Welcome to the ZakopaneGO Travelbloggers Q&A sessions. Today we’re joined by the Tiki Touring Kiwi that is Jub. Introduce yourself please!

Hey, I’m Jub from New Zealand. If we are talking anything related to hiking, sport, health (I’m vegan), personal development, travel and crazy adventures I will be an avid listener, just stay away from politics. I left the corporate world two years ago to take the chance on freedom and see what else the world has to offer and too make sure nothing is quite as special as New Zealand. I like to be silly from time to time as well and try and document my wisdom on Snapchat.
I have visited 26 countries right as of writing this, mainly in South East Asia. The place I most want to return to is Mongolia and to live would have to be Chiang Mai, Thailand and Portland, USA. Full list of countries is up on my site.
What motivated you to go out and see the world?

After working in the corporate world for two years after Uni, I realised climbing the ladder by fitting into norms is not for me. Travel allows you to be yourself and you have new experiences and conversations everyday which challenge you and grow as a person. For me, getting to see as much as the world as possible will be the best way for me to give back to people in the long term.

As a travelblogger, you know how globetrotting can change a person’s life and open them up to new cultures, perspectives and experiences. What made you choose Zakopane as one of your pit­stops?

I had never heard of Zakopane until June when I met a Polish girl in Riga. I asked where she would recommend to go hiking in Poland, and Zakopane was her answer. I then stumbled upon the ZakopaneGO Twitter and was convinced. I also told three friends to go check it out before I arrived and they were big fans so it became an easy decision.

What time of the year did you visit and why?

I arrived towards the end of July, it was the way it worked out with my goal of reaching Amsterdam by August 8th. My main goal was to get lots of hiking done as the previous six weeks in the flat landscape of the Baltics was getting to me.

Where did you stay and how would you rate the facilities?

I stayed at MTB Hostel and it cannot be for value. At the base of the Tatra mountains you are in a tranquil environment with hot water, plenty of kitchen facilities and a large common room. I reviewed the hostel further here.

Highlight of your trip?

Walking along the track between Kopa Kondracka and Kasprowy Wierch with Poland on one side and Slovakia on the other. It was stormy and I had no wet weather gear but it was just an awesome time to be in the elements and taking it all in.

What activities would you have liked to see made available to travellers visiting the region?

Hmmm… nothing stood out, when you are hiking (my focus), it is you and nature. As the peaks I went to, I saw none of those telescopes anywhere, they could be cool to have at a few peaks to zoom in around.

What else could the city improve on to enhance the experience of tourism in the area?

Let people know somehow know just how popular Zakopane is for Polish tourists. It caught me off guard walking down the main strip.
Give us your top travel tips for visiting the city/region?
If you do not like hustle and bustle, do not stay in Zakopane itself. I stayed in Nedzowka and it was nice and quite.

Where’s next on your bucket­list?

Hmmm, that is tough. I think Belarus and Ukraine which I will visit in September are going to be very exciting, they are less travelled and want to get a taste of them for myself. Especially Ukraine, which has a bad reputation in New Zealand due to Crimea (even though the country is massive).

Your RSVP or nomination for the next ZakopaneGO Travebloggers chat?

I think Matt Karsten from Expert Vagabond would get up to some awesome stuff in the mountains over the course of a week with photography to match.

Anything else you’d like to share with the readers at ZakopaneGO.com?

If you are unsure of your hiking ability, you do not need to worry about pushing yourself too far. There are plenty of intersections where you can change your route up to make it a shorter journey if you are feeling the effects of the climb. Also, the routes on maps.me are very accurate for the Tatra Mountains which helped me.

You can follow Jub’s adventures on the blog Tiki Touring Kiwi or follow on Twitter @tikitouringkiwi.
Be sure to also catch:
Jub’s Zakopane Post
Jub on Instagram
Youtube Channel

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