One Off Travel Stories

In this episode, Andrew sits down with Peter Moore, writer, editor, illustrator, and former Men's Health editor, to talk about a work trip to Nepal that went off-script in all the best ways. Originally planning to trek to Everest Base Camp for a radio segment, Peter's journey was rerouted by a typhoon, leading him instead on the Langtang-Gosainkunda trail. Along the way, he faced monsoons, illness, altitude, and moments of spiritual awe. From recording radio interviews in the rain to taking a ritual cleansing dip in a sacred lake, Peter reflects on transformation through travel and how getting lost—literally and figuratively—can be the greatest gift of all.Guest: Peter MooreFormer Editor at Men's Health and host of Men's Health LiveWriter, illustrator, and editor at The Colorado SunCreator of Road to Elsewhere, a Substack combining writing and original cartoonsAuthor or ghostwriter of three New York Times bestsellersTopics Covered:Peter's Early Love for Travel and National Geographic MemoriesLeaving the Magazine World and Embracing the UnknownThe Plan to Hike to Everest Base Camp—and the Typhoon That Changed EverythingTrekking the Langtang Region in Monsoon SeasonCultural Insights: Hospitality, Porters, and Pink PantsA Sacred Bath at Gosainkunda Lake and Its Lasting ImpactGetting Lost (and Found) in KathmanduReflections on Flow, Aging, and Travel as TransformationResources and Links:Peter's Substack: Road to ElsewhereLearn more about Gosainkunda Lake and Langtang Trekking.Call to Action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share your favorite travel stories with us on social media using #OneOffTravelStories.

In this episode, Andrew sits down with Danika Duarte Smith, a dancer, educator, and travel writer, to talk about her unforgettable first trip to Egypt during Eid. While living and teaching in Iraqi Kurdistan, Danika took a week off to explore Cairo, including a chaotic and crowded day at the Giza pyramid complex. From refusing overpriced horse carriage rides to navigating mayhem at the ticket booth, Danika shares how a random act of kindness and a stroke of luck got her and her travel companions through the chaos—and into one of the most iconic ancient sites on Earth.Guest: Danika Duarte SmithAuthor of One Year and a One Way Ticket, a debut travel memoirFounder of danikaduartesmith.comFormer ballet teacher and language instructorSpent three years living and working in Kurdistan, IraqTopics Covered:Introduction to Danika and her travel backgroundLiving and working in KurdistanFirst impressions of Egypt during EidNavigating scams and chaos at the Giza pyramid complexFinding help from a stranger in an overwhelming crowdQuiet moments of awe behind the Great PyramidA side trip to Luxor and reflections on ancient civilizationsTeaching ballet and surviving earthquakes in northern IraqThe story behind Danika's first book—and what's nextResources and Links:Danika's website: danikaduartesmith.comHer debut travel memoir: One Year and a One Way TicketCall to Action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share your favorite travel stories with us on social media using #OneOffTravelStories.

In this episode, Andrew sits down with Delia, a full-time solo traveler and digital nomad who has been exploring the world for nearly a decade. A certified freediver and adventure traveler, Delia shares her incredible experience diving with hammerhead sharks in the Galápagos Islands. From breathtaking underwater encounters to unexpected challenges, she recounts how this journey became one of the most unforgettable moments of her life. Along the way, she reflects on the balance between exploration, conservation, and personal growth.Guest: DeliaFull-time solo traveler and digital nomad for nearly 9 yearsCertified freediver, scuba diver, and adventure travelerTravel content creator and consultant in mindfulness and growth mindsetHas explored over 65 countries while working as a freelancerTopics Covered:Introduction to Delia and Her Nomadic LifestylePlanning a Trip to the Galápagos IslandsDiving with Hammerhead Sharks at Kicker RockThe Beauty and Biodiversity of the GalápagosEthical Wildlife Encounters and Conservation EffortsA Near-Death Experience: Getting Stuck in CoralReflections on Nature, Travel, and Personal GrowthResources and Links:Follow Delia's adventures: Instagram: @delia_coCall to Action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share your favorite travel stories with us on social media using #OneOffTravelStories.

In this episode, Andrew sits down with Saujeet Mondal, a passionate solo traveler, motorcycling enthusiast, and visual storyteller from Kolkata, India. Saujeet shares the story of his unforgettable trip to Darjeeling, known as the "Queen of Hills." From navigating steep, narrow roads and breathtaking mountain views to overcoming a dislocated elbow in the middle of an offbeat destination, Saujeet's tale is one of resilience, adventure, and the kindness of strangers.Guest: Saujeet MondalCreator of Saujeet Trails on InstagramVisual storyteller on YouTube: Saujeet TrailPassionate about offbeat travel and motorcyclingTopics Covered:Introduction to Saujeet MondalDiscovering Darjeeling: Researching Offbeat DestinationsFirst-Time Riding on Hilly RoadsNavigating Challenges: A Dislocated Elbow and Unhelpful HospitalityThe Kindness of Strangers: Help from Local VillagersLessons Learned from Travel MishapsFuture Plans: Motorcycling to LadakhResources and Links:Follow Saujeet on Instagram: Saujeet TrailsWatch his adventures on YouTube: Saujeet TrailGlenary's and Keventer's (breakfast places in Darjeeling)Call to Action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share your favorite travel stories with us on social media using #OneOffTravelStories.

In this episode, Andrew sits down with Alice, an intrepid traveler and author, to hear about her unforgettable safari experience in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park. Alice recounts her encounters with majestic lions, a mother leopard, and her unforgettable night camping in the wild. From the tense moments of a lion hunt to the quiet lessons learned from nature, Alice's story is a fascinating blend of beauty, danger, and self-discovery. She also shares how this experience inspired her travel memoir and shaped her approach to storytelling and publishing.Guest: AliceAuthor of Take My Breath Far Away, a travel memoirFounder of Asclepius Press, an independent publishing houseFormer scuba instructor and global adventurerTopics Covered:Introduction to Alice and her travel backgroundLife in the African bush: Camping amidst wildlifeA lion hunt: Witnessing the raw beauty of natureClose encounters with a leopard near her tentInsights into the duality of nature: Beauty and brutalityFounding Asclepius Press and supporting independent authorsReflections on gratitude and the power of serendipity in travelResources and Links:Alice's website: Asclepius PressHer memoir: Take My Breath Far AwayCall to Action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share your favorite travel stories with us on social media using #OneOffTravelStories.

Guest: TaraSolo traveler, US Marine Corps veteran, and outdoor enthusiastCreator of travel and adventure content at AdventaraEpisode Summary:In this episode, Andrew chats with Tara, a solo traveler and outdoor enthusiast based in Hawaii, about her adventurous weekend trip to Minca, Colombia. Tara shares how a work exchange program led her to explore the region on the back of a motorcycle with a fellow traveler, navigating muddy mountain roads and unexpected challenges. From a harrowing ride through narrow, slippery paths to a serene cacao farm experience and a heartwarming encounter with a moto-taxi driver, Tara's story is full of thrilling twists and turns. Tune in for an inspiring tale of spontaneity, resilience, and the joys of solo travel.Topics Covered:Introduction to Tara and Her Travel BackgroundThe Work Exchange Program in ColombiaNavigating Colombia's Mountain Roads by MotorcycleDecisiveness and Trusting Your Intuition While TravelingA Serendipitous Encounter with a Moto-Taxi DriverExploring a Cacao Farm and the Local CultureReflections on Indigenous Communities in ColombiaLessons Learned from Solo TravelResources and Links:Follow Tara's adventures: AdventaraLearn more about Worldpackers: worldpackers.comCall to Action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Guest: James Michael DorseyAward-winning author, explorer, and lecturerHas spent over three decades researching remote tribal cultures in over 50 countriesResident naturalist for 22 years at a whale sanctuary in Baja, MexicoEpisode Summary:In this episode, Andrew speaks with James Michael Dorsey, an award-winning author and seasoned explorer. James shares a remarkable travel story from his journey to western Tanzania, where he encountered the Hadza, one of Africa's last true hunter-gatherer tribes. From facing thrilling tests of trust with the tribe to becoming "bait" in a dramatic hunt, James' experiences reveal the deep cultural insights he gained while documenting vanishing cultures. He also discusses his parallel passion for cetacean research, which led him to a whale sanctuary in Mexico. Listen in to discover the adventures and insights that have shaped his career.Topics Covered:Introduction to James Michael DorseyThe Hadza Tribe: Last True Hunter-Gatherers in AfricaPreparing for Remote Expeditions: Permits, Planning, and SurvivalFirst Encounters and Tests of Trust with the HadzaFacing an Angry Baboon: James' Most Unforgettable Travel StoryInsights on Cultural Preservation and StorytellingCetacean Research and Whale Encounters in Baja, MexicoReflections on a Life of Adventure and ExplorationResources and Links:James Michael Dorsey's website: jamesmichaeldorsey.comThe Lagoon: Encounters with the Whales of San Ignacio by James Michael DorseyCall to Action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share your favorite travel stories with us on social media using #OneOffTravelStories.

Guest: J.R. HarrisLong-distance wilderness trekker with 60 years of experienceAuthor of Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness TrekkerBoard member of the Explorers Club, and chair of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committeeFounder of J.R. Harris Marketing ServicesEpisode Summary:In this episode, host Andrew sits down with J.R. Harris, a lifelong New Yorker and legendary wilderness trekker who has explored some of the most remote and challenging terrains in the world. J.R. recounts his solo trek across Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic, sharing the mental and physical trials he faced during the expedition. From navigating polar bear country to a hair-raising gorge crossing, J.R. reflects on how fear and preparation shaped his adventure. Tune in to hear how J.R.'s love for remote wilderness areas has fueled his lifelong passion for exploration.Topics Covered:Introduction to J.R. HarrisOverview of Baffin Island and its Remote WildernessPreparing for the Trek: Research and AnticipationOn the look out for Polar BearsThe Gorge Crossing: A Test of Fear and EnduranceReflections on Solo Trekking and Lessons LearnedThe Importance of Preserving the ArcticResources and Links:J.R. Harris' website: JRInTheWilderness.comWay Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker by J.R. HarrisBorn Curious DocumentaryCall to Action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share your favorite travel stories with us on social media using #OneOffTravelStories.

Episode Title: Serendipity in Paris: Naveen Rana's World Cup AdventureGuest: Naveen RanaCanadian based in TorontoPassionate about photography and creative expressionEpisode Summary:In this episode, Andrew chats with Naveen Rana, a Canadian technology professional with a creative side. Naveen shares a captivating story about his spontaneous trip to Paris in 2006, where he unexpectedly found himself amidst the excitement of the World Cup. On this trip, Naveen used his photography skills to bond with travelers and make new friends. From capturing candid moments on the streets of Paris to celebrating with locals after a thrilling World Cup match, Naveen's story demonstrates the power of serendipity in travel.Topics Covered:Introduction to Naveen RanaThe Journey to Paris in 2006Immersing in the Parisian Culture and Creative ExplorationExperiencing the World Cup in ParisSerendipitous Encounters and New FriendshipsCanada DayThe Impact of the Trip on Naveen's Future TravelsReflections on Solo Travel and Creative ExpressionCall to Action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.com and if you've got a great story to share please reach out.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.

Guest: Marc GerversEpisode Summary:In this episode, Andrew chats with Marc Gervers, an international arbitration lawyer based in Europe, about his trip impromptu trip to Cairo, Egypt, to write the UK bar exam. Marc is a lifelong traveler, has lived in many countries, and can speak 5 languages. We hear about his encounters with locals who provided a genuine cultural experience, his valuable tips on exploring Cairo, and of course, his exam experience. Marc's tales offer a captivating glimpse into the highs and lows of travel, emphasizing the importance of local interactions and of staying cool in the summer heat.Topics Covered:Introduction to Marc GerversExam and heat strugglesExploring CairoCultural Insights and Local TipsVisit to the Pyramids of GizaHistorical and Cultural Significance of the PyramidsFinishing examsMarc's Tips for Future TravelersCall to Action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share your favorite travel stories with us on social media using #OneOffTravelStories.

Guest: Don BurnsEpisode Summary:In this episode, Andrew welcomes Don Burns, a seasoned traveler from Toronto, Canada. Don shares an intriguing story about his spontaneous trip to Kuwait, highlighting the incredible hospitality he experienced and the surprising insights he gained about Kuwaiti culture. From world class restaurants to private parties, Don's journey offers a captivating glimpse into a lesser-known travel destination. Key Points:Introduction to Don BurnsInitial Impressions of KuwaitA Warm WelcomeExploring Local Markets and the CityAn Unforgettable Night OutInsights into Kuwaiti CultureReflections on an Unforgettable ExperienceCalls to Action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share your favorite travel stories with us on social media using #OneOffTravelStories.

Guest: Sophie RoyEpisode Summary:In this episode of One Off Travel Stories, host Andrew sits down with Sophie Roy, an avid traveler and startup builder, to delve into her adventure in Uzbekistan. Sophie shares her unique experiences exploring the country before getting to her one off story. From navigating flight challenges to discovering the hidden gems of Uzbek culture, this episode is packed with captivating moments and insightful reflections. Tune in to learn about Uzbekistan's rich history, its warm hospitality, and a surprising encounter with Uzbek techno music.Topics Covered:Introduction to Sophie RoySophie's Background and Travel ExperienceTraveling to UzbekistanFlight Challenges and Arrival in TashkentExploringUnique Experiences and Cultural InsightsA Tale of Uzbek Techno MusicConclusion and ReflectionsResources and Links:Check out Oatbox!Call to Action:Visit our website at oneofftravelstories.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share your favorite travel stories with us on social media using #OneOffTravelStories.

Guest: Michael BervellIn this episode of One Off Travel Stories, host Andrew welcomes Michael Bervell to the show. An accomplished entrepreneur, angel investor, and author, Michael shares a captivating travel story from his recent trip to Bhutan. He discusses the fascinating concept of Gross National Happiness, Bhutan's unique cultural preservation efforts, and of course his one off story that involves the King of Bhutan. Tune in for an engaging conversation about Bhutan's breathtaking landscapes, cultural richness, and Michael's personal experiences.Topics Covered:Introduction to MichaelHarvard Business School TreksBhutan: The Land of Gross National HappinessTraveling to BhutanExperiencing BhutanUnexpected SurprisesConclusionResources and Links:Michael's websiteMichael's book: "Unlocking Unicorns"Call to Action:Check out our website at oneofftravelstories.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast.Share your favorite travel stories with us on social media using #OneOffTravelStories.

Welcome to "One Off Travel Stories," the podcast where each episode features a different guest recounting an extraordinary event that happened while they were traveling. Join us as we dive into personal narratives that highlight the spontaneity and unpredictability of travel. From off-the-beaten-path destinations to unexpected encounters, get ready to be inspired, entertained, and sometimes even astonished by the stories shared by our diverse lineup of travelers.