‘Nattapong Yokteng and Alison Carr hail from very different parts of this wondrous planet. Yet, they share an affinity for a particular style of travel that connects them directly with local communities in the regions they visit.
Nattapong Yokteng is from Southern Thailand. Nattapong now resides in Poland and Ireland where he studies Journalism. He bounces back and forth between Asia and Europe. Nattapong is drawn to the road less travelled. His affable manner and curious nature enable him to engage with local people through sport, art, and culture.
Alison Carr is based in the west of Ireland with her two teenage children. Alison has traveled the Globe extensively for the past 30 years through work, often with her children in tow. She also shares a passion for connecting with local communities when traveling. Both Alison and Nattapong like viewing the world through the lens of the Communities they are visiting.’
Brian McDowell, Writer and Editor.
What is…
Roamers is a travel blog with a difference. We want you to experience the places you visit. Just step off the beaten track for a minute, immerse yourself in the communities you visit. Enjoy and connect with local Art, Culture, Sport, Food, while looking through their lense and participating and interacting with the people who live in the communities you are visiting. Roamers also puts your mental health at the fore by connecting you with a support network in the areas you visit.
PAST AND PRESENT: A brief insight into what makes the community tick. A morsel of history and a social overview of what drives the community now.
PLAYTIME: Local Art Scene, Music, Sport, local events that will enable you to really experience the place you have visited. Connecting via community activities that also benefit the community you are visiting.
EAT AND SLEEP: This category will be subjective. It will range from budget eats, foraging walks, to guerilla gourmet foodie spots. Accommodation will range from couch surfing to spoiling yourself . Some people love to sleep under the stars. The roar of the ocean beside their tent they have pitched for €15 in a farmer’s field. While others dream of staying in a local Castle or renting a Villa for their large family.
WELLBEING: All of us at some stage of our lives are affected by depression and anxiety. Fighting it, denying it, ignoring it, is futile. Depression and anxiety are part of the human condition . Acceptance is our only liberator. Anxiety shouldn’t be a barrier to traveling so we will always have some support contacts in the communities you are spending time with. Perhaps it is a drop in free meditation class or an NA meeting. We’ll hook you up.
Why…
In an age where social media enables humans to communicate instantly, why are we feeling so disconnected? Ironically the more we travel around the world, the less connected we are from each other and society. Like many things on the planet right now, traveling and tourism has become polarized.
Due to oversaturation caused by unsustainable and intensive tourism, there is a need to offer an alternative model. A travel blog that distributes travellers more equitably. Both Nattapong and I believe the current ‘tourism model’ is flawed. It is reliant on turning humans into a commodity by globalised ‘re-branding’ and untruthful marketing of regions. This leaves it’s visitors unsatisfied and disconnected. Like a human zoo, there is something about it that just doesn’t feel right. It breeds ‘them and us’ interactions. Unconscious subtle cynicism and resentment sneaks into areas of over saturation.
The instagram pic didn’t relay how apathetic the staff member on the ‘entrance’ desk was. They may have taken payment for over 400 people already today but that’s not your fault. They may have been asked the same questions repeatedly despite the fact it’s not their job. After a 15 minute line-up to purchase some ‘local fayre’ that has been assembled in an industrial kitchen, this is not how it is meant to be…
So let’s start connecting with the people who actually live in these communities when they are not at work.
Where…
Instead of casting our nets too broadly we will write on specific regions. Instead of regurgitating a guide book or randomly posting narcissistic unrealistic images, we want to connect you with people and communities we know well.
Nattapong: Thailand, Japan and Poland
Alison: Mexico, Spain, Ireland, United Kingdom, B.C Canada
Roamers 