What if your travel companion had been to 117 countries, needed his own luggage, had his own Instagram account—and happened to be a lion?

Meet Montgomery J. Lion, better known as Monty, Ken’s rather unusual travel companion.

Monty’s story began in Tanzania, when Ken brought him home for his son. Years later, when his son left for university, Monty joined Ken on the road—and never really stopped travelling.

Since then, he’s crossed borders around the world, attracted the attention of airport security, posed with complete strangers in China, visited some extraordinary places and even played an unexpected role in saving Ken during a dangerous moment in the mountains of Pakistan.

At the time of our conversation, Monty had visited 117 countries.

His goal? 150.

In this episode:
• How Monty became part of Ken’s family
• Travelling with a one-metre-tall lion
• Eight months travelling across Europe
• Monty’s encounters with airport security
• Why strangers around the world pose for pictures with him
• Returning to the Serengeti
• The extraordinary story of Pakistan
• The journey from 117 countries toward 150

 Follow Monty on Instagram: @montgomeryj.lion

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New episodes are released every Tuesday.

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What will you remember from your travels a year from now? 

Carina, a traveller from Germany, has taken a sabbatical to spend more than a year exploring the world. But she isn’t just travelling; she’s documenting the journey.

Through a private written journal, photography, and printed photo albums for each country she visits, Carina is creating a personal record of the places she sees, the food she eats, the things that go right and the things that don’t.

We talk about:

• Why she has kept travel journals since childhood
• Travelling solo as a woman
• The difference between a private journal and social media
• Photographing landscapes, food, and everyday moments
• Creating a photo album for every country
• How journaling can make travel more immersive
• Whether documenting a moment can sometimes make you miss it
• Why ordinary travellers’ stories may be worth preserving
• Her year-long journey and the destination she’s most excited about: New Zealand

Sometimes the best travel stories aren’t meant for an audience. They’re simply a way of remembering who you were and what you saw along the way.

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At 73, a traveler shares a very personal story about looking for companionship abroad, using an international matrimonial agency, and eventually marrying a woman in Colombia.

He talks openly about spending thousands of dollars through the agency, the excitement of arriving in Medellín, falling in love, getting married and the red flags he admits he ignored along the way.

At his request, we have chosen not to use his name. But we felt his story was important to share.

This episode isn’t about judging his choices or anyone else’s. It’s an honest conversation about loneliness, attention, cultural and economic differences, relationships abroad, and what can happen when things move too quickly.

Over tea, he reflects on what went wrong, what he would do differently today, and the advice he would give others looking for love far from home.

Sometimes the most valuable travel stories aren’t about where we go, but what we learn along the way.

Support the show

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email: [email protected]

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New episodes are released every Tuesday.

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What is it like to travel the world as a Black queer couple?

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony sits down with Ash and Phae, two slow travellers from the United States who share their experiences navigating the world while embracing multiple identities. From defining what “non-binary” and “queer” mean in their own words to discussing safety, community, and the realities of long-term travel, this conversation is thoughtful, honest, and approachable.

The discussion also explores Ecuador’s LGBTQ+ history, the importance of finding welcoming communities, and why slow travel has given them a new sense of freedom.

Whether you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community or simply curious to learn from different perspectives, this episode is about travel, understanding, and human connection.

In This Episode

• What “non-binary” means in everyday life
• How Ash and Phae define the word “queer”
• Travelling internationally with different identities
• Safety considerations before choosing a destination
• Why they chose slow travel over fast-paced tourism
• Finding Black and LGBTQ+ communities abroad
• Their experiences in Costa Rica and Ecuador
• Cuenca’s role in Ecuador’s LGBTQ+ history
• Resources they use before visiting a country
• What true freedom means while travelling
• Building welcoming spaces wherever you go

Guests: Ash and Phae https://www.instagram.com/unboundphae?utm_source=qr

Host: Tony Lloyd

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What does it take to visit all Seven Wonders of the World before turning 26?

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, I sit down with Austin from the Netherlands, who set himself an ambitious goal: visit all seven of the New Seven Wonders before his 26th birthday.

From watching the sunrise over Machu Picchu to seeing the Taj Mahal at dawn, Austin shares the unforgettable moments, unexpected travel challenges, and the lessons he learned along the way.

But perhaps the biggest surprise wasn’t reaching the final Wonder—it was realising that the greatest memories came from the journey itself, not the destination.

If you’ve ever dreamed of creating your own travel bucket list, this episode is for you.

 Grab a coffee and join us for another conversation about travel, culture, and connection.

Guest: Austin (Netherlands)

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What would you do if you had no return date?

At just 24 years old, Fabian left behind a career in sports event management in Austria and bought a one-way ticket to South America. Six months later, he’s still exploring—discovering new cultures, making friendships in hostels, cheering alongside locals during the World Cup, and learning that travel is about much more than checking countries off a list.

In this episode, we talk about experiencing Ecuador during football fever, discovering Ecuavolley in the Galápagos, life aboard an Amazon cargo boat, the friendships that start over a simple card game, and why embracing different cultures can completely change the way you see the world.

In this episode:

• Why Fabian left his corporate career
• Experiencing the World Cup in Ecuador
• Discovering Ecuador’s unique Ecuavolley
• How hostels create friendships across cultures
• Eight days on an Amazon cargo boat
• Learning Spanish one mistake at a time
• Why travel is really about discovering different ways to live

Travel • Culture • Connection

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Questions, comments, guest suggestions, or story ideas: 

email: [email protected]

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New episodes are released every Tuesday.

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Should you join a group tour or travel independently?

In this episode, I sit down with Nathan, an experienced traveller and international teacher, to compare the advantages and disadvantages of both styles of travel.

We discuss safety, flexibility, cost, meeting new people, language barriers, and when each approach makes the most sense. We also talk about cruises, all-inclusive resorts, relocating abroad, and why sometimes having someone else handle the planning can make all the difference.

Whether you’re planning your very first international trip or your fiftieth, this conversation may help you decide which style of travel best fits your personality and travel goals.

In this episode:

• Group tours vs. independent travel
• Safety and peace of mind
• Meeting people while travelling
• Language barriers
• Cruises and all-inclusive resorts
• Travelling in China and Ecuador
• Relocation scouting trips
• Why travel teaches tolerance

Travel • Culture • Connection

Support the show

Connect info:

Questions, comments, guest suggestions, or story ideas: 

email: [email protected]

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New episodes are released every Tuesday.

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In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony sits down with Azim, a 27-year-old teacher from Dublin, Ireland, who is working at an American international school in Valledupar, Colombia.

Azim shares what led him to leave Ireland, how international teaching can open the door to travel, and what life is like in a hot, music-filled Colombian city famous for vallenato.

The conversation explores culture shock, language barriers, Caribbean Colombian Spanish, power cuts, dance culture, social life, and the emotional side of living far from home. Azim also reflects on being the first Irish teacher at his school, working alongside mostly American colleagues, and how even English speakers can experience cultural differences through accent, humour, and everyday language.

This episode looks at what happens when we live outside our comfort zone — how we judge, adapt, learn, and grow.

Topics include:

Irish life vs. Colombian life
Teaching abroad as a way to travel
Valledupar and Vallenato culture
Language learning and identity
Culture shock and cultural bias
Missing family while living abroad
Friendship and support in a new country
Advice for anyone thinking of working internationally

Guest: Azim, Irish Teacher

Host: Tony Lloyd

Travel · Culture · Connection

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Questions, comments, guest suggestions, or story ideas: 

email: [email protected]

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Travel Advisor - Latin America:
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New episodes are released every Tuesday.

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What really goes on behind the scenes of a hotel?

In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony sits down with Pierce Lowney, an Irish hospitality professional who started working in a local pub at just 14 years old before building a career in luxury hotels. Now backpacking across South America, Peirce shares the stories, lessons, and unforgettable moments he’s experienced from both sides of the reception desk.

From hilarious “Fawlty Towers” moments and unforgettable guests to bizarre online reviews and practical booking advice, this episode offers a fascinating look at the world of hospitality through the eyes of someone who’s lived it.

Whether you’re a frequent traveller, a hotel lover, or simply curious about what happens after you check in, you’ll come away with a new appreciation for the people working behind the scenes.

In this episode:

• Starting a hospitality career at just 14 years old
• Funny hotel mistakes and unforgettable guest stories
• Behind-the-scenes secrets of running a hotel
• The strangest online reviews guests have left
• Cultural differences between travelers
• Hotel vs. hostel vs. Airbnb
• How to choose the right place to stay
• Why hospitality is really about people

Guest: Pierce Lowney, Irish hospitality professional

Host: Tony Lloyd

Travel • Culture • Connection

Support the show

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Questions, comments, guest suggestions, or story ideas: 

email: [email protected]

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New episodes are released every Tuesday.

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In this episode of El Cafecito Travel Talks, Tony sits down with Gregorio Cárdenas from Medellín, Colombia, who set out on the adventure of a lifetime: riding his motorcycle from Colombia to Ushuaia, Argentina—the southernmost city in the world.

What started as a dream became a journey through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Along the way, Gregorio balanced life as a digital nomad, crossed deserts, navigated some of South America’s most challenging roads, battled freezing temperatures, and discovered that travelling alone doesn’t necessarily mean being lonely.

From Bolivia’s infamous Death Road to the windswept “73 Malditos” in Patagonia, Gregorio shares stories of unexpected kindness, perseverance, and what happens when you finally stop waiting for the perfect moment and simply go.

In This Episode

• Why Gregorio left Medellín to travel South America
• Choosing a motorcycle as the ultimate travel companion
• The realities of being a digital nomad on the road
• Riding from Colombia to Ushuaia
• Crossing the Siloli Desert in Bolivia
• Surviving freezing nights and challenging road conditions
• Death Road and other unforgettable adventures
• The people who helped along the way
• Why solo travellers are rarely truly alone
• Pursuing dreams instead of waiting for the perfect time
• What “home” means after a life-changing journey

Memorable Quote

“If you have a dream, you have to pursue it. You’re the only person responsible for making it happen.”

Guest: Gregorio Cárdenas (Medellín, Colombia)

Host: Tony Lloyd

El Cafecito Travel Talks is where travel, culture, and connection come together through conversations with travellers, expats, adventurers, and locals from around the world.

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Support the podcast by sharing this episode with a fellow traveller or dreamer.

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email: [email protected]

El Cafecito Hostel - Cuenca Ecuador
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Travel Advisor - Latin America:
WhatsApp: +593 99 99 39 550

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Support the Podcast:

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If you have any problem with the PayPal link, please contact: 

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New episodes are released every Tuesday.

Thank you for sharing a cafecito or a tea with us...