Comments on: Interview with Rolf Potts

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:28:43 +0000

Never heard of the guy or his book but then I’m a bot old for his demographic now. Started travelling before mobile phones were even common, still tend to look back on that era as the glory days but came to realize that it’s not the place, budget or gadgets but the people and the experiences that matter. And everyone will have a different experience of a place depending on personal circumstances too. It’s all good -don’t let gadgets become a barrier to personal interaction, and what’s the problem?

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:48:38 +0000

So true!

By: Erron

Erron — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 08:30:02 +0000

Rolf nails it down every time. Though I’ve been on the road many times now, whenever I re-read his philosophy on things it always reminds me why I live the strange life I live, and why I need to enjoy and appreciate it.

By: johnny - onestep4ward.com

johnny - onestep4ward.com — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 03:35:37 +0000

awesome that you had the chance to interview him Matt – was it in person? good to hear the man himself discuss modern traveling and i like what he says about missing the point when discussing who’s a ‘better’ traveler. He seems a very chilled out dude!

By: Carla Moreno

Carla Moreno — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:05:14 +0000

Thank you Rolf! I agree there are some “holier than though” travelers. I just want to encourage my students to get out there. Discover. Be. I’ve been traveling since age, 15. I do try my best to travel as lightly as possible and a small flipcam gets me the footage I need for my short documentaries.

Will read your book!

By: Lauren Quinn

Lauren Quinn — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:06:54 +0000

Great interview. I love Rolf’s perspective on traveling. There’s tons of decent-to-great travel writers out there, but what really separates them, for me, is their approach towards travel. And I love Rolf’s. Thanks!

By: Shawn

Shawn — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:25:00 +0000

First time I heard of this book.

The only travel book I have ever read was Mark Twain’s Innocents Abroad.

By: byteful traveller

byteful traveller — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 06:34:21 +0000

“You’ll be ten times as travel-savvy after your first two weeks on the road, so be flexible and don’t micromanage things.”

Truly excellent interview. The statement above is very encouraging to me as I’ll be taking a month-long trip in the summer. I recognize the truth of this statement intuitively.

But what will stick with me for years is the final point:

“Don’t just take a journey; let it take you.”

Wise words from a wise traveller.

By: Ian

Ian — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:25:33 +0000

Great interview, especially the part about The Beach. Thanks for sharing.

By: NomadicMatt

NomadicMatt — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:51:00 +0000

@Craig: I think his book is better suited for new travelers. I do want to read his second one and his stories.

@Jessie: Glad you enjoyed it!

@Gillian: I am also a big, big fan of the book. I read it before I first went away.

@Erica: I am a flashpacker. Like you said, the key is to put down the gadgets sometimes.

@Malia: I will be in paris this summer and will look into the course.

@Quick: I am glad that you found this interview worthwhile!

@Mark: Even though you didn’t like the book, glad you liked this interview. He does have a good travel ethic!!!

@Steve: Glad I converted you.