Jae-Ha Kim
Hartford Courant
February 4, 2020
Filmmaker J.J. Kelley and journalist Kinga Philipps have teamed up to put their expertise to use in “Lost in the Wild,” which airs Sundays at 11pm ET/PT on Travel Channel. The reality adventure series follows the two as they head into remote areas to investigate missing persons cases and try to help solve the mysteries. More information about the series may be found at https://www.travelchannel.com/shows/lost-in-the-wild.
Q. Where is the wildest place you’ve visited?
Kinga Philipps: Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. It’s simply extraordinary. What makes Mana so special is that if you choose not to go on the organized safari route, which can be expensive but totally worth it, you can also self-drive and camp — if you know what you’re doing, of course.
Kelley: The deep field in Antarctica. When you visit the frozen continent, you see loads of amazing wildlife like penguins and whales. However, you only see life around the perimeter. Once you get into the deep interior of the landmass, it’s a lifeless, inhospitable and endlessly stark landscape. Humans are not meant to live in a tent at minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but I sure did for 25 days. It was both the wildest and most physically demanding location I’ve ever been.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
J.J. Kelley: Alaska. In a previous life, I spent years working as a kayak guide in Alaska’s remote Kenai Fjords National Park. For me everything is just bigger and more dramatic in our most northern state. For anyone who loves adventure, you can’t beat this place. The only problem is that it spoils you. Once you see the vastness of Alaska, everything else feels a bit lackluster.
Q. What untapped destination should people know about?
Philipps: I call it the other island mentality. Most places you go where there are islands, one will be the popular on-the-radar destination and right next to it are several others that are just as amazing, if not better, which usually have half the crowd and half the prices. Perfect examples would be Koh Rong Sanloem (Cambodia), which is the exquisite and quiet alternative to next door Koh Rong, an all-night moon party destination.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?
Philipps: I was a backpack baby, meaning that my parents took me everywhere in a pack. I was born in Poland, so my first memories are that I loved it.
Q. What do you recommend to people who’d like to visit remote destinations but are wary of the unknown?
Kelley: Have a plan for how you can safely step outside your comfort zone. If you’re going on a remote trek in Zimbabwe, bring a friend, tell a friend where you’re going and when you’ll be back and have a plan for what they’ll do if you don’t surface at the agreed upon time. Always have a protocol for communication. Get an international plan for your cellphone. Have check-in times and stick to them. Do not get lazy with this. It could save your life. I’ve received my greatest education from traveling to 111 countries and I’d never discourage anyone from seeing new horizons. I wholeheartedly encourage you. Just be smart about it!
Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
Philipps: I live in Los Angeles and we are so fortunate to have such amazing nature getaways all around us. We go out to Catalina Island to free dive and spearfish regularly. I love camping near Ojai, Big Sur or in Joshua Tree National Park. Angeles National Forest is another beautiful escape, if you are in the mood for trees and hiking. Mountains, ocean, islands, deserts, trees. We really have it all.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
Kelley: New York, Tokyo, Seoul, Cape Town and Amsterdam.
Philipps: Sydney, Byron Bay, Rome, Florence and Barcelona.
Q. What would be your dream trip?
Philipps: Sailing around New Zealand looking for Orcas.
Q. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
Kelley: Stay curious! Don’t travel around the world to text with your friend who lives in your hometown! Don’t eat at the hotel! Don’t stay within the tourist bubble. Get curious about what’s over there. Ask questions and immerse yourself in your destination. Otherwise, why did you spend all that money to get around the world?
Q. What is your best vacation memory?
Philipps: Living out of a van in Iceland for nine days with my sister as we toured the entire ring road and stopped in so many spectacular spots our heads were spinning.
Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
Kelley: I’m from Minnesota and Norway is the one place that feels most like my homeland. The people are sweet, the food is a little bland but satisfying and the culture is one that celebrates the cold instead of complaining about it.
© 2020 JAE-HA KIM
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