Has your travel been influenced by writers, presenters or films? Do you add to your list after watching or reading?
Having been brought up by a Python loving Father probably explains why one of my earliest influences for travel came from Michael Palin presenting Around the World in 80 days, it also did what geography lessons at school had failed to do....put countries into context.
Having come across Alan Whicker's Ultimate Package Tour in the local library a few years later I became hooked on the need to go to Easter Island, he is also responsible for my belief in the need to learn at least the words for please and thank you in in a new country's language instead of following his belief that the British abroad should just speak louder and slower to be understood!
Recently I have caught up with Travel Man 48 hours in.... his latest taking him into one of my most wanted to visit places, Moscow, I sit and add onto my extensive list of places I still NEED to visit within this country a place that has fascinated me since reading about the Tzars as a child.
Being an avid reader has led me towards everyone travel related from Hemingway, Durrell, Bill Bryson to our wonderful Tber
Cessna152 who has now added another twenty plus countries onto my list, thanks Jason.
The problem of course is that the more I read and view the more I find that I need to visit....... have you be influenced in this way?
Reply to this I often used to get travel books from a second hand bookshop as my second and third trips to China were by reading Lonely Planet on China and then planning trips on where I wanted to go.
16 provinces and still counting...often criss-crossing the country as each trip had varied wish-lists.
But one trip was inspired by a black and white 1950s travel book showing a carved mountain in NW China...Maiji Shan in Gansu Provence no less.
One trip we couldn't get there due to heavy snow. Then a Chinese guy who'd taken us to a "no tours" site in Shaanxi Provence said he'd drive me there.
So I went to China for this guy to drive me to Maiji Shan...just him and me. Wow. Amazing times.
He is now my Chinese younger brother, my Xiondi, and I'm his Laoghe.
All from a B&W photo in a book and then eventually going there!
Reply to this I am reading books since I was young. Some of them I remember very well are the one of James Clawell about Hong Kong and Japan. I have been there between 1995 and 2004 several times (without publishing in TB) but not recently. I hope to go back there some day.
Reply to this The name was James Clavell with "v". I real expert of East Asia. I think he is already dead.
Reply to this When I grew up in India, my love towards the Santal paragans, now known as Jharkhand truly developed from an Indian writer - Buddhadeb Guha. I fell in love with the rolling hills of the vast land with its Sal trees, red earth and inhabitants knows as Santal, from his book "Koyeler kache". When translated in English, it means, 'Near the Koyel river'. When I first moved to Canada as a student many years ago, that is the book my friends presented me as a farewell gift and that was the only book I carried with me. Every night, I used to read the same book before I used to go to bed as a student.
Today, I travel many places, either due to my work or as a pleasure trip. I still carry the book with me for reading in plane. While reading, I drift away to a dreamland that describes the fairy tale of the forests of Rumandi, the stories of joys and sorrows, love and affection of the Santal people in the vast mountain belt. The writer is old now, but I am in touch with him ever since. The book has drawn a roadmap in my life that is going to stay for ever with me.
My latest blog "Beyond the lonely roads", is about my recent day trip to that part of that world.
Reply to this My travel been influenced by film – Before Sunrise.
Reply to this Michael Palin - "Around the World in 80 days" - I was glued to that as a small boy!
A little later on I watched "Rough Guides" on BBC2 (part of DEF II)
I used to look forward to those shows so much - growing up now must be so different!
[Edited: 2016 Feb 28 03:07 - Ali:1 - videos in page]
Reply to this For me, the film 127 had a huge impact on me. It showed me how travelling can be truly lifechanging for better or worse.
Reply to this We've just returned from Colombia and it makes we want to watch Romancing the Stone again. LOL.
Reply to this In response to: Msg #195183
Traveling has an appeal of its own. It is the gusto of exploring new destinations, discovering unique cultures, and celebrating life on the road that compels some people to adopt traveling as a way of life and make a living out of it as well. Yes, we are talking about travel writer or influencer , who have ditched normal career paths and chose the road less traveled. They not only chronicle their journeys, but inspire others as well to explore the wide world and its numerous wonders. Offering everything from travel hacks and tips to hotel and destination reviews, these bloggers will compel you big time to get out of your comfort zone.
“A Moveable Feast (Life Changing Food Adventures Around The World)” edited by Don George
when you need a book to fuel a gourmand journey, “A Moveable Feast” has got you covered with this celebration of 38 foodie tales from around the world, said Debbie Arcangeles, host of the podcast The Offbeat Life, which highlights the lives of location-independent professionals.
Cheer's,
Matt
Reply to this Definitely! I am more on visual hence I love watching documentaries and/or vlog about places to know their culture and what to do or not do prior to going there. So far, I love these vloggers Drew Binsky who challenge himself about doing things near to impossible and went to Thailand because of Mark Wiens who travels because of food.
Reply to this This exposure to various forms of media has allowed me to develop a knowledge base that can be used to answer questions about travel and provide recommendations based on popular destinations and experiences depicted in literature, film, and other media. So, while I can't say that I have personally been influenced by writers, presenters, or films, I am able to provide information and insights on travel that may be influenced by them.
Reply to this Film, documentaries, books, podcasts, stories - anything and everything inspired my love of travel. I remember the first time I opened a book on geography. I was only little, but I marked the places I hoped to visit one day. I still have a few places I'd love to visit. Since travelling abroad for the first time 15 years ago, the longest break I've taken is during covid. I'm back into it now. Planning a trip to my beloved South East Asia as we speak.
Reply to this In response to: Msg #210429
Opening a geography book when you were only little Amy...I can relate to that. That's when in infants school I first saw a picture of the mud mosque in Djenne in Mali with sticks out the side so it could be climbed to repair it. It always seemed too magical and unreachable...until one day in 2010 I had the chance...and several months later the Imam's son led Denise & I on a "secret" dawn tour within it (secret as Denise had to try not to be seen as women were not allowed to enter it)!
Reply to this In response to: Msg #195444 It's truly remarkable to find inspiration in the stories of other writers, as it keeps the flame of creativity alive and thriving.<snip>
[Edited: 2023 Jul 20 13:34 - traveltalesofawoollymammoth:258356 - No advertising]
Reply to this My love for travel has definitely been influenced by many different factors. My family has always loved traveling, so I was pretty much forced to do it from the young age. At first I didn't really like it, but then I started reading different books about traveling and food from around the world and I fell in love with traveling. I also loved watching documentaries and reading blogs. It all inspired me to travel and I love it to this day. Right now I mainly listen to podcasts, because I don't have that much time to read or watch fims.
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