Philippines. I've never been to such a happy country. From the airplane "Seat Bingo" on Air Cebu, to the organized employee song and dance I witnessed at a grocery store, the warmth of the country still makes me smile today. In 35 countries I've never experienced so much hospitality. It's my favourite country.
4. Which destination has surprised you the most?
I had the chance to go to Bangladesh with Cathay Pacific. The rumours I had heard were not so great, but I always like to make my own assumptions. I arrived in Dhaka, and what I saw was people with Nothing. Tattered clothes, homelessness, and just enough food to get by... but they were so happy. It shook my whole world. It made me realize we rely so much on what we own. We affiliate with brand names, and choose ones to identify ourselves. It was like seeing the world without it's make-up, both literally and figuratively. I questioned a lot in my life after that trip. I questioned what I really needed to be happy.
5. What motivates you to travel?
I always want to learn, and I always want to feel challenged. I feel like life on the road is a bit like school. However, the lessons aren't labeled, they're not organized into timeslots, and you can't pick your courses. Spend a year seeing the world and you'll become calmer, more calculated, and more confident in yourself. You'll make smarter decisions, and like I mentioned above, what you need to be happy will change. I've become hooked on this feeling; the more I travel, the more I grow. I picked up a camera because I want to show people to see this too.