Traveljunkieindonesia.com – Want to know how to travel in style, just like the pros? We check in with frequent fliers to find out how often they fly, their favorite destinations and what they never leave home without.
Name:
Chris Christensen
Hometown:
Salinas, CA
Residence:
San Jose, CA
Blog/Website:
AmateurTraveler.com
Twitter:
@chris2x, @AmateurTraveler
Can you introduse yourself:
I started the Amateur Traveler as a podcast then a blog 7 years ago. I wanted to start a podcast and after a picnic with friends I realized all the best stories are travel stories.
By day I work at PayNearMe.com where we create products to help people without credit or debit cards pay for things. I was formerly the Director of Engineering for TripAdvisor’s New Initiatives group, the EVP Engineering at LiveWorld which runs online communities like those for eBay, HBO, and American Express, and a Software Manager at Apple, Momenta (pen computing) and HP.
How often do you fly:
Last year I was commuting from one side of the United States to the other for work every month but I have changed jobs and fly more like 4-6 times a year now.
How many countries have you been to:
24
How many continents have you been to:
5, I have not been to South America (although I have seen it in the distance), nor Antarctica
Favorite Indonesian city:
I have not yet been to Indonesia
Favorite international city:
Istanbul, Turkey
Least favorite country:
I haven’t been there yet
Favorite World Heritage Site:
The list of sites I have been to is around 69 so far (http://amateurtraveler.com/unesco-world-heritage-sites/), but my favorite of these is “Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis” in Upper Egypt.
Favorite airline:
none
Favorite aircraft type:
777
Aisle or window:
window
Favorite airport lounge:
none
Favorite Indonesia airport:
none
Favorite international airport:
Vancouver, British Columbia
Favorite hotel:
Moana Lodge, Mal Pais, Costa Rica
Favorite island:
Hong Kong. There is so much life, energy and color in Hong Kong.
Favorite fancy restaurant:
Bistro Casanova – the Island of Maui
Favorite hole in the wall:
Peppers Mexicali Cafe, Pacific Grove, California
Favorite fruit:
Banana
Favorite food:
Pizza
Least favorite food:
Seafood
Drink of choice (In the air and on the ground):
Diet Coke
Favorite travel movie(s):
The Terminal
Favorite travel song(s):
Calendars and Maps by Tara Leigh Cobble
Favorite travel show(s):
Amateur Traveler, well what else did you think I would say?
Favorite travel book(s):
“In a Sunburned Country” by Bill Bryson
Right now I am reading:
Gone for Soldiers by Jeff Shaara about the Mexican American War
Five things you bring on a plane:
iPhone, laptop, ear plugs, eye shade, refillable water bottle
What do you always seem to forget:
I travel enough that I am fairly organized but I forget and leave ear buds in my shirts and wash a pair at least every month. I buy them in bulk on eBay.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport duty free store:
I don’t think I have ever bought anything from an airport duty free store and don’t understand why anyone shops there
Most embarrassing/worst travel moment:
We misplacing our passports just before a trip to Italy. Just barely found them in time to make a flight (rescheduled by a friend who worked for the airline) and only after another friend found them
What’s your dream destination:
India
Favorite travel blog/website(s) – besides Traveljunkieindonesia.com, of course!:
I am rather fond of AmateurTraveler.com, but other than that I am rather fond of kayak.com/explore where I can see what good airline deals might be available when I don’t quite care where I will go.
Best travel tip:
Travel lighter. Many people live at your destination and find a way to get by every day. If you forget something, buying it locally can be part of the fun.
Happy Sustainable Travels!
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