Posted: 8/17/17 | August 17th, 2017
There are some amazing overland adventures around the world like the Mongol Rally and the Rickshaw Run. Overland travel is one of my favorite ways to travel. I believe the closer you get to the ground, the more countryside you visit, the better to get to understand a place.
Sadly, I’ve never done a big overland rally but one of our community members has! Ric, another fellow Bostonian, has driven almost 7,000 miles in races and rallies across the globe. He’s an adventurous traveler, and in this interview, he shares his tips and insight to help anyone learn how to travel off-the-beaten-path!
Nomadic Matt: Hey Ric! Thanks for doing this! Tell everyone about yourself.
Ric: I’m Ric from Boston. I am just a guy who previously worked in the financial services industry after college. Now, I’m based in Bangkok for about half of the year. I go back to the US to visit for a couple of months, and then I am traveling and exploring for about four months a year.
Besides my blog, GlobalGaz, I am a podcaster at Counting Countries, where I interview people who have traveled to every country in the world (I’m hoping to accomplish that goal one day soon).
I co-lead Bangkok’s Travel Massive as well as organize a 2,500-person Meetup.com group. I enjoy bringing together people who love to travel to share their passion.
I’ve also published three books: two on road rallies I participated in through India and the Caucasus region, and the third is a photo journal of when I slept over at Chernobyl (I am a bit obsessed with photography).
I have also produced two full-length travel documentaries, including Hit the Road: Cambodia, and keynoted at the PATA Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference.
When not on the road I enjoy hanging out with my wife and our new dog Khan Mak, a Pomeranian and Chihuahua mix.
It sounds like you’re on an epic quest! How did you get started traveling?
Getting fired was helpful! I was laid off from my job on three different occasions in five years. Each time I got laid off, I took the severance package and embarked on months-long international road trips. On the third trip, I realized I couldn’t go back to my former corporate life and needed to make my passion — traveling — my life.
Since then, each year I spend more and more time overseas — now typically 9-10 months per year. My goal is to visit 20 new countries this year.
What led you to embrace this nomadic lifestyle?
While I was making good money in the financial services, it was not a fulfilling career. I began to dread going into the office more and more. I had volunteered a bunch of times in Armenia, Tanzania, and Thailand, and these experiences are what really drew me to living overseas.
In 2004, I volunteered in Yerevan, Armenia, at an orphanage. I am ethnically Armenian, so this was a great way to connect with my roots. I spent a lot of time bonding with the kids — who today are young adults — and have been back every year to visit them; from 2004 to 2010, I hosted a festival for the children at the orphanage. I also volunteered at an after-school group where the children learned about film, photography, and journalism.
In Thailand, I have been fortunate to be associated with The Mercy Centre in Bangkok. For the last three years, I’ve been a volunteer teacher for kindergarteners. The time spent working with others has made a big impact on me, and I find it to be very rewarding.
You’re trying to go to every country in the world. Can you tell us more about that?
As I visited more and more countries, I decided that I wanted to visit every country in the world. According to the UN, there are 193 countries. I have been to 110 so far. As the list dwindles, the countries become more difficult to visit, whether it is a difficult visa to get, a remote country, or simply dangerous to visit.
I celebrated my 100th country last year in Iraq. Iraq is not your typical holiday spot, but I found my trip to be both rewarding and educational. I was received with warmth and gracious hospitality by the local Iraqis. I spent an entire afternoon with an elderly gentleman who I met drinking tea. He escorted me around the local market, introduced me to his friends, and treated me to lunch.
I also have had some interesting experiences visiting countries that “don’t exist” such as Transnistria, a country of 500,000 people located between Moldova and Ukraine. Transnistria is not recognized by the UN as a sovereign country; however, you need a Transnistrian visa to enter it. It has its own flag, currency, army, and government. It is a quirky place to visit if you get a chance.
What do your friends and family think about your constant travels? What did they think when you first started?
My dad has always been supportive of my travels. In fact, he has joined me on some epic trips, such as traveling to the Galápagos Islands and Antarctica.
My friends are sometimes intrigued by my travel tales and will come to me for travel advice, and the more adventurous ones will join me on a trip. I’ve also made an entirely new group of friends from around the world who are fellow travelers and travel bloggers. They are a great resource for support and advice.
What’s your number one piece of advice for new travelers?
Of course, the first piece of advice is just to get out there. If you are apprehensive or not experienced, start out slowly. If you want to dip your toe in the water, start off with Western Europe.
If you want to take the next step, consider Thailand, Bulgaria, or Argentina (countries with good tourist infrastructure and very affordable).
As you get more comfortable and experienced, spread your wings, and travel to more off-the-beaten-path places.
To make your travel and life more fulfilling, I would make two suggestions:
- Volunteer – This is an effective way to become part of the community. You will be able to build genuine friendships with the locals and really learn about the culture and country you are visiting.
- Join an adventure rally – Rallies allow you to get off the beaten path and see parts of the country that you would not typically visit. The rallies allow for real interactions with the locals.
Tell us more about rally races. What are they and how did you get into them?
A “rally” is a challenging adventure, where participants travel from point A to point B within some sort of parameters (think Amazing Race). Some rallies specify what kind of transportation to take, such as a tuk-tuk.
Other rallies require participants to ride a cart led by oxen, ride a sailboat off the island of Zanzibar, or pilot a paramotor for 1,000 miles in the sky.
My first rally, known as “the Caucasian Challenge,” was 17 days, 11 countries, and 7,000 km and from Budapest to Yerevan. In 2010, two friends and I bought a 1993 Jeep Cherokee in Budapest for $2,300 USD with 250,000 km already on it.
Our team, named “The Yerevan Express,” competed against 10 other teams. During our journey we got lost and ended up in Montenegro (a country not on the itinerary), and we witnessed the breathtaking mountains of northern Albania.
The rally ended when I literally abandoned my car between Georgia and Armenia and took a bus to the airport to leave the country.
Next was the “Rickshaw Challenge.” In 2012, I embarked on a 12-day, 2,000km sprint across India (during the monsoon season!) piloting an auto-rickshaw. India is amazing, but it can also be a bit overwhelming on the senses. This is especially true when attempting to navigate the country in a seven-horsepower (think a riding lawnmower) rickshaw.
During these 12 days, we were constantly running out of petrol, driving up to 14 hours a day, getting detained by the police, and eating too many samosas to count. Needless to say, crossing “the Rickshaw Challenge” finish line was rewarding.
After that came the “Cambo Challenge” in 2015, organized by Large Minority (a company that organizes awesome rallies in Sri Lanka, the Amazon, Cambodia, and the Philippines). This was a 1,600km circular route through Cambodia over 12 days.
The rally took place on a Cambodian tuk-tuk (for anyone who has been in one, you’ll understand the struggle!). We navigated our way through the magnificent temples of Angkor Wat, drove past floating villages, stayed with families in an ecovillage called Chambok, camped near temples, and swam in the Gulf of Thailand. “The Cambo Challege” was another great way to discover the realness of this commonly overlooked country while also giving back with Large Minority’s commitment to the local community (10% of their revenues support local projects).
I documented both “the Rickshaw Challenge” and “the Cambo Challenge” by producing a full-length, adventure travel documentary. My partners and film crew were my former students from Manana, the after-school group in Yerevan.
What advice would you have people if they wanted to do this? What resources are out there?
Great question! Had I not seen a captivating banner hanging in an Armenian café, I’d have never known myself. There are four primary companies that organize most of these rallies:
Some of these rallies provide virtually no support, while others provide guidance and assistance (such as route planning, luggage support, or even an ambulance) as you race across the country. Some rallies last ten days (like the Lanka Challenge) while others can top two months (the longest is the Mongol Rally).
You have to fund these rallies yourself (or get a sponsor). Some rallies provide the vehicle, hotels, and support for an inclusive price (which can total a couple thousand dollars per team). Other organizers require you to provide the car and practically everything else, and offer minimal support, for a smaller entry fee (several hundred dollars).
Other costs vary greatly, based on what type of accommodations you stay in, the food you eat, the cost of your airplane ticket, and of course, if you have to buy a car for the rally.
You can participate in rallies around the globe. “The Ice Run” takes place in the Siberian Arctic for 12 days. You can participate in “the Monkey Run” in the Saharan Desert covering 1000km. “The Banjul Challenge” follows the coast of West Africa for three weeks. “The Philippines Challenge” places you in the crystal blue waters of the Philippines over nine days.
What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
I have learned so much from being on the road. But there are two lessons I always try to remember: perspective and the power of perception.
In my former corporate life, I would have spent several thousand dollars on a luxury watch, but not now. I’ve grown to value experiences and relationships more than material possessions. Travel definitely changes your perspective.
When it comes to the power of perception, I have one story that stands as a telling example. In 2004, I was chatting up a bartender in Moscow. After I informed him that I was from the US, he told me how much Russians hate Americans (I was a bit surprised, naively thinking the Cold War was over!). He went on about how Europe and the US fabricated Serbia’s hostilities against its neighbors and used false facts to justify attacking Serbia (Russia’s ally).
When I mentioned the mass graves of Muslims in Srebrenica, he told me that they didn’t exist and the West fabricated their existence. So my second lesson from the road is your truth is not the universal truth.
All of Ric’s adventures stemmed from his desire to break through the normal 9-5 and explore the world. He didn’t jump into adventure races and rallies on his first trip, he took one trip, then another, and built up his confidence on the road. Eventually, he began driving across the world!
Hopefully, this post will inspire you to think outside the box a bit and figure out ways to use your passion and skills to get out there, escape the cubicle, and see more of this world.
Become the Next Success Story
One of my favorite parts about this job is hearing people’s travel stories. They inspire me, but more importantly, they also inspire you. I travel a certain way but there are many ways to travel the world. I hope these stories show you that there is more than one way to travel and that it is within your grasp to reach your travel goals. Here are more examples of people who are traveling the world in a unique (some may call it strange) way:
- How Ryan Drove Overland from Seattle to South America
- How Tomislav Travels the World on $3,650 USD Per Year
- How Arielle Got Paid to Travel on a Yacht
- How Will Adventurously Travels on a Budget of $20 USD a Day
How to Travel the World on $50 a Day
My New York Times best-selling paperback guide to world travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you’ll get off the beaten path, save money, and have a deeper travel experience. It’s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC guide the “bible for budget travelers.”
Click here to learn more and start reading it today!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- World Nomads (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Need to book your trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. The are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
Gina and Zeke
This interview really hit home as we are about to head to Thailand in October to see what life has in store for us next, after quitting our jobs. We had just stumbled upon the idea of overland travel last week and want to do the cambo challenge in 2018. This piece just lit the fire under us to prepare for the adventure. Thanks for sharing Ric and putting it together Matt!
Ric Gazarian
Gina and Zeke…awesome to hear and good luck on your adventures. If you have any questions on Thailand or Cambo Challenge let me know. Thanks!
Pilot Mark
Solid advice from a well-travelled man. I can never stress enough the importance of travelling at one´s own rhythm, using your preferred method of transport (as was the case here!). Inspirational stuff.
Ric Gazarian
Thanks Pilot Mark! Safe travels.
Zascha
Very impressive and interesting interview. Thank you so much Ric for sharing with us your experiences traveling especially the things you have learn over time. Traveling definitely changes your perception, maybe is because you see too much, see things too different sometines that at the end of the day you value more what you have.
Ric Gazarian
Zascha….thanks. I think my perception and perspective has changed much over the years of visiting new places and meeting new people.
Chris
This is awesome stuff! The Mongol Rally has been on my list for years. I’m hoping to convince my dad to do it with me…mainly because I think I’ll have an easier time convincing him to do that instead of the Rickshaw Run!
Ric Gazarian
Hey Chris…Mongol Rally is on my bucket list too. But the other rallies like Cambo Challenge and Caucasian Challenge were also awesome too. Hope you get to travel with your Dad, it will be a great experience.
Turner
Wow. Super interesting interview. I have a couple of travel friends who have done these Rickshaw run and Mongol rallies, but I have yet to do it. I really am keen on it but think it would be fun to do with a group of mates. I think you may have just motivated me to get it together finally. Thanks.
Ric Gazarian
I hope you do it! You will not forget the experience.
Chris
Well this was pretty inspirational. Pretty clear Ric has lived life to the fullest. I strive to work on that everyday. It can be pretty easy to travel and just stay in luxury spots rather than getting out there and in the thick of it. That Rickshaw run sounds pretty sweet – and tiring. haha
Ric
Thanks Chris! I hope you get you there and explore.
Alexis
This is fascinating info. I’m a veteran traveler (who got laid off from her M&A Law job in the Great Recession and never rejoined the corporate forces) and I thought I’ve seen it all, but I’ve never heard of Transnisitra!
Also, totally agreed on adventure races being a great way to see the world. I used to travel for races, but footraces (think The Great Wall Half Marathon) not driving races. If you’re a runner, or just think that you can hoof it for 13 (or 26) miles through some interesting terrain, those sorts of vacations could be a great adventure.
Ric Gazarian
Alexis-good to meet another corporate outcast 😉
I hope you get to add some marathons to your list.
Dorota
Great and inspiring interview! I’ve always loved travelling but a breaking point for me was 6 weeks volunteering experience in Russia. I realized then that helping others while travelling is something I want to do. I set a goal to volunteer on every continent and I’m slowly making in happen. It is an amazing way of getting to know the country while also making a positive impact. Sadly, it’s still not very popular in my home country (Poland), many Poles have no idea there are so interesting volunteering opportunities out there. I hope to contribute to changing that one day 🙂
Thanks for this inspiring story!
Ric
Dorota…I really like your goal and hope you compete it! Will be some great experiences.
Izy Berry
Great lesson on perspective and the power of perception! Also, I’ve never heard of rally races before. Such a fun and adventurous way to get to know a place!
Ric
Thanks Izy!