My eBooks are travel biographies of the observations and experiences of a totally blind and partially deaf man as he travels independently around the world having exciting adventures. The most recent volume, Seeing a Slice of Southern Africa My Way, published 31 December 2020, is a journey of continued self-discovery as I plot my way from multi-cultural South Africa with its complex society, to Malawi, with its picturesque and peaceful nature. This third book takes the reader through parts of Southern Africa, and offers a brief glimpse into a little of Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Surfing videos, NSW, Australia (15th September 2022)
Tony at his first attempt at surfing: totally blind and severely deaf in both ears. He can’t see or hear anything, as he can’t wear his hearing aids in the sea! What fun!
Tony’s second attempt at surfing in the sea, off a sandy beach near Long Jetty, Central Coast, NSW, Australia on a sunny and windy afternoon. Afternoon of 12th September 2002. Tony’s having a wet time, swallowing half the ocean! The idea of surfing is to lie on a curved shaped surfboard and line yourself up with the waves and follow them into the beach. After feeling the first wave flow over the board, Tony was meant to push up on his arms, get his right knee onto the board and push up on his right leg and move his left leg up onto the board and stand on the board at a sideways angle and surf the waves! Unfortunately, as this video shows, Tony did not quite do this! It was great fun trying though!
This is my last attempt to master surfing! Nearly there, but not quite! A realisation of how hard learning to surf realise is! It took a lot of strength and energy. I went out of my comfort zone, something which is always worth doing!
Blog post / A Day on The Road With Tony (28th August 2022)
Last Friday, 26th August I think. I awoke at 05:30, pack my small backpack and, with help from the quiet, friendly lady at the Danube Delta Hostel in Sulina, the easternmost point of Romania, I set off on another epic journey! First there was a ten-minute walk along the riverbank to a pontoon, to take the motorised canoe taxi-boat across to the other bank, where the main part of the town lies. This involved climbing up three or four concrete steps,
Tony gave this talk in Cluj, Romania on 13th August 2022.
Life Lessons from a Blind Traveler who has visited 100+ countries
Currently in Romania (22nd August 2022)
Fountain in Central Park of Cluj-Napoca in northwest Romania on a hot summer’s day. Check the sound and sight of this lovely little fountain that Tony and Tatiana enjoyed.
Tony and Tatiana touch a semi-nude statue on one of the corners of the fountain in Central Park, Cluj, Romania. A lovely large stone statue of a man, his belly button is very detailed along with his nipples!
Check out another wonderful fountain. I found this one when walked in the centre of Bucharest, Romania’s busy and lively capital. Such a wonderful sound, enjoy.
TEDx Talk (12th August 2022)
I’m doing a TEDx talk tomorrow in Cluj, Romania, Saturday, 13th August. The show starts at 2pm Romanian time, midday UK time. I’m not speaking until 4:20pm Romania time, 2:20pm UK time.
Videos from Tony’s trip to Italy in May (26th July 2022)
Tony listening to a lady playing an accordion on a pedestrian street in Parma, Northern Italy on a sunny evening in May. Tony’s Greek partner, Tatiana, is with him. The long street is lined with shops and busy with locals and tourists alike. Enjoy the delightful sound!
Tony and his Greek partner, Tatiana, at the Neptune Fountain in Bologna, Italy, on a sunny evening in May 2022. The Fountain of Neptune (Fontana di Nettuno) is located in the eponymous square, Piazza del Nettuno, next to Piazza Maggiore in the centre of Bologna, northern Italy. Designed by Tommaso Laureti and Gianbologna, between 1563-1566, The fountain is a model example of Mannerist taste of the Italian courtly elite in the mid-sixteenth century.
Blog post / Tony travelling in England (1st July 2022)
Now back in Teignmouth after a two-week trip around parts of fascinating England with my wonderful Tatiana :). We started in gritty Birmingham and stayed in the friendly Saltley Inn, a pub with fun-loving staff and a lively atmosphere. Birmingham has changed significantly since I lived there and now half of the city seems and feels padestrianised, especially when the trams aren’t running, which they weren’t during our visit. The highlight of the Brum trip;
Videos of Tony travelling on a rickshaw in Pakistan (3rd May 2022)
Tony and a fellow traveller from France riding a local rickshaw (inexpensive motorised three-wheeled transport) through the busy streets of Sehwan. A small city in the central area of Sindh Province of Pakistan.
Tony still on his rickshaw adventure through the chaotic streets of Sehwan to a famous Sufi shrine. The traffic is energetic to say the least!
Tony in more chaotic traffic. This time in the large, historic city of Multan – City of Saints. Multan is located in southern Punjab Province, which takes up most of east Pakistan. Tony experienced the city with two travellers he met during his journey in Pakistan.
Welcome to the exciting website of Tony Giles – blind world traveller and writer.
