An inspiring nomadic experience: an interview with Brad Florescu, travel journalist and photographer

There comes a time in everyone’s life when we feel the need to break free. For some this means starting their own business, writing a book or putting together the rock band they were dreaming about in high school. For others, the need of freedom is brought to life when their inner nomadic spirit takes over.

Whether they’re bored working in a weary system, or want to break the routine or maybe their soul will never find peace and happiness unless is able to unveil the world’s wanders, these are the people for whom the answers lie in the journey.

Bradut ‘Brad’ Florescu, a Romanian travel journalist, who has worked in advertising and media for over 13 years, decided to leave everything behind and follow his passions somewhere else in the world. There’s probably nothing new to this scenario, but unlike other people, Brad has actually succeeded in keeping this dream alive for almost 3 years now. He moved to Thailand and dedicated his life to travelling blossomed into writing and photography.

These 3 years scattered with stories, lessons and experiences have turned Brad into a traveller who can now understand better the world and himself.

He took a tour of Thailand on a sidecar motorcycle to find secluded beaches and meet the locals; he travelled to Sumatra, Indonesia, to taste the most expensive type of coffee in the world; he went to see the shocking, yet miraculous effects of the tsunami that hit Indonesia in 2004; he experienced a spectacular around the world trip with the Romanians: a one of its kind project in Romania which covered 3 continents, 10 cities and 35.000 km in 21 days.

And these are just some of the stories Brad has shared with other people on his personal blog and website.

What does a typical day in your life – when you’re in Thailand – look like?

There are two types of typical days: when I’m home and when I’m not.

In the first case, my days start around 8.30 with a cup of Thai Arabica coffee and a quick review of the overnight events and articles of note from around the world. Then I move on to writing, editing photos, publishing on the website and social media. Afternoons are dedicated to development: research for the future projects, reading, learning new languages, improving my guitar skills. I spend most evenings with my international group of friends in Chiang Mai, discussing news, sharing travel experiences and making music.

The days on the road start before sunrise, continue for 12 hours of field work followed by 3-4 hours of photo editing, preliminary writing, fine tuning the next day’s plan. I usually go to sleep around midnight.

You left for Thailand with some of your friends. Was it easier for you to make this step knowing that you wouldn’t have been totally alone on another continent, at ‘the end of the world’(like your mum says:)?

I’m not the gregarious type. I treasure solitude. However, in this case, being with friends added a few precious dimensions to the whole experiment. It gave me a lot of clues about the dynamics of friendship in a new environment with different rules and challenges. It was much more intellectual fun being with Ioana, Diana, Cristi and Andrei. They helped me learn a lot more about myself and about what I was meant to do with my life.

Meanwhile, 3 years later, the stories have changed. Some stayed, others left. But Elena, your better half, is still living with you in Thailand. How much does her presence influence you in continuing your journey in Asia?

Besides giving me love, care and emotional support, Elena has helped me a lot with my work. She’s doing project management; she’s in charge with sales, website development, finances and all those tasks that ask for a pragmatic, detail-oriented approach (fantastic counterpart to my stormy style). She’s also a very talented photographer, a fantastic networker and a skilled cook. Not to mention how beautiful she is.

Elena’s being here in Thailand makes it sometimes harder for me to travel, because I miss her as soon as I hit the road. So hear my words: being a travel writer is a tough job when an amazing Penelope is waiting at home.

“The culture of freedom”

Although you’ve started this journey as a “Crush Test Dummy ” and experienced the benefits (or not) of a sabbatical year, your passion for travel, writing and photography turned into at least 2 great projects: tedoo.ro and tedoo.eu. What are you aiming to achieve through them?

Tedoo.ro is the rebranded and redesigned version of Amazingrace.ro, the travel blog I started in 2007. Besides the facelift, its very concept evolved a lot during the last 5 years and my being a nomad for quite a while now helped me better understand the world in general and the world of traveling in particular.

The core idea of Tedoo.ro is “the culture of freedom”. I strongly believe that this freedom we’re all craving for should come with an usage manual or it can be mishandled, broken, lost. Tedoo.ro is focused on providing Romanian readers with proper information about what freedom really is and how it should be pursued and used for the benefit of all.

Tedoo.eu is a photo blog I started soon after my arrival in Thailand. It features those photos which really express my view on the world. A bit weird, a bit lonely but definitely honest.

And how is Tedoo.ro different from the other travel websites in .ro?

First off as already stated, tedoo.ro is not about travelling for the sake of it. It’s about freedom. It’s about inner travels, about overcoming misconceptions, fears, ignorance and clichés, it’s about finding the way, reading the world as an open book, pursuing one’s passion and intuition. It’s about a multidimensional way of travelling, where the physical movement from A to B is just a pretext for an inner journey.

Second, tedoo.ro has kind of a patriotic approach, as it tries to build up a Romanian travel culture, adapted to my country fellows’ way of life, cultural perspective, interests and mental profile.

Third, since tedoo.ro was among the very first websites that promoted independent travelling and a nomadic way of life, most of the nowadays Romanian travel blogosphere is somehow trying to replicate the concept, at least partially. Unfortunately, as all copycats, they’re also replicating the mistakes I made in the past.

Have you thought about having an English version to extend your audience?

There is a tiny English/Spanish section on Tedoo.ro (many thanks to Andreea Sminchise and Laura Saracin), but there’s much more to come. “The Thailander” project, comprising my extensive travels around Northern and Southern Thailand, is currently under development. About half of the stories have already been translated and published on the draft version of the website. By the time the full version will hit the internet, it will probably be one of the world’s most comprehensive online guides about Thailand.

Do you have any story about fans of your blog/website who travelled to Thailand and wanted to meet you as well?

Not one, but tens of them. I meet at least one of my readers every week, in Chiang Mai. There are many I cannot see because they travel to other destinations in Thailand. But they e-mail me and I feel good to know they found some useful information on Tedoo.ro.

Setting an example

You left the communication industry in Romania, but you couldn’t ‘close the door’ for good not even at over 7,000 km away. How addictive is the new media system?

Communication is addictive regardless of the channel. Having a face-to-face conversation, singing around a beach fire or sharing photos on Facebook, these are all ways of reminding each other that being human is all about togetherness and playfulness.

If it wasn’t for writing and photography, what else could you have done to make a living in Thailand?

I don’t usually answer “IF” questions, but in this case I’ll make an exception. I’d probably make music.

We think that the path you chose has encouraged other people to fulfill their dreams that until then didn’t seem reachable. How do you feel about it?

Guilty as charged.

Is Brad Florescu a trendsetter or a brand (that people identify with and trust)?

I couldn’t say that from where I’m standing.

“Find your way”

What are the three main things that would define, in your view, the people of Thailand?

The Buddha, The King and The Family.

During these 3 years spent in Thailand, can you share with us a story that was a turning point in your life?

Every moment of freedom is a turning point in one’s life. If you feel comfortable with your life, if you know what tomorrow is going to bring, then you’ve exchanged “a walk-on part in the war/for a lead role in a cage” (as Pink Floyd brilliantly put it some forty years ago).

Tell us about the man you used to be before moving to Thailand and the man you are now. Are there any major differences?

I was selfish, superficial, impatient and unwise. Now I’m slowly healing.

Why should one take a sabbatical year in Thailand?

One shouldn’t. One should not turn one’s life into a postcard. The whole thing about a sabbatical is to put one’s self as far as possible from bias. So it depends on where the bias comes from and on the nature of this bias. One can spend a sabbatical anywhere, anyhow for any length of time. It’s just a way. Find your own.

Photo courtesy of Brad Florescu and tedoo.ro. You can find more images on Brad’s Flickr and on tedoo.eu. 

Top 5 rivers for a cruise holiday

Go on a river cruise and you’ll be able to take in a whole range of sights from majestic wildlife to fascinating cultural attractions from the comfort of a luxury boat. To find out more about five of the best river cruises in the world, read on.

Original article found on Travel wonders.

Nile

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As the longest river in the world, cruising up the Nile can offer you a fascinating insight into ancient Africa. While the waterway crosses through a number of countries, it is perhaps most closely associated with Egypt and as you travel from Aswan up to Luxor you’ll be able to learn more about the ancient civilisation.

One place that you should definitely stop by on your cruise is Thebes. Here you’ll get the chance to explore the Karnak temple complex , which is more than 2,000 years old. A wide range of monuments and tombs can be seen here; however, it is perhaps the precinct built in dedication to chief Egyptian god Amun-Re that will be most captivating.

Continue your journey up the Nile and you’ll come across the Luxor Temple. Built to host the Festival of Opet, an ancient event which saw a statue of Amun-Re paraded down the Nile, here you’ll also find an array of historic statues and attractions, including an effigy of Ramesses II and the Abu el-Haggag mosque.

Travel a little further north and you’ll come to the Valley of the Kings, which contains more than 60 royal tombs, including that of Tutankhamen. From the comfort of your boat, you’ll be able to see a wide range of wildlife, including small fishes and Nile crocodiles which grow up to 16 feet long.

Danube

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You may also want to go on a cruise of the Danube. As one of the longest rivers in Europe, this is a great way to see several of the continent’s most charming countries.

Starting in Germany, you’ll have the chance to explore the beautiful riverside town of Passau before continuing your journey to Salzburg, Austria. Visit the city’s old town district and you’ll be able to take in some beautiful Baroque architecture and learn more about composer Wolfgang Mozart who was born in the city.

Continue your cruise and you’ll pass through Vienna and Bratislava before arriving at your final destination of Budapest, the Hungarian capital . The city is set across both sides of the waterway and you’ll find a range of captivating attractions in each.

These include the neo-gothic parliament building and the world’s largest thermal water cave system, while the dozens of geothermal springs located here mean you’ll find a range of spas where you can go for a soak.

The fact that the Danube crosses through so many countries means that you’ll be able to see a wide range of wildlife, with white pelicans, beavers and tawny owls among the creatures you may have the chance to see.

More than 100 species of fish can be founded in the waterway, so look over the side of your boat for a chance to spot the Danube salmon, the Balkan loach and the Black Sea salmon.

Amazon

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As one of the world’s largest waterways, there’s a range of countries you can take in on a tour of the river, including Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru. Your cruise is likely to pass through Brazil, where upon your cruise ship mooring up you’ll be able to interact with local tribes and learn more about how they survive in the rainforest.

Among the many creatures you might get to see during your Amazon cruise are monkeys, tropical frogs and freshwater dolphins, some of which are an unusual pink colour, and you can also go on nature hikes and fishing excursions during your trip.

Mississippi

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Opt for a river cruise along the Mississippi and not only will you get the chance to travel on a traditional steamboat but you will also be able to explore some of the USA’s most exciting cities.

Among the many interesting destinations that you’ll be able to take in during your trip are St Louis, Memphis and Nashville, a city that is synonymous with country music.

However, it may be New Orleans that really catches your interest. A melting pot of different cultures, here you’ll be able to sample Cajun and Creole cuisine before exploring the French Quarter and watching jazz bands.

Yangtze

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Booking a river cruise along the Yangtze gives you the opportunity to see some of China’s breathtaking natural scenery, not least of all several spectacular gorges.

Perhaps one of the most popular stop-off points on a voyage of the waterway is the Chongqing Zoo. The largest zoo in south-west China, here you’ll be able to see hundreds of different kinds of animals including pandas, giraffes and tigers.

Other sights to be seen include the Fengdu Ghost City and parts of the Great Wall of China, while you may also be able to explore the bustling cities of Shanghai or Beijing.

With so many fantastic places to explore, a river cruise can be a fantastic way of seeing the world!

Singapore’s first Banyan Tree Spa opens at Marina Bay Sands

Here’s a sneak peak into the new Banyan Tree Spa opening this week. Now we do have to say, she’s done us proud! After spending 17 years establishing 64 spas in 26 countries, Banyan Tree has finally returned to its roots on top-of-the-town, Marina Bay Sands Hotel.

Treatments – get to the important bits
With 15 treatment rooms including 2 Royal Double Spa Suites, a Beauty Salon, a Tea Lounge for post-treatment relaxation as well as the Banyan Tree Gallery.

With a choice of 35 luxurious treatments including well-loved favourites such as the 90/120-minute session massages, body scrubs, facials and beauty treatments. A variety of traditional Thai, Swedish, Balinese and Hawaiian Lomi Lomi to specialist sports and back massages are also available.

The signature treatments…
Harmony Banyan harnesses the power of the (Singapore) Orchid. This 180-minute indulgent session massage is performed by two therapists who synchronise in physique and movements to bring about a harmonious sense of well-being. It comprises an Orchid Scrub, Harmony Banyan massage using specially concocted Orchid massage oil, Head & Foot massage and concludes with a Therapeutic Orchid Bath.

Royal Banyan, formulated with the high stresses of city-dwellers in mind, highlights the Royal Banyan Herbal Pouch Massage, which uses East-meets-West massage techniques and a herbal pouch dipped in warm Sesame Oil to soothe muscular tension and improve blood circulation.

A Banyan Tree Spa innovation, the 180-minute session Tropical Rainmist experience is a rejuvenating combination of Rainmist Steam Bath and cascading Rain Shower to uplift your senses as a prelude to the luxurious body treatment that follows.

All Banyan Tree Spa treatment sessions are inclusive of 30 minutes’ Calm Time which includes a welcome footbath, herbal drink with refreshments for post-treatment relaxation.

Original post here.

Hong Kong Debuts Sightseeing Smartcard

Anyone who visits the world’s great cities as a tourist knows it gets expensive making the rounds to all the must-hit sights and spots. Hong Kong is no exception, which is why we were happy to hear that its first smart sightseeing card launches there this month—also the first in China.

Original Post via Travel and Leisure.

Created by iVenture, the company behind similar cards in Australia and Singapore, the “See Hong Kong Pass” ranges from $399-$999, and offers deep discounts at 15 top sights, hop-on hop-off bus access, and even dim sum lunches and a side trip to Maccau.