Indelible Adventures is the brainchild of Terence Wallis, a professional photographer, speaker, writer, author and mentor based in Brisbane, Australia. Offering services spanning storytelling through weekly essays, books and podcasts, coaching for personal growth, high-quality photography for various events, and transformational speaking engagements, Terence shares his expertise to inspire others. With experiences from over 60 countries, his work aims to evoke emotion and provoke thought, showcasing his journey from modest beginnings to professional acclaim in consulting and beyond. Indelible Adventures is a testament to living life passionately and sharing those moments through compelling narratives and visuals.
1. What got you into travel writing?
Throughout my life, I’ve had the opportunity to travel extensively for both business and pleasure. I started writing and publishing a weekly essay in 2011, and over the years, I’ve developed a passion for documenting my travel experiences and life in general.
What attracted me most to travel writing was the challenge of capturing the moments of my adventures and putting them into words so that others could visualize, feel, and experience everything I was surrounded by and immersed in.
I enjoy sharing my stories, and I believe that photography enhances this experience for my readers.
2. What’s the most challenging part of being a travel journalist for you?
Travel can often be overwhelming with the barrage of new sights, sounds, smells, and scenes coming at you all at once. I sometimes find it difficult to stay present and fully appreciate the experience because I’m thinking about how I’ll describe it to my readers.
Travel journalism can also tax you physically as you need to find the energy at the end of each day to journal and take detailed notes so that you capture the finer details of your experiences for your upcoming stories.
3. What is one thing [equipment or personal item] you can’t go without on the road?
There are two things that are a must on any travel adventure, and these are my Canon R5 camera with a 24-70mm lens along with my Apple MacBook Pro. Essential tools of our trade.
4. What’s your most unusual and/or memorable travel experience?
One of my most unforgettable travel experiences was a 10-day hike across the Owen Stanley Mountain range in Papua New Guinea.
We started our journey by flying into a grass airstrip on the north side of the mountains and then trekked 100 kilometres back to Port Moresby.
The terrain is among the most challenging and mountainous in the world, made more so as it lays very close to the equator and covered in deep, dark jungle. The only way back is on foot via a single, often steep and slippery track.
Along the way, we encountered communities so isolated they seemed to be untouched by modern times, almost as if we had stepped back into the Stone Age.
Additionally, the path we followed was a World War II battlefield, still scattered with remnants of the war’s devastation. This journey was not only physically demanding but also profoundly life-altering, providing sobering insights into the realities of war along with the juxtaposition of our lives against those of the Papuan people.
5. How did you learn about NATJA and why did you join?
When I started my career in travel writing, I was eager to connect with a community of fellow enthusiasts who could help me learn and improve. At that time, I was living in Toronto, Canada. Joining NATJA seemed like the logical choice since I frequently travelled to the United States and Europe.
6. What is the best piece of advice you could give to a rookie travel journalist?
My best advice is to venture beyond the typical tourist spots as much as possible and immerse yourself in the villages and countryside of the area you’re visiting. I’ve found that the most memorable experiences often happen in these places. The locals I’ve met in these off-the-beaten-path locations are usually very welcoming and generous, and they often offer unique and helpful insights.
