Meet Chris Tynes
@justyouravgjoe
Tell us how you got started.
What got me started was actually a cruise I took in September 2015. We left from Tampa and went to Grand Cayman and Cozumel on board Carnival. Travelling didn’t cross my mind much before then, but that broke the seal. What made me even more interested in travelling was a cheap round trip deal we got from DC to Santiago for $297/pp as well as my partner leaving for a Gap year in 2017, and planning to meet in different countries every couple of months.
How does travelling make you feel?
When I travel, I literally leave all worries of my regular life behind. I feel free of everything when I travel, stress free, care free, it is just the most liberating feeling. When I get done with one vacation, I’m already thinking where I can go next and when.
Where did you receive your 1st passport stamp?
Some may not know but I’m not American, so I have a Bahamian passport. It’s pretty normal to get a passport when you are a baby there, so I’ve had a passport essentially all of my life. My literal first stamp was to the United States. This was my only country stamp for a very long time until, what I deem my first stamp, a vacation to Mexico in October 2016. However,that wasn’t my first international trip.
Other than your passport what is one thing you cannot travel without?
A portable charger. This is so important because often times you are out travelling and always trying to find Wi-Fi, googling, using maps, or transit maps, and things that like drain your battery quickly. It’s pretty frustrating to have to stop your dayaround midafternoon to sit somewhere and let your phone charge. I have a 20,000 mA power bank that I carry with me with an iPhone cord, and a microUSB cord, and I use that to charge up my devices throughout the day. I carry this size because it can charge my phone to 100% about 4-5 times before needing to recharge it. I charge it before I hop on the plane and I’m good to go.
A time something went wrong while travelling and how was it resolved.
Usually when I travel I try to have some sort of plan or organization to my journey, I may not stick to it, but at least I have something to go off. When we went to Santiago, Chile I rented a car. I thought it would be best to just rent one to go where we wanted to go, when we want to go. Our flight lands at 2am (I think), we go to the rental counter, and they initially wanted to charge me $1100 deposit! I wasn’t having it, but I made the reservations, so I agreed. They gave me a car, I walk out to the car…..and it’s a manual drive! I can’t drive stick, so I went back in and told the guy I specifically requested an automatic. After arguing for however long, and him wanting to charge me an additional $400 for an automatic, I just told him to cancel the reservation and walked away. Now we are in Chile with no way or idea of how to get around, other than Taxi,which would run us an arm and a leg the entire trip. Luckily, Santiago had Uber at the time! So after taking a taxi to the hotel we download Uber and end up using Uber for the rest of the trip. This worked out fine because it ended up being cheaper than renting the car, paying for parking, gas, and dealing with Santiago’s crazy traffic and ways of driving.
Describe to us your ideal travel companion.
My ideal travel companion would be someone who is easy going and doesn’t mind a go with the flow program, schedule change, etc. Basically someone who is flexible and not too structured, but also not too laid back because we would never get anything done. However, one thing I do hate is being “pressed” when travelling or on a vacation. If there is something specific we need to do at a certain time I’m fine with that, but not the entire trip.
Have you ever travelled solo? If so where to? Is solo your preference?
Yes I have, and it is definitely my preference. I would consider my first solo trip a layover in Doha, Qatar. I was on my way to Indonesia and flew Qatar Airways (my favorite airline so far), so I had an overnight layover in Doha on the way from New York. Didn’t do much research, just verified if I needed a visa to leave the airport, and I didn’t, so off to finding a hotel for the night and off I go.
Advice to new travelers travelling internationally.
My advice would be to do research on the country you are going to, but not to take every article as golden. I’ve heard so many people afraid to travel to places because of things like violence, sex trafficking, pick pocketing, kidnapping, etc. and I’m like hey, those things happen in the city you live in, but that doesn’t stop you from going about life. You just have to be vigilant, and smart about your doings while travelling. Obviously stick to well-populated areas and travel routes and don’t venture from the common path until you are comfortable with yourself and your decisions. Also, don’t be naïve.
What is a common question you have gotten regarding travelling?
The most common question I’ve gotten was “How do you travel so much?” The answer is pretty cut dry…flexibility. When I say that, I mean you have to have a job that is flexible, and I’ve been blessed with one. Also, being flexible in your travel dates. People are usually locked in to a certain date, which causes them to pay the high ticket prices, whereas I’m open to travelling on off days like Tuesday, Wednesday, travelling on the early 6am flight, or the overnight flight that lands at 3am or 5am. Also when I travel, especially by myself, I travel budget friendly. I’m not flying first class, I’m not staying at the five star hotel, and I’m definitely not eating gourmet meals. For instance, my trip to Bangkok cost $400 RT, and I spent less than $500 total including accommodations, transportation, food, and activities for the 6 days. People think vacation has to be full out luxury but it doesn’t, but also if that’s what you want then go get it.
What all countries have you visited so far?
So when I actually think about it, I don’t consider myself like “well-travelled,” because even though it seems like I’ve been so many places, I don’t think I have, because there are so many places I have not been. So far I’ve been to a ton of Asian countries so that dominates the list, but I’ve been to: Turks and Caicos, Grand Cayman, Mexico, Philippines, Indonesia, Qatar, Thailand, Chile, Panama, South Korea, Australia, Malaysia, Greece, and Japan. Some of these were fairly short trips and I’ll probably double back on them, but there are also so many other places I want and need to visit.
What do the words Crowned and Cultured mean to you?
Crowned and cultured has as a simple meaning to me: Carry yourself with integrity, hold your head high, and explore the world to better educate and integrate yourself with the world. Expand your mind and your views outside of the box and rid yourself of narrow-mindedness.
