street food is amazing and I love that he says it’s his favorite rather than a restaurant.
Hey Jamie,
Go for it! I did it and I since six years there was not a single doubt that it was the best decision in my life!
Recently a friend of mine returned from the Sahara desert with a bottle of sand. He gifted it to me with one request of return it and get your own. The joy of travelling is universal it seems.
I would love to travel and see God’s creation and meet alot of God’s children. This sounds awesome. I did not know this about cinnamon powder. I will have to remember to carry some with me. This man sounds like an interesting person to talk to. Thank you so much for sharing