Meet Rob and Masha, the intrepid duo known as the Dancing Pandas, they have embarked on an extraordinary journey that spans continents, cultures, and cuisines. Their mission? To explore every corner of our beautiful planet, one country at a time. With 191 countries already under their belt, they’re tantalizingly close to their ultimate goal: reaching 197.
The Dancing Pandas: Nomadic Adventures Across 190 Countries
In 2017, Rob and Masha made a life-altering decision. They sold all their possessions, bid farewell to their comfortable routines, and embraced the exhilarating uncertainty of a nomadic existence. Their passports became their most prized possessions, and their home was wherever their hearts led them.
Their adventures unfold like the captivating chapters of a novel in their travel blog. Picture Rob and Masha dancing with the Pygmi tribes in Burundi, their laughter echoing across the vast savannah. Imagine them tracing the ancient Silk Road, savoring fragrant teas in Uzbekistan’s bustling bazaars. From the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the bustling streets of Tokyo, the Dancing Pandas have left footprints in every corner of the world.
Is there a dream destination you haven’t visited yet? Why is it on your bucket list?
“There are so many destinations that we are dreaming of visiting, but Tibet keeps on popping to the top of the list. The isolation in the Himalayas preserving Tibet’s ancient culture, the spirituality of this ancient place and the landscapes filled with white tipped mountains all play a key role in making it one of our most wanted-to-visit destinations. Originally, Bhutan was at the top of our list, and this pristine country sure did not disappoint. However, in our minds, Tibet should be like walking through a door into the past of another world and we can’t wait to take that step.“
We asked Rob and Masha to share a photo that encapsulates the spirit of a place they visited, but what’s the story behind it?
“This is a photo of us with the Mundari Tribe in South Sudan. It was an absolutely magical interaction with these people whose life’s purpose is to tend to their cows. And in today’s age, so interesting and intriguing to see a group of people totally disconnected from the modern world and its focus on consumption. Since they are fully nomadic, we could relate to the simplicity of their life and very few possessions.”
When we inquired about the lesser-known destinations that had surprised them the most, they responded:
“Malawi really surprised us in a very good way. Even though the country is one of the poorest in Africa, the people were incredibly warm and generous. We had so many car problems, yet at every issue, there was always someone eager and ready to step up and help us. The destinations in Malawi are equally amazing as their people. From the stay in Kutchire Lodge (ran by locals and located inside of the Liwonde National Park), to the stunning Lake Malawi and Cape Maclear to the heights of Mount Mulanje; we loved every minute of Malawi and plan to return soon.”
The Dancing Pandas are savvy travelers. They’ve mastered the art of “travel hacking,” a skill that allows them to crisscross the globe using points, miles, and sheer determination. Business and first-class flights? Check. Luxurious hotel stays? Absolutely. Their secret lies in leveraging loyalty programs, credit card bonuses, and strategic booking techniques.
Travelers often seek planned experiences, but it’s the unexpected moments that truly captivate the heart. Can you imagine getting lost in a Nature Park in China? The Dancing Pandas shared a short story about how an unexpected adventure became one of the best memories of their life.
“We were volunteering in the Wolong Nature Preserve in China to help with the pandas who were ill. After our first day of orientation, our driver was driving us back down the mountain to our hotel. He noticed that we really enjoy adventure and hiking and so he let us out of the car and in google translate instructed us to go down to the park. We did do that and walked through amazing Buddhist shrines and temples. We continued down a path where the hanging coffins were promised. It said that the walk would take about 2 hours. We were excited to go and explore the park. Well, little did we know that the translation had 2 pages to it. The second page had instructions to take an elevator back up to the top of the park (after the Buddhist temples). We spent hours exploring this magical park popping out of it as the sun was starting to disappear. We wondered around trying to find our driver only to find out that the whole park has been looking for the 2 lost Canadians (and for hours). Our poor driver was beyond panicked (poor guy) but we had an excellent unexpected adventure. Of course we have had many many adventures together during our adventure racing days, but that is a different story.“
Travel can be life-changing. It broadens horizons, fosters growth, and shapes perspectives. How has travel changed their perspective on life?
“Travel has truly changed our perspective on so many things! We now understand that the only things that truly matter are the connection that we have between us, the close friends and family that we have, our health and having purpose through helping others. Everything else just doesn’t really matter. Since we are true nomads and only have a backpack each to our names, our home is where the 2 of us are – which is a huge change from leaving a large home in Del Mar and all of our possessions. In addition, we have learned that most people around the world want exactly the same basic things (peace, health, providing basics to the family and happiness). We are not different. We may speak different languages, have different faiths and politics, but at the bottom of it all we are all the same. In addition, we learned that people who have very little are usually ready to share the little that they have much more readily than the people of the west who on average have a lot. For us, returning to North America or Europe and walking into a grocery store (or even more perverse a Costco) is like walking into a land of crazy abundance that we are just not used to.“
Rob and Masha’s story inspires us all. They remind us that life’s greatest treasures lie beyond our comfort zones, that the world is our canvas, waiting for our footprints. So, as the Dancing Pandas pirouette through the pages of their travelogue, we raise our glasses to their audacity, resilience, and unbridled wanderlust.
Where will the Dancing Pandas waltz next? Only time—and their adventurous spirits—will tell.
You can follow their journey here: Instagram
So, fellow wanderers, what’s your dream destination? How has travel changed your perspective on life? Share your stories, and let’s keep the spirit of adventure alive!
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