Q107's "Derringer in the Morning" Interview

John Derringer, Bill Hayes and myself have a great conversation about my book...We talk about some of the problems and dangerous places that I came across, quash some of the misconceptions about backpacking and visiting 3rd World countries, as well as get into some of the funnier moments of traveling naive and without a clue...

Part 1

Part 2

More Confessions...Chapter 27. CULTURE SHOCK

They say that "all good things must come to an end." However, 'they' can often be clueless idiots.

I had zero intention of letting the magical and educational experiences of the past two years come to an end. Despite being forced to return home to deal with a family dilemma, I knew that my time in Canada was going to be short....I would be back travelling soon enough.

Nonetheless, my return was met with a lot of uncertainties...the main one being whether or not I would be leaving the airport in handcuffs...

More Confessions...Chapter 27. CULTURE SHOCK

More Confessions...Chapter 26. THE EMAIL

Between my incredible job running a pub, living on a beach and having Southern Africa as my playground, one could say that life was pretty good. Even the 'stressful' moments, such as being in a bus accident, ultimately proved to be incredible experiences and fascinating stories.

It couldn't stay this sweet forever...

It didn't.

A simple email from home would dramatically change my perspective, attitude and future travel plans... A simple email would unlock the cage that I had so wonderfully stored my anger and frustrations within...

Chapter 26. THE EMAIL

More Confessions...Chapter25. LIVING IN REALITY

A common theme seemed to pop up anytime I contacted anybody from home. Friends and family were both curious when I was coming back to Canada...when I was going to come back to reality.

This was a question that I didn't have an answer for. I wasn't even sure if I understood what 'reality' was supposed to be. I knew that the past two years of traveling had taught me a lot about life and, more importantly, myself.

Life of a beach, watching the sun rise over the Indian Ocean each and every day is a pretty sweet 'reality' by my definition...

Chapter 25. LIVING IN REALITY

More Confessions...Chapter 24. HOLD THAT THOUGHT BABY...HOW BIG?!

The past few chapters have been a tad hectic...interesting, but hectic. This one, however, touches on a lighter side of my travels.

I've always been an athletic guy and have relished every opportunity on my travels to try a new sport or to push the adrenaline button. Having said that, I never learned to surf. Despite living on the Ocean and having many friends who were surfers, I spent next to no time on a board. The reason why I avoided the teaming-with-life Indian Ocean and the joys of surfing might not be what you expect.

Chapter 24. HOLD THAT THOUGHT BABY...HOW BIG?!

More Confessions...Chapter 23. B to C (Part 2)

I thought the bus accident was bad...getting stranded with dead bodies while all of your worldly possessions driving off into the night is even worse...Could my journey from Malawi to South Africa become any more disastrous?

I hoped not...

Chapter 23. B to C (Part 2)

More Confessions...Chapter 23. B to C (Part 1)

If you thought that my journey to Malawi was an adventure, then the voyage back to South Africa will truly blow your mind. The hurdles and challenges that I faced during this torturous, unfathomable and tragic journey were, without question, the most difficult that I had come across on my travels.

However, the struggles and predicaments also provided me with a taste of the power of positive thinking and how this simple mindset can help overcome even the most improbable circumstances.

Chapter 23. B to C (Part 1)