Unsurpassed scenery, large birds of prey, nomads, camping, remoteness, temples, peacefulness, isolation are just a few of the words to describe the Mongolian Wilderness. My trip took me from North-Eastern Thailand via Bangkok to Beijing, China, where I stayed in a Transit Hotel for a few hours before the 1+ hour flight to Ulan Bator in Mongolia.
After staying in the city for a couple of days, I ventured into the wilderness, including Terelj National Park. The excellent Selena Travel Group planned my transport and guide for the excursion. Note: You could do this yourself, but getting lost or car breaking down would not be good.
The further away from UB I ventured, the more sparse it became.
I experienced: camping in a Ger, getting up close and personal with a large Vulture and a White Eagle, spending time with a Nomadic family at their home, trekking up to Aryaval Monastery, climbing into the horse's head of the Genghis Khan Statue, to name a few.
It was a very fulfilling adventure as well as educational.
I was back in UB for Mother's and Children's Day, a celebration of family, which is a very important part of Mongolian culture.
I also found an Irish Pub and a Mongolian Massage Parlor. All good.
Finally departed on a MIAT flight to Hong Kong. Another Bucket List item checked off.
Maybe one to add to yours.
 
 

http://www.malcolmteasdale.com

I read Alex's profile and thought, "these types of jobs weren't around when I was growing up." That's just me being jealous.
Anyway, in this conversation, we talk about traveling for work and future travel when all of this Covid mess is behind us.
Apart from being a Producer for Sky Sports in the UK, he travels for work. He even got to tour France for Euro 2016. Add to that, meeting and working with famous football players, such as Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne, Portugal's Christiano Ronaldo, and Egypt's Mohammed Salah.
He is also co-host of Travel Talks, one of the UK's most popular travel podcasts.
Check it out here:
Travel Talks on You Tube

With both of these occupations, the word "travel" stands out, however like myself, he has a "Bucket List" which he has been working on during the relative "confinement" of 2020.
We talked about the state of todays game of football, with the use of the VAR and overreaction by players to stiff tackles. I am a little "Old School" on this subject, so you'll have to excuse my whining (aka whinging across the pond). 
He's in a good place, although just waiting for the chance to travel more. Sounds somewhat like "Yours Truly."

Go here to find him everywhere:
Travel Talks


 

http://www.malcolmteasdale.com

Geoff Devito has been consulting in the travel, tourism, and hospitality business for many years, however, in a capacity that you would never expect.
His goal is to help make the travel experience to foreign lands meaningful and educational. He basically thinks a lot like me, which is the need to travel for a purpose, not just for enjoyment. 
Of course it is great to just lounge on a beach somewhere or visit a historical building in a major city such as London or Paris, for example, but enriching your life and learning about foreign cultures adds that little extra to the experience.
Before the pandemic hit, Geoff was spending 11 months of the year on the road, with is incomprehensible to most people. I thought I was bad.
He recently hosted a conference with the "Our World Heritage"  Organization to discuss cooperation between conservation and consumption in the tourism industry, with members from around the World. Check them out at ourworldheritage.org.

Find Geoff at GDSynergy.com

http://www.malcolmteasdale.com

Myanmar is never too far from making news headlines. It is a country that has endured much turmoil in its history, especially during World War II. More recently there was the UN reports for human right violations under military rule, but in 2010, a civilian government was installed, and then shortly afterwards it was approachable in my humble opinion.
On the good side, it is a country of priceless treasures.
2014 came about. 
After careful planning, I took the trip. This came to a grinding halt at immigration,  where I was refused entry and put inside a "Holding Room" before taking the last flight out of town.
There were a few anxious moments, but I lived to tell the story.
It cost me $ 400 for a non-refundable hotel bill, but I returned in 2015 for a more successful trip.
Advice - do not argue with immigration officers in Myanmar.

http://www.malcolmteasdale.com

Based just outside Singapore, one of my favorite places on the planet, is where I found Jermaine Cheathem, an entrepreneur with his own  set of rules that achieves a satisfying lifestyle for himself.
We all want to be happy and contented in life, but sometimes when the pressure of work is so intense,  there is little time to just chill out and do more recreational activities.
Many entrepreneurs become successful,  and the more they do, the more they want to  do.  It is almost like confidence in overdrive, however with  growth, there will always be challenges, stress, missteps, employee and customer issues along the way.
This could also be said for wealth.
When is enough, enough?
Without sounding religious, the Buddhists  have the following statement absolutely correct, "Wealth does not equate to happiness."
Jermane explains his work ethic. His company is almost on auto-pilot, which provides him space and time to do the things he loves.
His common sense approach of "keeping it simple", relatively speaking,  is a path many should follow. 
No one gets out of this place alive,  but don't work yourself to death when you don't have to.

http://www.malcolmteasdale.com

My first visit to Russia was back in 1990 to Moscow during the final days of the Soviet Union's existence and of course the end of communism. That episode is documented in the "Travel Diaries of an Atypical Businessman - Unfiltered" book in the chapter "The Gusty Winds of Change."
My trip to St. Petersburg, Russia, although brief, was for pleasure reasons, as opposed to my working trip to Moscow all those years ago.
In spite of government web site warnings and the closure of the U.S. consulate due to a spat between the two  countries, I deemed it safe enough.
St. Petersburg is steeped in history and turmoil.  In addition, the architecture and iconic buildings are spectacular. Kazan Cathedral, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, Peter and Paul Fortress, Hermitage Museum are just a few must see places.
Theater is also big business in the city, however I didn't get to experience either an opera or classical music concert on this trip. I'll just have to go back.
I stayed at the very nice Corinthia Hotel on Nevsky Prospect, an ideal location in the middle of the city, within walking distance of the main sites to explore.
Obtaining a visa is a bit of a process, but well worth the time and expense.
My only regret is that I did not stay a few extra days.
A more detailed description of my trip to St. Pete is detailed in the book, "Planes, Trains, Taxis, and Tuk Tuks."

http://www.malcolmteasdale.com

There's nothing like starting out with a bang on your very first podcast hosting gig. Joining me was Bing Fraser from a land down under, where women glow and men plunder. 
He has some candid advice on how NOT to travel around the world, by actual experiences of being arrested, losing his front teeth, a case of schizophrenia, being robbed a few times, and cracking his skull open. Realistically he should be dead, but survived to tell the stories. 
For those of us who have traveled to various places in the world, we likely have had a few moments of nervousness or regret, but we all learn from our mistakes.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained I say.
Bing lives in the great city of Sydney, which, if you haven't been there already, add it to your Bucket List.  While you are there, take a few days to visit New Zealand or one of the South Pacific Islands.
You can read more about Bing here:
https://www.instagram.com/kingbingfraser/
https://www.bingfraser.com/

He has also written a book with the dubious title of "Unprotected Treks" which details his escapades. 
Fasten your seat belt and give it a listen. Best enjoyed after a few beers or a couple of glasses of wine.

http://www.malcolmteasdale.com

Patttaya diehards will look at this title and say BS and to be honest my explanation for being there is somewhat lame.
 My aim was to scuba dive around the islands of nearby Koh Khrok and Koh Larn. Not the best diving in the world, but decent enough to tempt me away from a 2-3 day layover in Bangkok.
 The diving never happened because of a sinus infection, likely from the international flight into BKK Airport. Yep, the old "sinus infection excuse" but I did have to go to the hospital to get checked out.
 Aside from that, I was able to venture out at night for a beer or two along Walking Street. My eyes nearly popped out of my head, when I encountered the wildest nightlife I have ever experienced. Hundreds of bars, cabarets of naughtiness, 24-hour nightclubs, live music, freelance ladies of the night,  and even a Muay Thai boxing ring. You have to see it to believe it. Then you get sucked in to the electric atmosphere with the many tourists and ex-pats.
 What was once a quiet fishing village is now the craziest party town on the planet. Check it out on You Tube or Google, you'll see what I mean. 
 I stayed 2 nights before I had to fly to somewhere a little saner and peaceful. 
 If risque activities offend you, then don't go there. For me, not much on this planet surprises me any more these days. However, I can look back on this trip and smile a little.
 Pattaya is a city that ticks along like a well-oiled machine. Job opportunities and paying customers abound.
 Go there, I dare you.

http://www.malcolmteasdale.com

Palawan is mostly always included in the top 10 of World's Best Islands by the premier travel magazines.  From the stunning landscape and beaches of El Nido in the north to the natural and unspoiled beauty further south, it is worth a few days of your time. Even the typical Filipino will have this island of their country on the "Bucket List."
I stayed in Puerto Princesa, the main  city, to be close to great scuba diving and one of the Natural Wonders of the World, The Underground River. 
Two days of exquisite diving in the unbelievable calm waters provided me with time to completely chill out.
Add to that, a boat ride into a cave with spectacular and haunting rock formations. Did I mention bats? Yes, there are loads of them in there. It's their home. Just had to remember to keep my mouth closed while looking upward.

http://www.malcolmteasdale.com

Since I was on official business in India, I extended my stay for the very worthwhile trip to one of the wonders of the World, The Taj Mahal.
Located in Agra, about a 4 hour drive from the chaotic city of Delhi, I booked an excursion. To keep my sanity, I would never drive in and around Delhi for any amount of $.
The Taj Mahal is a magical place with unique architecture made from white marble. As the sun rises and sets, the light spawns off the colors of the rainbow. 
Commissioned by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth to their 14th child, it emits an aura of something special and important.
The musician Yanni played his epic "Tribute" concert on the grounds, a perfect complement to enhance its beauty. It's on video by the way.
Listen to my trip experience, which is also detailed in my book Asia Specific.
Another item on my bucket list fulfilled. 

 
 

http://www.malcolmteasdale.com