TRAVELLER: Craig Thompson, Pattaya, Thailand

Globerovers Magazine is in conversation with Craig Thompson who lives in Pattaya, Thailand.  Craig retired in 2002 and has been travelling for four to five months of every year since t

Globerovers (GR): How many countries have you been to?

Craig Thompson (CT): I’ve been to 102 countries and will be at around 120 by the end of next year.

GR: What are your top 5 most preferred countries for leisure travel?

CT: I’ve found something interesting and unique in every country I’ve visited. But, here’s a shot at the top 5:

• Turkmenistan – Ashgabat is THE most bizarre city I’ve ever visited. You really have to see it to believe it.  The “Gates of Hell” was a fantastic place to visit and spend the night. I camped out right on the side of the burning crater.
• Tajikistan – Travelling along the Pamir Highway was probably one of my most memorable trips. Stunning scenery. An incredible adventure.
• Argentina – With a selection of some of the best steaks and wines in the world, I love it there! Plus, there are a lot of places for adventure. Southern Argentina is fantastic, with glaciers, mountains and all sorts of activities.
• Ecuador – Visiting the Galapagos Islands and seeing what Darwin saw is wonderful. I took a 7-day cruise around the islands.
• Bangladesh – Outside Dhaka, the country is amazing. It’s like going back 50 years in time. The people are real. NO tourists!

GR: Which is your most preferred country for travel and why?

CT: I’d have to say Thailand. It’s cheap, has good weather, transport is easy, it’s relatively safe, and language isn’t a problem. I’m a nut for beaches and Thailand has a bunch of them.

GR: Where do you wish you were right now and why?

CT: I started playing guitar again and picked up the mandolin. I’ve gotten hooked on bluegrass. Very few people play it here in Thailand. So, I wish I were back in the US at a festival and joining in on the campground jams. Hopefully, that will happen in a year or two.

GR: Among those countries you have not yet visited, which ones are at the top of your “must do” list?

CT: Top of my list is Southern Africa. I’ll be going there next year and visiting around 10 countries.  It’s going to be an epic trip. Cape Town and its surrounding wineries along with Namibia, are my top two destinations.

GR: Please tell us about the most incredible and memorable experience you have ever had while travelling?

CT: I’ve had quite a few incredible and memorable experiences.  One was climbing Kilimanjaro. My father wanted me to do this and passed away just before my trip. I spent a week doing the climb and at the top, I broke down and cried. It was an incredibly hard trip, and very emotional as I did it in memory of my father.

GR: Based on your travel experiences, if you were to recommend the one most amazing destination for intrepid travellers, which place would that be, and why?

CT: I would have to say Eastern Europe. It’s cheap, transport is easy, and there’s plenty to see. We loved the remote areas in Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania: wonderful places to visit that help stretch your travel dollar.

GR: What is the single best lesson you have learned about the world during your travels around the world? 

CT: I think travelling is very educational. And it helps break down the biases we all have. The #1 thing I’ve learned is that most people just want to live a good life and take care of their family.

This interview appears in the July 2018 issue of Globerovers Magazine.

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