Swiss national, Arnaud Brun is on his dream trip. The globetrotter hopes to traverse different countries and unknown lands without buying a single plane ticket. Along the way, he hopes to meet people, have conversations, experience cultures and negate stereotypes one step at a time. DESTINATIONS caught up with him while he was in Lahore before he set off further east onwards to reach his final destination, Papua New Guinea.
Hi Arnaud, tell us what propelled this grand adventure? How did the idea come to you to travel across the globe without buying a single plane ticket?
I always dreamed of making a big trip without an ending date. With this type of travel, I am at full liberty to savor the experience and rely on my desire to enjoy a place for as long as I want, without the restrictions of fixed travel tickets.
This was the perfect moment in time for me to embark on this journey. I have recently completed my Masters in Psychology and before initiating the work-life, I set afoot to live this big dream of mine of being on the road, discovering the world, experiencing new cultures and opening my mind to actual realities as opposed to generalized stereotypes about people and places. Over the last few years, I have also become more mindful of the ecological situation of the planet. I found it difficult to combine traveling and being friendly with the planet. So this was my way of doing both.
Is sustainable tourism one of your key motivating factors? Or is it to explore and know the world more intimately?
Eco-tourism is definitely one of my key motivations for traveling without flying. It’s also a good way to talk to people along the way who ask me why I don’t use any planes and we can have some good conversations about environmental issues. Of course, it’s not the only reason. I also like observing the slow transitions in culture and people as I move from place to place. It helps me to see the bigger picture and to understand why there’s a cultural difference between two places.
What are some of the essentials you packed with you for your trip?
I took a lot of time to pack my backpack because I had to pack right for different seasons. One of the things I found very useful is packing cubes which help you gain some space in your backpack and I definitely recommend
it. I also travel with belly pockets so I can keep essential items close to me when I need to go to some crowded places. I also have a notebook where I jot down daily thoughts. It may not be practical but I travel with a guitar, and I have realized it leads to some nice moments with locals even when it’s not possible to communicate with them because of a language barrier. You can add a Swiss knife to this list since I come from Switzerland! I also travel with a tent, as it gives you a lot of freedom.
From Switzerland all the way to Pakistan, you seem to have traversed 12 countries so far. What were some of the major challenges you faced along the way? How would you describe the process of obtaining visas for countries like Iran and Pakistan?
My main challenge was to find a good itinerary to reach my destination without flying. Luckily just before I left, China decided to open its border so it gave me direct access to reach South-East Asia.
Other than that, when you hitchhike sometimes you have to wait. And of course, when you travel with a small backpack, you have to deal with weather which could be quite cold. For example, in Cappadocia, the temperature dropped to -17 and I was freezing.
I have been very lucky in obtaining visas and have not faced any hurdles so far. For Iran and Pakistan, I applied online and received a quick response. In fact, for Pakistan, I received the visa confirmation in under 90 minutes!
What places did you visit in Pakistan? Tell us more about your experience here including the highlights and what you loved best here. Would you recommend it as a tourist destination to friends back home?
Coming from Iran, I entered the country through Balochistan. As a safety protocol, the police escorted me all throughout the 8 days that it took for me to cross the province. I was sleeping on the floor of the police stations, spending my days on the back of their vehicles. The process was quite tiring and by the end of it, I was most exhausted however, I will remember these days for a long time.
Islamabad came as a pleasant surprise — such a modern and clean city. After which I went to Lahore, where I loved the vibrant culture and friendly people. I got to see a cricket match in Lahore, thanks to some amazing friends. Pakistan against New Zealand live in a stadium was a memorable experience!
I ended my trip in northern Pakistan where I enjoyed the natural beauty of Gilgilt, Hunza Valley, passing through Gulkin, Passu and Karimabad.
It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip, given the stunning views over the mountains, the welcoming people and the wonderful scenery of the historic Baltit and Altit Forts.
During one hitchhiking ride, a local man invited me to the wedding of his sister and I spent the day with his family discovering local traditions and how weddings are celebrated locally. I will always cherish that experience.
In Europe, Pakistan has a reputation as a dangerous destination but I want to tell my friends that people here are very warm, they take your safety very seriously and will make sure you have a good time. You will be surprised by how diverse the country is, from the desert area in Balochistan, the high mountains in Gilgit-Baltistan, to ancient cities like Lahore and the bustling metropolis, Karachi. Lastly, I want to add that the food here is incredible!
What made you choose Papua New Guinea as the final destination for your travels? When do you hope to reach there?
As Papua New Guinea is located at the other end of the globe from Switzerland, I thought it would be an apt choice as it allows me to traverse through many lands. Actually, I have been on many trips across Asia and I love this rich kaleidoscope of people and cultures. This itinerary of mine allows me to experience it all. Plus it’s not the typical tourist destination yet it sounds remote enough for me to want to experience firsthand what it’s all about.
I’m not sure when I’ll be able to reach my final destination but perhaps around Christmas. Let’s see how it goes. I’m taking it one day at a time.
What are some of the key takeaways from your experiences so far? And what do you hope to achieve through this great adventure?
Some people are afraid to travel far and wide. They have preconceived notions and fears of the unknown. But the more I travel, I notice that the world is generally a friendly place. People are generally warm and welcoming and eager to help and happy to share their cultures.
There’s been tremendous personal growth for me as well, since I’ve learnt how to deal with situations that I would have formerly found stressful. I’ve learnt how to see the positive in things and be okay with delays, unexpected situations and other things fate may throw your way.
Of course, I would love if my story inspires other people to travel in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. You can follow me on Instagram @arnaudntheroad
