Interview: Travelling the world with your partner
By Matt Preston
Meet Ninfa and Tony, a girl from Honduras and an guy from Ireland who met in Dublin and now travel the world together. They freely admit their suitcase is “the third person in our relationship” and have experienced some amazing countries together.
We stopped by for a quick chat about their travels and what it’s like travelling as a couple.
Was there a particular moment in your lives that made you decide traveling was your bliss?
Ninfa: I think I was born with it, I have always tried to travel as much as possible and consider my past journeys the highlights of my life.
Tony: At school, I loved learning languages, especially French, and this always made me want to explore beyond my own country’s borders. Other than that, I never really knew what I had been missing until I actually took the jump, thanks to my girlfriend’s persuasion.
What have been the most memorable moments of your travels so far?
Ninfa: In this RTW, for me it was going to Bethlehem in Palestine and discovering my family roots.
Tony: People are always the highlights. A laugh, a smile, a connection … you know when it’s genuine, and however brief it is, it remains the memory that lasts longest. The people who can’t travel, due to lack of money or unfortunately political oppression (Palestine, Tibet), appreciate your visit most.
You’ve been to some interesting countries, what made you choose them?
Ninfa: We wanted to experience the most diversity in cultures so we chose to spend our time divided into Middle East, Asia, The Pacific and South America. I have traveled extensively through the most developed countries and although they are great to visit, the culture and traditions are not so intact anymore; as well money goes a longer way in the regions we decided to visit.
Tony: Budget, primarily. And, of course, traveller’s recommendations.
Have your travel plans changed much from what you originally set out to do?
Ninfa: No, not yet. We are still on track.
Tony: Not yet. We are on a tight schedule because we will follow Honduras at the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. After that, we have less schedule requirements and will be more flexible to succumb to our desires. I expect plans to change then.
What location in the world that you have been to would you recommend to everyone?
Ninfa: Definitely the Caribbean Coast, the Bay Islands and Copan in Honduras. Honduras has not been exploited touristically as much as its neighboring countries so it’s still an unspoiled paradise and quite cheap as well. Regarding locations on this trip, Palestine to see the reality not what the media wants you to think.
Tony: Nepal
What’s your best piece of travel advice for couples traveling together?
Ninfa: It will be very different spending 24/7 together than just evenings after work in a normal life. I think tolerance and respect are key, as both will have different views on different places and specific issues.
Tony: Everything will not be easy. So be adaptable, and give each other space from time to time. Be open to spending time with other people so as to change things, and go with the flow.
And lastly, can you describe how travelling makes you both feel personally?
Ninfa: A continuous natural high. It feels normal to me to be traveling daily, I don’t know how I will deal back in the real world.
Tony: Like I should have done this earlier. It makes me feel that money is not happiness, but community.
Check out Ninfa and Tony’s website www.ayearinmotion.com
You can also follow them on twitter at @ayearinmotion
If you would like to be interviewed about your amazing journey please contact us.
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Author: Matt Preston
The co-founder and editor of the online magazine and community site, Travel with a mate. Matt is a social media guru, organiser of international travel meetups, web developer for some great travel brands and photographer.
