Sharing Travel Experiences

Unconventional Travel by Chris Guillebeau

by Andy Hayes

This week’s guest is a very special one. He’s an internet celebrity who is challenging conventions and seeing the world in the process. Travelling so much, in fact, that he’s now an expert on frequent flyer programmes and attempting to visit every country in the world. How cool is that? Let’s find out more about this true visionary, Chris Guillebeau.

Your site is called The Art of Nonconformity, and you mention that nonconformity is “the idea is to stand for something. It’s too easy to be a cynic. It’s better to be a believer.” That’s pretty powerful stuff, and I think more and more people are becoming non-conformists. Would you agree, or is it just that us non-conformists tend to run in the same circles?

I think that more people are questioning conventional assumptions, which can only be a good thing. The recent global recession had the positive effect of helping a lot of people realize that much the conventional wisdom is frequently wrong, especially in terms of career security and debt accumulation. So overall, yes, I think that the mission is gaining momentum.

Andy’s Note:  I grabbed this from Chris’s photo album.  I think Alex Fayle must have written this on their chalk board after writing the Make 2010 a Travel More Year.  Every year is a travel more year when you’re Chris Guillebeau

You’re currently in progress with one of your largest goals: to visit every country in the world by your 35th birthday (in April 2013). Can you tell us how far along you are? How are you feeling about this journey so far – has met expectations? Anything unexpected?

So far so good! I’m writing you on the way back from the South Pacific, where I visited Tonga, Samoa, and Fiji — or as I think of them, countries #123-125. I still have about 70 countries to visit, though, and the goal becomes progressively more difficult due to the lack of “easier” countries as I get closer to the end.

Overall I’d say it’s been what I expected: an amazing adventure that has challenged my worldview and helped me understand my (very small) place in the world. One of the more surprising things has been seeing how many people are interested in my journey. Almost everywhere I go now, I can meet with readers who enjoy catching up, showing me around, and talking about their projects. As a naturally shy person, this took some time getting used to, but after I realized that the readership consists of interesting, like-minded people busy pursuing their own goals, it’s now one of my favorite things to do when I travel.

Andy’s Note: Funny, I would have never thought you to be shy!  As someone who goes out of his way to help others and be supportive, you’ve definitely got over your shyness.

One of your most recent itineraries was PDX-YVR-AKL-TBU-APW-AKL-YVR-PDX. Some people would call that heaven, others would call it hell. Well get to your upgrade tips and tricks in a minute – but how do you cope rude passengers, unruly security, and jet lag?

Ha — for me it’s neither heaven nor hell; it’s just what I do. I’m very aware that other people are working at jobs that they struggle to find meaning in, so I try to remain grateful. As for rude passengers, I try to ignore them. Unruly security, I try to stay below the radar. Jet lag, I just work with it and don’t worry about it too much.

Andy’s Note:  That’s a great point.  We’ve all seen what the airline/airport staff go through on a daily basis, and given the state of the industry, it must be a difficult place.  I think your ‘go with the flow’ attitude is great advice.

You said that you relate to a quote by Dean Karnazes, who said “Relaxing stresses me out.” Surely you have a need for a time out now and then. What’s relax time for you like?

Yes, I love that quote, but you’re also correct – everyone needs time out. I like coffee breaks, sitting around on park benches, reading, drinking wine. Mostly, though, I do whatever I want to do about 80% of the time, so I don’t worry about separating “work things” from the rest of my life.

One of the travel destinations you found inspiring was South Africa. Want to tell us about your experience?

I was fortunate to live in Cape Town and East London for several weeks in 2006. What a great country! The people, the culture, the cafes, the blend of experiences – I’m a big fan. I’ve been back to Jo’burg and Pretoria several times since then, and I always enjoy stopping over.

Tell us what inspired you to create your most popular product, Frequent Flyer Master.

I wanted to democratize free travel, or at least help a lot of people do what I do in terms of traveling the world on a limited budget. I’ve been traveling for 10 years and have learned to be fairly creative in terms of getting awards tickets. At last count I had more than 600,000 Frequent Flyer miles, and most of them have been earned without flying. So in short, I wanted to share the wealth through a low-cost product.

Where would you go with 25,000 airmiles?

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WOW. Chris is high on my list of amazing people and every time I get an update from him on his latest travels, it puts a smile on my face. But even more amazing is his Frequent Flyer Master programme. I’m currently working my way through it now, so I’ll post some more info soon, but the book comes with 25,000 air miles guaranteed! Where would you go with 25,000 air miles? [ Let us know if you want a suggestion ] Go and check out Frequent Flyer Master today and start racking up the miles!

All photos courtesy of Chris.

We’re an affiliate for Chris so we get some change for coffee if you buy his book. But you get at least 25,000 frequently flyer miles. I can tell you who’s getting the better end of the deal.