This episode’s subject is backpacking in Australia. My guest Ryan and I talk about the travel lifestyle, hostel life, travel jobs, and how to make the trip happen. My guest today is Ryan. We became friends when we traveled in the same group across the east coast of Australia. We talk about why Australia is such a fantastic country to travel through. The journey started in Sydney, New South Wales, and went up all the way to the north of Queensland. Among the stops were the Hope Estate Vineyards and the Barrington Tops national park. The interesting characters along the way, the adventures of backpacking and life in hostels get plenty of mention. We get a bit philosophical about travel in general, the reasons to do it, the reasons people come up with not to do it, and things of that nature. The rest of the show, we banter about Perth, North Korea, women, and other things guys talk about while drinking a couple of beers. The show Contents 00:08:37 – Why Australia? 00:11:34 – 3 months in Australia 00:20:28 – Sydney 00:25:25 – Booze in Australia & Goon 00:30:00 – The disgusting drink called Mallort 00:33:20 – Hope Estate Vineyards 00:36:10 – Barrington Tops 00:40:28 – Why traveling is so great & hostel talk 00:51:20 – Podcasting talk 00:55:33 – North Korea 01:08:00 – Perth 01:16:05 – Australian girls 01:20:20 – Some people don’t get it 01:27:00 – Money & traveling 01:41:55 – Overused words 01:47:26 – The travel blogging community 01:53:30 – How to travel the world 01:54:40 – Wild, dark places 02:04:30 – Political correctness 02:09:35 – Podcasts & radio 02:12:25 – Travel advice Barrington Tops hot tub Notes & links Ryan’s hostel recommendation for Sydney: Bounce Hostel Sydney Donate your unused flash-drives to help bring the outside world into North Korea: Flash Drives for Freedom Read this book: The Big Short Check this out: Ryan’s Youtube channel Recording details Recorded on August 9, 2017; at the Fenix Food Factory & brewery in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Recorded on the big setup.