SH: What inspires you to travel?
DL: I have a tremendous sense of adventure. I get bored really easily with the environment I’m in, so I always want to be discovering new things – new foods, new cultures, new people. I have a constant thirst for discovery. Also, the more I travel, the more places I see… and the more I’ve understood the similarities in people and not the differences.

SH: What are some of your favorite destinations?
DL: Definitely Thailand. Koh Samui because it’s one of the first places I ever visited. I absolutely love it. It’s always been there for me when I’ve needed to clear my head. I love Paris too – it’s just such an awesome, beautiful city, especially when you have learned to avoid the tourist traps when it comes to eating and you’re able to find the hidden gems. Also southern Europe in general is a place I could spend a lot of time in. Borneo too as it’s still so untouched and beautiful. You know you’re in one of the last great jungles on the planet. To be honest, there’s not any place I don't like to travel to…

SH: Most valued travel tips for yourself and/or others?
DL: To always travel with an open mind and a sense of self-balance. If you’re in a bad mood or if people are getting to you, you just won’t enjoy the experience as much. You always need to be tolerant and open, especially when you travel to less developed areas. It makes the trip more enjoyable… you can connect with people. To summarize, go with the right attitude.

Also if you’re on limited time, make sure to pre-plan and have your hit list ready of what you want to see. Of course, make sure you have cash on hand for emergency situations!

SH: What do you miss about Shanghai while you are away?
DL: I don't miss the rain, that’s for sure! But I do miss the fact that it currently feels like home. I miss my friends and family of course. If I’m not traveling with my family, I miss them more than anything else really. But I don't miss places per se, because I’m always in the moment, wherever I am. I always look forward, never back…helps to make me a great traveler!

SH: Which aspect of traveling do you find the most difficult to do?
DL: If I’m somewhere that’s absolutely perfect…it’s leaving. That’s always really hard to do. Also long waits between destinations – delayed flights, bus trips, etc. On long trips, I don't look forward to waiting. Also, I don't like getting up really, really early to catch a flight! Apart from that, I have a natural sense of adventure so I don't really feel negative about anything. Oh, and if there is no internet connection, that sucks!

SH: How do you maintain health and fitness when you are away?
DL: If you’re away on business, eating and drinking is a natural part of the trip. So it’s about finding balance and finding the time to squeeze in workouts. Try to eat healthily. It’s challenging though – if you have early morning meetings, you can’t get to the gym. But on personal holidays, when I’m in a great destination with beautiful weather, good food (like Thailand or Greece), I naturally just want to hike and swim and eat well. Cut back on alcohol. It’s just a natural thing that happens.

SH: What can’t you leave home without?
DL: I would have to say my iPhone, iPad or computer so I can stay connected anywhere and anytime, so long as there is an internet connection. That’s all I need. Everything else I can do without. If I’m stuck anywhere, then it serves as entertainment. But really it’s about staying connected, no matter where I am.

SH: What is your most treasured possession you have picked up while traveling?
DL: Memories and my tattoos.

SH: What has been your most memorable holiday?
DL: There have been los of great ttrips in my life. But I guess there are two that really are tied for ‘best trip’. The first was backpacking through Europe for three months when I was younger, which ended with my 21st birthday in Israel on the Dead Sea. I traveled through 15 countries during that trip and it was super-memorable. Rivaling that is the one month I took in Koh Samui about five years ago. I took off my shoes and basically became a hippie for a month. And I added to my tattoo collection. So it’s a toss up between the two.

SH: What is the best restaurant, café, bar that you have visited while traveling?
DL: There are different ones for different reasons. From a gourmet standpoint, honestly there are just so many. But if I had to narrow it down, these are the three I would mention. Tetsuya’s - a Japanese restaurant in Sydney. He’s one of the finest chefs on the planet. I went there with great friends and enjoyed one of the best culinary experiences in the world. Then there are the beach side eateries in Samui where you get to put your feet in the sand, pick a fresh fish, have a BBQ, a bowl of steamed rice, prik nam pla – I’m in heaven. Many of the beach side joints offer this, but if I had to name one, it would be the Friendly Bungalow Restaurant on Samui.

Finally, theres a little tavern on the Greek island of Zakynthos where I stopped off while riding my rented motorbike. I indulged in fried calamari, Greek salad, olives, and a bunch of awesome little Greek snacks. This really stands out as one of the clearest pictures in my head. An incredibly cool meal.

SH: What are the top holiday destinations that you are yet to visit?
DL: India is up there. I’ve always wanted to go to Goa. Then there’s Mexico, Brazil, Cuba… plus about 120 more!

SH: Who is your favorite traveling companion?
DL: My wife and daughter. Or alone – I love the freedom that comes with traveling by myself. I can go 100% with the flow.

SH: What is your ideal holiday?
DL: Being somewhere that allows me to enjoy great, simple food. Having a beach nearby, and somewhere I can go hiking in the mountains, so I have a combination of being physical, doing nothing and eating really well.