Howdy all. Well, Sunday is now going to be interview day for the next few weeks at least! I’m starting off on a plan to interview mainly bloggers (but I’m hoping to sneak in some vloggers as well, such as today’s special guest!) as I go down the line.

A few years ago now I interviewed quite a few bloggers, but it’s been so long that I’ve now been fortunate to make connections with more and more amazing bloggers out there focusing on the world of travel. And who knows, I might actually go back and re-interview others I did before because the world’s changed so much and there are many more new stories to tell out there as well.

Today I present to you Gino Pop. Gino is vlogger who I met when in Uzbekistan last year. I was sitting at a restaurant in Samarkand, the day I had crossed from Tajikistan and Gino came into the same place and we ended up chatting for an hour or so. We kept in contact and earlier this year we went out to the Victorian attraction along the coast the ‘Twelve Apostles’ which was great. And now the time has come to ask him a few questions…

1. Hi there. Thanks for agreeing to do this interview. Would you mind starting by telling us who you are and where you’re from, and tell us a bit about your youtube channel?

Hey, what is happening! Hope you’re having a fantastic day, and thanks for the invite/request for this little interview. My name is Gino Pop, and I am originally from Sibiu, Romania, a small medieval town in the historical region of Transylvania. I have been vlogging on and off for about a year and a half now. I have been doing Insta stories quite often and after a while, I kind of wanted a little higher quality videos that I would look back upon, thus I decided while I was in Peru to start with some videos on my little point and shoot Canon G7x, which I still have to this day. When I am not vlogging, my schedule depends a lot on where I am. I trade stocks almost on a daily basis now, but have some other ventures in real estate, photo, video and a few other things. I have a past that included working in multiple industries, such as oil and gas, textiles, chemicals and fertilizer, in multiple fields, ranging from accounting to finance, and from IT to procurement/acquisitions.

2. When did you start your channel and why did you decide to start a travel Vlog Channel?

I started my channel in late 2018 while I was in Cusco, Peru, and funny enough I still have a couple of daily vlogs that I never edited to this day. Maybe one day J I started the channel because I wanted something a little more than just the Insta stories that I was doing.

3. What do you look for when shooting and what do you like to capture?

I don’t necessarily look for anything. I visit the popular places but as well as unpopular, off the beaten path places I might call them. I just let things unfold after I box check what I have in mind from a visiting point of view. I enjoy everything from food to architecture, and from nature to popular monuments/landmarks.

4. What have been some of your favourite destinations?

Hard to categorize or make a list, but I would always put Mongolia, Bolivia, Brazil, Myanmar, the United States and Romania on the list. India would have to make that list as well. Plus a dozen more for sure, but let’s keep it short.

5. Who do you see as the audience for your channel?

Well when I started, I was thinking anyone who is interested in exploring and discovering our fantastic world, but most of the questions people ask me are related to how I stay in shape traveling so much, so with time I added a few things regarding fitness and meals. Who knows, maybe I’ll expand and add other stuff throughout the ages, if I can put it that way.

6. What has been the hardest thing about running your channel?

Can’t think of anything that I would call hard. It’s fun, I enjoy doing it

7. What do you use to edit your videos and would you recommend this program> why or why not?

I use Adobe Premier Elements, the younger and simple version of Premiere Pro. Super cheap, but I would definitely upgrade if I see the need. Go with Premier Pro if you can. Hands down

8. What advice would give to someone who wanted to start his own YouTube channel?

Just start recording. Plain and simple. Record what you see interesting but as well as what you would think boring and useless. You never know.

9. How has your world changed due to Covid-19? What restrictions are in place where you are right now?

I’m currently in Romania, and things have changed quite a bit. I had dozens of plans changed, and pretty much I am taking it day by day. Trips, projects and so on, all have been cancelled or postponed. I am not complaining though since there are always things to do, and I had the opportunity to spend much needed time with my family, especially given the fact that I left home at the very young age of 17. I do miss the variety of the activities I used to have previously.

10. How do you think travel will change due to the pandemic?

I don’t think it will change much when it comes to behaviour. I feel like most of the restrictions that are in place right now will eventually go away, and people will return to living life as they have been previously. Hopefully we will take away things as washing our hands more frequently, covering our mouths when coughing and sneezing, and in general just better personal hygiene. Optimism until the end.

11. What place would you really like to visit and why?

Well, the plan is to visit all the countries. So, all the places

12. Please recommend three videos from your channel you’d like people to see (and why!)

How about a couple of buckets and one specific video J I think the videos from Uzbekistan are pretty decent, and as well as the ones from the Philippines. And one specific one, the one I did 1000 push-ups in less than 2 hours. In case you are in need of some extra motivation. It was hard as hell though. I definitely underestimated it

13. Finally, how can people find you on the net and social media? Please include blog address, facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and any other channels you use.

Gino Pop. Pretty much everywhere, but here are the links as well.

@ginopop

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/GinoPop

14. Finally (again!) what are you hoping or dreaming for in 2021?

Living my best life. Cheers!! Gratitude should be the only Attitude!

Many many thanks to Gino for taking part. Wherever you may be in the world, please take care – and May the Journey Never End!