X

Get FREE Email Updates

Sign Up

Dave's Travel Corner

Seeing the World One Step at a Time

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Guides
  • Journals
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Links
  • Interviews
  • About

interviews

Our interviews focus on the travel, entertainment and lifestyle industry,
with people who are making valuable contributions in their particular fields.


Adrian Qais: Adventure Traveller

August 17, 2013 by Dave2 Comments

AQ2-SuitQaisAdrian’s travels embody what we define as “experiential travel” – at its core it is traveling with an intent and openness to having experiences – in part focusing on what is unique to a particular region. And Adrian has already had enough unique experiences from his time on the road to last most people a lifetime. From being kidnapped in Africa to staying with nomadic Bedouin tribespeople in the deserts of Oman to total cultural immersion in Japan (his current base). And apparently he has taken up Sumo wrestling there. See photos below.

Q. Tell us about yourself and your passions – touch on what initially fueled your wanderlust.

Instead of giving you the standard travel writer answer, I thought I’d be a little bit more honest with mine…

I’m a child at heart, but as an adult I usually freak out about life for at least 2 days every 28! Which is usually fuelled by a massive hangover 😉 I’m driven but get sidetracked quite easily. I love adventures and challenges and won’t stop until I finish them to the best of my ability – even if it turns out to be an epic fail.

As the quote goes, “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better”.

Apart from that I think I am a nice, down to earth kind of guy who cares an awful lot about his friends and family. In my mind, friends and family are the most important things out there. In fact I’d say they are THE ONLY important things out there.

What initially fueled my wanderlust… Well I think after living in Oman for the first 10 years of my life – travelling was always going to be a passion of mine. Although saying that, I think the time I first donned my backpack and headed out the front door on my own officially sealed the fact that travelling would always be a part of my life.
 

Q. What was life like growing up in Oman?

Oman was an amazing place to grow up. Every weekend we were either relaxing on a beach or travelling into the desert to find hidden oases in the mountains to swim in and picnic by – which we call ‘Wadi Bashing’.

I grew up living on, what is best described as an army complex. All the helicopter engineers and pilots lived on the same complex, which only had 2 ways to get in and out. This not only meant that my best mates literally lived 2 seconds away from me but it meant that our parents would let us get up to as much mischief as we liked because they all knew there was no way to get out!

But the best thing about living in Oman was our annual trip into middle of the Empty Quarter – the largest sand desert in the world – to live with the Bedouin (nomadic people of the desert).
 

Q. Tell us about your experiences living with the Harasiis Bedouin tribe in the world’s largest sand desert, the Desert of the Empty Quarter.

Where to start… So every year we’d squeeze all our belongings into our Toyota Land Cruiser and travel to the edge of the empty quarters, where we’d be met by one of the Bedouin. We’d then spend 4-7 days travelling with them on their camel migration while my mum conducted social anthropological research. In the middle of the day when it was too hot to do anything we’d often sit under some shade in order to drink tea and eat dates. And the evenings were even more amazing. Not only was the food (rice and freshly cooked goat) amazing but also the fresh camel milk was delicious!

But the real highlight of our trips to the desert was after dinner when we’d all be sitting around the fire and staring up at the heavens. And let me tell you… the amount of stars you can see when you are in the middle of the desert away from any sources of man-made light is spectacular. I still remember as a child staring at the Milky Way for hours on end.

You can check out a little video I made about a trip into the Empty Quarters here:


 

Q. You were kidnapped in Africa – briefly tell us about this and what you would have done differently to avoid a stressful situation like this?

Yeah – that was a story! Basically, we were out drinking with some guy we’d met a few hours before and we were all having a great time watching some football game in a sketchy bar in Dar-es-Salaam. When the game was over he very kindly offered to give us a lift to a club that we were really keen on checking out anyway. And that’s when all the crap started. I really should have known the second we got in the car – seeing as it had blacked out windows and only one back door that worked. Doh!

I’ve asked myself what would I have done differently a bunch of times… and honestly… I don’t think I would have done anything differently and would probably fall for a similar the same trap again. Not because I am naïve, but because I refused to let the robbery dampen my adventuring spirit. Travelling would not hold any magic for me if I became too scared to accept the friendship of local people at face value. It’s the only way to get a REAL taste of the country you’re travelling in. The most memorable and fun experiences I have had in my travels have always revolved around taking a chance, going off the beaten track and seeing what life throws at you.
 

Q. You have had a variety of experiences to last most people more than a lifetime already – now you are currently in Japan. What have been some of your more unique experiences while living there?

Wow… that’s a really hard one. Japan is probably the best place I’ve had the pleasure of living in my life so far. I’m not being cheesy but everyday is an adventure over here. Japan and especially Tokyo is like an ‘Adult Disney Land’ if you can think it up… you can probably act it out.

I could give you a list of the ‘standard’ weird things that I’ve done in Tokyo like:

1. Drinking tea at a cat café
2. Eating ‘magic’ cake at a Maid Café
3. Have brunch at the Park Hyatt – ‘Lost In Translation’ style
4. Etc…

But for me I think my most unique experiences to date are:

1. Climbing a mountain in Hokkaido in Crocs Sandals
2. Taking part in a sumo competition and being in the local news

Proud sumo wrestlers getting ready to destroy a small vehicle

Proud sumo wrestlers getting ready to destroy a small vehicle

Coverage of Adrian sumo wrestling in local newspaper

Coverage of Adrian sumo wrestling in local newspaper

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Q. Why did you decide to start your own website, Suitqaisdiaries.com?
I was about to start a new chapter in my life. A chapter that took me away from the job and lifestyle I hated in London to a life that I loved – a life of travel! It was at the point that I quit my job and started to travel around Eastern Europe that I decided to create a website. The main aims for my website were, and still are:

1. I wanted to create an avenue to document my travel stories and share them with friends and family… it was through this simple mindset that I created SuitQais Diaries.

2. I also wanted to create something where people could go to read stories regarding cool experiences that you wouldn’t normally read in a ‘Lonely Planet’ guide for example.

3. And finally to try to convince at least one person to go out there and live the lifestyle they always dreamed about.

When I look back at my time in London I was genuinely depressed. All my life I wanted to travel and to experience everything the world had to offer. One morning I woke up in London and the life I wanted was so far from the reality I was living it was a really kick up the arse to stop talking about it and start living!
 

Q. How important is social media for you in promoting your site and /or keeping in contact with your followers? Does one outlet work better for you than others?
I keep in contact with most of my followers through my Facebook and Twitter accounts. I use Twitter to post all my random comments and funny pictures I take when I’m on the road. And I use my Facebook account to promote travel stories and adventures that I’m currently on or planning. Every day there is a new way to keep in contact with your followers… I simply can’t keep up!
 

Q. What are the most important things that traveling has taught you?

1. Always be open minded and open hearted
2. It’s better to regret the things you’ve done than the things you haven’t
3. Nice things happen to nice people
4. Always make time for your friends and family.
5. Watching a movie with someone is the opposite of spending time with them
6. Always have a goal – when times get hard having a goal will keep you focused and on track
7. A life lived in fear is a life half lived
8. A bit dark – but, what goes around comes around – so always try and do the right thing
 

Q. What is your ideal trip and why – touching on types of activities, parts of the world, who you would go with and length of the trip.
These are great questions!

There are still so many places in the world and so many things I want to do it would take me days to write out my perfect route! But, if I had to pick a trip this very second, this is what I would do…

Route: Island hopping from Jakarta to the Galapagos Islands.
Route reason: Whenever I travel now, I always travel with a goal in mind. I’m really bored by travelling for travelling’s sake. For example, going to 5 countries and ticking off all the same touristy stuff that everyone else has done before you doesn’t appeal to me. Whenever I plan a trip, I try and plan something epic. Having ‘crazy’ goals makes for one hell of a trip!

Mode of transport: Anything apart from an airplane
Transport Reason: Again, it’s all about having a goal and doing something different. I’ve always wanted to sail my way around the Indo-Pacific and couldn’t think of a better adventure than this one. What an amazing achievement to be able to say that you went from one side of the world to the other without using an airplane.

Travel companions: One or 2 mates
Companion reason: I’ve travelled solo and I’ll traveled in groups. Throughout all my travels I think the best time I’ve had is when I’m with one or two mates. Even though you may not meet as many people as you might if you were alone – having someone there that you know and trust makes a world of difference. Also, things that stress you out whilst travelling – like haggling, looking for accommodation etc.. – are halved if you have someone travelling with you.. In my book 2 is always better than 1.
 

Q. Since you now call Tokyo “home”, what are some of your favorite activities that you would recommend to a first time visitor to this large and vibrant city?

My top 5 things to do as a first timer to Tokyo:

1. Order the set menu and the all you can drink at Shirube Izakaya in Shimokitazawa or Shibuya. Whenever people come to visit me this is the first place I take them too.
2. Have brunch at the Park Hyatt – New Yorker Bar. This is an amazing ‘Must-Do’ experience and worth every penny – trust me
3. Get coffee and walk around Shimokitazawa. This is a really trendy and young side of Tokyo that not many tourists get a chance to see.
4. Go to Enoshimo Island. It makes for a great day trip and only takes 1 hour from Shinjuku
5. All you can drink Karaoke – no trip to Tokyo is complete until you’ve had karaoke night!

Biography:
AQ5-SuitQaisBorn in England and raised in Oman (Middle East) Adrian has always had a love of and an affinity for travelling. In Oman he was lucky enough to travel twice a year into the Empty Quarter (the largest sand desert in the world) to live with the Harasiis Bedouin tribe for up to 10 days at a time. His childhood gave him a love and respect for local life and nature in all its forms.

Since then he has backpacked, worked, volunteered and lived in over 40 countries. He has had some crazy experiences while traveling such as living on a desert island for 3 months, getting kidnapped in Africa, getting lost 74 feet underground and, amongst other things, swimming with Sperm whales.

He is currently in Japan exploring a unique programme of language study, work placement and homestay. His goal is to really immerse himself in Japan in order to nurture a deeper understanding about Japanese culture, her people and to experience absolutely everything ‘Japanese’!

Related posts:

Oman Wadi Bashing – May 2009 Visiting Narita and Tokyo Greetings from Yemen & Notes from Oman Bring Adventure Back to Europe Top 3 Favorite Trips & One Bad One!

Filed Under: Interviews · Tagged: Africa, Beach, Coffee, Culture, Desert, Drinking, England, Europe, Food and Wine, Helicopter, Japan, Lifestyle, London, Oman, Sailing, Sand, Wadi Bashing, Walking tour, Wanderlust, Whales

Comments

  1. Mo says

    August 17, 2013 at 1:37 am

    Great interview, and Adrian seems like a very nice guy… But this Kidnapped In Africa Story really crazy, however glad u can live and talk about it!

  2. Dave says

    August 17, 2013 at 2:07 am

    Yea – he knows how to really travel and connect locally regardless of where he is. I’ve had some unpredictable experiences while traveling in Africa but fortunately never the kidnapping!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Want an avatar to show with your comments? Get a free Gravatar

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Dave's Wines Logo

The Official Wine Club of
the Napa Wine Project!

Your personal membership to the
finest Napa Valley artisan wineries.
Learn More
Follow @DaveDTC

Get FREE Email Updates ▶

Categories

Interviews

  • “Hiko in Tonga” – A Vanishing Culture of Women Jugglers in Tonga – Interview with Paprika Leaverton, Filmmaker, Professional Juggler and Entertainment Performer
  • A harsh but beautiful wildlife haven at the bottom of the world – Interview with Vicki Foster, Government Officer of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands
  • Adam Olalde – CEO and Founder – Xtreme Xperience
  • Adam Pervez: Travel Writer, Speaker
  • Adam Shepard: Author and Speaker
  • Adrian Qais: Adventure Traveller
  • Ashley Colburn: Travel Host, Producer & Writer
  • Babak A. Tafreshi, National Geographic Photographer, Explorer, Speaker
  • Boyd McCleary, Former Governor of the British Virgin Islands
  • Brady Trautman, Round the World Sailor, The Delos Project
  • Carl T.C. Gutierrez, President & CEO Guam Visitors Bureau and Former Governor of Guam
  • Charles Duncombe: Founder, Holidaysplease
  • Chawadee Nualkhair, Thai-American Food Journalist
  • Christopher Birt, Actor and Traveler
  • Christopher Elliot Consumer Advocate and Journalist
  • Conversation, Margaret Lehmann – Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley
  • Dan Buettner, Founder of Blue Zones & New York Times Bestselling Author
  • David Stanley: Traveler & Guidebook Author
  • Delving into the Art of Travel Writing with Nathan James Thomas, Founder and Chief Editor of Intrepid Times
  • Discover the ultimate indulgence of hanging 1,200 feet off a cliff in the Sacred Valley, Peru – Interview with Natalia Rodriguez, General Manager of Natura Vive
  • Don George: Editor & Travel Author
  • Doug Lansky: Travel Writer + Speaker
  • Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, Marine Scientist and Author
  • Ed Stafford: Adventurer
  • Emily Kaufman, The Travel Mom
  • Erden Eruç: Global Circumnavigater and Adventurer
  • Everett Potter – Travel Journalist
  • Fatspatrol (Fathima) Mohiuddin, Artist and Muralist
  • Follow the Nomadic Footprints in Kyrgyzstan – Interview with Aisha Mambetalieva, Director and co-founder of Kyrgyz Tourism LLC
  • From the World’s Smallest Classroom to the Oscars – Interview with Pawo Choyning Dorji, Producer, Director and Writer of “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom”, the Nominee for Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards
  • Gloria Huwiler: Actress
  • Gretchen Upshaw, Founder of Spell Caster Ghost Tours
  • Guðrið Højgaard, CEO Visit Faroe Islands
  • Horror Talk with Rich Ragsdale – Director, Composer, Producer and Writer
  • How Living with Strangers Sparked a Filmmaker’s Dream – The Story of Christoph Pehofer
  • Ian Cumming, Entrepreneur & Founder Travel Massive
  • Interview with Joe Sidek, father of George Town Festival
  • Interview with Tobias Hägg, Photographer and Aerial Artist
  • Isabel Leong Travel Blogger
  • Jackson Doktok, Chairman of Palau Visitors Authority
  • James Asquith, Youngest to Visit all 196
  • James Kaiser: Photographer, Guidebook Author
  • Jens Notroff, Archaeologist, Illustrator, and Science Communicator
  • Jessica Matthews & Julia Silverman: sOccket Co-founders
  • Jo Carroll, co-owner of Winchcombe Farm Holidays
  • Johan Ernst Nilson: International Explorer
  • John Farrell, Founder of One Bag Travel
  • Johnny Jet: Travel Expert and Travel Blogger
  • Joseph Rosendo, TV Personality & Travel Journalist
  • Julie Stevens – A Model Traveler
  • Justin Francis, Co-founder and CEO of Responsible Travel
  • Justin Zackham, Screenwriter, Producer & Traveler
  • Karen Rowley – Owner Many More Travels
  • Karl Bushby, Adventurer and Author
  • Kimberly Fisher: Model, Travel Writer & Philanthropist
  • La Carmina – Blogger, Author, Journalist and TV Host
  • Landing in Paro, One of the World’s Most Dangerous Airports – Interview with Chhimi Dorji, Captain of Drukair
  • Larry Jacobson: Sailor, Author
  • Lee Abbamonte: Global Super Traveler
  • Leif Harum – Author, Backpacker & World Traveler
  • Lisa Niver: RTW Traveler
  • Living in the Archipelago That Whale Sharks Call Home – Interview with Founder of the Mafia Island Tourism Association, Peter Byrne
  • Louise Reilly Sacco, Permanent Acting Interim Executive Director of the Museum Of Bad Art
  • Lynn Gilmartin: Australian Presenter and Traveler
  • Marilyn Conroy, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Riviera River Cruises
  • Mark Jason Williams, Award-Winning Playwright, Essayist and Travel Writer
  • Matt Ruby, New York City Stand-up Comedian
  • Matthijs Keij, CEO of Withlocals
  • Meet the Brummy who turned his love for his hometown into a walking tour – Rob Ankcorn, the co-founder of Real Birmingham Free Walking Tour
  • Michael Wigge: Reporter & Filmmaker
  • Mike Corey, Adventure Travel YouTuber & BBC Television Host
  • Neil Mandt: Actor, Producer & Traveler
  • Ole Orvér, Chief Commercial Officer of Finnair
  • Patrick Smith: Airline Pilot and Author
  • Paul Salopek, Pulitzer Prize-winning Journalist and Writer
  • Peter Greenberg, The Travel Detective
  • Peter Mondavi Sr: Longtime Napa Winemaker, Industry leader
  • Pilots, Amelia Rose Earhart & Patrick Carter
  • Rachel Rudwall, TV Host & Producer
  • Ramona Bruland, Adventure, Lifestyle & Adventure TV Host
  • Richard Bangs: Global Explorer, Author
  • Robert Reid: Lonely Planet USA Editor
  • Robert Young Pelton: Author, Filmmaker, Journalist, Adventurer
  • Rolf Potts: Travel Writer & Journalist
  • Russ Hedge, CEO of Hostelling International USA
  • Ryan & Emily, The Snail Travelers
  • Ryan Vasquez, Broadway, Movie and TV Actor and Singer
  • Sam Shank, CEO HotelTonight
  • Sarah Dandashy, Founder Ask A Concierge
  • Savannah Grace: Author & Traveler
  • She Walks the Earth – Angela Marie Maxwell, Explorer, Inspirational Speaker, Empowerment Coach
  • Skuli Mogensen, Founder & CEO WOW air
  • Sleep Tourism: How the Benjamin Royal Sonesta New York is Redefining Hotel Stays through a Revitalizing Sleep Program
  • Steven K. Tsuchida, American Film Director
  • Stuart Every – CEO and Founder of Dolphin Creative
  • Teri Johnson: Co-host of Travelista TV
  • The Earl of Yarmouth, co-founder of The Secret Aristocrat Company
  • The Utopia in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean – Interview with Shirley Squibb, Deputy Head of the Tourism Department of Tristan da Cunha
  • The Vawter Family – Vawters on the Water
  • Thomas Ramdahl, SVP Network Management at airBaltic
  • Tom Allen, Adventure Cyclist, Author and Filmmaker
  • Tom Waller: Producer, Director and Writer
  • Tony Wheeler: Founder of Lonely Planet
  • Tori James, Adventurer and Speaker
  • Vanessa Pirotta, Whale Researcher
  • Virginia Chan, Founder of Humid with a Chance of Fishballs
  • Visit Cyprus – The Deputy Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus
  • Walter “Yukon” Yates: Adventurer & Entrepreneur
  • Yung Chang: Writer & Director

Latest Posts

  • Destination Wedding Planner Checklist | Questions …
  • 10 Best Places to Visit in Jeddah
  • Plan your Perfect Day Trip, Road Trip or Local Adv…
  • How To Choose The Best Hiking Circuit In Cusco Per…
  • MagomeNakasendo Road: A Journey to the Essence

Explore

  • Above the Clouds
  • Guides
  • Highlight of the Month
  • Interviews
  • Journals
  • Press Releases
  • Videos

Prepare

  • Book Reviews
  • Pack List
  • Quiz: Geography
  • Quiz: Travel
  • Tour Booking
  • Travel Insurance
  • Travel Products

Share

  • Contribute
  • Forums
  • Links
  • Photos

About

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Contributors
  • Email Dave
  • Media Coverage
  • Media Kit
Hi I'm Dave. After a life changing trip in 1996, I began this site as a creative outlet to educate, inspire and share travel experiences. Read more...
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Return to top of page
Copyright © 1996–2025 Dave's Travel Corner · All Rights Reserved · Log in

7ads6x98y