Totally blind and 80 per cent deaf in both ears, Tony Giles often gets asked, why bother travelling if you can’t see anything?
His answer is short and sharp: “it’s because it’s the biggest adventure and challenge I can get.”
Tony has experienced the smell of penguin poo, surfed in Russia, all while travelling most of the time, solo, with his white cane and hearing aids.
Speaking to Vision Australia’s Studio 1 podcast, the Briton says he has been to all seven continents, including Antarctica.
“The first thing that hits you is the air, it’s so clean and pure and fresh,” he told Studio 1 host Matthew Layton.
“The second thing that hits you is the smell of penguin poo which is everywhere.”
He admits Manhattan in New York is the easiest to navigate for someone who is blind because of the grid system.
While most people talk about what they see when they travel, Tony taps into his other senses.
“Without people, you don’t have a country or a culture,” he said.
“Without people there’s not too much point travelling and you don’t need sight to talk to people.”
He has travelled to over 129 UN recognised countries, and hopes to visit the other 64 countries in his lifetime.
Great Big Story documentary on Tony Giles
He is currently planning a trip to Pakistan, after a few missed trips during the COVID pandemic period.
He encourages everyone to travel if they can, whatever their ability.
Listen to the full interview in the player below:
Studio 1 is Vision Australia Radio’s weekly look at life from a low vision and blind point of view.
To get in touch with the show. Call or text: 0450 078 834 or email [email protected].