Meet the Nomads: Matthew Long

I’ve been following Landlopers silently because I learn a lot of travel tips and tricks from Matt. There’s a variety of tips that will surely help travellers roam the world affordably.

Imagine my surprise when I saw an article of mine included in Landloper’s Top 10 List of Top 10 Blogger’s List. As a fan, I was truly privilege to be noticed by one of the top travel blogs in the world.

I highly encourage you to check out Landlopers to learn more about budget travelling around the world and to get updates on Matt’s adventure as well.

Here’s my short interview with Matt.

How did you discover your passion for traveling?

“I’ve been fascinated with other countries and cultures since I was a small child. It has always been one of my greatest desires to see the world and learn more about the people that make it a great place.”

What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?

“On the whole I’ve been pretty fortunate, but in Bangkok I got caught in a tourism police set up. They accused me of littering and demanded a large bribe. It was scary and I was completely taken off guard. I let it go though and Thailand is one of my favorite travel destinations.”

What’s the best travel experience that you’ve ever had?

“I talk about it a lot, but our trip to the Galapagos was a remarkable, life changing experience. To have the opportunity to witness rare, unadulterated nature was a thrill of a lifetime.”

What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of traveling?

“That one the whole most people are really good and that there is more that connects us than separates us.”

What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?

“Well, I’m not a perpetual traveler. Rather, it is something I am passionate about and try to take advantage of whenever possible. The desire to see new things and experience new places is a rush and that is what keeps me going.”

This is a silly and hypothetical one. If you would be given a chance to travel with a popular person or a celebrity, who would it be and why?

“Bill Clinton. I think he’d be a lot of fun, plus his worldwide connections would guarantee a trip of a lifetime.”

Where’s your favorite place in this planet and why?

“Favorite for what? My favorite city is Paris, my favorite country is Thailand, my favorite beach retreat is Hawaii, and my favorite region is quickly becoming the Middle East. Plus, these are all open to rapid and total change.”

What’s your best tip for newbie traveler?

“Don’t be afraid of making mistakes; it’s how we learn and even the worst experiences will make for a great story and valuable life lessons. Please note, hopefully these mistakes don’t involve horrible or mortal injury, in which case not such a great story.”

What’s the funniest and silliest thing you’ve ever done while traveling?

“It’s a long story, but I took part in a new age, feel good activity in the Riviera Maya that was supposed to make us more zen or something. I don’t know, it was silly, I wrote about it here:
http://landlopers.com/2010/08/23/ancient-art-lentil-torture-mexicos-riviera-maya/

What do you think about yourself?

“Well this is a slightly odd question, but I’ll give it a try. I think that I’m someone who is trying to help people travel more often and with ease through my sometimes humorous, sometimes informative look at travel.”

“LandLopers is devoted to the average traveler; someone who works a 9-5 job and looks forward to travel as an opportunity not just for relaxation, but enjoyment and hopefully personal growth.” – Matt Long

Next: Brendan Van Son of Brendan’s Adventure. Previously: Lisa Egle of The Chicky Bus. For more interviews with travel bloggers, check out the archives of Meet the Nomads.