Everything Everywhere: Through the Lens of Gary Arndt, Travel Journalism Pioneer

On Arrival Travel

Few people can claim to have been in the travel blogging world as long as Gary Arndt. Today we are lucky enough to be joined by Gary to hear all about his amazing adventures, unlikely career path, and what has kept him excited and engaged with his work for the last three decades. It is hard to know where to start with someone who has done so much and gone to so many places! Gary gives us a couple of select glimpses of some of the amazing sights he has seen and cultures he has connected with. He also gets into using photography as a way to document his travels, and why he will always put traveling ahead of taking photos. Our guest shares some of his personal opinions on accommodation options, different types of sharks, and what is most important when setting out on a journey. For Gary, travel has always been about the unique moments that you get to live in, rather than where you sleep, and what you pack in your bag. We think this is a great reminder about the essence of life on the road, and hearing it from someone so steeped in the culture of traveling really adds resonance to the idea. Join us today to hear all he has to say!

Today on On Arrival:

• The first trip that Gary made for business in the 1990s and how he documented the journey.

• Gary's decision to hit the road and keep traveling around the world for a whole year!

• How Gary approached creating his travel website before Instagram.

• The impacts of the pandemic on Gary's work and how he reacted to the shutdowns.

• The focuses of Gary's podcast and how he tied his experience and expertise into the show.

• Gary's initial impetus to start taking photos, his first camera, and the lessons he learned early on.

• The reality of travel writing and photography in 2021; shallow content and traffic mongering.

• Reasons that Gary believes so strongly in podcasting as a powerful medium in the current climate.

• Hostels versus luxury hotels; Gary weighs in on which he prefers!

• The things that still get Gary excited to take photos and his desire to venture into the unknown.

• How Gary got kicked out of Kiribati and the resultant changes with regards to visa regulations.

• Experiences of diving with sharks and Gary's feelings about whales sharks and great whites.

Check out Gary Arndt's Blog and follow him on Instagram

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