D. Michael, architect of the popular travel website – Beyond the Route – credits Oman for boosting his itinerant streak, following his posting as a lecturer at the Higher College of Technology in 2011. He was weighing the pros and cons of moving base from his home in California when acquaintances associated with Oman described it as an exciting destination for travel. It was his first job outside America, and Oman endeared itself to his travel passion.
He stayed on, travelled around and created his travel website in late 2015. He has since connected with thousands of travel buffs with his blogs and podcasts on the how’s and ways of experiencing Oman like a true local.
Talking about his website, he says his goal is to inform people how to travel independently in Oman, “Beyond the Route is all about things that are outside of the normal tourist views. I do cover the regular spots, but my focus is on demonstrating how to experience it differently. And, amazingly to me, both the podcast and the blog have become popular and ranked as one of the top websites in Oman,” he points out.
It was a desire to do something creative with his time that spurred him to start podcasts. The website, interestingly, came about as a requirement to accommodate his podcasts. “I do not know if I was gambling, but a lot of people liked it. There is obviously a need for information about independent tourism in Oman and adventure travel,” he observes.
Looking back on his personal travel journey, D. Michael says he first got bitten by the travel bug when he took a trip to Europe with his friend, while at university. He’d travelled all over California, as well as Mexico, but extensive travel happened after he landed in Oman. He has since travelled to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Austria, the UK, Qatar, the UAE, and Georgia – Georgia being his favourite.
Explaining about this penchant for Georgia, he says, “In many ways, Georgia is like Oman, with vast rural areas, great beauty, extensive off-road destinations, and wild camping. This is my favourite way to travel, living out the back of a 4×4. Something I’ve learned to love in Oman. In my opinion, it’s the only way to experience Oman authentically.”
The fact that his Land Cruiser has clocked 400,000kms in the last six years testifies to his voracious appetite for travelling and camping around Oman (rock climbing, canyoning, trekking, caving), covering almost every part of it, except Musandam, which he plans to do this summer. Asked about his favourite place here, he quickly lists the coastline of Al Wusta as the top. The beaches are beautiful, fishermen are friendly and there are not many tourists visiting, he points out, adding to the list Al Huqf, which has exciting wind-carved stone structures.
A regular adventure traveller, D. Michael prefers to camp out when the weather is pleasant or pitch a tent up the mountains when the weather turns up the temperature. To him, Oman is a perfect destination for wild camping, but he agrees that there are challenges, more so with the local language. Interestingly though, this does not pose an insurmountable challenge when he is visiting places where no one speaks English, as he can then rely on his limited Arabic skills. “It forces me to use the skills that I have,” he points out, adding that people are more accepting and open to invite him into their homes for tea and snacks.
This confidence to reach out and experience other cultures easily can be traced to his early upbringing. Born to a Sri Lankan father and an American mother, there was a constant celebration of their multicultural and travelling roots, he states. It also helped develop his palate for multi-cuisines, which he is now set to turn into a learning experience for his followers. Having explored cafes and restaurants dishing out a variety of cuisines, particularly in Muscat, he will work on a food guide for his followers, on the lines of his travel website beginning with ‘10 cool places to eat in Muscat’. Meanwhile, he is charting a roadmap to ensure that his future holds lots of travel learning for his followers, as he continues to follow his inspiring travel philosophy: “If you slow down, explore the backroads, and stay among the locals; you will have a richer experience.”
The home I grew up in… Orange County, California – along the coast.
When I was a child I wanted to… Be an architect.
The moment that changed me forever… When I realised not all adults know what they are talking about.
My greatest inspiration… My immigrant, a widow grandmother, raised four children in Pasadena, California, on her own. Working multiple jobs in a country she knew little about, had little support, but ultimately, achieved the American Dream.
My hero… Abraham Lincoln
If I could change one thing about myself… I would stop procrastinating.
I dream of… Achieving enough passive income to support my travel full time.
What I see when I look in the mirror… Someone who is long overdue for a beard trim.
It’s not fashionable but I like… Photographing using traditional film.
My greatest regret… Not investing my savings earlier.
You may not know it but I’m no good at… Social media. I rather not promote myself there, but it’s required to gain readers/listeners.
You may not know it but I’m very good at… Mechanical work. I used to be a marine diesel mechanic.
If I have time to myself… I get lost on YouTube… It’s terrible!
My house is… A penthouse with more outside space than inside.
My favourite haunt/holiday destination… Any place that meets these criteria: wacky, good value and not crowded with tourists.
My favourite weekend spot in Oman… That’s a secret.
I will not leave my house without… A camera.
Things I like about Oman… The weather (seriously), the relaxed pace of life, and the opportunity to explore.
A book that changed me… ‘Dove’ by Robin Lee Graham – basically the ultimate traveller.
On top of my wish/bucket list is… A new camera.
My success mantra is… You can’t succeed unless you first try.
In 10 years’ time, I hope to be… Sailing the world on a fast catamaran.