Who Am I?

My name is Benjamin White.

I’m an engineer.

I’m from Sydney, Australia.

I’m 37 years old.

Photo credit: Amrita Ronnachit

Why Am I Writing This Travel Blog?

I like writing. I like travelling. Combining the two just makes sense.

I’ve spent six of the last twelve years on the road, and have racked up more than 90 countries in the process. Along the way I have taught environmental studies and painted murals in the Indian Himalayas; lived in Japan, Canada, and Uzbekistan; and volunteered for a sanitation NGO while living on a tiny island called Daru in Papau New Guinea (check out the map below to see which countries I’ve visited so far). Currently I’m in the middle of a 3 – 5 year travel stint, so plenty more adventures to come.

I’ve also written a book, which I hope to one day get published. In the meantime, writing this travel blog is a great way to hone my writing skills.

Photo credit: Amrita Ronnachit

What is the purpose of this blog?

To write about places and topics that interest me. I like history, I like archaeology, I like animals, I like natural landscapes. Most of my posts are likely to feature at least one of these elements.

Many of the sites I visit aren’t well known, Chilpik in Qaraqalpaqstan for instance, and I hope to spread the stories of these places to anyone who is interested.

I think tourism is a great way to redistribute wealth around the world, and that too much of the revenue currently raised by tourism goes straight back into the pockets of the wealthiest countries. Travel broadly is my motto.

Photo credit: Amrita Ronnachit

What are my Travel Goals?

I want to make it to 100 countries.

This is partly due to the roundness and distinction of the reaching the century, but also because there are 196 countries in the world, and reaching 100 countries will mean I’m past the halfway mark.

What will I do after I reach 100 countries?

I don’t know. Maybe take some time off and travel.