TRAVEL INTERVIEW WITH DAVID JR. HOGAN OF MALAYSIA ASIA

David Jr. Hogan of Malaysia Asia- in Laos

This week I’m very excited to interview David Jr Hogan, the man behind Malaysia Asia, which is most likely Malaysia’s most famous, popular, in-depth, and well-read travel blog. Not surprisingly, Malaysia Asia mainly focuses on Malaysia, including big sections on Borneo Malaysia. He also has an extensive selection of posts on other Asian countries.

Even better, David’s a great guy: outgoing, playful, entertaining. I was fortunate enough to meet him last month in KL, along with some other fun travel bloggers.

This interview gets way behind the scenes to cover David’s extensive personal travel history, his favorite countries, and of course, his highest recommendations for visiting Malaysia. Without further ado, here’s David:

Q1. You’ve been traveling your whole adult life- ever since you graduated from school and set off on your first trip to Thailand. You clearly have a huge wanderlust! Any ideas how you caught the ‘travel bug’?

Actually, visiting Thailand at such a young age totally opened up my eyes to the international world. Khao San Road (back then) was simply out-of-this-world. I met so many hippy backpackers that told me all kinds of weird and interesting stories about their travels which made me rather curious. And that, my friends, is how I caught that travel bug. Oh, by the way, my hats off to a Mr. Michael the hippy backpacker for showing me the ropes in Bangkok back then. (Does not include Kings Lounge)

Q2. You made your first trip to Thailand by a long train journey. Please tell us about that trip. Why Thailand first? How long was your trip? Where did you go and what did you do? Who did you go with?

I explored Thailand the cheapest way possible and it was via 3^rd class coach which took 27 hours from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok. Back then flights were expensive, therefore a group of school friends and I decided to make that budget pilgrimage to Bangkok. We spent about five full days in Bangkok while Pat Pong was the main attraction to a bunch of single school leavers. You can only imagine the kind of international exposure we encountered.. lol. Damn those Singha’s!

David Jr. of Malaysia Asia at temple in Vientiane- Laos

Q3. You mentioned that the trip really opened your eyes to the world. Please explain. What exactly did you see, feel, learn? How did it change your perspective on life/ the world?

One thing about Bangkok back then was that I met many kinds of backpackers, general travelers and business travelers all in one place! You know where that is . Overall, talking to the different kinds of travelers gave me some sort of vision to the many interesting places they had visited before coming to Bangkok. Insights to what they did, how they did them, and when they did things absolutely intrigued me a lot. Well, these days with modern digital travelers, I feel the essence is long lost or simply changed. If only many travelers experienced the good old days of pure travel, this world would be a better place…wait a sec… I need to tweet something and foursquare check in! *grin*

Q4. You mentioned that you worked in Tokyo, Japan at the young age of 19. Please tell us about that. What work were you doing? For how long? What were your impressions of Tokyo and the Japanese?

When I left collage, I secured a job as an assistant chef in Tokyo. At 19! Who wouldn’t want to explore the world, especially Japan? I jumped into it without even thinking and that was the best experience living and working abroad I ever had at such a young age. My friends were all jealous as they were still studying or their parents simply did not allow them to venture off alone. Kind of an Asian thing if you ask me. So, I worked there for almost one and a half years in the district of Tyoyo-Cho, Tokyo in a Japanese cum American restaurant which served mainly Japanese salary-men. I think being exposed at such a young age to a foreign country, without knowledge of the language and culture, was the best thing that I ever did. I learned so much about the Japanese culture, which was totally different from how I was brought up here in Malaysia. Did I mention Pachinko?

David Jr Scuba diving at Mabul Island- Sabah- Borneo

Q5. You also mentioned that you visited Guam and Saipan at age 20. Please tell us about that trip, too. How long were you there? What did you do? What were the islands like?

Seriously, those were the best islands I ever visited, considering that at 17 years old (1987), I visited Ko Samui (It was awesome back then!) and some other local Malaysian islands, but Saipan WAS the bomb! Part of the Mariana Islands, these two amazing islands are also known as the lost colonies of the United States. The local island people, known as Chamorro, blend in with many Filipinos while many Japanese love to go there for vacation. The beauty of the island is pure and raw, and given the chance again, I would love to visit Saipan.

Q6. I’m assuming it was pretty unusual at that time for Malaysians to go out jumping around the world? What did your parents and friends think about your travels abroad? At that time did Malaysians, in general, have some basic outlook / attitude about world traveling?

Most Malaysians would be studying their hearts out, as back then, it was imperative that you had a proper education before you explored the world. Anyway, I choose to differ from the stereotype and made my own decisions back then. My parents were very understanding, while my friends were mostly busy getting a degree or more. So, it was purely my own decision to do what I did back then. Simply said – back in the day, you needed to have a good job before you went traveling, well in most cases for the Malaysian youth. FYI – For many Malaysians, a holiday is a 3D/2N or 4D/3N trip. Back on Sunday because they have to be at work on Monday. Nice huh?

David Jr with one of the last Iban Shaman's in Sarawak- Borneo

Q7. Outside of Asia, what are your 3 favorite destinations, and why?

South Africa – Simply because I went there purely on my own, rented a car, and explored the entire south right to the Cape of Good Hope. That was back in 1993 though. Fascinating place if you ask me.

Saipan and Guam – Already mentioned above.

and finally Finland – For the utter cold and chilled-out atmosphere there. Lapland was simply amazing. The way of life during the winter was astonishing to me, considering I come from a tropical country.

Q8. Outside of Malaysia, what are your 3 favorite Asian destinations, and why?

Laos – Because of their closure to the modern world keeping their culture and heritage intact. I love how they do not allow any international brand to set up shop. Luang Prabang was especially awesome but expect to see lots of travelers there.

Japan – Because I just got back from another two trips to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. Somehow things have not changed much since 20 years ago and still intrigue me.

Lastly I have to be cliché and say Bali. But not Kuta, Nusa Dua or Jimbaran. In fact none of the touristy places because I hated those places. I really enjoyed the outskirts, exploring alone or with a friend, seeing the simple Balinese way of life.

David Jr in UNESCO Heritage City Georgetown- Penang- Malaysia

Q9. In Malaysia, what top 2-3 ‘must see’ destinations would you advise westerners to visit?

Sabah, Sabah and Sarawak. There you go. Eco Tourism, Nature, Wildlife, Culture and Heritage all in one island. What else can a traveler ask for? The best experience would be to go off the beaten path there. Forget climbing Kinabalu and doing all those major touristy places. There are a ton of untapped places around Sabah which I am beginning to explore now. You can read about my findings on my blog 

Q10. You’re a big fan of Malaysian Borneo. What are your 3 favorite places there and why?

Whoops, I just did it in the question above! Hah! Ok, Tawau, Sandakan and Maliau Basin. Super 110% nature’s paradise! Wildlife, trekking, and the pure rainforest. Which reminds me, forget the Rainforest Music Festival… after so many years, it’s pretty overrated unless someone does something about it to revamp the actual ideology of the festival.

David Jr drinking Lao Lao Whiskey in Luang Prabang- Laos

Q11. Are there any places in the world that you’re still dying to visit? If so, where and why?

So many places, so little time! I’d like to explore Myanmar (Burma), Tibe,t and do the Siberian Express. Korea’s somewhere on my list too. I’d also like to explore Papua, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan for the amazing indigenous cultures there. Apart from that, visit the many unique un-commercial islands in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. Oh, I dive too, and that’s one of the reasons for the islands. Did I mention Palau and Komodo?

Q12. What’s up for Malaysia Asia in 2012?

I’m actually taking a back seat in travel blogging because I want to focus on a big project that I have been planning for a very long time. I’ve also gotten involved in a project with the government promoting a segment in tourism, while I have also teamed-up with a partner in starting a local travel project. All this should be out in the open in the coming months of 2012, hopefully Q2 or Q3. Wish me luck and happy travels to everyone! Remember, travel smart not hard.

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Thanks so much for filling us in on your own personal travel history, your favorite places in the world, and a peek into your next adventures. I look forward to catching up with you again! Cheers, Lash

Follow David Jr. on Malaysia Asia:

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