Frequently Asked Questions

My lifelong goal has always been to explore the regions, tribes, and wildlife that captivate me the most. Over time, this passion evolved into something deeper: the realization that every country on Earth holds its own unique magic, stories, and significance. That understanding inspired a new mission—not to simply tick boxes, but to visit every country on Earth with intention, curiosity, and respect for what makes each place distinct.

I’ve now visited all 197 United Nations–recognized countries. And if you include far-flung territories like Antarctica and Greenland, along with nations with limited or no formal U.N. recognition such as South Ossetia and Transnistria, the number rises to over 250 countries and territories.

Each journey brought its own challenges and unforgettable moments—from remote rainforests to war zones, from ancient tribal lands to ultra-modern cityscapes. And while I’ve reached this milestone, the pursuit of exploration and understanding continues—because for me, travel was never just about the finish line. It’s about the stories, the connections, and the continuous unfolding of the world.

Traveling the world has a way of presenting opportunities I never imagined possible. Of course, there are the headline moments—the kind that make for great stories: acting as a World War II soldier in Australia for The Thin Red Line-My Experience as a World War II Soldier in the Movie the “Thin Red Line” and My Journey to Learn More About the Battle of the Guadalcanal | Venture The Planet, piloting a Cessna across Baja from San Diego-Piloting a Small Plane Across Baja Mexico from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas | Venture The Planet, swimming with Humpback and Sperm whales-Swimming with Sperm Whales-World’s Largest Toothed Predator and Exploring Dominica’s Wealth of Natural Treasures  | Venture The Planet, descending 1,500 feet by rope into the world’s largest pit cave-Abseiling into the World’s Deepest Pit Cave-Sotano de las Golondrinas | Venture The Planet, and camping beside a lava lake in Ethiopia-Lava Lakes, Bubbling Acid Pools and Nomadic Camel Caravans Carrying Salt Across the Lowest and Hottest Desert in Africa | Venture The Planet.

But the truth is, some of my most meaningful experiences have come from the people I’ve encountered along the way. There’s something deeply moving about when a complete stranger goes out of their way to help in a time of need, or when I’ve been invited into a remote tribe’s home and welcomed as family. It’s these unexpected human connections that leave the most lasting impressions on me—proof that the greatest moments of travel often come not from what you see, but from who you meet.

The beauty of a lifetime spent in adventure travel is that a question like this can never truly be answered in one paragraph. Every journey offers so much more—more stories, more memories, and more lessons than I could ever hope to capture in words.

I’ve had many close calls. Of course, the answer to these questions is relative and some might think that almost every trip of mine is flirting with death. But if I had to really sum up my most harrowing travel experiences the list would include the following: My canoe was capsized by a hippo in the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe-Attacked by a Hippo in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe | Venture The Planet. A volcano I climbed in Vanuatu erupted sending lava bombs the size of cars raining down on me-Vanuatu-Erupting Volcanoes, Running From Lava Bombs And Kastom Villages Where Traditions Are Still Strongly Upheld | Venture The Planet. I have also been charged by gorillas, elephants and rhinos. I have been held at gun point by corrupt police and had bullets’ whiz over my head during tribal celebrations. I was detained by Taliban in Kandahar-10 Days in Afghanistan Under the Taliban as an American Tourist Visiting the Minaret of Jam and the Southern Pashtun Heartland | Venture The Planet, and then there are the many mechanical failures and scares that come with piloting small aircraft that are too many to name.

You Don’t Have to Be Rich to Travel the World

One of the biggest myths about travel is that it’s only for the wealthy. But I’ve learned firsthand that being rich isn’t necessary—what you really need is determination, a sense of adventure, and resourcefulness.

Long before I could afford much of anything, I still found ways to explore the world. I taught English in South Korea and Brazil, landed a work permit in Australia that got me a job on a movie set, and backpacked across India for nearly two months—trekking through the Himalayas—on just $800.

Travel has always been my priority. To see places like Antarctica, I’ve made sacrifices in other areas of life. I don’t spend money on bars, new clothes, or flashy cars. I’ve been driving the same beat-up old truck for over 20 years. I also share costs by traveling with friends whenever possible, stretching every dollar to go further.

If you really want to travel, you’ll find a way. The world rewards those who are willing to get creative, embrace discomfort, and chase the unknown.

Making Time to Travel: No Days Off Wasted

Just like I prioritize my spending to make travel possible, I also prioritize my time. I’ve never taken a stay-at-home vacation—every day off is dedicated to getting out into the world.

Over the years, I’ve learned to be strategic with my vacation time. I plan trips around holidays, make use of long weekends, and squeeze the most out of every travel window. I’m fortunate to have a job that provides more vacation days than most Americans, but even if I only had the standard two weeks a year, I wouldn’t let that stop me.

Travel isn’t about having unlimited time—it’s about being intentional with the time you do have. With a little creativity and planning, it’s possible to see the world one adventure at a time.

Staying Healthy on the Road

I’ve been fortunate—despite all the remote places, street food, and rugged conditions, I’ve never been severely ill while traveling. That said, I’ve definitely had my fair share of infections and the occasional bout of food poisoning. It’s all part of the territory when you travel off the beaten path.

The Scariest Part of Travel: Behind the Wheel

Of all the risks that come with international travel, driving—or even just being a passenger—is by far the most terrifying. I’ve had my fair share of close calls, including being hit by a drunk driver in Malawi. In places like Nigeria and Iraq, the roads feel like scenes out of a high-stakes action movie. There’s often little regard for traffic rules, no seat belts, and an anything-goes mentality. Drivers pass on blind corners, speed wildly, and treat the highway shoulder as just another lane.

It’s chaos, and at times, it’s genuinely frightening.

My greatest fear while traveling isn’t snakes, illness, or political unrest—it’s getting into a serious car accident in a country with poor emergency response or inadequate medical care. The thought of being held responsible, or ending up in a hospital unfit for even basic treatment, is one of the few things that can truly rattle me.

I have done so many difficult treks in my life that it is impossible to reduce them to a list of just 10 because all of them have been difficult in some way but the 10 treks below have to rate pretty high in my list;

1) Expedition into the Amazon rainforest to climb the highest mountain in Brazil, Pico da Neblina-An Expedition into the Brazilian Amazon that Almost Ended in Disaster | Venture The Planet.

2) Trekking through the equatorial swamp forest of the Congo rainforest basin to reach Lac Tele in the Republic of Congo-Searching for a Dinosaur Named Mokele Mbembe in the Central African Forests of Lac Tele-Republic of Congo | Venture The Planet.

3) A grueling 2-week trek across the Papuan highland rainforests and mountains staying in Yali, Dani and Lani tribal villages-An Adventure Over the Remote Papuan Mountain Jungles Into the Rarely Visited Villages of the Last Penis Gourded Tribes-Dani and Yali | Venture The Planet.

4) Week-long trek through the leech-infested primary forests of the Maliau Basin in Borneo-Wild Borneo-Diving in Sipadan Island, and Trekking the Vastly Un-Explored Leech Infested Jungles of the Lost World of Borneo (Maliau Basin), Malaysia | Venture The Planet.

5) Climbing the 20,187′ Himalayan Peak of Stok Kangri, in India-Traveling the Himalayan Buddhist Kingdoms of Zanskar & Ladakh & Thru the Hectic Ganges River Plains | Venture The Planet.

6) Climbing through high alpine swamps in torrential freezing rain in the highest mountain range of Africa, the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon-Tracking Mountain Gorilla’s, and Adventures Into the Rain Shrouded Fabled Mountains of the Moon-Rwenzori Mountains and Queen Elizabeth National Park | Venture The Planet.

7) Climbing to the top of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain-Climbing to the Roof of Africa-Kilimanjaro | Venture The Planet.

8) Trekking across the tundra among grizzly bears in the wilderness of Denali National Park in Alaska-Back Country Adventures with Grizzly Bears in Denali National Park, Alaska | Venture The Planet.

9) Expedition deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest to the legendary Tayos cave believed to be where alien metal plates are hidden-Expedition into Cueva de los Tayos, Where Explorers Including Neil Armstrong Have Searched for the Legendary Golden Tablets with Alien Like Symbols | Venture The Planet.

10) A week-long adventure in the world’s largest cave, Han Soon Dong Cave in Vietnam-A Week of Adventure in the World’s Largest Cave-Hang Son Doong | Venture The Planet

Swimming or scuba diving with marine animals, whales, sharks, manta rays…is a primary motivation for my travels. Here are some of my most notable experiences: 

1) Swimming with the largest predator, sperm whales in Dominica-Swimming with Sperm Whales-World’s Largest Toothed Predator and Exploring Dominica’s Wealth of Natural Treasures  | Venture The Planet.

2) Cage diving with the world’s largest great white sharks in la Isla Guadalupe, Mexico-Cage Diving with Great White Sharks in Guadalupe Island, Mexico & South Africa | Venture The Planet.

3) Scuba diving with giant hammerhead sharks in Bimini, Bahamas-Diving with Great Hammer Head and Bull Sharks in Bimini Island | Venture The Planet.

4) Snorkeling with humpback whales in Tonga and Tahiti-Marquesas Islands-Polynesia Forgotten by Tourism & Swimming with Humpback Whales in Moorea, Tahiti | Venture The Planet, Swimming with Humpback Whales in Eua Island and Getting to Know One of the Most Traditional South Pacific Island Nations | Venture The Planet.

5) Petting grey whales in the lagoons of Baja, Mexico- Petting Grey Whales in the Lagoons of Baja, Mexico | Venture The Planet.

6) Swimming with wild manatees in Florida-Swimming with Wild Manatees in Central Florida | Venture The Planet.

7) Scuba diving in one of the world’s finest dive sites with sea turtles and reef sharks-Wild Borneo-Diving in Sipadan Island, and Trekking the Vastly Un-Explored Leech Infested Jungles of the Lost World of Borneo (Maliau Basin), Malaysia | Venture The Planet.

8) Snorkeling in a lake full of jellyfish, Palau-Jellyfish lake, Kayaking and Solo Camping on the Rock Islands and Exploring Caves with Skeletal Remains from the WWII Battles on Peleliu Island | Venture The Planet.

9) Scuba diving with giant manta rays in the Micronesian island of Yap-One of the Last Traditional Islands in Oceania with Giant Manta Rays, Stone Money, and Local Legends of a Magical Island of Ancestral Sorcerers Hidden Beneath the Sea  | Venture The Planet.

10) Snorkeling with beluga whales in Hudson Bay, Canada-Swimming with Beluga Whales While Trying to Avoid Being Eaten by Polar Bears in Churchill, Canada | Venture The Planet. 

1) The world’s biggest cave, Han Soon Dong, Vietnam-A Week of Adventure in the World’s Largest Cave-Hang Son Doong | Venture The Planet

2) Expedition deep into the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest to the legendary Tayos cave believed to be where alien metal plates are hidden-Expedition into Cueva de los Tayos, Where Explorers Including Neil Armstrong Have Searched for the Legendary Golden Tablets with Alien Like Symbols | Venture The Planet.

3) Rappelling into the world’s biggest pit caves- Abseiling into the World’s Deepest Pit Cave-Sotano de las Golondrinas | Venture The Planet.

4) A night of exploring the illegal Paris catacombs and crawling through skeletons-An Adventure into the Un-Official Paris Catacombs, a Mecca for Urban Exploration | Venture The Planet.

5) Wading through waist-high bat guano through clouds of bats while looking for the world’s biggest snakes in an Indonesian cave-Hiring a Skiff to See the Giant Dragons of Komodo Island and Walking Through a Snake Cave in Waist High Bat Excrement in Search of Reticulated Pythons  | Venture The Planet.

6) Getting stuck in the tiny cave tunnels of Gobholo Cave, Swaziland-Visiting Africa’s Last Monarchy and Getting Stuck in the Smallest Cave Tunnels I Have Ever Visited in My Travels, Swaziland | Venture The Planet

7, 8) Scuba diving in under-water caves in the Yucatan and Dominican Republic-A Weekend of Exploring Caves Both Above and Under-Water in the Wild Cotubanamá National Park, Dominican Republic | Venture The Planet.

9) Mayan caves of Belize with skeletal remains of sacrificial victims-Walking Among the Bones of Human Sacrifices in the Mayan Underworld Caves | Venture The Planet

10) Inside the amazing glacial ice caves of Iceland-Ice Caves, Erupting Volcanoes and Trolls-Iceland | Venture The Planet.

11) Exploring desert caves in Saudi Arabia.

12) Camping in the remote Bears Ears National Monument, Utah inside a Puebloan Cave: Climbing Angels landing in Zion and Cave Camping Next to Pueblo Ruins in Bears Ears National Monument,Utah | Venture The Planet.