Testimony of Florent on Asia and Australia

Interview with a Backpacker Traveler

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Hello, I am welcoming Florent today who will talk to us about his travels, we met during our working holiday visa in Australia.

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Can you introduce yourself to us and tell us about your travel background?

I am 27 years old, naturally rather reserved, but I love discovering people, their way of life, and the natural riches of the planet. I owe all this to my parents, I think, whose travels I admired as real adventures at the time! But the travel bug really bit me during my exchange year in Beijing, especially upon my return.

&nbsp ; Since we met in Australia, can you share your experience of traveling in Australia? Tell us about it in a few sentences.

Upon my arrival in Sydney, I bought a car, worked, then went on a 3-month trip with companions met through Couchsurfing, including you! Australia is undoubtedly THE most welcoming country and best equipped with infrastructure that I have visited! People are certainly ready to help, they are not shy, and the various communities spread across this vast territory have created a network of mutual aid and facilities for travelers: drinking water, camping spots, toilets, even showers and electricity! Not to mention the famous barbecues!

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What are the places you liked the most and the least?

Despite the flies, I loved the Outback (that’s what the inland of Australia is called)! For the feeling of freedom and infinity. I really liked the hinterland of the North East coast, very green. Obviously, the coast itself is fantastic, but I tend to avoid crowds. We also traveled together by car for 2 weeks!

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Can you explain a bit what we did to the others (the way of life, our activities, how we managed, the budget, accommodation, etc)?

We left Adelaide heading to the red center! Four of us in a big station wagon packed like an egg, we drove most of the day, and stopped whenever we saw something that seemed worth a look, or whenever one of you (the passengers, I kept the wheel firmly in hand) found a point of interest in his guidebook. From what I remember, we tried to roughly estimate where we would be a week ahead, and every evening discussed the next day’s plan, making sure to leave room for improvisation. But at that time, on the Stuart Highway, the possibilities of getting lost or finding original paths are limited!

Step	Florent’s advice
Before leaving	Bag max 12 kg
During the trip	Accept the unexpected
Money	Count hidden costs
Return	Keep €1,000 in reserve

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What advice can you give us about Australia?

Protect yourself from insects with natural means, not aerosol sprays! (private joke between us!) More seriously, take the time to be surprised, meet people, get off the beaten track. Be honest and kind as well. Travel can be tough sometimes, stressful, even dangerous or at least full of unpleasant surprises. Be prepared without clinging to a schedule or your certainties!

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After Australia, we will talk about Asia which you are fond of! What is your favorite country?

There is a country I particularly love, but we will probably talk about it later. I loved Mongolia, where the travel virus I mentioned earlier was inoculated in me. I returned from Beijing by train, and spent two weeks in Mongolia on the way. I loved it! The plains, the nomads and their horses, a way of life as close to nature as possible, in the open air, in freedom! And landscapes much richer and more diverse than I had imagined! Then Laos, especially the North with its mountains, its very green and intense forests, and its small villages where life seems to flow slowly. People live away from the hustle and bustle of the world, but for how much longer?

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How do you travel in Asia?

In Asia, what I like best are sleeper buses! We don’t have that in Europe, but in one night you cover hundreds of kilometers, it’s (often) comfortable, you are rocked to sleep, and moreover, which is not negligible when you are a backpacker, you save a night in a hotel!

Otherwise, I travel by bus most often, or by train. In China, the sleeper service is remarkable, but sometimes, due to lack of available seats, I had to settle for the “hard seat” comfort. I once did Canton-Chongqing, more than 3000 km making detours through the remote areas of Guangxi and Guizhou, sitting on a wooden bench. 36 hours… ouch!

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What place would you recommend to us?

For a moment of relaxation, Siphan Don, the Mekong waterfalls at the very south of Laos. Many waterfalls, small cabins to rent for the night, pure bliss!

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Do you see yourself living in a country in Asia? What is your best travel memory?

More and more, yes. For me, it’s not so much the place that matters, it’s what you do there, being in harmony with your values, your lifestyle, and being close to the people you love. I have a very strong memory of Putuoshan, a sanctuary island in the China Sea, near Shanghai. My first visit to China! I was still in high school. I came across a temple where a ceremony was taking place. I approached to observe, and especially to listen. I closed my eyes and stayed for an hour or two, I don’t remember, almost in a trance. It was a very powerful experience. It taught me to soak up the culture and atmosphere of places when arriving in a country to better understand them.

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Thank you Florent for sharing your travel experience.

Other readings that follow the same logic: our review on a year ago which sets the tone, the practical guide on Australia budget focus for concrete details, and finally description of Australia if you want to extend the reflection.

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If you want to see other traveler interviews, look here