Blogger-to-blogger: Adam Baker

This Monday we also have an interview in our blogger-to-blogger section. The purpose of this event is so you can know more about the most prestigious travel bloggers.

As you can see, today we’re publishing the interview in English. Why is this? Well, because English is our guest’s native language and that of many of our readers.

Our guest is Adam Baker, a very special traveler who loves taking exciting trips. Plus, Adam usually travels with his entire family. We’re going to find out a bit more about this very interesting blogger.

Hi Adam. How would you define yourself if you only had one tweet?

Husband, father & blogger. Traveling with my family around the U.S. via RV. Pay Off Your Debt… Sell Your Crap… Do What You Love.

What projects do you have in mind for the future?

I’ll be creating online, video-based courses and curriculum for helping people get out of debt, break ties with consumerism, and more passionately pursue entrepreneurship.

Why did you start blogging?

The honest truth is I started blogging because I fell in love with the personal finance blogging community – and I wanted to add and contribute to the community.

As I found my voice and my ability to help others, I looked for ways I could turn it into a full-time business that could support my family and our travels (which it now is).

Let´s focus on the traveler in you. Tell us a little bit how you prepare a trip and where you find the information.

We’ve come a long, long way in this regard. When we first started traveling – especially with our young daughter – we used to go overboard in planning. We tried to arrange too many details and too many moving parts. Something always got messed up a bit – and caused our plans to come crumbling down.

Now, with a bit more experience under our belt, we plan *very* little.

My first tendency is to use online tools to find networks of other travelers. This can provide great lodging opportunities (stay with friends, couchsurfing, work-swapping, etc…) and is nearly always the best way to find information on a location. When in doubt always listen to a local over a guidebook.

These days we just show up and wing it. It takes patience and flexibility, but is a much more comfortable way to travel!

From all countries you have visited, is there one that has caused you such a deep impression that you could leave everything behind and go living there with your family?

New Zealand.

It was an amazing experience for our family. We’d strongly consider moving back to New Zealand, especially parts of the South Island. It’s a long, long way away from friend, families, and the online blogging community – which makes it a very tough decision. But if it were any closer – it wouldn’t be as magical as it was.

From the countries you have not visited, which one is high on your wish list? Why?

I’d probably say Japan right now. I’d like to see more of Australia, but having already been there – Japan would win out.

I’m really fascinated with the history and old culture of Japan. I would love to be able to see parts of the still rural country side.

I’ve always enjoyed Japanese design elements, as well.

What parts of the world have exceeded your expectations and which were disappointing?

It’s hard to say I’ve been disappointed with any parts of the world really. I still have a lot to see, though.

I would say New Zealand was one that exceeded my expectations in most every way. Australia was great, but I haven’t had enough time to fully explore the culture. Thailand was 50-50, parts were amazing and others seemed a little played up. Once again – though – I haven’t spent a large amount of time in Thailand, so I don’t want to rush to any judgement.

During your trips, have you practiced adventure sports? What has been the craziest thing you´ve done?

Traveling with a young child, it’s hard to practice a lot of adventure sports. That said, we’ve done a few. I got to hike a glacier for a half day in New Zealand and Courtney got to bungie jump a 400+ foot jump in Queenstown on the same trip. And while we aren’t *hardcore* hikers, we got to explore a wide variety of 4-6 hour hikes through Australia and New Zealand.

Out of the adventure trip offered by YokmoK, which one would you choose and why?

Probably the Mont Blanc Hike or the Transylvania Hike and Wildlife Tracking – that sounds like an adventure!

And finally, why blogger would you recommend for the next interview? Why?

Jeanne from SoulTravelers3.com – another traveling family I look up to.