I’m Pablo Ortega, aka “Paul Lenk” on social media. I’m a travel journalist. I document my trips through my Instagram and big publications such as Condé Nast Traveler in Spain.
When were you first bit by the travel bug?
It happened 3 years ago while I was visiting my sister in Malaysia. She has always had the “wanderlust” spirit and she changed my life after traveling through dozens of cities and countries in Asia (in just a few days!).
What’s your travel style? Why do you prefer this style of travel?
I’m an adventurer. I always try to find something unique and crazy in each city I visit but I also like to be comfortable, so sometimes I mix my adventures with some luxury traveling.
How do you fund your travels?
Most of the times I travel for work but when I have time off I fund my own travels.
What first inspired you to start blogging?
I’m a journalist so I started blogging earlier in my career. I actually started writing when I was back in college and built a portfolio to approach big media publications.
What’s been your most popular blog post? Why do you think this blog post resonated with your audience?
My most successful story so far is about the “wanderlust gene“. I did a some research on a potential gene that might trigger our desire to travel. It’s one of the most shared articles on Condé Nast Traveler Spain and has millions of page views.
What’s been your favorite destination and why?
Hawaii. I can really disconnect there and the sounds of nature there are incredible.
What picture have you taken during your travels that you’d consider to be your favorite and why?
I’m specially proud of a selfie I took while I was in Puerto Vallarta… flying!
Have you eaten anything during your travels that absolutely blew your mind? What was it and where?
I’m adventurous and definitely like to try different (and sometimes gross) things. I ate chapulines (grasshoppers) in Oaxaca, Mexico. They didn’t taste that bad but I didn’t like the texture.
Tell us about one of your greatest experiences during your travels.
One of the greatest experiences I have had was when I made it to the Marieta Islands. It’s really hard to access this hidden beach in Mexico and I was there all by myself for over 10 minutes. It was really peaceful. One week later they closed the islands to tourists for almost a year.
Tell us about one of your worst experiences during your travels.
I wasn’t really happy about seeing hundreds of “sugar ants” all over my suitcases in a hotel where I stayed in Miami.
What has surprised you the most about traveling?
I think one of the most surprising or shocking experiences I have had it’s when I visited Vietnam. It’s really hard to cross the streets there without being hit by a motorcycle.
What’s one thing you seek out in every destination you visit no matter what?
I have a healthy obsession about visiting the coolest rooftops in each city.
Do you have a favorite travel hack or best piece of travel advice?
Always pack using a small luggage so you don’t have to check-in your suitcase. Time is money! If you are traveling just for a few days you want to be out of the airport asap so try to pack as much as you can in your carry on luggage.
Any future travel plans?
I would love to visit Costa Rica on Thanksgiving. I’m still not sure if that’s happening but Europe in Christmas is happening for sure!
Favorite travel quote?
“To travel is to take a journey into yourself” by Danny Kaye
What has travel taught you?
It has taught me that I can fight all my fears and that everything is possible.
Special thanks to Pablo of Condé Nast Traveler Spain for taking part in our Good Travel Interview series. Leave a comment below with your thoughts on the interview.
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