Yes. I lived in Madrid, Spain for almost 3 years and I felt very much at home there. I had a group of close friends and I loved the Spanish way of life. But I wasn’t ready to settle down and the call of adventure was too strong to resist. So I packed up my backpack and went to South America.

What are some major risks you've had to undergo in order to keep moving?

When I moved to Spain, I had about 70 euros in my bank account. I had no job and I didn’t know anyone in the city. It was quite unnerving. But I was determined to make it work. I was lucky I met someone who let me crash on his couch (that was before couchsurfing) and I had no problem finding a job. I was almost robbed a few times and actually gotten robbed twice in Colombia. But in none was my life ever in danger. I had also lived in 2 countries illegally. I knew the risk involved when I made the decision and was prepared to be deported if I was caught. It made for a juicy story to tell friends and grandchildren (if I ever have some). But I was very lucky and was never caught. I did have to bribe an immigration officer to give me an exit stamp though.

Who is the most memorable person you have met on your travels?
I’ve met many incredible people in my travels that have inspired me, encouraged me and shaped me to be who I am today. Many of them have become close friends and I hold them dearly in my heart. One particular person I’ll always remember is someone I met when I was just starting my travel. He is also called Noel. We are a few years apart but we had so much in common that talking to him felt like a communion of 2 parts of a same soul, like soul brothers. When I left Malaysia I was on a journey of self discovery. I wanted to shred the baggage of societal expectations and conditioning. I wanted to find out who I really was, not who society told me to be. Talking to Noel made me realized that I wasn’t crazy, there were people out there like me too, and I wasn’t alone. He encouraged me, challenged me and helped me to open my mind. I saw him as someone who had found himself and I aspired to be that. And after almost a decade since our first encounter, I can say that I am happy with who I am.

Have you ever had a holyshit-I'm-gonna-die moment while traveling?

Hell yeah! It was when I was robbed at knife point by a gang member in a comuna/favela (shanty town) in Colombia. I had gone there for a friend’s birthday party and stayed the night, since it wasn’t safe to leave the area after sun down. So the next day while most of my friends were nursing their hangover, I decided to go home by myself. The metro station was about 400 meters away and it was morning so I wasn’t worry. Just as I was about to reach the station, a tough-looking guy came up to me, took out a switchblade and then proceeded to do a body search on me. I was really scared at that moment. There were people passing by and some even looked out from their windows. I asked for help but no one batted an eye lid. After what seemed like eternity, he put away the switchblade and let me go. He didn’t even take my money or my cell phone. I was relieved but shaken. Later I found out from my friend that because of gang related territorial fight; gang members were suspicious when they see new faces in their neighborhood.

How do manage to keep traveling? Is there any special work that allows you to fund your trips?

I find work along the way. Whenever my saving runs low or I like a place enough to stay for a period of time, I would look for job and work for a few months, or even a few years. I started doing temporary jobs in cafes and restaurants, and then I started to teach English when I lived in Spain. And when Chinese became popular I also taught Chinese. I’ve work in hostels, sometimes in exchange for free stay. I’ve also done translation and interpretation jobs. Now I am slowly getting into writing.

A friend and I have started a small group tour. Our trips aim to bridge the gap between independent travel and group travel. This means a small group and no tour buses and boring lectures. We will be using public transports and eating where the locals eat. Our pace of travel will be slower allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of the place and culture. On top of that, we have years of independent travel experience and will be sharing some of our tricks of the trade with you. Come join us http://wander2nowhere.com/tours/.

Are there any funny, unique jobs you've done while abroad? 

When I was traveling in South America I met many young people, who wanted to travel but didn’t have money, so they made bracelets and necklaces, performed in the streets and did whatever they could to make money. I was very intrigued by their lives. They really live their life without a safety net: they eat what they earn for that day. They don’t make a lot of money so they travel slowly, usually staying in a place a month or so to make enough money to get to the next town. I was attracted by how they really live in the present. So when I met some of these young people in Cartagena, Colombia I decided to be one of them. I didn’t know how to make any handicrafts, the only thing I could do was make origami and write names in Chinese. So I bought some colored paper and pen and started my life as a vagabond. In the afternoon I would set up my ‘stall’ outside the university and many students were intrigued by what I did. I wrote their names in Chinese and made bookmarks, and I made complicated origami of stars, cubes, etc. for sell. I even gave some origami lessons to a few interested students. In the evening I would set up at the touristy areas. It was fun and exciting.

It was also a lesson on humanity. There was camaraderie among the artists, on days when someone didn't make a sale, those who did would buy him/her a meal. Or when police came to chase us away, we would help each other pack so their stuff would not be confiscated. We helped and looked out for each other. I was also subject to look of disdain on a daily basis from the well-to-do locals and tourists. When I greeted them they would look down on me with an expression of indifference, and sometimes, of disgust. It taught me humility and I learned that generosity is giving no matter how little you have. It was one of the most enriching experiences I've had.

What kind of skills or know how would you consider necessary for someone who is thinking of long term travel?

I benefited a lot from my language skill, I could speak a few languages when I started traveling and I could pick a language up quite easily. This has helped me a lot to meet people and have a more in depth experience of the places I visit. When you speak to the locals in their language you shrink the divide and create a connection. Traveling is not just about seeing sights and having a great time, the essence of traveling is about connection; your connections with the place and the people. Being able to speak the local language will also help you to find job much more easily.

What's one piece of advice you can give to someone who's traveling with no plans of coming back?

I think the most important thing about long term travel is to be flexible and open. Things sometimes don’t go according to plan but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have great experience. Some of my most memorable experiences came from some spontaneous decision. For example, when I went to Spain to walk the Camino de Santiago (St. James’ way) I still had 4 months left on my UK’s working holiday visa. But when I finished the pilgrimage I felt that I wanted to live in Spain, so I decided to stay. And I never regretted it as I totally enjoyed my 3 years living in Spain.

And always ALWAYS live in the present!

Noel Lau was born and raised in a small town in East Malaysia (on the Borneo Island). He grew up in quite a traditionally Asian family. Eschewing family expectation he left a thriving corporate career behind and started his wandering life. Noel travels slowly, prefer to take time to know a country through its culture and people rather than just a temporary visitor. 10 years and more than 50 countries later, he continues to carry his backpack, treading through beaten and unbeaten path in the name of experiencing the amazing feeling that only travel could bring: being alive. Noel blogs about his travel at wander2nowhere.com.

Want more? Read other features on Sole Sister Spotlight.