BITW 004: Sustainable & Conscious Travel with David Metcalf

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004: Sustainable & Conscious Travel with David Metcalf

As travelers it’s up to us to choose how we approach exploring the world. As a travel writer, photographer and filmmaker, David Metcalf has taken this to heart. David has traveled extensively and one through note to all his stories is to connect with the local people, visit remote locations and to always approach a location with sustainability in mind. No matter how conscious we are (or not), as travelers we can always be more mindful.

More About David:
David is a prolific travel photographer, travel writer and tour guide with a passion for the preservation of the Indonesian Dayak people and their forests. He was born in Wellington, New Zealand his travel story began when he was 19 and he bought a one-way ticket from New Zealand to Aspen, Colorado.

Wanderlust has taken him 20,000 kms by bicycle through the Europe, Russia, the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Tasmania. He has traveled throughout Asia including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Phillipines and India. As a native New Zealander he has also traveled extensively in New Zealand and Australia.

His photography has been published in Garuda Indonesia, Jakarta Post, The Peak, Kabar, Hello Bali, Jakarta and Java Kini, Island Life, Travel Addict, Berita, Ex Pat Living, and Luxury Hotels and Corporate Travel.

He is a regular contributor to Now Jakarta Magazine with a monthly travel column and writes for Bali Expat.

He is the executive producer and stars in the upcoming movie, Long Sa’an, The Journey Back.

He is the co-author of “Indonesia’s Hidden Heritage – Cultural Journeys of Discovery” with his wife Stephanie Brookes and his latest book is “Looking for Borneo”.

He offers photography tours and workshops in Indonesia as well as specialized cultural travel tours to lesser known and remote areas of Indonesia.

Join us to hear what he has to say on 2^nd episode of Break Into Travel Writing.

The Finer Details of This Show Include:

Traveling 20,000 by bike.
Carry a camera everywhere.
How David turned from travel photographer to travel writer.
How to master street photography.
How to travel with a sustainable and conscious frame of mind.
And loads more!

David shares his journey and evolution from traveler to travel photographer, then travel writer and now travel filmmaker. Join us as we delve into David’s deep passion for the Indonesian Dayak people, the importance of sustainable and conscious travel as well as the importance to get off the beaten path and connect with locals when traveling.

At the heart of David’s belief systems is to seek out the lesser known and promote his passion for Indonesia, which he says is sometimes called “The Invisible Country”.

David also shares his passion project, the movie, Long Sa’an, The Journey Back and his work fundraising so it can be finished and he can share the story of the Dayaks, who in his words are very similar to American Indians.

David also shares his insights on how to break into travel writing and photography. Some of the main points we discuss are:

How to Pitch your story ideas.
Tips to getting a monthly column.
Don’t just talk about it. Do it and doors will open!
How to pitch an editor.
How to use your trips to gain media coverage.
How to use networking effectively.

There’s plenty more David shares on today’s show on that same subject – and offers great insights! One of my favorites is, “Jump and the net will appear!” Be sure to listen to hear what he has to say on the importance of doing to get your travel career going. Have a listen to get the inside scoop, and then join me in thanking David for being here! And thank you as well. We’ll see you next time!

Episode Resources

Australian Bike Guy
Jakarta Magazine
Long Sa’an, The Journey Back (movie link)
How to contribute to the movie project
Long Sa’an, The Journey Back Movie Trailer
Long Sa’an, The Journey Back Facebook Page
David’s Photography tours
Indonesia’s Hidden Heritage – Cultural Journeys of Discovery (David’s book written with his wife Stephanie Brookes)
Looking for Borneo (David’s newest book)
Hornbill Festival in India

Connect with David on Social Media:
David Metcalf on Twitter
David Metcalf on Facebook
David Metcalf on Linkedin

Connect with Break Into Travel Writing
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The Aspiring Travel Writer, the Facebook group

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