I'm Willie and I would love for you to explore the world with me through my RU-vid videos!
I grew up in South Africa (hence the accent) but currently live in England. Before I started this channel in 2022, I already visited more than 60 countries.
However, I've never created vlogs of my travels - I was the one taking lots of photos, but with these vlogs I can take you with me on my adventures. I have a passion to show others the world - especially those who do not have the opportunity to travel themselves.
As an experienced traveller, I am well-equipped to take you to places off the beaten track. My vlogs consist of raw content without fancy editing, and I often focus on interactions with the locals. I also enjoy creating silent walking tours which give viewers different perspectives of a particular place.
Of course, I am very keen to hear your comments, ideas and suggestions so that I can provide content that you would like to watch!
You must have been low on energy if you couldn't open a crisp bag, Willie😂. I was wondering what you had for meals there and then you got a pizza. The lack of basic hygiene everywhere must make it difficult to decide. I did love the umbrella tree😊
Haha yes indeed Sheila! Although I've been told the packets are very difficult to open on purpose, due to hygiene issues and trying to keep the content secure. Most people open them by scissors actually. Did you notice the shopkeeper wipe the packets clean with his cloth? Yes, my diet took a definite knock. In the UK, I do like a Greggs bacon roll, but in the main I try to eat relatively healthy. Nutrition is definitely my number one challenge in India!
@@willieexplore I didn't see him clean the packet, no🤣. I would definitely find eating difficult there, they just cannot have open air markets with fresh fruit and veg etc, I wouldn't imagine. At least bottled water isn't scarce!
@@sheilam4525 the bottled water can be suspect. Apparently many vendors collect old bottles, refill them with tap water and then seal the bottle well enough (though not perfect), to fool customers who then pay for tap water in bottled form. So I've learned to check the seal very very closely! Eating and drinking is difficult here Sheila lol :)
Hi Willie those Bingo chips looked very tasty and the shop keepers are so friendly. By the way that lottery ticket from your older vlog last year that you gave away on the island, did any of the numbers come in?😂
Hi Mary! Yes I did enjoy those a lot. When in Rome, hey? :) I actually met that shopkeeper the day before when I bought a water, and told him I'd love to come back the next day and do a vlog in his shop. He was very happy for me to do so. Supermarkets are not very prevalent in India, at least from my experience, so I was keen to show my viewers an example of a place where many people have to shop instead. Regarding the lottery ticket, who knows! I haven't heard anything yet, but it shall remain a mystery :) Hope you're having a great weekend, take good care!
@@willieexplore Thanks Willie, the evening improved after watching your Agra vlog. The Indian people are very resourceful and love their energy. Those baby clothes looked very different to our baby clothes and very specific to the Indian style of clothing
Disgusted. I know my country well and with or without your video, would never visit Agra. Truth is, until the day we Indians develop civic sense and cleanse both our cities and our minds, all tourism to our country should cease. That'd be around a thousand years.
Thanks for engaging and sharing your thoughts my friend. The rubbish is definitely there for everyone to see, we cannot ignore it. I have to say, there were some very filthy parts which I did not film, it was that bad. If you don't mind me asking, which part of India are you from? Because I've heard from people in the South that the North does have a problem with waste management and often don't have the infrastructure to cope. I really hope there is a solution.
@@willieexplore I am from the east of India, a city called Calcutta. Not that it matters. The truth shouldn't depend on where one is from. That said, my city is reputed to be the dirtiest on earth. A notch below the rest of India. The trouble is, my comments would win no friends from my compatriots. In India today, you have to say everything good about your country. Whereas it should just be the opposite. We should speak only bad about ourselves. If there's anything good about us, and in India's case that's a very big "if", it's for someone else to say. I don't know what fascination you guys have with my country. In a weird way, it might well be that our dirt, dust and chaos attract you because you haven't seen anything like it.
You know what Bip, I was really worried about this especially from a content perspective, because rain would have meant fewer opportunity to film. I even packed some cheap disposable rain ponchos. However, I had very little rain on this trip, at the end of the monsoon season. From memory, a couple of weeks before my arrival in Delhi there were floods in parts. So I struck it very lucky I guess :)
Very very Calm there Willie 🤣🤣 (Compared to Delhi). It is hard to understand why someone would say not to visit Agra, from what I can see in your presentation there’s so Much to see , definitely the kind of place I would like to explore! Beautiful! Thank You very much Willie , for giving us this entertainment, exactly what I needed as I’m bored , just returned from Jamaica! Also Jamaicans were running around in black jeans and long sleeves, 31-34 degrees every day!
Cheers Bip! Yep even though it is still a big place with millions of residents, it is a breeze compared to Delhi! There are definitely other things in Agra to experience but it is the people (as with any place in India) that really make the experience worthwhile. I have not been to the South yet but they will struggle to beat the hospitality of the North! Interesting about the clothing choices in the Caribbean, when I was in the ABC islands many people wore shorts! Hope your Jamaica experience was everything you wanted it to be, and more :)
Hi Willie nice to see the parts tourists don’t see , we often skip through a place without really seeing it…. Look forward to Jaipur… hope your tum settles soon..😊
Hi Christine, it's a pleasure and privilege as always to show you these places off the beaten track! Thanks for the well wishes, getting proper nutrition in India is proving difficult :)
@willieexplore it's a difficult balance trying new foods, some of which may or may not agree with you and yet you want to try them to see what they taste like.
Hi Willie, if you're in the UK on 5 November, what about doing a Lewes bonfire special? I will be away with my dog overnight (for obvious reasons) so you could crash here and do extensive reporting without the hassle of having to get back to BN... Just an idea.
Wow mate what an amazing offer, thank you very much! Unfortunately I will be out of the country travelling. I bet it must be a frustrating night for dog owners, this often gets overlooked when people talk about Bonfire. Best of luck!
Hi Willie - I too was curious about why many people in the hotter Asian countries seem to wear trousers and long sleeves. But when I was recently in Nepal with my cousin, she explained that it's because they're protecting themselves from the sun. I suppose the fact that they're acclimatised to the heat makes it easier for them to do so! 🌞
Hi Andy, nice to hear from you! Your explanation makes a lot of sense. And I guess culturally they want to present themselves in a certain way too. I've been reading up on Nepal as a possible destination. Man, it looks amazing...
@willieexplore Oh trust me, Nepal is incredible! I absolutely loved my trip there, and fully intend to go back one day. There's so much more of the country I want to see. My last visit was mainly centred around Kathmandu (i.e., the three cities of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur), with only one trip outside the city to Namobuddha, but I also want to go to Pokhara as well as getting into more rural areas and into the mountains. I guarantee you'll love it! 😊
Glad you enjoyed it! After visiting the Taj Mahal, I didn't start filming my "new" vlog, but I wanted to include that footage somehow. So the "time machine" I guess is a clever way of doing it :) As for the cricket, the natural talent in India is staggering. I'm a passionate cricket fan, so I watched a little bit more than what I captured on the GoPro. I have to say I'm genuinely impressed with the enthusiasm of the locals. The used bricks for wickets, which tells you a lot. They may not always have the funds at grassroots level, but this won't stop them from ruling the game for decades to come. Facilities you can build and invest in, but enthusiasm and love for the game comes naturally.
I love mosambi. Some ppl call it sweet lime. It’s very like orange but if you have them side by side you can tell the difference en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrus_limetta
First time I've tried it and I liked it! Very refreshing and keeping the vitamin levels up during a period of suspect nutrition :) Cheers for providing the extra info and for supporting my channel!
@@willieexplore No worries dude. Not sure how far behind you are but if still in India I hope you get to Amritsar. That’s my happy place whenever I visit the country.
Thanks again Willie! I really love the way you show us the normal tourist sites, but then take us on some unexpected out of the way places as well. Soms bietjie skrikwekkend ook (#@&*). 😃👍
Dankie Errol, I really enjoying going off the beaten track and explore places or parts of places that many don't dare to. The magic happens away from the main sites, that I've learned a long time ago. Groetnis!
Thank you Willie once my phone notification ring by your upload I was excited to see new adventure in India I liked your engagement with the locals Indian people are very friendly looking to next one... cheers
Nice VLOG! 25:33 The population is 4 1/2 million but this is estimated / Projected - The last census in India was conducted in 2011. The mandatory 10 yearly census couldn't be done in 2021 due to pandemic (it couldn't be done for the same reason until 2023 and then there were elections early this year. So the census is now expected to begin in October 2024. That should give a more accurate count. 29:38 definitely a residence I'm guessing those are the names of the couple that live there.
Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed it! Appreciate you providing the additional information too. I find the demographics of India fascinating, it is mindblowing just how big the population of the country is. Let's see what the upcoming census say about Agra! And yes, I was really looking for an Indian residence so glad you confirmed it is!
My dear bro that is an area that even other Indians avoid. Whenever I visit Delhi, i always exit from the second gate, never Paharganj. Unless, of course, I'm looking for some adventure to tell my friends and family about.
Appreciate your concern my friend. However, for some foreigners including myself, it is such a unique and culturally fulfilling experience visiting the chaos of areas such as Paharganj. As you can see from the video, I had a good time!
It's common for tourists to be charged more in many places. As a Chicagoan, I know that we often get discounts at attractions by showing our ID or driver's license. The same applies in Croatia, where I'm originally from.
How Beautiful this is! The architecture, river, nature, gardens, bird life , sunrise! Would be worth any price for sure? The same problem exists in Jamaica, to even greater degrees. Tourist pricing and Local pricing in most tourist cities, even to eat in many places! To visit attractions! For taxis! And they often don’t give you all the change back either! You can’t agree with this but that’s how they make money, tourism is vital to them! Perhaps we should realise that the locals don’t earn much money compared to the tourists. They would never be able to pay such prices. Not allowed to have the camera on the stick, you can’t do this at Harrods in London either, and many other locations. Maybe it’s considered “intrusive” , I’m thinking.? GREAT VIDEO WILLIE!
Cheers for watching Bip and glad you enjoyed it! Yes, tourist pricing as some would call it is certainly an interesting discussion topic. As you rightly point out, it is often not restricted to attraction, but life in general. As for the camera on stick, I have no idea why these institutions take the stance they do. People take videos on phones all the time, but you bring a camera on a stick and they throw their toys out the cot. They should grow a life, it is 2024!
Thank you Willie for this opportunity...! you gave us a really great sight all sides of the building i shared this video to my mom she's been always fascinated with taj mahal
My absolute pleasure Mark, in fact it is a privilege sharing it with you and your mom. This is the whole point about this channel, to share experiences with others. It is certainly a building that captures the imagination of many, and rightly so! Greetings
I went to Madeira several times, with my late parents twice and when my son was 7 months old. The Portuguese love children! Shame that your format doesn't allow you to explore the countryside because Madeira is a paradise for walkers, following the 'levadas', little man-made canals for irrigation all over the mountains. Check them up on Google, you might want to go back for them!
Cheers my friend, really appreciate all your comments and support! I am very aware of the beauty of the wider island, but I only had a short weekend in Funchal. Would love to go back for those levadas! Greetings
@@willieexplore It's just that I browsed your videos and noticed that you concentrate on towns and cities. Not sure if you do 'nature' sometimes... All the best.
@@turquoiseblue228 that's a fair point and maybe something for me to consider. My strong points are history and economics rather than science and nature, hence the focus on towns and cities, but I could definitely try a few new things. Cheers!
Thanks for the recommendations! Looks like an impressive list. I will check them out. Not sure I'd be able to visit Andaman and Nicobar islands on my specific visa.
Hi Willie, another great video… my late husband went on business to India many years ago and also went to the TAJ he said he loved it he never told me how much he paid to get in, I have the typical photo of him there with the Taj in the background. I suppose it’s a price to pay to see these beautiful places and I understand the average wage is very low for the Indian people, and of course they want to see this beautiful place too. It’s hard to get the balance right. As long as you are aware of potential issues like you encountered. Dealing with foreign currency can be confusing so checking change is a good recommendation. Look forward to seeing more of your adventures, you make me smile. Keep well 😊
Hi Christine, thanks for engaging as always! I am sure the price would have increased over time with inflation and I expect it to be more expensive in years to come. It is a very special place in India for visitors so it was good to tick it off the list. Think I made a wise choice to go at sunrise, I can imagine it can get pretty crowded (although, ironically it can be easier to film when there are big crowds!) Greetings!
To the international community: the Afrikaans word "Drift" means "ford" in English, a language understood by one in five people globally. Afrikaans isn't "Dutch Lite," but an indigenous language spoken by 17.8 million people worldwide, of which the vast majority are people of colour.
The Taj Mahal is a spectacular building with a tragic history. I was hoping you'll visit the mini Taj Mahal too. I loved the beautiful gardens as well and the songs of the birds in the background. Thanks for taking us with you as you explore India. Looking forward to the next vlog in anticipation. Take care and safe travels further 🙏😘
Hi Elladine, glad you enjoyed it! India has a lot of great sights to see but this one is arguably on top of the list of most. I'm very pleased to hear you're looking forward to my videos, there are certainly a few coming soon! All the best
Are you South African by any chance? Your voice and accent sounds very similar to the South African cricket legend AB de Villiers. And just as I was typing this, you also happened to mention his marriage proposal story, so I am guessing you might also be from South Africa. Anyway, awesome video. Cheers!
Namaste my friend, yes I am South African just like our hero AB. Hope you get a chance to see my other India videos too if you haven't already! Dhanyavaad :)
@@willieexplore Sure! I’ve already subscribed to your channel after watching the Taj Mahal video. I’m from Bangalore, the city that ABD represented for a decade in the IPL, and I’ve had the privilege of watching his genius live from the stadium many times. We all love him as our own, and many of us support South Africa as our second team because your players are so humble and down to earth. Jonty is another favorite of ours, and we have a soft spot for many of your 90s cricketers. Looking forward to more of your awesome travel videos. Take care!
@@nitinbhat that is great my friend, thank you so much! I would love to visit Bangalore in due course. AB certainly entertained us all over his career. Of all our World Cup semi final losses, that one against New Zealand in 2015 where AB was the captain hurts the most. In South Africa, we have huge respect for the India cricket team. I mentioned in my first vlog of India that we will always remember India for inviting us to play our first ODI series after isolation, in 1991. I also brought the book of India's historic tour to SA in 1992 with all my South Africa and India cricket cards. So many memories. Not many people know this but Jonty ran Sachin out in that first test, and Sachin became the first player ever to be dismissed with involvement by the third umpire. I also remember Pravin Amre scoring a century on debut. Cheers for watching and supporting my channel!
@@willieexplore Yes, the 2015 World Cup semi-final loss was heartbreaking, especially seeing AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel in tears. But for me, the 1999 World Cup semi-final tie against Australia was even more unbearable. When Lehmann missed the run-out on the third ball, I thought, Finally, luck is with South Africa, and deservedly so, and I was sure Klusener would win it with three balls remaining. But what happened on the fourth ball was truly tragic. I was still in school, and even though I supported India, I started crying that day. That run-out still hurts, even today. And after that, the unfortunate Hansie Cronje incident, followed by his tragic death in 2002, was incredibly sad, as I was a big fan of his as well. Anyway, the historic 438 run chase in Johannesburg in March 2006 helped me somewhat get over the heartbreaking events of 1999 and 2002. By the way, I hope you visit Bangalore someday and upload a video vlog of your experience on your channel!
@@willieexplore Yes, the 2015 World Cup semi-final loss was heartbreaking, especially seeing AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel in tears. But for me, the 1999 World Cup semi-final tie against Australia was even more unbearable. When Lehmann missed the run-out on the third ball, I thought, finally, luck is with South Africa, and deservedly so, and I was sure Klusener would win it with three balls remaining. But what happened on the fourth ball was truly tragic. I was still in school, and even though I supported India, I started crying that day. That run-out still hurts, even today. And after that, the unfortunate Hansie Cronje incident, followed by his tragic death in 2002, was incredibly sad, as I was a big fan of his as well. Anyway, the historic 438 run chase in Johannesburg in March 2006 helped me somewhat get over the heartbreaking events of 1999 and 2002. By the way, I hope you visit Bangalore someday and upload a video vlog of your experience on your channel!
IF YOU GO TO TAJ ON FRIDAY YOU WILL HAVE TO VISIT FROM BACKSIDE IN RUPEES 50 BY AUTORICKSHAW TO REACH THIS SIDE. ON FRIDAY TAJMAHAL IS CLOSED TO GENERAL PUBLIC.
Willie, daai vrug is ‘n “ Dragon fruit”, baie voedsaam, vol vitamines en minerale. Onder die skil is daar ‘n wit vlees ( jellyrig) met klein swart saadtjies. Hier in Kanada te kry, maar word natuurlik ingevoer. Ek “toer” lekker saam met jou, gaan so voort!
Dankie Mary! Ja ek met mettertyd uitgevind dat dit 'n "dragon fruit" is soos jy noem. Ek het dit baie geniet. Bly jy toer lekker saam daar in die verre Kanada, ek waardeer dit!
I'm happy that the people of the country pay less to see the monuments of their country ,especially if there are so many poor people who would not otherwise do so. I enjoy your videos. Thanks.
I appreciate that side of the argument. Student and senior citizen discounts are also commonplace in many parts of the world. Part of my argument is that tourists already contribute a lot to the wider economy through accommodation and transport for example, so to ask them to pay more is just a bit cheeky. Cheers for watching!
Hey there, Mr Willie ... another really great walk-around!! That was really interesting, excellent views! I suspect, as you, that early, early morning is the time to get there! Could see the crowd starting to grow. Really beautiful place ... thanks for sharing. Greetings from Tucson. [PS ... got the Marie biscuits ... made in India! Great with Darjeeling.]
Hi Jim! Wow that was fast regarding the biscuits, glad you got them! Hope you enjoyed them? I had an opportunity to go to Angkor Wat in Cambodia at sunrise but passed on it for a little more sleep. So I'm glad I could see another wonderful monument at sunrise! It gave a mystical look to the building that you won't get during midday for example, although I guess the gardens and nature might pop more in the sunlight later in the day. I've heard the sunset view from the viewing point is also spectacular. Cheers as always for supporting!
I did enjoy that video. I've been to India but not the Taj Mahal. Your photos were amazing and I think it was good you went earlier to avoid the crowds. My Indian friends told me to stay out of the way when they bought anything as if I was seen we would be charged more. To be honest I didn't mind paying more as everything still seemed so cheap to me whereas my friends thought it was extortionate due to their much lower earnings.
Hi Jean, I'm very pleased to hear you enjoyed it! It was very challenging to film. For some reason, they don't like people talking into cameras but you can take as many photos as you like without security telling you to keep things quiet. So I had to be very discreet. The price discrimination debate is interesting. Cheers for the engagement and thanks for supporting my channel!
Hi Willie thanks for the beautiful sights. I prefer the cheap option from a distance, with the river in front and no tourists to spoil the view. Looking forward to the next video.
