This weeks Globetrotter is Jack or as I know him on Instagram Jackthetrendytraveler- Hiya Jack.
From his Instagram feed and answers below you’ll see that Jack is someone who wants to see and experience as much as he can on not only his travels but in every day life. From absailing down mountains, crazy mountain biking or even paragliding Jack shows that if you just sit at home wishing to do these things you will miss out on experiences that will change and enrich your life.
Jack is also a pro with his photography. Very jealous of his drone and and also loving one of his recent 360 degress shot -so much so that you’ll be able to see a repost of this shot on my instagram from his recent trip to Amsterdam.
So without further ado let me hand you over to Jack-
Why do you enjoy travelling?
Travelling allows me to explore not just new cultures and people, but also to discover who I truly am. Meeting new people and experiencing new things changes you and changes how you see the world. You can’t broaden your mind like you can through travelling. You don’t want to just stare at pictures and listen to other people’s stories. You need to experience it.
Tell us the funniest story from one of your adventures?
Now I didn’t find it funny myself but whoever I tell this story to seems to have a grin on their face… I went to Morzine in the French Alps close to the border of Switzerland with my good mate Joe. We were off on a mountain biking holiday and riding some decent tracks. For those of you that are not too savvy about mountain bike routes, they’re similar to ski runs. Green runs are for families, blue are challenging for a beginner rider and then it steps up to a red route. These runs have jumps with ‘chicken runs’ meaning you can bail the jump and ride around it if you aren’t feeling brave. These were the routes Joe and I were riding. After the red routes, it steps up to black routes. These routes are for the gods of mountain biking. We actually saw a few riders sponsored by red bull riding these tracks. No doubt neither of us have the skill level for these huge jumps.
Anyway, as I was happily riding a red down the mountain, it was crisscrossing routes with a black one. Oh dear. Racing down pushing 40mph at some points there’s little room for error and there I am seeing black signs everywhere. Slightly concerned I think, no problem I’ll just get back onto the red route at the next junction. Meanwhile, Joe who’s riding behind me is laughing as he sees me take the wrong turn. (Caring friend I know…) First jumps coming up, sweats beading down my face dripping from my full face helmet. Up I go fully committed get some amazing air time. I eye up the landing and boom, through some miracle I land perfectly bystanders are watching this jump with heavy camera gear, the red bulls guys I assume. Phew, I’m feeling pretty good about myself but I see the next one not too far away. No worries, it doesn’t look as big as the last. I prepare myself and just as I hit the bottom of the jump some sort of squirrel thing runs out in front of me causing me to swerve. There’s no going back now and no way to correct myself. As I fly off the jump in completely the wrong direction that’s the last thing I remember. I woke up a few moments later. A circle of helmets haloed my vision looking just as confused as I was. Turns out I’d managed to go head to trunk as it were with a huge pine tree in an attempt to avoid the rodent. I managed to gingerly ride the rest of the route meeting Joe at the bottom who just started laughing once he’d seen my the grass and earth wedged in my full face helmet. So not the funniest of stories but definitely one I won’t forget anytime soon!
What is your favourite photograph from your travels?
This photo was my first time at a Major League Baseball game where the Yankees beat the Bluejays (I forget the score). We’d just walked into the stadium as we were a little late, just in time for the Yankees to get a home run. Everyone stood up and went crazy. I stood there taking in the awesome sight whilst Connor my amazing friend from my American camp Wah-nee managed to grab this shot. Since then I’ve had it blown up onto a canvas which now hangs proudly on my wall. The sky was just as dramatic as the crowd, we didn’t know it then but the biggest rainstorm I’d ever witnessed was to happen halfway through the game!
If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would it be?
I’d love to visit the Thailand! The geography there looks absolutely stunning. The culture there seems so interesting and the stories I’ve heard about the country sound so inspiring. I have to visit – it’s just a case of when!
What do you never travel without?
CAMERA!! The one thing I take everywhere is some form of camera. Whether it be simply my iPhone 6 Plus – cred to that camera, it’s a decent quality! I’ll always have my GoPro on me just because it’s so small and takes awesome photos! I’ll have my DSLR if I know there are some decent photos to be taken and I love taking my drone out. My phantom 3 has a brilliant 4K camera attached to a 3 axis gimbal that shoots amazing and I mean stunning videos and photos! Deffo recommend if you’ve got the cash, it’s well worth it!
What is the best piece of travel advice you could give?
This advice goes wider than just travel but applies all the same – take every opportunity! I live by this and it’s done me pretty well so far. Whatever comes your way, go for it! You never know where it might lead. If you get the opportunity to go scuba diving, for example, do it! You might end up finding a real passion for it and even end up getting a few qualifications. The before you know it you’re living the dream taking people scuba-diving in the Philippines or here there and everywhere! Just go for it!
To see more from Jack do check out his Instagram here
