- Current Age?
34
- Nationality
New Zealand
- Where do you live now?
Wellington, New Zealand
- Occupation
Draughtsperson
- When it comes to travel accommodation (but leaving out crashing with friends, family or people you meet on the road), how often do you stay in hostels?
Sometimes a hostel, sometimes a hotel or B&B, etc
- Where have you hosteled?
Africa, Australia, New Zealand
- Would you stay in a hostel again on future trips?
Yes
- Why or why not?
It is cheaper than hotels, etc. and often just as good if not better. You get to meet a lot of different people. Often there are organised group activities which are great and sometimes not so touristy. It would depend who I am travelling with whether we stay at a hostel or not.
- Out of all your experiences hosteling, what was your:
- Best Moment
2 days at Coffe Bay backpackers in the Transkei, South Africa.
- Worst Moment
Picking the wrong backpackers in Cape Town, they were long-term residents and not very friendly.
- Biggest Hurdle, Obstacle or Difficulty?
If you haven't been recommended any good places then sometimes the pot luck approach doesn't pay, also making sure you can get a private room.
- Biggest surprise?
No locks on doors in a place just out of Durban.
- Do you ever book any of your hostel accommodation in advance?
Sometimes
- Why or why not?
If its a one-off trip and I want to make sure I have somewhere to stay then I book. I've also booked in advance for sports teams, they are great for team cohesion, I usually find one we can "take over", therefore they are on the small side. If I'm travelling from one place to another, you don't know where you're going to end up so there's no point booking anything. I just rock up to places that have been recommended by other travellers or to the first backpackers I see.
- Who is the most memorable person you met in a hostel and why?
The owner of Coffee Bay Backpackers in South Africa, Pola (that's what we knew him as), couldn't do enough for us the 2 days we were there. Drove us all over the place for the best swimming spots and great scenery and laid it on at night with cultural evenings and parties. Saw the real South Africa. And he was rugby mad.
- Why do you stay in hostels, as opposed to other types of accommodation?
They're cheaper, can still have your own private room, meet people, relaxed atmosphere, do things that you would do if staying in a hotel-type situation
- Is there a hostel you'd recommend to other travelers? If so, what is it and where?
Underground Backpackers, Perth, Australia
- What is the biggest myth people have about hostels and hosteling?
Having to share facilities with people you don't know can often be offputting and sometimes scary for people.
- Why do you like to travel?
See new places, go to sporting events, meet up with friends, generally have a big playtime.
- What is your advice for other travelers wanting to stay in hostels?
Do it, it's safe, relaxed and a great place to meet people. You can choose to mix with others or be by yourself. The staff at most hostels are very friendly and point you in the right direction with whatever you want to do.
