There is a word “Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul”. Traveling is a great opportunity for a person to get out of the monotonous rhythm of everyday life. Even if you travel to a wonderful place in Mongolia that you have never been to before, getting to know the unknown culture of a distant country, meeting local people, and seeing the beauty of nature is not only refreshing but also an experience for reflection and self-development.
Najmun Nahar is a Bangladeshi woman who made travel her life's goal, saying, "I was born to travel." Mongolia is the 168th country that she traveled to, and when she was here, we had an interview about her wonderful stories of the countries she visited.
Please share your first impression after you arrived in Mongolia.
When I arrive, people are very welcoming and very nice. And also Mongolian people are very generous and kind and very polite.
Yesterday you travelled around Terelj for dog sliding, right? How was your travel?
Yes, I went on an excursion yesterday. I saw Genghis Khan’s biggest statue. And when I was there, I felt like we had the same blood connection with Genghis Khan. I'm originally from Bangladesh. And then I found that our ancestor is like standing. And then I was in the Terelj National Park. I found the village it looks very beautiful. And there are horses, cows, and the birds. And the traditional food and clothes. And I wear the traditional dress there. I ate the beef soup with some ingredients and also milk, a traditional milk and cookie. And we played the Mongolian traditional game with animal ankle bones. That was amazing. And especially the road, even it there is snowfall beside the road we saw nature as incredible because it's wild. It does not have so many houses, but small traditional gers. I feel like I was in 100 or 200 years before the Mongolian nomadic life. It was amazing.
And the rest of the days, how will you explore in Mongolia? What is your next destination?
I am planning to go to central of Mongolia, western Mongolia, and some other places. I'm just researching. I'm planning to go alone by bus and train.
You have already traveled to 168 countries around the world. Obviously, you feel very satisfaction in there. But what is the main purpose of traveling around the world?
During my all travel, I always carry the peace messages. But not only peace. I show the Save the Planet sign which means plastic plastic-free world. And our world is suffering from global warming. This is very important for us nowadays. Because glaciers are melting and some places are very hot or very cold. And so we have to protect the planet that we live in because we need the green earth. So these are the messages that I want to spread everywhere in the world. During my journey also I visit many schools and universities where I give speeches to youngsters to inspire in their dreams. And also like they have to learn from now about the world, they will continue.
And another purpose is to create the bridge all over the world. I'm originally from Bangladesh as I told. 23 years ago, I started my traveling from 2000 until now. During this time, I studied and worked. I studied at Lund University in Sweden. My mission was to travel to see above all religion, culture, heritage and all ethnic problems. We all humans are the same under one sky. So I'm traveling one country, I carry the Bangladesh flag to create a bridge between one country to another country. Travel is kind of creating the bridge. When I come to your country, I see your culture and heritage and I am close to the human face and humanity and everything. So it means it is kind of another peace. So I'm spreading the peace this way through traveling.
Thirdly, most of the women have so many problems around the world. It's not only in Bangladesh or like Africa or in Mongolia, it's all over the world. So a woman, if they wish to dream, to make it possible, is very difficult for them rather than a man. But I want to show the world a moment If they want to do anything, If they have courage, nobody cannot stop them. If they are energetic and work hard, educated by themselves, they can do it.
So every country I go to, I feel like I am breaking a wall and going to another land and breaking another wall. So traveling to 168 countries was not so easy. Most of the countries I travel to by road and because I make it budget travel I wanted to see more. I had almost five times near to the death. So many of the struggles I face are this. So I want to give the message, don't divide men and women, whoever it is. We need the humans for the world to do something good for this world. So this message I'm also spreading. And now as the first Muslim woman, my name has become in history. So this is kind of like a historical journey. If I can do it, the next generation will be brave to break to the wall to go forward and see the vast world. Because our life is not within four walls. We shouldn't die inside the four walls if we have to be brave because death is like anywhere can happen so we shouldn't fear.
And some people ask me how it's possible. When you want to do it's possible, you should encourage yourself to do it, you have to wish and do something in it then you can make it possible.
There is a word “Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul”. Traveling is a great opportunity for a person to get out of the monotonous rhythm of everyday life. Even if you travel to a wonderful place in Mongolia that you have never been to before, getting to know the unknown culture of a distant country, meeting local people, and seeing the beauty of nature is not only refreshing but also an experience for reflection and self-development.
Najmun Nahar is a Bangladeshi woman who made travel her life's goal, saying, "I was born to travel." Mongolia is the 168th country that she traveled to, and when she was here, we had an interview about her wonderful stories of the countries she visited.
Please share your first impression after you arrived in Mongolia.
When I arrive, people are very welcoming and very nice. And also Mongolian people are very generous and kind and very polite.
Yesterday you travelled around Terelj for dog sliding, right? How was your travel?
Yes, I went on an excursion yesterday. I saw Genghis Khan’s biggest statue. And when I was there, I felt like we had the same blood connection with Genghis Khan. I'm originally from Bangladesh. And then I found that our ancestor is like standing. And then I was in the Terelj National Park. I found the village it looks very beautiful. And there are horses, cows, and the birds. And the traditional food and clothes. And I wear the traditional dress there. I ate the beef soup with some ingredients and also milk, a traditional milk and cookie. And we played the Mongolian traditional game with animal ankle bones. That was amazing. And especially the road, even it there is snowfall beside the road we saw nature as incredible because it's wild. It does not have so many houses, but small traditional gers. I feel like I was in 100 or 200 years before the Mongolian nomadic life. It was amazing.
And the rest of the days, how will you explore in Mongolia? What is your next destination?
I am planning to go to central of Mongolia, western Mongolia, and some other places. I'm just researching. I'm planning to go alone by bus and train.
You have already traveled to 168 countries around the world. Obviously, you feel very satisfaction in there. But what is the main purpose of traveling around the world?
During my all travel, I always carry the peace messages. But not only peace. I show the Save the Planet sign which means plastic plastic-free world. And our world is suffering from global warming. This is very important for us nowadays. Because glaciers are melting and some places are very hot or very cold. And so we have to protect the planet that we live in because we need the green earth. So these are the messages that I want to spread everywhere in the world. During my journey also I visit many schools and universities where I give speeches to youngsters to inspire in their dreams. And also like they have to learn from now about the world, they will continue.
And another purpose is to create the bridge all over the world. I'm originally from Bangladesh as I told. 23 years ago, I started my traveling from 2000 until now. During this time, I studied and worked. I studied at Lund University in Sweden. My mission was to travel to see above all religion, culture, heritage and all ethnic problems. We all humans are the same under one sky. So I'm traveling one country, I carry the Bangladesh flag to create a bridge between one country to another country. Travel is kind of creating the bridge. When I come to your country, I see your culture and heritage and I am close to the human face and humanity and everything. So it means it is kind of another peace. So I'm spreading the peace this way through traveling.
Thirdly, most of the women have so many problems around the world. It's not only in Bangladesh or like Africa or in Mongolia, it's all over the world. So a woman, if they wish to dream, to make it possible, is very difficult for them rather than a man. But I want to show the world a moment If they want to do anything, If they have courage, nobody cannot stop them. If they are energetic and work hard, educated by themselves, they can do it.
So every country I go to, I feel like I am breaking a wall and going to another land and breaking another wall. So traveling to 168 countries was not so easy. Most of the countries I travel to by road and because I make it budget travel I wanted to see more. I had almost five times near to the death. So many of the struggles I face are this. So I want to give the message, don't divide men and women, whoever it is. We need the humans for the world to do something good for this world. So this message I'm also spreading. And now as the first Muslim woman, my name has become in history. So this is kind of like a historical journey. If I can do it, the next generation will be brave to break to the wall to go forward and see the vast world. Because our life is not within four walls. We shouldn't die inside the four walls if we have to be brave because death is like anywhere can happen so we shouldn't fear.
And some people ask me how it's possible. When you want to do it's possible, you should encourage yourself to do it, you have to wish and do something in it then you can make it possible.
You mentioned your experiences that you faced to death. Please talk about some of those experiences.
Once I climbed 14,200ft top of Rainbow Mountain in Peru. We started hiking at the 03AM. And when it was 12PM, I felt an altitude problem was happening to me. And immediately my guide saw me and told me could not take you from here because it's dangerous. But I told to God in my mind “I really want to go on top. Please give me some energy”. And then there was a guy who was crossing beside me and he gave me an inhaler for my breath easily. I started to walk again and reached on the top of the summit and I felt like God was closer to me. And it was an amazing mountain I have ever seen, and the glaciers. So anything can come, but you have to try and try.
And once I couldn't eat for two and a half days when I was stuck in the Guinea Konakri jungle.
Did you lose your way in there?
No, I did not lose. Our car has broken. And six passengers were near to the Mali border. We started to walk in the night. And I feel like I just be myself on the guard. And I said, I can survive or I cannot survive, but I have to try. And I walk, walk. When I was walking I saw the animal crossing in front of me, but I didn't do anything. I just walked along. Nothing happened. I was in front of a tribal home, there was a piece of wood. And I just put my backpack on that wooden and I lay down there. But suddenly one lady came from the house and she started to shout at me. And I showed her the flag of my country and I showed her the backpack, and told her not to do anything for me. She calmed down but she didn't understand my language. I did not understand her either. But I realized that there is a common human language in the world, even though we don't understand each other, we can interact with each other. And I asked her for some drinks and food. Because I was so thirsty and hungry, I was almost near dying. But she said they don't have water. We have to walk 6 km from here to get the water. But she gave me a green orange and it was the most delicious fruit in my life at that time. In Africa some of the places you will feel okay if there is a shop or restaurant. But at that time there was nothing except forest.
But not only this case also I was in an Ethiopian tribal and I survived eating raw meat with the Ethiopian tribal people. Once our bus had an accident when I was traveling from Rwanda to Uganda. And it was heavy rain flood and I just jumped from the bus to outside because it just had an accident.
Whenever happens to me while I’m traveling, I feel that nature protects me. Whenever has any problem, people help me by giving their hand with “Do you need help?”. And then I don't know, it's happened somehow everywhere in the world. Maybe they are like angels. I don't know if you believe it. But I found around the world that something protected me because I was almost near death.
Even in Kyrgyzstan, I was hiking in the mountains two guys wanted to shoot me and take my money. But suddenly another traveler guy pushed me to save me and I fell and was bleeding so much from my feet and everywhere. And then I stood again, begging them not to kill us then I gave them all of my money.
If one person can travel to West Africa, they can travel the whole world. I realized this because I started from Maurithania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, guinea visa, Guinea. Konakri, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, all those places. Whenever I go to a country, I fly to one country, and then I fly next ten or twelve countries. And the last country I fly back. And also, when I was traveling, like East Africa, I started from Morithania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and all those ways. So, so many things happened. The smallest small things happened even in the Caribbean.
Last time I started traveling from Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique, St. Lucia, Barbados St. Vincent and all those places in the Caribbean. But when I travel from Suriname to Guyana and I cross the river and I see there are no people, it's just totally empty. And the world's emptiest place that knows because it's amazing. But whenever I have been, wherever I have been, sometimes when you go for the exclusion, you have to wake up at 3:30 AM even when you have jet lag. But it is not only what people see, it is about like 168 countries. Culture, weather, water, food or fighting with sleep and everything.
It is not a relaxing thing. But when I go to nature, I sit down, and I get the fresh air. I feel It's like I get the energy. Sometimes people ask me how I get the energy. Here and in this world, there is a lot of air pollution. But when we go top of the mountain, that air is very fresh. And when I take that breath, it gives me the energy. Kind of like good food. So this is how I like to travel around the world.
But I have seen so many beautiful things around the world. Although it was a struggle, I saw seven color mountain. I saw that place where there was no rain for 100 years in Chile. And I saw a very beautiful road from Chile to Argentina that is called the Andes Mountains. We crossed these mountains.
The people are very nice. When you walk on the street, people will come and ask “Hey, where are you from? Can I speak with you?” like very generous. Even in African borders. When I crossed the African borders, it was almost inside the jungle. Sometimes immigration officers asked me how I came there. Because even normal people don’t cross. And I travel by bike which I hired. Then I take the local bus. Sometimes I walk also. I sleep on the floor. I sleep in the jungle, in the tent, in the airport. I sleep with just family. I sleep in the hostel like this. So this is how I did. This Is how it's happening around the world.
Who gave you this inspiration to travel?
Actually, my grandfather was my inspiration who has traveled in Arabian land. So his story is very inspiring. Unfortunately, I didn't see him. My father used to tell me that. He was traveling by road, by boat, and by foot. So it makes me think I have to do this also. This story inspired me from my childhood like my grandfather and I read a lot about in the book. I studied more about the world than my academic study. Because I am always curious to know about a country, the city and culture, and everything. So before traveling to countries, I always try to study about that. Even every country. And I used to search about the map. One country to another country, which countries everywhere around the world. And my father told me a lot of stories about the history, and culture of the world. My father is not alive, but I still remember those stories. I was always interested in those stories to grow up a child. How important for children to hear good stories from their parents? And that makes me like a dreamer. And also my teacher gave me the puzzle of the map. And I used to make the world map and our countries make it together. And I thought like maybe I will go one day.
Children used to become a doctor or an engineer. But always I wanted to be a traveler around the world. Maybe I was born to travel. It was inside me from the beginning. But I didn't know how I would travel in this big world, but I tried. When my first travel was in India which was not normal traveling. That was an adventure program and 80 countries people were joining that program. And I learned how to like living in a tent how to share the food with other people and how to cook. And in that place, we had to start a day with exercise 04:00 AM. I walked 20 km with my backpack and I took a shower in the waterfall. And I was living in the jungle with other people. It was a big adventure. We climbed the rock and crossed one mountain to another mountain. It was a huge activity.
Please share your unforgettable memories or the sweetest person that you met.
Once I got sick when I traveled Atacama desert in Chile which is very driest weather. And in that place, I get a cough and fever. And I was coughing a lot unbearable. And when I started traveling from Atagama to Santiago, the capital of Chile. And that time I was in the hostel and there was only one girl in my room. And I asked if there was any medicine that I could take. She told me need to go outside and take it. But it was almost 10:30 PM and I didn't go outside to get food or medicine. In the morning after I woke up I saw there was a bottle of cough medicine beside my pillow with a piece of paper note. There was “I bought it for you. You are an angel for our country”. And I was surprised. That was so sweet.
Once when I was crossing from Senegal to Gambia I met with a couple on the way when I was traveling from Senegal one district near the border and they went to one town. I came to the border and they said if you have any problem, keep our number, just make call us. But later the immigration officer didn't want me to go. He said if you go you can be in the problem. Because it is 9.30 PM and could be dangerous in outside. He told me to let me go tomorrow morning. And I called the couple at that moment and they said, come to their home, no problem. And I rode for 2 hours to reach their home and they were like tribal people. They're so welcoming and their house is not so good but it was nice. And they gave me the food. We ate together on the same plate which is the African tradition way. They're very nice. And when I was sleeping I felt a little bit cold and I was thinking about my mom or if my mom is there, she could give me the clothes. And it was around 01:30 AM when I saw someone is coming to my room and putting a blanket on me. And I saw their mother was doing that. I started cry silently. Then I realized every mother in the world this is called peace. Have the same feeling. And I was remembering my mom. And they are like black, brown like us or white, it doesn't matter. Every people they have humans above all religions. We have to think about the humanity. And this is called peace and connecting each other.
And there is a lot of sweet memory. When I was traveling Namibia, I saw a beautiful desert. When I just opened the tent, I saw the moonlight on my face and the colorful mountain. And there is no one and some few tents just nature and me. And I felt like it was amazing and I could not buy it with money. And even in Moritania and Shahra Desert, I spent like four nights in Shahara Desert with like three other travelers and one guide. And we went to the June we did the camping. And I saw the sunrise and sunset. That was the most precious memory of my life. Also, the nature is so beautiful.
When I'm listening to your experience, I just imagine on my mind and that makes me feel like a goosebump.
When you go inside nature you will forget this earth, people, this battle, fight, war, and bad things. You will just forget everything when you are in the nature. So nature will give you the best energy. And nature taught me to become a good human, not to think about who is good or who is bad and who is small or bigger, who is high profile and who is lowest profile. It doesn't matter because we are all human and are the same. We will die one day under the we will be just soil one day and it's nothing after that.
So during this life, we must do good things in our lives. And as much as we can see and explore, that is more precious for us. So we can connect the humanity during our journey. And not only traveling but every work and journey, people they have in their life must think positively. So think positive, do positive, and talk positive. That is most important and good vibes for the world and for the human.
After Mongolia what is the next country that you are planning to travel?
I’m planning to go to Cameroon, Guinea, Gabon, Central African Republic, Congo, Brazil, Chad, Eritrea, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles. Then my African countries will be done after these countries. And then I have a few countries left in the caribbean and few countries left in Oceanian countries. Most of them are like in Oceania now. To do that is hard and it's far and very expensive. So I'm just trying hard to make it possible for every journey.
How do you build your budget for travel?
I was working before. But if you travel when you work is not easy. And from the beginning, whenever I have the time during my work, I just fly. Then I just left my work. And then I started traveling for four months, six months in a row. I am a motivational speaker and people hire me to give speeches for the forum and events or big programs. So in my country, I'm very popular. So this is the thing, whatever I see from the world I spread it. It is a kind of prayer. Some people I don't need to give money, I give passion. I become their dreamer and go forward. So that is also a kind of prayer. That is more than money.
Did you pause your travel when it's pandemic time around the world?
I was traveling in the pandemic time when I was in Japan. That time I heard COVID through the TV channels and the media were spreading that new disease happening in China. And I was very close to China and because I was traveling to Taiwan. Then I saw people were wearing the mask. And I asked people “What is happening?” And when I was in Brunei from Taiwan, I thought must stop it because a lot of people were dying at that time. Not Brunei in China and other countries also. It has already spread in other countries. Then I think I have to stop it. So I went back to Sweden at that time. And during these eight months of the pandemic, people are stuck at home. And some of the flight agencies give cheaper flights. And I always take the chance when they give me a cheaper flight. And I was thinking about traveling few African countries because there are not many people. So I decided to go to Djibouti. Then Ethiopia. But it is very hectic traveling. I was waiting almost 5 hours in the queue to take the COVID test. And that time the COVID test was very expensive. But I told myself that sitting at home thinking so much is better than just taking the challenge. But I took the challenge. And this is how I traveled during the pandemic time was like another adventure.
Are you writing a book about your travel experience?
Yes, I'm writing now. I will publish it so soon. I'm hoping it will be ready next year because I want to write in a proper way to give more valuable information about every country. I will write positively so that people can learn from the country they wish to do. Or maybe it will be one of the school books.
Thank you for your time with us and good luck with your adventures!
You mentioned your experiences that you faced to death. Please talk about some of those experiences.
Once I climbed 14,200ft top of Rainbow Mountain in Peru. We started hiking at the 03AM. And when it was 12PM, I felt an altitude problem was happening to me. And immediately my guide saw me and told me could not take you from here because it's dangerous. But I told to God in my mind “I really want to go on top. Please give me some energy”. And then there was a guy who was crossing beside me and he gave me an inhaler for my breath easily. I started to walk again and reached on the top of the summit and I felt like God was closer to me. And it was an amazing mountain I have ever seen, and the glaciers. So anything can come, but you have to try and try.
And once I couldn't eat for two and a half days when I was stuck in the Guinea Konakri jungle.
Did you lose your way in there?
No, I did not lose. Our car has broken. And six passengers were near to the Mali border. We started to walk in the night. And I feel like I just be myself on the guard. And I said, I can survive or I cannot survive, but I have to try. And I walk, walk. When I was walking I saw the animal crossing in front of me, but I didn't do anything. I just walked along. Nothing happened. I was in front of a tribal home, there was a piece of wood. And I just put my backpack on that wooden and I lay down there. But suddenly one lady came from the house and she started to shout at me. And I showed her the flag of my country and I showed her the backpack, and told her not to do anything for me. She calmed down but she didn't understand my language. I did not understand her either. But I realized that there is a common human language in the world, even though we don't understand each other, we can interact with each other. And I asked her for some drinks and food. Because I was so thirsty and hungry, I was almost near dying. But she said they don't have water. We have to walk 6 km from here to get the water. But she gave me a green orange and it was the most delicious fruit in my life at that time. In Africa some of the places you will feel okay if there is a shop or restaurant. But at that time there was nothing except forest.
But not only this case also I was in an Ethiopian tribal and I survived eating raw meat with the Ethiopian tribal people. Once our bus had an accident when I was traveling from Rwanda to Uganda. And it was heavy rain flood and I just jumped from the bus to outside because it just had an accident.
Whenever happens to me while I’m traveling, I feel that nature protects me. Whenever has any problem, people help me by giving their hand with “Do you need help?”. And then I don't know, it's happened somehow everywhere in the world. Maybe they are like angels. I don't know if you believe it. But I found around the world that something protected me because I was almost near death.
Even in Kyrgyzstan, I was hiking in the mountains two guys wanted to shoot me and take my money. But suddenly another traveler guy pushed me to save me and I fell and was bleeding so much from my feet and everywhere. And then I stood again, begging them not to kill us then I gave them all of my money.
If one person can travel to West Africa, they can travel the whole world. I realized this because I started from Maurithania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, guinea visa, Guinea. Konakri, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, all those places. Whenever I go to a country, I fly to one country, and then I fly next ten or twelve countries. And the last country I fly back. And also, when I was traveling, like East Africa, I started from Morithania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and all those ways. So, so many things happened. The smallest small things happened even in the Caribbean.
Last time I started traveling from Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique, St. Lucia, Barbados St. Vincent and all those places in the Caribbean. But when I travel from Suriname to Guyana and I cross the river and I see there are no people, it's just totally empty. And the world's emptiest place that knows because it's amazing. But whenever I have been, wherever I have been, sometimes when you go for the exclusion, you have to wake up at 3:30 AM even when you have jet lag. But it is not only what people see, it is about like 168 countries. Culture, weather, water, food or fighting with sleep and everything.
It is not a relaxing thing. But when I go to nature, I sit down, and I get the fresh air. I feel It's like I get the energy. Sometimes people ask me how I get the energy. Here and in this world, there is a lot of air pollution. But when we go top of the mountain, that air is very fresh. And when I take that breath, it gives me the energy. Kind of like good food. So this is how I like to travel around the world.
But I have seen so many beautiful things around the world. Although it was a struggle, I saw seven color mountain. I saw that place where there was no rain for 100 years in Chile. And I saw a very beautiful road from Chile to Argentina that is called the Andes Mountains. We crossed these mountains.
The people are very nice. When you walk on the street, people will come and ask “Hey, where are you from? Can I speak with you?” like very generous. Even in African borders. When I crossed the African borders, it was almost inside the jungle. Sometimes immigration officers asked me how I came there. Because even normal people don’t cross. And I travel by bike which I hired. Then I take the local bus. Sometimes I walk also. I sleep on the floor. I sleep in the jungle, in the tent, in the airport. I sleep with just family. I sleep in the hostel like this. So this is how I did. This Is how it's happening around the world.
Who gave you this inspiration to travel?
Actually, my grandfather was my inspiration who has traveled in Arabian land. So his story is very inspiring. Unfortunately, I didn't see him. My father used to tell me that. He was traveling by road, by boat, and by foot. So it makes me think I have to do this also. This story inspired me from my childhood like my grandfather and I read a lot about in the book. I studied more about the world than my academic study. Because I am always curious to know about a country, the city and culture, and everything. So before traveling to countries, I always try to study about that. Even every country. And I used to search about the map. One country to another country, which countries everywhere around the world. And my father told me a lot of stories about the history, and culture of the world. My father is not alive, but I still remember those stories. I was always interested in those stories to grow up a child. How important for children to hear good stories from their parents? And that makes me like a dreamer. And also my teacher gave me the puzzle of the map. And I used to make the world map and our countries make it together. And I thought like maybe I will go one day.
Children used to become a doctor or an engineer. But always I wanted to be a traveler around the world. Maybe I was born to travel. It was inside me from the beginning. But I didn't know how I would travel in this big world, but I tried. When my first travel was in India which was not normal traveling. That was an adventure program and 80 countries people were joining that program. And I learned how to like living in a tent how to share the food with other people and how to cook. And in that place, we had to start a day with exercise 04:00 AM. I walked 20 km with my backpack and I took a shower in the waterfall. And I was living in the jungle with other people. It was a big adventure. We climbed the rock and crossed one mountain to another mountain. It was a huge activity.
Please share your unforgettable memories or the sweetest person that you met.
Once I got sick when I traveled Atacama desert in Chile which is very driest weather. And in that place, I get a cough and fever. And I was coughing a lot unbearable. And when I started traveling from Atagama to Santiago, the capital of Chile. And that time I was in the hostel and there was only one girl in my room. And I asked if there was any medicine that I could take. She told me need to go outside and take it. But it was almost 10:30 PM and I didn't go outside to get food or medicine. In the morning after I woke up I saw there was a bottle of cough medicine beside my pillow with a piece of paper note. There was “I bought it for you. You are an angel for our country”. And I was surprised. That was so sweet.
Once when I was crossing from Senegal to Gambia I met with a couple on the way when I was traveling from Senegal one district near the border and they went to one town. I came to the border and they said if you have any problem, keep our number, just make call us. But later the immigration officer didn't want me to go. He said if you go you can be in the problem. Because it is 9.30 PM and could be dangerous in outside. He told me to let me go tomorrow morning. And I called the couple at that moment and they said, come to their home, no problem. And I rode for 2 hours to reach their home and they were like tribal people. They're so welcoming and their house is not so good but it was nice. And they gave me the food. We ate together on the same plate which is the African tradition way. They're very nice. And when I was sleeping I felt a little bit cold and I was thinking about my mom or if my mom is there, she could give me the clothes. And it was around 01:30 AM when I saw someone is coming to my room and putting a blanket on me. And I saw their mother was doing that. I started cry silently. Then I realized every mother in the world this is called peace. Have the same feeling. And I was remembering my mom. And they are like black, brown like us or white, it doesn't matter. Every people they have humans above all religions. We have to think about the humanity. And this is called peace and connecting each other.
And there is a lot of sweet memory. When I was traveling Namibia, I saw a beautiful desert. When I just opened the tent, I saw the moonlight on my face and the colorful mountain. And there is no one and some few tents just nature and me. And I felt like it was amazing and I could not buy it with money. And even in Moritania and Shahra Desert, I spent like four nights in Shahara Desert with like three other travelers and one guide. And we went to the June we did the camping. And I saw the sunrise and sunset. That was the most precious memory of my life. Also, the nature is so beautiful.
When I'm listening to your experience, I just imagine on my mind and that makes me feel like a goosebump.
When you go inside nature you will forget this earth, people, this battle, fight, war, and bad things. You will just forget everything when you are in the nature. So nature will give you the best energy. And nature taught me to become a good human, not to think about who is good or who is bad and who is small or bigger, who is high profile and who is lowest profile. It doesn't matter because we are all human and are the same. We will die one day under the we will be just soil one day and it's nothing after that.
So during this life, we must do good things in our lives. And as much as we can see and explore, that is more precious for us. So we can connect the humanity during our journey. And not only traveling but every work and journey, people they have in their life must think positively. So think positive, do positive, and talk positive. That is most important and good vibes for the world and for the human.
After Mongolia what is the next country that you are planning to travel?
I’m planning to go to Cameroon, Guinea, Gabon, Central African Republic, Congo, Brazil, Chad, Eritrea, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles. Then my African countries will be done after these countries. And then I have a few countries left in the caribbean and few countries left in Oceanian countries. Most of them are like in Oceania now. To do that is hard and it's far and very expensive. So I'm just trying hard to make it possible for every journey.
How do you build your budget for travel?
I was working before. But if you travel when you work is not easy. And from the beginning, whenever I have the time during my work, I just fly. Then I just left my work. And then I started traveling for four months, six months in a row. I am a motivational speaker and people hire me to give speeches for the forum and events or big programs. So in my country, I'm very popular. So this is the thing, whatever I see from the world I spread it. It is a kind of prayer. Some people I don't need to give money, I give passion. I become their dreamer and go forward. So that is also a kind of prayer. That is more than money.
Did you pause your travel when it's pandemic time around the world?
I was traveling in the pandemic time when I was in Japan. That time I heard COVID through the TV channels and the media were spreading that new disease happening in China. And I was very close to China and because I was traveling to Taiwan. Then I saw people were wearing the mask. And I asked people “What is happening?” And when I was in Brunei from Taiwan, I thought must stop it because a lot of people were dying at that time. Not Brunei in China and other countries also. It has already spread in other countries. Then I think I have to stop it. So I went back to Sweden at that time. And during these eight months of the pandemic, people are stuck at home. And some of the flight agencies give cheaper flights. And I always take the chance when they give me a cheaper flight. And I was thinking about traveling few African countries because there are not many people. So I decided to go to Djibouti. Then Ethiopia. But it is very hectic traveling. I was waiting almost 5 hours in the queue to take the COVID test. And that time the COVID test was very expensive. But I told myself that sitting at home thinking so much is better than just taking the challenge. But I took the challenge. And this is how I traveled during the pandemic time was like another adventure.
Are you writing a book about your travel experience?
Yes, I'm writing now. I will publish it so soon. I'm hoping it will be ready next year because I want to write in a proper way to give more valuable information about every country. I will write positively so that people can learn from the country they wish to do. Or maybe it will be one of the school books.
Thank you for your time with us and good luck with your adventures!
