Profile picture for user theon-pearce

Theon Pearce

[email protected]
01273 964037

Background

I’ve recently joined Travel Nation after a couple of years away from the industry, which had more to do with a little-known pandemic than choice.

I started my travel career in the mid-’90s with STA Travel after my second big trip away, this time travelling through central and south America. Thinking it was a job for a few months, I soon realised that sharing my travel knowledge with customers was so rewarding that I was still with them 25 years later, spending my last 10 years managing one of their larger stores.

In my free time if I’m not out of the country I can be found in my garden, at an occasional gig or music festival, or painting portraits and travel-related scenes.

Originally from...

Near Cambridge.

Where did you spend your ‘student days’?

After leaving school, I went straight into a number of roles within the graphic design industry before heading off on my first big trip at the age of 20.

Travel industry experience

25 years and counting…

Theon has visited:

  • Argentina Flag

    Argentina

  • Australia Flag

    Australia

  • Belize Flag

    Belize

  • Bolivia Flag

    Bolivia

  • Brazil Flag

    Brazil

  • Cambodia Flag

    Cambodia

  • Canada Flag

    Canada

  • China Flag

    China

  • Colombia Flag

    Colombia

  • Costa Rica Flag

    Costa Rica

  • Cuba Flag

    Cuba

  • Ecuador Flag

    Ecuador

  • Egypt Flag

    Egypt

  • Georgia Flag

    Georgia

  • Guatemala Flag

    Guatemala

  • Honduras Flag

    Honduras

  • India Flag

    India

  • Indonesia Flag

    Indonesia

  • Japan Flag

    Japan

  • Jordan Flag

    Jordan

  • Laos Flag

    Laos

  • Malaysia Flag

    Malaysia

  • Mexico Flag

    Mexico

  • Morocco Flag

    Morocco

  • Myanmar (Burma) Flag

    Myanmar (Burma)

  • Nepal Flag

    Nepal

  • New Zealand Flag

    New Zealand

  • Nicaragua Flag

    Nicaragua

  • Panama Flag

    Panama

  • Peru Flag

    Peru

  • Philippines Flag

    Philippines

  • Singapore Flag

    Singapore

  • South Africa Flag

    South Africa

  • Sri Lanka Flag

    Sri Lanka

  • Thailand Flag

    Thailand

  • United States Flag

    United States

  • Uruguay Flag

    Uruguay

  • Venezuela Flag

    Venezuela

  • Vietnam Flag

    Vietnam

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Last trip:

Namibia
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Next trip:

Japan

About Theon

If I weren’t working for Travel Nation, I would be…

Wafting around the world somewhere.

Which place exceeded your expectations on your travels and why?

South Africa. I booked a last-minute trip there a few years ago and was blown away by how outrageously scenic the country was, both on the coast and inland. Just stunning.

What are your top five must-pack items?

Camera, Kindle, sketchbook and pens, sarong (very versatile!) and a universal plug.

If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why?

I do love Asia and could easily see myself living there. Sensibly speaking though, I’d probably settle for Galicia in northern Spain. Yes, it’s Spain but not as you’d expect. It not only has gorgeous secluded beaches but it's also green and lush. Scenically, I guess you could compare it a little to Ireland, only warmer and with more trees.

What was your first great travel experience?

After saving my pennies working two jobs I set out on my first big trip at the age of 20. Family, friends and work colleagues couldn’t understand why I wanted to go and thought I was mad. It was scary leaving everything behind but it was a decision I’d never regret! After almost two years of travelling around Asia and Australia, I eventually came back for a family wedding, but it wasn’t long before I began planning my next big trip away.

What are your top 3 places in the world?

Japan, Argentina, India, Myanmar (sorry that’s four, I could add more)...

Which passport stamp makes you most proud?

Possibly Peru. I took the long way round to get there and spent over a week in the far north of Bolivia on a very small and slow cargo boat up a tributary of the Amazon towards Brazil. In Brazil, I hitched rides on a jungle road to the Peruvian border, little more than a narrow river. Once there, I had to wade across to find a sleeping man behind a shed who subsequently stamped my passport.

Do you have any ‘pet hates’ while travelling?

Not really. Whenever I find something annoying whilst travelling I try to remind myself of where I am. I guess I could have mentioned noisy travel cases on wheels, but they annoy me here in the UK too.

Where/what would you most like to visit?

I’d love to travel through Pakistan, Iran, the ‘Stans and Turkey by motorbike. Just think of all those open roads and fantastic scenery.

What’s the best/worst thing you’ve eaten on your travels?

One of my favourite dishes is Gallo Pinto, served in Central America. In its simplest guise, it’s a dish of rice and beans but can often be found with a fried egg on top for breakfast. Magic!

Worst? Anything with coriander. Unfortunately, many amazing dishes have sadly been spoilt for me by a topping of coriander whilst away.

Have you ever worked abroad?

Yes, I spent a year travelling and working my way round Australia back in the early 1990s in all sorts of jobs (most of which involved fruit or vegetables of some kind). I also taught English for a short period in southern Spain.

Have you experienced culture shock? If so where/where did you find to be most different from home?

Undoubtedly India! The first country I ever travelled to long-haul, and I could not believe just how chaotic and crazy it was. Once I settled into the flow of it all though, I grew to love it and, despite spending five months there, I’ve since re-visited a further four times.

If you had just 24 hours in a big city which one would it be?

Tokyo. Absolutely loads to see and do. Such a cool place to hang out.

What’s the best party you have been to while travelling?

Easy. Carnival in Salvador, Brazil.

What do you miss most from home while you are away?

Hmm, possibly semi-skimmed milk?

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Theon exploring the gardens of Japan

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Theon in India

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Theon in the mountains of Georgia

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Theon in the Philippines