Ben Zabulis
Born in Nottingham, UK and graduated from Trent University with a degree in Civil Engineering. Ended up working up and down the country before heading off to Nigeria, India, Japan and Hong Kong where I met my partner and earned the right of abode.
We love travelling around to all sort of places, doesn’t matter where; as I often say, a trip to Norwich can be as exciting as a trip to Phnom Penh, it’s not the destination that matters but the way you do it. Gave up full-time work a few years back to enjoy a life of ‘dolce far niente’ (pleasant idleness) as the Italians might say.
Wrote a travel book in that time hoping to inspire young (and older!) folk to explore the world and I continue to study Mandarin, focusing nowadays on the written form – immeasurably useful in Chinese restaurants around the globe! Back in England at the moment but will be returning to Hong Kong on a more permanent footing very soon.
What was your first travel experience?
Had a great time, memorable moments include walking the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, camping outside Florence and a brief stay on the island of Capri. The tent survived the journey though sadly was not used again, it ended up in a charity shop so is hopefully still providing shelter to another keen enthusiast!!
Where in you opinion is the best place to spend a summer holiday?
Hong Kong offers and ideal east meets west destination for those venturing thus far for the first time, similarly Thailand and Malaysia. For someone with less time and money, Spain offers great choices with plenty of good food, culture and scenery at a more reasonable cost.
Describe a travel experience that changed your life
And I was right, after the chaos, colour and smells of West Africa I could never have returned fully to England, though I gave it a few attempts. So Nigeria indeed broadened my mind, a sort of travelling baptism of fire, setting me free upon a lifetime of gadding about and cultural immersion!!