'My travelling life': Extreme adventurer David Grier

16 January 2015 - 17:59 By Shelley Seid
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David Grier once ran 2 700km from south to north Madagascar.
David Grier once ran 2 700km from south to north Madagascar.
Image: Supplied

"On all my trips I've reached the point when you ask yourself what the hell you think you are doing," says David. He shares the highs and lows of his world travels

How often do you travel?

Every time I hear the door creak open I get the urge to drop everything and bolt, but sanity needs to prevail. The work I do lets me travel a lot and the best is that it's all fine with the crew at home because they know their turn will come.

Describe the first holiday you remember as a child.

I will never forget us leaving the family farm in the Western Cape. My mom and dad had loaded the old Thames Trader truck to the roof with supplies and we were off on a three-week fishing trip, three boys, aged between 7 and 10, and the folks.

The holiday was at a deserted spot called Blaauwkrantz and the accommodation was a single-room bungalow built from a post-war car-shipping crate. There was nothing - just a fireplace at the one end, a table in the middle and bunk beds at the other end. We spent the days trundling along the rock gullies fishing for our meals. What an unforgettable holiday.

And your first trip abroad, into the rest of Africa or beyond?

My first trip abroad was to the Etosha Pan in Namibia with the family. Again, the whole crew was loaded into the family car and off we went. We weren't even 100km out of Cape Town when we three boys began to rumble and this lasted the whole way.

The most memorable part of the trip was the exhaustive effort that my father took in photographing the whole event on his camera - only to find out about a week into the trip that he had not wound on the spool so all we have are the memories.

Then there was my first flight abroad on my own, after I'd won a fishing trip to Mauritius in a competition. I ended up with a crazy bunch of serious rum drinkers from up north. It felt like I also forgot to wind on the spool because I don't remember much. I think I caught a fish or two.

What is the most difficult, remote or adventurous destination you have ever been to?

I have had the privilege of adventuring to many countries but, in terms of physical demands, Madagascar (pictured below) takes the prize. To get there, I had to paddle from Africa 500km across the Mozambique Channel. When I got there, I had to run 2 700km from south to north. What a crazy island but mystical at the same time. It was harsh but beautiful and peppered by cyclones. I waded through swamps and went down with bilharzia and malaria. I finally managed to get to the northern tip 23kg lighter and, let's say, a lot wiser. On all my trips I've reached the point when you ask yourself what the hell you think you are doing, but you work through it.

 

What is the best way to travel once you have flown abroad?

If you are capable and have the time, the best way to travel is on foot. This immerses you into the local population, culture and way of life. You can't escape or shield yourself from the reality of how the people live and you get a real understanding of how things actually are in that specific country; you are forced to engage and live that way of life. We often race through a country in a big vehicle with tinted windows, snapping away with our camera and come out the other end thinking we understand what is going on and have the solution to their problems, which couldn't be further from the truth.

What is your favourite city here or abroad?

There are many cities that have left a lasting impression on me but it's Beijing (pictured below) that draws me back. I love the architecture steeped in history, the details in the buildings - the stone sculptures at the roof ends, for example, which show how much pride people took in their work. I also love the food culture. It is such an intricate part of life there. The whole family gathers at the table and just focuses on the food, a selection of plates that make up the culture of that meal. Nothing else comes into the equation. Even though I don't understand much of what is being said, the city just speaks to me.

 

Do you prefer roughing it or luxury when travelling? Describe the best experience you have had of whichever you choose.

There are two sides to this - it depends on where you are and who you are with.

On my own, I prefer the rough side, just sleeping where you fall in the evening. I've crawled into the bush along the road and camped, and been invited in by some people in the middle of a jungle or rural village, shared a meal with them and experienced their culture. The weirdest part is finding a spot that looks fantastic at night and you have the best evening, but as the sun rises and you look around for the first time, a fantastic rubbish dump starts to unfold around you. Darkness is a real leveller.

What has been your worst travel experience?

I have had some bad experiences, from being jailed to missing flights and more but I don't look at any as a "worst experience". When you travel, you need to go with an open mind, expect problems and expect situations that will be uncomfortable. Is that not why we travel? It's simple to just lower your expectations a bit and then everything becomes enjoyable.

What's the oddest thing you have experienced while travelling?

I have had quite a few odd happenings. I've been chased by a wild boar, attacked by a peacock and had a camel chase me down a road. Then there is the food - I've eaten donkey, dog, fruit bat, hedgehog and baby crocodile all in the name of adventure.

The situation that takes the cake was when I capsized my kayak in the Madagascar Channel in a plume of whale poo. It stuck to me like toffee.

Your best piece of travel advice?

Wet wipes - you can't do without them. The one thing that always amazes me is how often one gets into a panic looking for one's passport. Always put it in the same place every time - same place, same place!

What do you hate about travelling or holidays?

The flight is definitely the most laborious part of the trip. I know that deep down I was born for business class. Alas, it has never materialised, so cattle class it remains.

What elements - destination, people, attractions etc - make up your perfect holiday?

The perfect holiday is made up by the people you are with or those you engage with - it's a key ingredient. Then there is your mindset. You must be open-minded and cherish the privilege of the experience you are immersed in. The destination plays a big part but remember you need to make the experience memorable - go out and look for that and engage with what is unfolding around you.

Name one place you really want to go, now or at least some day?

North Korea is next on the list.

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