About Passports and Places
I’m Chris Mooney. I’m an authentic world traveler on a mission to turn tourists into travelers. I’m also a hobbyist photographer and a proud dog dad.
I’ve explored six continents and over forty countries. My goal is to visit every country in the world. But I also love slow travel. That means I like to settle into a place, learn some of the language, ride public transportation, eat where locals eat and immerse in the culture. That’s where the real journey begins, beyond what you see in the guidebooks and the typical travel blog. That’s why I started Passports & Places: to inspire you to adventure off the beaten path.
My travel journey started when I was a very young man. I was 7 years old and my sister told me we were road tripping to California from New Jersey. So I stuffed a pillowcase full of my favorites toys, underwear and a toothbrush. We only went a few blocks away to the local bank before I realized my sister tricked me. And while I cried my eyes out, it was the birth of the travel bug within me.
Fast forward to 18 years old, I joined the U.S. Navy because they promised me that I would travel the world. While it was hard work, I traveled extensively. I deployed three times. I visited ten countries, including some hard to reach ones like Eritrea, Papua New Guinea, and Seychelles. I also spent six months in the northern region of Japan’s Honshu island and lived in Hawaii for two years.
After my active duty service, I bought a one way ticket to South America for my first backpacking experience. Over fifteen months, I visited Ecuador, Peru, Argentina and Colombia. I learned Spanish in Quito and danced salsa in Cali. I rang in the New Year in Buenos Aires and taught English in Cartagena. I hiked Machu Picchu and collected countless unforgettable experiences.
Since then, I’ve been obsessed with travel. For instance, I studied abroad for a month in China and later in France. Additionally, I hitchhiked through the Malaysian Highlands, traveled for six weeks across Europe by train and roamed India for five months. I take pride in my ability to connect with cultures and people wherever I travel. That passion for meaningful travel is what inspired me to create Passports and Places.
Passports and Places will be your cultural guide to incredible destinations around the world. While the Eiffel Tower is iconic, you’ll have a richer experience, and a more positive impact, when you support a local Parisian boulangerie. Locals might speak English, but learning a few words in the local language will help forge a stronger connection. It took me a week to learn “hello”, “thank you” and “I would like…” in Polish, but once I did, I noticed a positive change in every interaction.
Through this blog, I’ll share stories, tips, and resources to help you explore destinations in a meaningful, authentic way. From insightful blog posts and detailed guides, Passports and Places is here to inspire your travels. I can’t wait to take you along on this journey and help you travel less like a tourist and more like a true traveler!
