Andreas Ustabil

1997 – young and adventurous I set out on what was going to be the start of the beginning of my addiction to travel. For 8 months I traveled south East Asia and Australia.  It changed my life - Seeing different cultures and meeting interesting people from all over the world with a similar goal – to discover the world with an open mind.

8 months later I returned home (to Norway) with a backpack full of memories, new friends from all over the world and an urge to get back on the road as soon as possible.   I was hooked on the incredible feeling of freedom while traveling. Throw away your watch, get up when it’s too hot to sleep, go to bed when you are sleepy and go wherever you want whenever.

One country that got stuck in my heart after my first journey was Thailand. Never had I expected to encounter such and amazing place and people. Not only paradise beaches but imagine a place where people actually really smile to each other. Even the bus driver smiles to you when you get on the bus. Thailand – the land of smiles – it is so true.

My travel in Thailand brought me to the paradise that is Railay beach. Where I got introduced to what was going to be one of my passions in the years to come - rock climbing. Of the 8 months of traveling 3 of them were spent on the beaches, or over the beaches on the limestone cliffs in Paradise Railay.   After that, my love for traveling, Railay and rock climbing brought me back there once every year.

5 years ago I came back to stay for a year to climb and enjoy. This is when I came to know Free & Easy. I remember one morning lying in my hammock outside my bungalow when Curtis and Rob and a group of the happiest people came walking in. 

I am happy and so proud to be a part of the Free & Easy family. Before becoming a part of the family I had the pleasure of getting to know the F&E leaders coming back over and over again with the most amazing people. A friendship was formed. I could see how F&E were opening people’s eyes to the world, helping people to discover the gift of traveling. Making people want more.

Now I do the logistics for the trips in Thailand, making travel and accommodation arrangements and coordinating with our local contacts and Curt, Chad and Rob back home when they are not here.

Being here for a while I have gotten to learn the language, which has opened many doors to this amazing country and culture. My advice is before you are going on a trip, pick up a phrase book or a language course, try and learn a little of the language before you head out. I promise you, people will love you for making the effort to learn their language and it will help you on the way so much.

40 days in paradise, having travelled in Thailand for years, I can, hand on my heart, say F&E has found the most beautiful and breathtaking destinations the country has to offer. This together with two amazing group leaders and 20 plus new adventure hungry new friends – what can be better??

Traveling opens your eyes, changes you forever, makes you want more 
Believe me, its true! – Epic travel alters perspective!