Today we are interviewing Ryan from Blogging from Paradise.

Hi Ryan, could you tell us all a little bit about yourself?

My name is Ryan Biddulph, and I am the owner and creator of Blogging From Paradise. I am an ex-fired security guard turned island hopping pro blogger. I have circled the globe for the past 6 years as a full time digital nomad. So far, I am coming in at about 20 countries visited these days but we do SLOW travel.  I have visited Thailand for 2 years and Bali for 1 year alone.

Ryan on the beach in Bali

They are beautiful countries to have spent 3 years in, but where is home for you?

Home would be good old New Jersey in the USA.

Where in the world are you right now?

We are traveling back and forth between NJ and house sits in NYC at this time.

How long have you been travelling?

I have been traveling since May of 2011.

A very tough question, but what is your favourite country?

That is a toughie Sam. Thailand and Bali are neck and neck but I will go with The Land of Smiles over the Island of the Gods.

We love Thailand immensely, from the rich culture, friendly locals, fabulous food and tremendous convenience in more popular spots. This country offers so much for any new or experienced traveler. Oh yeah; the place is absurdly cheap, cost of living wise, for the most prospering, developed country on the SE Asian mainland.

Fijian Views

So what is your least favourite place?

I don’t have a least fave place because I enjoyed every country and city I have visited. Sure I almost died in India after suffering through giardia and becoming dangerously dehydrated but in the same regard, not liking the place for offering exactly what it offers would be silly, right? I have resonated with all the places I have seen and experienced so I list ’em all as Likes.

What is the strangest journey that you have taken?

I’ve had some weird ones. The journey into the Heart of Darkness, aka, Buena Vista, Costa Rica, for a 6 week house sit DEEP in the remote jungle was pretty weird. Thrilling too. Spending such a long period away from humanity felt strange at times. Using an out house, going to bed at 7 PM on most nights because there was nothing to do in a pitch black jungle only lit by a few small candles and carrying our food from town to the hut, once a week, after we did our shopping, it all felt kinda alien sometimes.

Housesitting does provide a whole world of different experiences, but what has been the best experience that you have had whilst travelling?

I loved spending 3 weeks in Kovalam Beach, India, after nearly dying from dehydration a few weeks prior. The feeling of relief, joy, elation and gratitude as you recover, after nearly dying, cannot be beat.

From a beauty perspective Sam, goodness gracious, living in Savusavu, Fiji for 4 months on the bay was like spending an extended working holiday on Skull Island and Pandora from Avatar. Jaw-dropping, pristine beauty, unlike any place I have ever seen.

Fijian sunset

What is the scariest encounter that you have had whilst travelling?

Nearly dying in India after I lost 20 pounds in 10 days, suffering from giardia, was the scariest experience for me but spending 6 weeks in the Costa Rican jungle scared the hell out of me too sometimes. Me and my wife were 3 hours from humanity, surrounded by fer de lanzes, bullet ants, poison dart frogs and other creatures who would readily defend themselves.

Knowing no human was within 3 miles almost felt terribly lonely at times, and pretty dang scary too.

I was also chased by 2 lady boy prostitutes in Bangkok and attacked by 2 wild men in Kathmandu, both experiences scary and alternatively funny.

Facing down a spitting cobra in Bali and evicting an 8 inch centipede from the house in Thailand were thrilling, adrenaline-filled experiences. I enjoyed these experiences, actually laughing as I hunted down the centipede (Proof on YouTube video I filmed while chasing).

Wow, I really couldn’t pick what the scariest one is out of that bunch!

What is your number one ‘bucket list’ item that you haven’t yet done?

Going on an African Safari is A1 on my list, far and away. I always dreamed of seeing those animals in person after watching nature shows every weekend as a kid.

Do you have a packing list? How much does your luggage weigh?

My luggage weighs about 15 kilograms which keeps dropping with each trip. I have no set packing list minus shorts, shirts, sneakers and flip flops because we spend virtually all of time in the tropics.

What can you not leave home without?

My Acer Chromebook and with my current day obsession with creating Periscope and YouTube Live videos, my smart phone.

Can you recommend a book that’s great to read whilst on holiday?

A Course In Miracles is a fabulous read on holiday or at home because it helps you connect with and form bonds with other human beings.

Do you have a favourite app for travel?

Not really an app or tech guy here 😉

What is your best tip for anyone about to go travelling?

Don’t judge! Be open. I used to fall completely into the trap of judging, comparing and all that other stuff many travelers do. I gradually learned every country has its customs, cultures, laws and ways because if every country were similar, how boring would that be? There is no bad country or worst country; just utter ignorance. Enjoy the differences and immerse yourself into at least some aspects of local cultures and you’ll totally dig trotting the globe.

Where are you going to go to next?

NYC is next up for us.

Thank you Ryan, it’s great to hear about people’s experiences from all over the world, you can read more of Travelling Sam’s interviews here.

Ryan Biddulph is a blogger, author and world traveler who’s been featured on Richard Branson’s Virgin Blog, Forbes, Fox News, Entrepreneur, Positively Positive, Life Hack, John Chow Dot Com and Neil Patel Dot Com. He has written and self-published 126 bite-sized eBooks on Amazon. Ryan can help you build a successful blog at Blogging From Paradise.