TRAVEL INTERVIEW WITH CAZ OF YTRAVELBLOG
The vibrant Australian couple, Caz and Craig, of YtravelBlog have been traveling the world together since their marriage in 2002. Following their wedding they pretty much immediately set out on a 5-year Honeymoon trip which has extended til today and produced a lovely daughter, to boot! Prior to meeting, Caz and Craig had both traveled, lived, and worked overseas in various countries. All in all they’ve been traveling since 1997! Today I’m pleased to present Caz, talking about their travels.
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| Caz and Craig of yTravelBlog at Victoria Falls, Africa |
Q1: Collectively you’ve traveled through 35 countries and lived in 5. What are your 3 absolute favorite places and why?
Africa, because of its untamed wilderness and exotic cultures. We loved camping through Africa, and seeing all the wildlife in their natural habitat is an experience you will never forget. Africa is so beautiful and gets under your skin.
Thailand, because it is so laid back and has a relaxing lifestyle. We love the beaches, the mountains, the shopping, the delicious food, and the cheap daily massages!! Thailand is the place I feel the healthiest and most peaceful.
The US. We loved living in America and wish that we still were. The lifestyle is similar to Australia, and it is such a diverse country to explore.
Q2: Which places are on the bottom of your list? Can you name 1-3 places you dislike? What’s the turn off?
Athens is one. I found it dirty, smelly and polluted. For some reason I just did not take to it. I would like to go back one day just to see if I could appreciate it more this time.
I also did not like Milan. I was really expecting so much more from this city. But after being swarmed by pigeons all day, I was kind of over looking for why it is known as a glamour capital of the world.
There are no other places that really stick out in my mind as really disliking.
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| Catching sunrise at Soussesvlei sand dunes |
Q3: You’ve had several amazing adventures in Africa, a continent I’ve yet to visit. What’s it like traveling through Africa as white western independent travelers? Easy or difficult? Safe or dangerous? Expensive or cheap? (maybe you can compare/ contrast with traveling in SE Asia as a reference point?)
There are really cheap parts to travel in Africa and then some expensive parts as well. I wrote a post Budget Travel in Africa that outlines this well. If you travel and eat local style, then it is going to be pretty cheap. But, this comes at a price and that is comfort. Road travel in Africa is really uncomfortable , can be dangerous and is long and tedious. If you have travelled through SE Asia you should be used to travel like this, although it is a little tougher.
There are some countries, like South Africa and Namibia that are more expensive than others like Malawi. On average I would say costs would be slightly more than SE Asia. The thing that is going to eat into your budget the most are the plethora of activities you can do in Africa. The safaris are going to eat into your budget, so you have to plan very carefully for these.
We did not feel unsafe at all travelling through Africa and I think it is very doable as a white western independent traveller. As long as you are open to a little more challenging adventure you will be fine. Just be aware of your surroundings and never show any signs of western wealth.
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| Hiking the Leaping Tiger Gorge in China |
Q4: Over the years you’ve had some ‘hairy’ experiences including getting stranded, being pick-pocketed, having road accidents, falling ill, and ending up too close to wild animals. Can you elaborate on one of these escapades? Did you ever fear for your life? Come close to death? Shake in your boots? Praise the lord that you escaped?
My hairy experiences have definitely helped to colour my travel stories! I think the only time I really feared for my life and seriously prayed was when I was “kidnapped” by some local mushroom tripping freaks on motorcycles. My 2 girlfriends and I did not know how to ride the bikes, and wanted to tour around Samosir Island in Sumatra, Indonesia. We hired 3 drivers to take us instead.
I can only think they had taken magic mushrooms-the area is renowned for them- and were having a little tripped out fun at our expense. I can’t see any other reason why my driver did not carry out his threats. He played games with me throughout the day, speeding up to speeds of 100km/h on pot filled roads, racing off so we were alone, turning the lights off when it eventually got dark, teasing me and laughing maniacally in my face when I began to cry from fear and panic.
When he eventually sang his own version to “I shot the Sheriff” I just kind of gave up and resigned myself to the fact that I was going to die and could do nothing about it. He sang “I killed the tourist and then I stole her passport. ” He then laughed maniacally again and said, “You know Caroline. We could have an accident out here now and no one would ever know what happened. They would never even be able to find your body.”
I still can’t believe we made it home alive. My friend suffered a similar ordeal. I have never been so grateful and relieved to see the lights of a village appear from around a dark, mountainous bend. When they dropped us off, he unbelievably asked if I would like to go for a drink. I let out a barrage of abuse, and stormed up to the bar with my friend and ordered a straight vodka- which I never drink- bordered myself up in the room for the night and caught the first early morning ferry out of there.
( Wow, Caz! That sounds awful! I’m so glad you got out unharmed. Thank goodness things like that are rare)
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| Celebrating Craig’s 30th in Dublin |
Q5: I have to take my hat off to you Caz and Craig for managing to travel together 24/7 for so long! Afterall, traveling long-term with your partner creates the rather unusual situation of being together continuously! In ‘settled’ life couples work, go shopping, work out, meet friends, and other life tasks that naturally keep them apart for a big chunk of each day. In typical partnerships, couples actually spend just a few hours/ day together.
In great contrast, traveling puts partners together 24/7, which could be a strain on any relationship. On top of that, traveling together brings up many compatiblity factors such as prefered schedules, pace of daily life and travel, messiness/ tidiness, interests, eating times, energy levels, required comfort levels, etc. For these reasons I’ve personally found it rather difficult to travel long-term with a partner or close friend.
So, how do you do it?! Are any of these factors issues for you? Or are you really just perfectly matched? How do you allow for differences in pace, scheduling, interests? Do you block in ‘solo’ time, make sure you spend regular time apart, or can you really do everything together?
I guess Craig and I are lucky as we have similar goals and interests. I think we just fit together well. We literally do everything together. I have never seen this as anything strange or unusual. It was only until we started living in the US when friends made comments to me in regards to Craig and I always being together that I began to think maybe it was strange.
We have been travelling since we married, so we have always had the same friends and have gone out and done everything together. We are so used to it. We would still have our times when we would go out separately with friends, but it is rare. It just feels weird if one of us is experiencing something without the other.
We have our moments when we argue and can’t stand each other’s little irritating quirks but we have learned to make comedy out of them mostly rather than let it get in the way of our relationship.
Working together on our blog has probably been the most challenging, but we now have worked out who is best at what and work around that. In order to be around someone 24/7 you do have to fit together pretty well, and you have to learn how to let the differences not be an issue and find out how to work around it. Luckily for Craig and I we have never really had to think hard about that. It just kind of works.
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| Having green tea in China |
Q6: While we’re on the topic of traveling with a partner, what are some advantages of traveling as a couple vs. going solo?
I think when you travel as a couple you have someone to share the experience and create a memory with. It is something you share together forever, which is priceless. It is also great to have someone who is close to you for support during those challenging or scary times. You often feel braver when there is someone doing it with you. And of course, you never feel lonely. You always have someone to talk to.
Q7: How do you currently finance your travels? Are you still teaching and constructing around the world? Or?
We are still teaching and constructing. Now that we are having success with our blog we are hoping that soon in the future that will be able to fund our travelling lifestyle.
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| Caz and Craig at Bryce Canyon |
Q8: What are the main focuses of your travels? (For me it’s nature, outdoor activities and the cultural arts of countries I visit) What are you most interested in seeing, doing, and learning out in the world?
We are very much about the outdoor adventure and activities. We love getting out and experiencing nature any way we can. We also love walking the streets and getting to know the local people and their cultures. We love learning about the world in this way.
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| Caz, Craig and Calyra |
Q9: Finally, what are 3 places you’re still most ‘dying’ to visit in the world? Why?
I’m still dying to visit Antarctica as there is no untamed wilderness like it.
I am dying to visit South America to experience the diverse culture, landscapes and adventures that can be had there.
I have always wanted to go to the Maldives as well. It just looks like paradise. I think that will just be a relaxing luxury resort stay.
Live Your Best Life!Caz Makepeace
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Thank you very much Caz for sharing your thoughts and travel adventures with us. cheers, Lash
Hi! I'm Lash, an American nomadic world traveler who's been traveling solo since 1998. I’m passionate about traveling the world nomadically and then sharing it all with you. I hope to inspire you to travel the world, to entertain you with tales from the road, and to help you reach your travel dreams. Welcome! 
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