Travel Spain and appreciate it’s amazing diversity by meeting the locals.
Stories include:
*In Sevilla I interview two flamenco dancers, Asa Danielson from Sweden, and Elena Moro Roman, an Australian of Spanish Background. Both have moved to Sevilla to practice flamenco. I also try to define the flamenco term ‘Duende’, with interpretative dance and poetry.
*Cuenca, a Unesco World Heritage site, has a rich and varied history. Best known for it’s Hanging Houses, Cuenca was founded as a Moorish fort, became a centre for religious orders, and more recently, became home for many artists. I interview Alberto Cuesta Senior about the joys of maintaining a garden and spoke with Antonio Perez about his Contemporary Art Museum.
*Benimaclet was a farming village on the outskirts of Valencia. As Valencia grows, one history replaces another. Alberto Cuesta, a scientist discusses the changes occurring in his Benimaclet neighborhood.
*Cave Dwellers (cuevas) of San Miguel Alto. In Granada I visit the Alhambra, a fine example of Moorish Architecture, which uses the aesthetically pleasing golden ratio in its dimensions. I then learn about cave living, interviewing such characters as Dr, Sun, who uses a solar cooking machine to prepare meals.
*What I like about Vigo is that it is not a tourist town. It is just a town where Spanish life carries on as it has for generations. I was a guest of the Ramallo family, and interviewed Fernando Ramallo, a linguistics professor, about the various languages spoken in Spain.
*The Basque people and their language may well be the oldest in europe, pre dating the Celts and the Romans. I investigate whether they know of the fountain of youth. Rebecca Ezquerro helps me on my search
*It is always interesting to hear what people have to say about their city. In Barcelona I interviewed Nick Musgrave, and englishman who moved from London to pursuit photography, and Pilar de la Pena Sanchez, who believes the streets of Barcelona act out like a movie.
*The theme for my Madrid video is follow your dream. I interview Marta Escauriaza about living her dream of running a restaurant, and Javier Icazuriaga about his recently established music recording business.
Mark the Overlander visits Santa Monica Beach where he meets up with local, Laura the Adventure Goddess.
Laura takes Mark on a bicycle tour, showing him her favourite parts of Santa Monica.
We ride along the beach and visit the Annenberg Community Beach House, Santa Monica Pier where Route 66 ends and the original ‘Muscle Beach’.
As we watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean at the Pacific Palisades Park, Laura talks about the strong community spirit of Santa Monica and believes the local library is a great place to visit to experience this.
Overlander.tv is preparing for Mipcom 2012 and we are pleased to announce that we will be represented by French distributor Ananda Media
Below are our programs that will be available for distribution at Mipcom 2012:
The Way – Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain is one of the World’s most popular pilgrimages.
Filmmaker Mark Shea wished to explore the spiritual affect the Camino (Way of St James) has on pilgrims, by walking the French Way alone, and documenting his own personal experiences.
The resulting film is an honest and joyous portrayal of the transformative nature of this ancient practice.
A must see for anyone who has walked the Camino, or anyone who plans of partaking in this life changing experience in the future.
The ‘Meet a Local’ Travel Series featuring Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Spain and Vietnam
Video promo features shots from around Barcelona. In the video, Australian Filmmaker Mark Shea explains the ‘Meet a Local’ Travel Series concept.
“I want to tell you how this ‘Meet a Local’ concept works!” I arrive in a town, a stranger, I know no one. And in a limited amount of time I must find a local person willing to let me tell their story.
On a deeper level it’s my search for a common source of goodness in humanity. And my belief that wherever I go, a crazy Aussie in a huge hat, I will find good people. And it’s a huge buzz getting that story!”
Filming has been completed in Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Ireland and all of Asia.
Music by Richard Tedesco of http://www.kanela.com.au/
Meet a Local Travel Series – East Coast Australia
Join Australian filmmaker Mark Shea as he travels the East Coast of Australia meeting local people and exploring their hometowns.
Stories include:
*Musician Wendy Rule in Melbourne,
*Paddle Steamers in Echuca,
*an Aboriginal Sacred Site called Mumbulla Mountain,
*the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra,
*a performing Drag Queen in Sydney,
*a Beachcombing Artist in Byron Bay,
*a Forest Dwelling Hippy in Nimbin,
*a Socialite Publisher on the Gold Coast,
*a Magician in Noosa,
*a visit to the World’s Largest Sand Island,
*an Irish Backpacker at Airlie Beach,
*the unique wildlife of Magnetic Island,
*Great Barrier Reef diving at Cairns
*living off the land at Cape Tribulation
Meet a Local Travel Series – Outback Australia
Explore Australia by meeting the locals and discovering the secrets of the Outback
From Aboriginal elders to friendly remote pubs, join filmmaker Mark Shea (The Overlander) as he explores the best Central Australia has to offer.
The journey starts in Cairns and travels across the Top End to Darwin, taking in activities such as Barramundi fishing and a cattle muster on horseback.
From Darwin the trip goes South towards Adelaide, stopping in unique locations such as Australia’s UFO capital Wycliffe and Coober Pedy, where the temperature is so intense, people have moved underground.
Meet a Local Travel Series – Tasmania
Travel Tasmania seeing it’s top destinations through the eyes of the locals.
Stories include:
*Rob Pennicott and his artist wife Michaye live an idyllic family life on Bruny Island. Surrounded by nature and a bountiful sea, Bruny appears to be paradise, but as Rob suggests, may not be for everyone. I also discuss the sad history of Truganini, the last full blooded Tasmanian Aborigine.
*In Hobart I interview Sudanese musician Ajak Kwai about her experience living in Tasmania.
*I take a flight to the South West Wilderness area of Tasmania, learning about Critchley Parker Junior, an ill fated explorer who hoped to form a new Jewish State in the region. I also interview Senator Bob Brown, leader of the world’s first Greens Political Party and feature archival footage from the seminal Franklin River campaign. I then investigate the Facial Tumor Disease effecting the wild Tasmanian Devil Population.
*I do a story on Port Arthur, an historic convict colony where I interview guide Laura Leeworthy, do their ghost tour and film a Ghost!!
*Fishing for Trout in Tasmania offers anglers some of the most remote Lake Fishing in the world. I interview Janice Spencer about the Land of 3,000 Lakes. Janice was the first female angler ever accepted for an Australian competition Fly Fishing Team.
*Tasmania has some of the biggest cold water surf breaks in the world. I visit Marrawah on the north west corner, a location renowned for it’s year round surf. I interview 16 yr old local Zak Grey.
*Cruising the winding roads of Tasmania on a Harley Davidson with Simon Richardson. Simon owns the Launceston Harley Davidson Dealership and believes Tasmania offers bikers great touring opportunities, with mountainous roads and free camping. I also visit Stanley, Tasmania’s Best Town. Simon rides a 1980 Shovelhead Harley Trike.
*For my last Tasmania story I visited Campbelltown’s sombre convict brick display and then interviewed an Irish Woman in the Town of National Park, near the Mt Field National Park. Trish Rawlins believes Tasmania is like Ireland before it lost all it’s trees.
Meet a Local Travel Series – Ireland
See the beauty and hospitality of Ireland, through the eyes of it’s people.
Stories include:
*In Dublin I interviewed Niamh Ni Mhir who works for Hostel World,a local IT business that rode the Celtic Tiger to become the biggest Hostel booking website online Niamh explains how Ireland has changed since my last visit, in the early 1990 s and also tells us what it is she likes about living in Dublin.
*I interview Kathleen Moran about the Kilkenny Craft Centre and how Kilkenny established itself as Ireland’s craft capital.
*In Belfast I interviewed Sean McKernan, a photographer who in 1983 set up a photo exhibition called Belfast Exposed, featuring a lot of images from the height of the troubles. Sean now runs an multifunction arts centre called BX Arts.Sean discusses how Belfast has changed since the 1997 ceasefire.
*On the Aran Islands I interviewed Teresa Millane, an old style (Sean Nos) singer.
*In Galway I interviewed actor Diarmuid de Faoite about the flourishing arts scene.
The small fishing Village of Dingle on the West Coast of Ireland is home to a friendly Dolphin called Fungi, who seems to prefer the company of humans to his own kind.
*In Doolin I interviewed Banjo player, Kevin Griffin about why Doolin has become the traditional music capital of Ireland.
*In Cork I try and trace my Irish ancestors (O’Shea), and look at the modern day immigration of Polish workers to Ireland.
*For my final Irish story, I visit Cahersiveen where there are some Stone Forts that may well been the home of my Shea ancestors.
Meet a Local Travel Series – New Zealand
Explore New Zealand’s top tourist destinations with the locals.
Stories include:
*In Auckland, I took a ‘favorite five’ tour with Dr Maya, checking out the Mt Eden lookout, the Parnell French Market, Mt Eden shopping village, Piha Beach and finally fish and chips at Mission Bay.
*The Bay of islands is a aquatic paradise made up of some 150 islands. I take to the water, going on a fishing trip and swimming with Dolphins. I also learn about Maori culture, getting an insight into why the Waitangi Heritage site is afraid of the scourge of Tourism, and what Maori Tattoos and the Hongi Greeting represent.
*Local gym owner Belinda Bennett takes me to a secret location, but insists on blindfolding me, handcuffing me and locking me in the boot of her car, in order to keep the spot under wraps. I interviewed Maori Masseuse Wiki about Maori healing techniques, such as romiromi massage and the use of healing plants like Kawakawa. I then visit Te Puia National Maori Carving School where I interview Cori Marsters about this ancient art.
*Film in Cuba Street, asking people what they liked about Wellington. Met some amazing people and as one person said, ‘There is always a secret doorway in Wellington’ where you may find a bar, an art gallery or musicians performing.
*I interview Maverick businessman, Peter Yealands who runs Yealands Estate, a 1,000 Hectare winery that has been hailed the most sustainable winery in the world. Yealands has introduced some innovative sustainable practices in their vineyard, such as grazing miniature ‘babydoll’ sheep, instead of using mowing equipment, and developing a biodegradable plastic bottle.
*Hitchhike from Nelson to Takaka, and then onto Abel Tasman National Park. I learn about how the hippies moved into the Takaka region in the 1970′s, and how even today the area is made up of lifestylers trying to live off the land.
*If Queenstown was a person, it would be a teenager! So the best way to appreciate Queenstown is to act like a teenager; do things for the first time, like skydiving or bungy, stay up and party all night, and then laze about in a spa the next day.
*I was in Christchurch on a Wednesday night and wanted to check out the nightlife.?I happened to find a venue that was running a Burlesque competition.?Being a bit cheeky, I thought what better way to explore a city founded on puritan religious values, than to feature tassles and lingerie.
Meet a Local Travel Series – Spain
Travel Spain and appreciate it’s amazing diversity by meeting the locals.
Stories include:
*In Sevilla I interview two flamenco dancers, Asa Danielson from Sweden, and Elena Moro Roman, an Australian of Spanish Background. Both have moved to Sevilla to practice flamenco. I also try to define the flamenco term ‘Duende’, with interpretative dance and poetry.
*Cuenca, a Unesco World Heritage site, has a rich and varied history. Best known for it’s Hanging Houses, Cuenca was founded as a Moorish fort, became a centre for religious orders, and more recently, became home for many artists. I interview Alberto Cuesta Senior about the joys of maintaining a garden and spoke with Antonio Perez about his Contemporary Art Museum.
*Benimaclet was a farming village on the outskirts of Valencia. As Valencia grows, one history replaces another. Alberto Cuesta, a scientist discusses the changes occurring in his Benimaclet neighborhood.
*Cave Dwellers (cuevas) of San Miguel Alto. In Granada I visit the Alhambra, a fine example of Moorish Architecture, which uses the aesthetically pleasing golden ratio in its dimensions. I then learn about cave living, interviewing such characters as Dr, Sun, who uses a solar cooking machine to prepare meals.
*What I like about Vigo is that it is not a tourist town. It is just a town where Spanish life carries on as it has for generations. I was a guest of the Ramallo family, and interviewed Fernando Ramallo, a linguistics professor, about the various languages spoken in Spain.
*The Basque people and their language may well be the oldest in europe, pre dating the Celts and the Romans. I investigate whether they know of the fountain of youth. Rebecca Ezquerro helps me on my search
*It is always interesting to hear what people have to say about their city. In Barcelona I interviewed Nick Musgrave, and englishman who moved from London to pursuit photography, and Pilar de la Pena Sanchez, who believes the streets of Barcelona act out like a movie.
*The theme for my Madrid video is follow your dream. I interview Marta Escauriaza about living her dream of running a restaurant, and Javier Icazuriaga about his recently established music recording business.
Meet a Local Travel Series – Vietnam
Explore unique Vietnam from the top to the bottom, meeting locals at top tourist destinations.
Stories include:
*Heritage listed Ha Long Bay is a major tourist attraction in Vietnam, and rightly so.The bay is home to over a thousand jungle clad limestone pillars, several of which are hollow and contain enormous caves.
*I next visit Cat Ba Island, the largest island in the bay. Half of Cat ba is National Park.I interview Tuan, a local cafe owner. He takes me for a tour of the island and we also visit a floating village, where people farm fish in small enclosures.
*Homestay with a Hill Tribe family. There are 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.?Most are located in the remote highlands. The village of Ban Luc, where we stayed, was made up of an ethnic group called White Thai. It was a great experience to stay with a family in their traditional stilt house, with bamboo slate floor and palm leaf roof. To see how they cook, to wander the idyllic village and get a glimpse of rural life. We got to try local specialities like bamboo rice and a home made alcoholic beverage drank through bamboo straws. The community put on a song and dance show featuring traditional dance and instruments.
*Hanoi has a 1000 year history as a city. It has been invaded by the Chinese, French and Japanese. The French Colonial period in particular has had a noticeable influence on the aesthetics of the City. I visit a Bia Hoi Bar where I find relief from the constant rush and din. Lan, a student in International Relations, gives me a half day tour of Hanoi. We visit the flower market, watch people exercise around Hoan Kiem Lake, and visit Lan’s favorite restaurant, Hai Vuong Quan.
*Hue was the ancient imperial city of the Nguyen Dynasty. I visit the Citadel which once contained the forbidden city, and take a dragon boat tour along the Perfume River to view the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Tombs of the Emperors. I meet up with Nhi, a commerce student who takes me to Thanh Toan Bridge where we meet a fortune teller. Nhi discusses superstition in Vietnam and we both get our palms read.
*Hoi An was the most important trading port in South East Asia in the 16th and 17th Century. It traded items like silk, ceramics and spices with China, Japan, Europe, India, and even Arabia.Then due to certain changes, it sat dormant for 200 years, remaining unchanged, until recently discovered by tourists.I interviewed Eric Kappeler, a Swiss-born sculptor living in Hoi An.I also get to see a display of Cham dancing, and visit Marble Mountain, where sculptors have made a vision of hell in the subterranean caves.
*In Nha Trang I do a story on the positive impact tourists can have on local people. Mai Loc was a cyclo driver, a chance meeting with a Norwegian couple and their gift to Loc, of a small camera, lead to him changing careers and realising his talent as a photographer. Self taught, Loc’s photos have been exhibited around the world. I also visit Monkey Island where monkeys have been taught to ride bikes.
*The hill village of Dalat is a temperate tourist escape from the tropical heat of the rest of Vietnam. The most common tourist activity in Dalat is to take an Easy Rider guided motorcycle of the surrounding countryside. I take a tour and visit a silk worm farm, a waterfall, watch traditional weaving, and visit a rural blacksmith who offers me a homemade alcoholic brew made of rice and reptile animal parts! For lunch we visit a local diner where we learn how Pho, beef noodle soup, is prepared.
*I think the first thing that you notice about Ho Chi Minh City is the traffic, elbow to elbow, a constant drone of motorcycle motors and horns. In Saigon, I interviewed video artist, Tran Dan, asking him where he finds inspiration in such a bustling city.
Listening to the news, watching hatchet job videos on youtube, anyone would believe North Korea was a dangerous place to visit. I myself as a travel video producer was a little concerned before entering, afraid my camera equipment would be confiscated at the border. Instead what I found was a country just starting to open to tourism. I was treated like royalty and allowed to pretty much film anything I wanted, other than groups of soldiers.
Mural of Jim II-Sung and adoring followers, Pyongyang DPRK
At the moment, to visit the DPRK one must go with a tour company. I myself went with Young Pioneer Tours who run small group tours for westerners at a budget price. The other options are going with a Chinese tour which are larger and, from what I saw, tend to rush groups through locations quicker. Young Pioneer Tours work in North Korea with two local guides. They have been running tours to North Korea since 2008, so they know how the DPRK works better than anyone. The tours are highly organised and, as tourism is a relatively new endeavour, tend to focus on viewing sites more than interacting with locals. For someone who makes travel videos focusing on meeting the locals, this was a new experience for me, but I still found there were plenty of chances to chat with our guides and various other guides throughout the tour.
Our Group and Guides at the Yanggakdo International Hotel Bar
Our local guide Han taught me a local Korean dance while I taught her to waltz. She was great value, handling my jokes like a diplomat
The first thing that hits you when you travel by train into North Korea is how lush and green it is, every available space is used to grow food such as corn and rice. It looks like an agrarian wonderland, hills of rolling green dotted with small villages. On closer inspection, one notices the lack of machinery, the ox and cart, everything from cutting grass to ploughing fields, done by hand. The contrast with the enormity of China is startling.
Manpower – Most work appeared to be done by hand
ox and cart, DPRK
I remember reading that Cuba was the only sustainable developed country in the world and that if we were serious about our Ecological Footprint, we would need adopt a lifestyle similar to that of Cubans. Of course the Cuban lifestyle has pretty much come about due to trade embargoes. In North Korea the self imposed ecological sustainability can be traced to the Juche idea developed by Kim II-Sung. This concept embraces the three tenants of Political independence, Economic self-sustenance and Self-reliance in defense.
North Korean Traffic Warden
Arriving in the capital Pyongyang, the next thing to hit you, is the lack of cars, no roadblocks, no bottlenecks, just wide open boulevards. The footpaths on the other hand are full of people, walking, riding bikes, always on the move. The public transport system includes electric buses and a two line subway system.
Electric Bus, Pyongyang, DPRK
Street Scene, North Korea
Our tour took in three main locations; sites around the capital – Pyongyang, Kaesong – the capital of Korea during the Koryo Dynasty and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)
Young Pioneers in Kim II-Sung Square
I’m not going to go into every detail of the tour, but there were many highlights. In each location we were given ample opportunity to take any photos we pleased (apart from photographing groups of military)
Jazzhands at Mansudae Fountain Park, Pyongyang, DPRK North Korea
Highlights for me in Pyongyang included the amazing murals and statues. I particularly liked the quirky ‘music room’ full of boomboxes in the Grand People’s Study House.
Statue in Pyongyang, DPRK
The Sound Library at the Grand People’s Library in Pyongyang, DPRK. Every tour group gets played the same CD, Madonna singing ‘American Pie’!
Kaesong, the ancient capital of Korea, is like a tourism boom town waiting to happen. It did not escape me that we were the only group walking the quaint cobbled streets surrounded by traditional houses. Visiting the museum and learning of the history of the Koryo period, I thought to recent history, political movements, and how only sixty years have made the two Korea’s, North and South, so indistinguishable.
Kaesong, ancient capital of Korea during Koryo Dynasty
The Koryo Museum in the Songgyungwan complex of buildings
The demilitarised zone really took me by surprise. I was expecting stern faced soldiers ready for attack. Instead I discovered bus loads of Chinese tourists, snapping photos with obliging soldiers.
DMZ Soldier, North Korea
‘And the rains came tumbling down. DPRK Guard, DMZ, North Korea
I’d read a fair bit about North Korea before I traveled there, I’m well aware of it’s problems. But I also believe tourism can have positive effects on a country. My videos and my posts will be very diplomatic in their opinions. What we are seeing in North Korea is a change, a change I believe will be for the better. I’m not going to be the dickhead who ruins it for everyone by spouting bullshit opinions about politics and regressive regimes. Doing this will only get people into trouble in the fledgling DPRK tourism industry.
There is a lot you won’t be able to talk about with your North Korean Guides on current tours and there is a lot of the country you won’t see. BUT if you want to see a country like nothing else on earth, at a fascinating stage in history, North Korea is well and truly open for tourism!
Be quick, the winds of change blow strong in the year of a Rising Dragon.
I join Dr Choi of the Korean Society of Ginseng for a tour around a local Geumsam Ginseng shop to see what Ginseng products are available to buy. Ginseng is available in extract form, as a drink, as a tea, in capsules, as slices with honey and in whole root form. We discuss the prices and benefit of each Ginseng product.
Music: Shadows in the Moonlight – Josh Woodward “The Simple Life”
Overlander.tv are heading to China, so no videos for a while. We may find a way to get around the inability to use sites like youtube, but just in case we can’t, here is an early warning as to why things will be quiet here.
Mashup of the feature film, Network (1976) featuring Peter Finch and the song, Cloud Progression by Re-Drum from their It’s better to Burn Out Than To Fade Away. Always loved this speech, works well with the music, and is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.
I visit with Geumsam Ginseng Market with Dr. Kwang – Tae Choi, former president of the Korean Ginseng Society. Geusam is the main region of South Korea where Ginseng is grown.
Dr Choi talks about some of the proven health benefits of Ginseng. Some of the benefits of Ginseng include anti – fatigue, antioxidant, improves immune system, improves memory, helps with blood circulation, rids the body of heavy metals, helps reduce the effects of radiation, helps normalise cancer cells, improves sperm count and regulates hormones.
Dr Choi discusses the different types of Ginseng available, including Korean Ginseng and American Ginseng and why Korean Ginseng and the Korean peninsula produce the most medicinal Ginseng. Korean Ginseng can grow to six years of age whereas American Ginseng is harvested at four years of age.
Our delightful and delectable Seoul host Minji, teaches us how to use chopsticks. She believes the middle finger is the key to correct chopstick control. Willing and eager student Mark tests out Minji’s methods with some interesting results.
Interesting story about how this interview came about. On Wednesday last week I decided I would like to do a story on Korean Ginseng after reading about it’s benefits on the internet. So I put out a message on South Korean Facebook and couch surfing groups. Within 10 minutes someone replied to me on Facebook with a contact from the USA, the son of Shi Keum, the chairman of the Korea Ginseng Association. Only problem was Mr Keum did not speak English, so I needed a translator. I put out a call for anyone wanting to help with translation on couch surfing and that day Minji took up my offer.
This is the english version of the interview with Mr Keum, with Minji providing translation ( I will upload the Korean version also)
We discuss the health benefits of Ginseng, why Korean Ginseng is considered the best in the world, what varieties of Ginseng are available, such as Red and Mountain Ginseng, how Ginseng can be taking and who should take it.
This coming Wednesday I will be visiting the Geumsan province, which is the main area where Ginseng is grown to film how Ginseng is farmed and manufactured.
I look for two things in a backpack, durability and design, and I have found Australian Company, Caribee come up spades in both areas. I recently got a new backpack, the Caribee Skymaster 80. I needed something that both had wheels and backpack straps. My previous pack was a Caribee purchased in 2003 and still going strong. But I needed to get some weight off my back, so needed something with wheels.
Caribee’s Skymaster Series are one of the most advanced wheeled travel packs currently available world wide.
Light weight, innovative, stylish and environmentally friendly, these packs are made from recycled polyester materials such as plastic bottles, containers, fabric off cuts and worn out garments. Using recycled materials lessens the need for oil, helps reduce waste in landfills and soil contamination than if virgin polyester was used.
The packs have a 3 year warranty for workmanship and materials.
Ever had a dream to just travel the world?
On July 24th 2011 Aussie Filmmaker Mark Shea set off on a new journey with the goal to travel to each continent and make a living on the road.
Mark's motivation is to show that wherever he goes, He will find good people, passionate enough about where they live to show him round. To inform, entertain and inspire, learning about culture, customs and beliefs.
Exploring the new international world of Digital Nomadism Mark will produce videos while on the road, using lightweight High Definition equipment, and aims to survive solely on passive income made from his online ventures.
Countries visited so far:
*Indonesia *Singapore *Malaysia *Brunei *Philippines *Hong Kong *Japan *South Korea *North Korea *China *Laos *Cambodia *Thailand Mark has been travelling for 669 days 1 hour 37 minutes 2 seconds
