Read Muhammad incredible experience in India!
T: A short bio about yourself, A 3-4 lines that best describe you, what you do for living and so…
M: My name is Muhammad Bin Hamid, and I go by Mad for short. I have a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sydney. I am working in the Commercial and Business Development Department, PETRONAS LNG Sdn. Bhd.
T: Where have you been?
M: So far I have been to 25 countries. I believe I could have visited more, but I tend to travel slow and I usually stay longer in any country that I have visited. I feel like it is my way of getting to know a country and its people better.
T: What’s your favourite place so far? Why?
M: This is a hard one. I don’t exactly have favourite place per say, but there are a few places that I remember being fond of, more than the rest. I quite enjoyed the time when I visited Uluru in Central Australia and when I trekked the Annapurna Himalayan Range. I also love Queenstown (New Zealand), Paris and Stockholm – I think they are among the most beautiful cities I have ever seen.
T: One unforgettable travel experience or incident that sticks in your mind…?
M: I discovered that I was scammed by a tour shop in New Delhi. I went back to the shop after two days, but the shop owner refused to return the money that he has tricked me into paying. Long story short, we got into an argument, and the shop owner got so mad that he ended up slapping me! A few of the workers in the shop eventually wanted to beat me up, and before they could do it, I dashed out of the place… and they chased me on the Delhi streets on their motorbike! I ran as fast as I could and managed to seek help in a nearby government’s office. Eventually, I managed to get my money back, after it became a police case. Needless to say, I don’t ever plan on returning to Delhi again in the near future. LOL. Being in a foreign land, that slap was quite traumatizing haha.
T: What was the most challenging thing about travelling?
M: There are a lot of things that you cannot control when you travel on a budget. You begin to just live the moment, and learn to accept the fact that sometimes you will not be able to do all that you have excitedly planned for the day. These are the things that have taught me to remain flexible, adaptable and to just let go.
T: What place is top of your bucket list?
M: Truthfully, I don’t have a bucket list. But I suppose taking the Trans Mongolian train ride from Beijing to Moscow would top the list.
T: One advice for travellers?
M: I have a lot! But one good advice is – visit the touristy venues during lunchtime! There will be less other tourists, and sometimes you will get to have the place all to yourself! Less crowd also means that you will be able to focus on your tour better.