Article by • Annabel Fenwick Elliott, senior content editor 27 APRIL 2020 • 10:15AM Follow Tony Giles is currently self-isolating, but as soon as this is all over, he says he’ll be travelling again until the day he dies Close your eyes, cover your ears, now go and tour Rome on your own. It’s a prospect that seems infeasible, and yet voyaging the world solo while blind and mostly deaf is exactly what Tony Giles does, and he’s almost certainly better travelled than you are. The Devon-based author and explorer, who was diagnosed with a rare genetic visual and auditory impairment during his early childhood, has visited more than 130 countries thus far, all 50 of the US States, and all seven continents on the planet. “I plan to continue travelling until I’ve visited every single country in the world, then keep travelling until I die,” he tells Telegraph Travel. Giles, 42, was nine months old when the problem with his vision was discovered – cone dystrophy and photophobia. At six, he was declared partially deaf in both ears. He could see in black and white until the age of 10. These days, he’s entirely blind and about 80 per cent deaf. A powerful hearing aid helps him to hear in certain scenarios but not others. “It’s like having a phone conversation on a broken telephone line,” he explains. “I hear some sounds and words clearly but miss others.”
Tony Giles, pictured at a floating market in Banjarmasin, capital of South Kalimantan, Indonesia CREDIT: TONY GILES/CATERS Giles was educated at two schools for the visually impaired – Exhall Grange School in Coventry and later the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford – where he says he gained all the skills he needed to achieve independence; braille, mobility training and the use of special computer software among them. So without sight, and very limited hearing, what is it actually like to navigate the world alone – a task daunting enough to most people in and of itself? “I experience monuments by climbing them: as I have the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty,” he explains. “I experience cities by walking them. I notice shifting gradients, detect the changes in surfaces under my feet from gravel to tarmac, cobblestones to concrete, earth to marble. “I sense the change in space when hiking the narrow trails of a forest, as they lead out to an open field when the fresh wind hits my face. “I visit famous churches, mosques and temples, touch their crumbling walls and feel the textures that have been layered over the centuries. “I enjoy the aromas of a marketplace, the grilling of meat, the frying of onions and garlic, the zesty spices, ginger and herbs. “It’s the hussle and bustle of somewhere like Jerusalem’s Old City, or Zanzibar’s Stone Town – alive with people, animals and sellers haggling that gives me the impression of a place.” Best of all though, are high-adrenaline experiences, he says. “I’ve bungee jumped 16 times thus far, skydived three times, and white water rafted in Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rica and Zambia, to name a few. I love it because I can feel everything.” The thrill of movement, he says, and the challenges of getting from A to B are what continue to motivate him – he favours the richer sensations of trains and boats over other modes of transport. To plan his trips, Giles uses a type of software called JAWS which allows him to read his computer screen using text-to-speech output. This enables him to research destinations, book hostels, and organise his itinerary ahead of time. He often needs help booking his flights, he points out, because airline sites are notoriously clunky for the visually impaired. He then travels with a digital device that stores his documents and research, relevant phone numbers, directions to and from airports and around public transport, as well as e-books. Also on his packing list are his hearing aids, plenty of spare batteries (they die after three weeks and replacements are hard to source abroad), and a spare cane to guide him. “I’ve had my cane run over on several trips,” he says. As for using a smartphone, unlike most other visually impaired people, it’s a firm no. “I don’t like swipe technology, it drives me mad,” Giles explains. “Yes, it may help me locate a specific place more quickly and independently, but I like engaging with the public to help me find places, and anyway, in places like Africa, the internet is hardly reliable.” Asked what he does when he gets lost and doesn’t speak the native language, Giles says: “I always make sure I have an address card with the place I’m staying written on it in the local language, so if I really become stuck, I can shout ‘taxi!’, show them the card and return to my accommodation.” Learning new languages on-the-go is a challenge, but Giles says he always attempts to memorise the basics (“hello”, “thank you”, “water”) for wherever he’s off to, and can almost always find someone who can speak a bit of English if he needs help. Giles funds his travels partly using the private pension his father left him when he died, and partly with earnings from the two ebooks he’s written, the latest of which is Seeing The World My Way. He’s currently working on his third. Giles keeps to a tight budget, uses public transport wherever possible, joins free walking tours, and makes use of couch-surfing as often as he can. “It’s great for meeting and staying with local people, an exchange of cultures,” Giles remarks. “Which is the essence of real travel. Plus, for the most part, it’s free. It doesn’t always work, but when it does, it’s magical.” The one place he wouldn’t re-visit? “Armenia,” he says. “I found getting about and visiting places difficult, and felt most people I encountered just wanted to make money out of me. There were only a few backpackers, so it was hard to network and get help with directions. I found a few kind people on the streets, but not many.” And the best place he’s ever been? New Zealand – (incidentally, Telegraph Travel readers agree, having now nominated it as their favourite country in the world seven times in a row) – and Antarctica. “I turned up in Ushuaia, the world’s most southern city, found a cruise ship willing to take me at the last minute, paid slightly more for an extra guide and stepped aboard,” he recalls. “It was nine days of magic. I touched whale bones washed up on the shore, sat on huge chunks of ice, stroked glaciers and listened to the cackles of penguins all around.”
The final frontier: Antarctica CREDIT: GETTY Giles’ persistent trek across the globe has only ever been halted to address serious health issues associated with his condition. In 2001, shortly after arriving in Melbourne having backpacked the southern hemisphere unaided, he received an email from his mother. “It said, ‘Hi Tony, hope you’re well, you have kidney damage, you need to see a doctor, you could die – love mum’,” Giles recounts. “I did what any young, adventurous lad would do upon hearing such news – I went and got drunk.” Teetering on the edge of alcoholism, Giles had his last drink in 2002, then in 2008 underwent a successful kidney transplant – the donor was his stepfather – and within three months, was off on his travels once more, first around the UK, then the rest of the world again. Sometimes, he travels with his girlfriend of nine years. She is also blind and lives in Athens. They met after she came across his website, after which a friendship gradually evolved into a relationship, but Giles says that when they’re apart, though he misses her, he never feels lonely. As he prepares himself for Oman, we ask what simple things others could do should they cross his path to make his passage easier. “Speak to me before offering to help, rather than just grabbing me,” he advises. “It’s frightening to grab someone who’s visually impaired, and can often lead to an adverse reaction. “A gentle tap on the arm or shoulder followed by a ‘Do you need any help?’ will suffice. And please, people, don’t point when giving directions.” Currently, Giles is, like the rest of us, staying put. “I, as a vulnerable person, like many, many others, am self-isolating and will be for the foreseeable future,” he wrote on his blog last week. “I understand it’s very difficult. I’m someone who spends roughly ten months of the year travelling outside the UK. “So understand how frustrating it must be for others, especially those who are cooped up with other family members or people without a garden or access to fresh air. But we must, please, stay in and self-isolate where ever possible. This pandemic will end and the more and longer we keep away from each other, the sooner it will end.” • You can follow Tony Giles’ travels on his website, www.tonythetraveller.com

Easter is nearly upon us in the UK, the sun is out, the weather is nice and the forecast predicts a lovely weekend. Cricket should be being played and kids should be in the parks. But, please, please, please everybody, stay in your houses, apartments, gardens, balconies this weekend and the coming weeks ahead. It’s vital that we all follow the government guidelines; stay in and isolate ourselves from each other. This is the only way this terrible Coronavirus can be defeated and the nurses, doctors and other amazing medical staff and carers can do their jobs safely and successfully. I, as a vulnerable person, like many, many others, am self-isolating and will be for the foreseeable future. I understand it’s very difficult. I’m someone who spends roughly ten months of the year travelling outside the UK. So understand how frustrating it must be for others, especially those who are cooped up with other family members or people without a garden or access to fresh air. But we must, please, stay in and self-isolate where ever possible. This pandemic will end and the more and longer we keep away from each other, the sooner it will end. 3/4 months of self-isolation sounds a long time in today’s society and lifestyle, but compared to 5 years of being bombed during World War II, it is relatively short. I see this period of lock-down as a positive opportunity to finish editing my third travel book, to catch up with global friends via email, facebook etc. To sort my cd collection and complete many other house tasks that I normally don’t have time fore. A time of reflection and to take stock of the crazy world we’ve created. So, please, I ask you again, everyone in the UK and throughout the world, please self-isolate where you can and help defeat this terrible virus. Thank you for listening and reading. Have a safe and good weekend. Cheers, Tony :).
— Tony Giles blind solo traveller and public speaker. Fund raising for Galloways Society for the Blind, northwest England. Challenge: to raise £3,850 or more to send me to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru in October 2020. Go fund me page: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TonyGiles1 Author of Ebooks:
*Seeing The Americas My Way* An emotional journey (2016) Available from Amazon – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M14JY50 Kobo – store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/seeing-the-americas-my-way
*Seeing The World My Way* A totally blind and partially deaf guy’s global adventures (2010, repub 2016)
Second edition is available from all Ebook sites. Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NAMEO2B
Website: www.tonythetraveller.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/theblindbackpacker YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TonyGilesTraveller

My journey around Botswana, country 125, began in Gaborone, the country’s capital! It’s much warmer and dryer than the UK! Relaxing in nice surroundings, birds chattering outside :). The trip began with a long flight to Joburg, South Africa, where I stayed with a lovely South African guy, Niel for a night. The following day it was an 8 hour bus ride to Botswana. People were friendly, kind and helped me cross the border, I didn’t even have to leave the bus! Immigration staff came to me! A Batswana lady kindly helped me change money and 40 minutes after departing the border, I was in Botswana’s sprawling capital. I stayed in a nearby village called Tlokweng, with a lovely lady from Zimbabwe. We walked around the small neighbourhood one hot afternoon; followed by wandering cows and a few dogs! On another occasion, a guy named John, originally from England, but who grew up in Nigeria and I visited one of Gaborone’s markets in Riverwalk. John showed me some of the clothes the local women buy and several interesting souvenir items. Happy to be travelling again!
Arrived in Maun, central Botswana, very early Tuesday morning, 10th March. The plan is to experience a little of the Okavango Delta whilst here! Relaxing in a nice hostel at present, motsebe Backpackers. Very peaceful, birds and chickens singing and squawking in the background! Hot and sunny :). I arrived from Gaborone via a 9 hour night bus. It was a good ride; the journey was uneventful, although one large lady did almost sit on me! The Motswana people are helpful, kind and friendly. The trip is going well. Met several locals in Maun who recognised me from the Ethiopia BBC Travel Show Documentary, 2019! the staff at Motsebe Backpackers looked after me splendidly. One guy: Pako, was really kind and friendly. He helped me cook food, made tea for me, escorted me to and from my safari tent and took me to town on several occasions. I ventured into the Okavango Delta for a day and a night. A large water system that begins in the mountains of Angola and winds its way into mid Botswana. Unlike most deltas, the Okavango evaporates in the Kalahari Desert. Many of the rivers are navigated by Mokoro (simple canoe). I had my own cook, a guide and a ‘Pola’, the guy who steered the Mokoro. The river we travelled along was an hour’s bumpy drive from Maun with our starting point for the Mokoro trip at the village of Maru. Once aboard the canoe, our adventure began. The Pola guy guided us through dense reeds and hippos were spotted standing on the river bank grazing. Once on Downari Island, the camp base for the night, the safari tents were set up whilst I relaxed in the shade. Pedro, the cook, arranged a buffet lunch before relaxation recommenced! It was very hot by then, mid 30s dc. As evening neared, Pedro prepared to cook the main meal on a wood fire. However, a terrific storm rolled in with fantastic claps of thunder, very loud and close. Suddenly the rain poured, the wind rose and all hell broke loose! Somehow, in the mid of all this, Pedro managed to cobble together a kind of meal, tasty chicken, pasta tubes and small potatoes and pumpkin – delicious. The storm was amazing and the tent became a little dirty as we ate inside! Once night fell, the birds fell asleep and the frogs came out and made a racket, anyone hearing them would think they were at a nightclub! Next morning, rose at 6 am, had a quick breakfast and headed off with George, my guide, for a 3-hour bush walk. We pounded along narrow grassy trails, stomped through thick grass and attempted to avoid muddy patches. Our first sighting was aardvark tracks, but they only led into holes. Then George saw 3 Warthogs together and ran off to get me pictures. Warthogs are, apparently, black pig-looking animals. We trekked on: walking far into the bush, sunlight becoming warmer on my face. 7 Giraffe were spotted and we followed them for a way. Later two Zebras, a male and female joined the Giraffes and they wandered along in harmony. After a short break, George showed me the carcass of a Buffalo that had been killed by a lion, only the skull and horns remained. According to George, it had been lying there for at least 5 years! We continued our walk and eventually spotted a single male buffalo walking alone. Impala and Red Lechwe (a type of antelope) were spotted in groups. Finally, we wandered back to the Mokoro and poled our way back to Downari Island, seeing more hippos along the way. More tasty food for lunch before returning to the canoe and heading back to the Mokoro Station at Maru. The following morning Pako helped me find a local bus and, 3 hours after departing Maun, I arrived in the small village of Gweta, where I’m staying in another lovely hostel.
Stayed in a wonderful new and almost unknown backpacker/camp near Gweta, north Botswana between 14th-16th March. The accommodation is called Chaixara Backpackers and is owned and run by Jake Ford from the UK an his business partner, Lesh from Botswana. The basic accommodation is on large grounds, roughly 2 km from the small tourist village of Gweta. The village is notable for having the world’s second largest salt pan: Ntwentwe Salt Pan. Famous baobab trees can also be found. Chaixara mainly caters for campers bringing their own tents and has campfire cooking facilities. However, there’s room for approximately 6 backpackers at present with one double room, and one dorm containing 4 beds in bunkbed construction. Beds are provided with thick blankets in stead of sheets. The camp has toilet and shower blocks for both males and females. The main building with its traditional thatched roof has a bar, pool table and comfy seating. Free WIfI is accessible in the reception. An outdoor swimming pool is available to guests. This accommodation run by wonderful, kind, helpful and friendly staff: Kessy, Lesh and Booster is a new project in the heart of Botswana and will only expand and improve. Go check it out. Jake is a wonderful guy with a fascinating back story. www.chaixarabackpackers.com Info about the camp and backpackers can also be found on the Botswana wikitravel page. On my second day there, I went on an early morning excursion to experience the salt pan and other nature. There were 3 or 4 other tourists, but they were mostly quiet. Our driver guide told us about the Mopani (butterfly) Tree, named for the shape of its leaves. A tree of hard wood, it has multiple uses; firewood, and also used for furniture and as fence posts. 3 ostrich were spotted in the far distance and 2 or 3 horses grazing on the savannah. We stopped at large baobab tree, standing tall and proud in the hot and dry terrain. I touched the tree’s thick bark; dry and nobbily, as hard as concrete! The trees roots which largely grow above ground were very large, containing volumes of water. Sadly, both the water and the tree’s wood is useless to humans. The drive continued to the vast salt pan that stretch into the far distance like a huge white tablecloth. The guide described it to me as vast quantities of dry flat deposits of salt. In the afternoon, Jake took me to inspect more large baobab trees. One such tree had roots so long they resembled the tentacles of a giant octopus! After three delightful nights at Chaixara in peaceful surroundings, I was the only guest, Jake put me on a local bus bound for Nata, a bigger village but with less interest. After an hours’ bumpy ride, I changed buses for Kasane, a tourist town on the Chobe River in far north Botswana. I stayed at the Elephant Trail Guesthouse and Backpackers in Kazungula, roughly 7 km from Kasane. Another delightful accommodation with more wonderful Motswana staff. They helped me navigate the open area with its tiny pathways, showed me to the toilets and shower, made sure I was always ok and helped me book day trips in the Chobe National Park. I took an early morning Game Drive, my guide describe the various animals he spotted whilst driving through the huge park with its extremely rough terrain and river. Hippos, crocodiles, endless numbers of Impala were seen, plus all kinds of birds. Eventually and remarkably, my guide discovered two lions, male and female, lion together in a clearing – magical. Obviously, I couldn’t see them and appreciate them in the same way as a sighted traveller, but just being there in their presence and having them describe was special and more than enough for me. The male lion finally woke up and licked his balls! The same afternoon I took a boat cruise on the Chobe River, again, searching for more wildlife. The tourists described the various birds spotted, crocodiles and hippos seen, plus Elephants, which had not been found on my game drive. I relaxed on the boat as we almost drifted along, feeling the hot afternoon sun on my face and arms, hearing other tourists exclaim at each animal viewed, the amazing colours and flights of the birds, the size of different lizards etc. Nature at its best. The following morning I took a shuttle bus, organised by Elephant Trail, to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. I could have taken a taxi to the nearby border and caught a public bus from the Zim side, but I figured having the organised shuttle, would make life easier. The driver helped me get a Kata Visa, allowing entry into both Zimbabwe and Zambia. He also dropped me right at my couchsurfer’s door, saving me the hassle of searching for a taxi and explaining my final destination to the driver. My hosts were a delightful Zimbabwean couple. I visited Victoria Falls, first sighted by missionary, Doctor David Livingstone of Scotland on 16 November 1855, from what is now Livingstone Island, Zambia. It’s the world’s longest waterfall and, at present, is full, so visibility is zero at the top! There are 16 viewing points including, the Devil’s Throat and Devil’s Pool – They were visible. From viewpoint 9 onwards, nothing could be seen, only dense spray and mist. I simply enjoyed the tremendous sound of crashing water. My guide and I walked to all 16 viewpoints, getting drenched along the way. The viewpoint was of Victoria Falls Bridge, begun in 1903 and finished in 1905. The idea of Sessel Rhodes, British explorer and philanthropist . However, he died before it was completed.
A lot has happened since I was drenched at Vic Falls just over a week ago. On Saturday 21st March, my CS hosts walked me across Victoria Falls bridge from the Zimbabwe side to the Zambian side. Once through immigration, I was met by my next host, Ethan who resides in Livingstone. He was with friends. After a 30 minute drive, we arrived at Ethan’s small, but delightful home. The following morning, after various phone calls to organise several excursions, Ethan and I were collected and driven to Elephant Café on the Zambezi River, about a 15 minute rive from Livingstone. We were off to have an elephant interaction! Normally, two tourists are needed to do this hour-long activity, but since Livingstone was void of tourists because of the Coronavirus panic, I paid double and Ethan was allowed to accompany me as my guide. It was amazing, we met two fully grown males and fed them some kind of dry crop or plant. They became a little aggressive when feeding! Sucking the food out of my hand with their muscular trunks before searching for more! The two elephants were huge: 3.5 metres (over 10 feet) in height with enormous tusks. The keeper, named Africa, said they eat up to 16 hours per day, imagine that! It was wonderful; feeling their muscular trunks, stroking their hairy body and sensing their huge size and strength. Unfortunately, it was over too soon. In the afternoon of the same day, Ethan and I, plus a guide-driver and a park ranger went walking with rhinoceroses! We were driven around a nearby national park in a huge 4 x 4 vehicle, attempting to spot wildlife. Ethan saw a couple of giraffes and also several zebra. Impalas were also seen. Eventually, we climbed out of the vehicle and began our bush walk. The guide told us about different trees and plants, how bushmen used them to survive in the bush. We followed a narrow rocky and muddy trail, hemmed in by tall bushes and plants on both sides. The ranger spotted a rhino footprint and I bent down to touch it. A massive footprint with 3 toes clearly visible in the mud. Later, giraffe droppings were found and later still, rhino dung. The ranger kept following the trail and, finally, 4 rhinos were discovered eating grass. At one point, I was less than 10 metres (30 feet) distance from those magnificent beasts. We tracked them for almost an hour before finally losing them and returning to the vehicle. Being out in the real bush with wild and, potentially, dangerous animals was fantastic and a moment to remember for a long time. What a day we had! 😊. On the Monday, I took a long, 8 hour bumpy bus ride south to the village of Sioma to visit the Ngonye Falls. The accommodation I’d booked on the internet was named Sioma Camp, Sikumbi! This became confusing, as I was unsure if the camp was in Sioma village or in Sikumbi. The bus conductor was also unsure. I was dropped on the highway near where the camp was thought located, but I had no way to get there, being on a road, surrounded by bush. Therefore, I was told to re-board the bus. This happened a second time and the bus driver asked several locals if they new the destination. Finally, I was dropped in Sioma itself and took a taxi to the camp. A roughly 20 minute drive. Then the fun began! I was welcomed by a huge, quiet, friendly Zambian named Brian. He took me to a room, but when I asked for my pack, it was missing. I suddenly realised it might still be in the taxi! I’d assumed the driver had brought it in as I heard a car door slam, obviously not. Luckily, Brian new the driver, contacted him and several hours later, the driver returned with my bag – for a fee. Brian arranged with the driver to take me to the Ngonye Falls the next morning. I spent a quiet evening at the camp, being the only gust. I rose early the next morning to begin my tour. Sioma Camp is a nice place on the banks of the Zambezi River, some 6 km (4 miles) from Sioma and roughly 10 km (6 miles) from the falls. The taxi driver and Brian accompanied me to the falls, driving inside the national park and parking within touching distance of the crashing water. It was high (rainy) season thus, the falls were invisible. However, this was unimportant to me as I couldn’t see them full stop. The magic for me was the sound of crashing water and what a sound! Fantastic. We walked a ways down to the river and I took photos and videoed away, enjoying the sensation and energy of the wonderful waterfall. Eventually, we returned to the vehicle and, after finally finding someone to change my UK pounds to Zambian Kwacha, I caught a bus back to Livingstone – another bumpy ride on extremely rough roads. A day was spent relaxing in hot and humid Livingstone, before I attempted to cross into Namibia. Ethan put me on an afternoon bus bound for the Zambia-Namibia border. After some 6 hours of bumping, rolling, bouncing, the bus arrived at the border. I didn’t have much time as the border closed at 6 pm. I was taking a chance as I’d not been able to discover if Namibia was letting in foreigners due to their panic over Coronavirus. They only had 4 confirmed cases, but it was, seemingly, enough for the President to issue strict measures. A Zambian guy helped me into a building to complete Zambian immigration formalities before he walked me, at breakneck speed, across a long area of rough ground to the Namibian immigration. This consisted of a large metal gate occupied by Namibian immigration staff and police. I announced I was from the UK and that did it. I was denied entry into Namibia. Cursing, I returned to the Zambian side and my companion helped me find a cheap guest house for the night. Next morning, the Zambian guy returned and helped me find an early bus back to Livingstone. I’m now trying to discover how to return to the UK, my flight from Johannesburg on 12th April having recently been cancelled. All part of travelling. Please keep buying my fascinating Ebooks. and have a wonderful day, evening or night. Many thanks, Tony :).

Hi, Hope all you travellers out there are well. I’m now in Haiti! Country 124 on the UN official list. I met a nice couchsurfing couple living in north Haiti; Jonas and Soo. They went to Dominican Republic for the weekend. We managed to meet up in a town called Cabarete on Dominican Republic’s north coast and they helped me cross the border yesterday! Crossing into Haiti was crazy! As we arrived the border was closing and the immigration and border staff couldn’t decide whether to let us cross into Haiti or not. Soo, who speaks good Spanish, negotiated and, eventually, we were allowed through. But not through the normal gate, we had to walk across the river. I was carried across by piggyback on one of the Haitian guy’s backs! Was crazy. Every motorbike taxi arguing with us to take their taxi for an extortionate price! We walked on, over rubble and rough stones. Eventually, we came to a calmer area and got a cheaper motorbike taxi before taking a pick-up truck with other locals to a small town called Limonard. It’s near Capp-Haitien. I’m safe and having fun. Haiti is like being back in Africa. Rough streets, no pavements, unpaved roads. Markets, lots of motorbikes. People driving crazy! Joanas’ place is very simple, there’s a shared bathroom, a toilet to sit on, but no running water. He takes water from a well outside and we put water down the toilet after pooing! I throw water over my head from the bucket to shower. His room is extremely hot, like an oven, but he has a small fan! Been up since 6 am. Joanas starts work at 7 am. Had two boiled eggs and a tiny banana for breakfast from the open market. We got to his workplace on his tiny motorbike! I go back to Dominican Republic tomorrow, unfortunately. My flight departs Wednesday evening. Ok, keep reading and following, will try send more updates soon. Thanks for following and supporting, happy travels, Tony :). Now in country 124 :)!

Continuously sweating and also being rained on occasionally! Spent my first three nights in Macao, a small beach town roughly 35 kilometres, 22 miles from Punta Cana airport. I stayed in a rustic hostel with very friendly people. I went ziplining on my second full day in the country. A friendly Colombian guy named Andres took me to the ziplining place on his motorbike. We sped up into the mountans and forest. At first, the company staff were unsure how to let a blind guy zipline due to possible safety concerns and the language barrier. However, Andres told the staff my story, how I’d travelled the world, visited 123 countries alone, bungee jumped 17 times, sky dived on three occasions, etc, etc. Eventually, they agreed and I went with the main instructor to zip along 12 different cables high above the trees! An adrenaline rush and great fun… Now I’m in santo domingo, capital of Dominican Republic. I walked around part of the historical zone of the city with a friendly guy I met in one of the touristic squares. He offered to show me around and took some photos. He did attempt to get some money from me, but I gave him a good tip and he showed me to a minibus for my attempt at getting back to my starting point. I must have taken a wrong bus, or the driver not understood my terrible Spanish. Anyway, I eventually found someone with a phone. Showed them a paper with my host’s address and phone number. The guy called my host, and he eventually collected me. I head to Jarabacoa tomorrow. a small town in the central mountains. Three hours north of the capital. Thanks for following. Warmest wishes, Tony :)
— Tony Giles blind solo traveller, author of Ebooks:
*Seeing The Americas My Way* An emotional journey (2016) Available from Amazon – http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M14JY50 Kobo – store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/seeing-the-americas-my-way
*Seeing The World My Way* A totally blind and partially deaf guy’s global adventures (2010, repub 2016)
Second edition is available from all Ebook sites. Amazon – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01NAMEO2B
Website: www.tonythetraveller.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/theblindbackpacker YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/TonyGilesTraveller