Welcome to McCool Travel’s 94th travel interview. I did a very unscientific survey and asked a few people, “Who is the most famous travel author you have heard of?” More than half answered Paul Theroux. I agree. He is the best travel author in my lifetime. I am humbled and honored to present this travel interview with Paul Theroux.
Many of my all-time travel quotes, I often say in jest, were spoken by Yogi Berra (who recently passed away). One of my favorite actual travel quotes is from Paul Theroux, “Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.”
Paul Theroux’ bio:
“PAUL THEROUX is the author of many highly acclaimed books. His novels include The Lower River and The Mosquito Coast, and his renowned travel books include Ghost Train to the Eastern Star and Dark Star Safari. He lives in Hawaii and on Cape Cod.”
Paul Theroux
Hometown…
Medford, Massachusetts where I was in the Boy Scouts with Michael Bloomberg
Always in my luggage…
A small Sony short-wave radio – I used to take a Swiss Army knife in my briefcase, but no longer
3 favorite home-away-from-home places…
- the coast of Maine (Rockland, Thomaston)
- Langkawi Island (Malaysia)
- Sicily
A favorite travel memory is…
seeing the sunrise from the top of Mount Haleakala on Maui
3 money-saving travel tactics I use are…
- taking a bus
- avoiding gourmet restaurants
- avoiding locals who say, “Meester, I can help you…”
3 ways I have fun while traveling are…
- making a friend
- reading a book
- writing something
8 word (or less) travel mantra…
“You travel faster and better if you travel alone”
I am fortunate to have met …
a Buddhist monk in Burma all of whose earthly possessions he carried in a small, football-sized bundle
Thank you very much, Mr. Theroux, for taking a few minutes to share your travel inspiration and tips.
For more information about visit his website.
McCool Travel presents tips from travel experts in our 5 Minutes interview series—featuring travel industry giants, super frequent travelers, and adventurous persons. Previous 5 Minutes post: Anwar Yafai.
Enjoyed this, cannot say I have heard of Paul but time to do some digging 🙂
Definitely!
I loved reading Paul Theroux’s Mosquito Coast in particular, and it reminded me of the writings of another favourite author, Somerset Maugham in a way. I have yet to read Deep South but I will. Scoop Charles.
I absolutely love the Deep South USA and am looking forward to reading his book. also.
I’ve always enjoyed Paul Theroux’ writings and, if he likes Sicily and Langkawi he’s definitely my kind of person! (Never been to Maine, but it’s on my list.)
Maine is gorgeous, like no place on Earth. Well, I think, but I have not been everywhere yet.
How “cool” to interview one of the most celebrated travel writers in the world! Just read an interview with him in the NYT and then here!
Mine was better! 😀 I would rather have those WSJ views, though.
He’s one of my heroes. He was about authentic travel before it became a trend.
Great way of putting it, Karen.
Cool! It’s especially interesting to know Paul Theroux’s choices for both home and home away from home.
Definitely. Thank you for visiting, Shelley.
Paul seems like a very interesting person, cool life choices. Thanks for the profile.
Thank you for reading. I appreciate the note.
Love Paul Theroux – his novels are fun reading as well as his travel books!
Absolutely. Paul Theroux is such an entertaining author.
Very interesting! His living room looks like a museum.
It sure does!
I was a friend of Paul’s until age 11 when I moved to Long Island.We got into trouble in the third grade when he suggested we go watch the trains behind the Washington School.Miss Cook made us write on the blackboard 100 times that we not go near the trains.So much I guess he did not heed that advice. Jack Flynn
Awesome story, Jack Flynn. Thank you so much for the note.