For famed British explorer Levison Wood, it is a great kick to see people globe-trot and he is particularly impressed with how Indians are taking off to foreign locations besides exploring their own country.
"Indians are travelling. They are seeing not only the world but their own country which I think is great. I was in Haridwar and I saw people who had come for pilgrimage. I saw something which was amazing. There were 2 million people and all in orange shirts," Wood told PTI over phone from London.
Wood, 34, has visited India seven times and he says every time he is amazed to see how swiftly the country changes.
"What strikes me during my visits to India is how fast the country is moving. Everything is changing. I remember going to Dharmshala in 2004. It was a small sleepy village full of western hippies then. I went back again last year and it was filled with Punjabi tourists," says Wood, who trekked 1700 miles across the Himalayas in a series called "Walking the Himalayas".
In his new show "Walking The Nile", Wood took the daunting journey of covering the length of the world's longest river - The Nile.
The former British Army paratrooper took a 4250-mile trek over the course of 9-months to become the first person to go on this journey on foot. On the way, Wood travelled through deserts, jungles and war zones in the African continent.
"I have always been interested in East Africa. Nile is the river that goes through diverse cultures and landscapes. The idea occurred to me seven years ago when I was doing charity in Africa. I thought it would be a great experience if I walk. Walking gives you a chance to see a lot more places that you otherwise wouldn't see."
On his journey, Wood says he dodged minefields and headed into a 120-degree desert, besides coming face-to-face with a violent civil war in South Sudan.
"Walking The Nile" will premiere on February 22 on Discovery Channel.
Wood says the job of a traveller is not as glamourous as one thinks it to be and he has often faced life-threatening situations.
"A lot of planning and preparation goes into my job. Travelling by foot is physically draining and it takes a toll on your body. I have had plenty of close calls with dangers. I take my job very seriously. But on the whole it is very enjoyable as I get to see fantastic places."
Wood also has a few tips to offer to all the aspiring travellers. He says young explorers have to leave aside all inhibitions, ignore all logistics, financial matters and just set out on their journey like he did.
"The hardest part is starting. When I was 22, I always wanted to travel to India. I had just 750 dollars. I hitchhiked all the way to India. It took me five months but I reached. I want to tell young travellers that you don't need a lot of money to travel.
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