I was incredibly lucky to begin my travel journey to Asia as a teenager with my folks, along with adventures to Peru and Madagascar with my secondary school. By 18, I’d visited six out of the seven continents — I’m still waiting to visit Antarctica.
This passion for travel lead me into the world of SCUBA diving, allowing me to explore the world above and below the surface. I was lucky to call places like Fiji, the Seychelles, and Indonesia my home.
The calling of Southeast Asia from a marine life, culture, and food point is and was always at the back of my mind. More trips to Indonesia and Cambodia only solidified my love for the area. With no two trips the same, as each country is so different from one another. From the beautiful hidden world of Angkor in Cambodia to the untouched beaches of Koh Lak, Thailand.
Q&A with Andrew
Where would you love to travel next?
Raja Ampat, Indonesia. It’s the mecca of the diving world, a place that I’ve never managed to get to while working as a PADI instructor. The biodiversity of this location is second to none, with pristine corals lining every shore.
Your best piece of travel advice?
Try to learn the language or some phrases of the country you’re visiting. It’s a great way to have a chat with your guide on a transfer, or to shock a few locals when ordering a drink. A little bit of the local language can make their day and show respect for them and their culture.
What’s the best local dish you’ve tasted?
Fika is the Swedish tradition of coffee and cake to break up the day and recharge. I pulled into a viewpoint/fire lookout station on a long drive. There was a small cafe next to the watch tower. I sat in the glorious sunshine with an amazing flaky, soft pastry and coffee. I believe I had the best cinnamon bun in the whole of Sweden, if not the world.