Being an avid fan of both Ben’s YouTube channels and following them on Instagram I was excited to learn that they were coming to Chisinau and Tiraspol. I reached out hoping to grab a beer, hear some stories, and offering to show some unusual sites to an already un-touristy region.
Who are Backpacker Ben and Bald and Bankrupt?
To avoid confusion, we’ll refer to both Bens by their social media names. We’ll start with the up-and-coming Backpacker Ben, who is a popular YouTuber for his travel content. His videos draw attention to his often extreme and unconventional way of travelling to some of the most difficult countries in the World.
Backpacker Ben’s appealing content and interactions with locals during his adventures off-the-beaten-path combined with his character makes you wonder how he navigates around some of the world’s most challenging countries, including India, Bangladesh, and even some parts of the United Kingdom which many people would avoid.
Credit is due to Backpacker Ben with his minimalistic style of packing allows him to take on ambiguous journeys providing his thoughts and feelings along the way. Or his brave approach to sometimes his questionable choices of accommodation.
Bald and bankrupt (Mr. Bald) need no introduction, especially for those who love our Soviet Europe tours. Mr. Bald started his YouTube adventures in 2018, focusing on India, capturing his interactions with the local populations and unfiltered portrayals of diverse cultures in the subcontinent. On one such interaction during his search for Kingfeemer beer, and his subsequent vlog about it, we had a good chuckle over it.
However, Mr. Bald is renowned for his travel adventures in the former Soviet Union. Although he has moved on to other regions of the World. He is probably best known for his Soviet adventures, due to a few international incidents particularly one involving the Buran (spacecraft).
How did YPT meet Backpacker Ben and Bald and Bankrupt?
I simply asked Backpacker Ben when he is coming to Pridnestorvie (Transnistria), and he replied “I’m coming next week”. Luckily I was staying in Tiraspol the capital city, after our epic New Year Tour.
Being a guide for YPT, we totally understand that content creators require their space, time, and often bespoke tours. Hoping to meet Backpacker Ben in the evening, I realized he was staying in Chisinau not Tiraspol. We already agreed to meet in 2 hours’ time.
Realizing, this opportunity will probably never occur again. I finished my delicious shaslik, called my trusty driver, cleared my flat and was on my way to Chisinau.
What are Backpacker Ben and Bald and Bankrupt like in real life?
They were really down to Earth and normal, just Ben a former personal trainer and Ben from Brighton. They’re both genuine and generous, and they appear exactly how they do on their channels. No nonsense, false or fake persona, just normal guys who happily answered my many, many questions over a beer. It was nice to see their popularity hasn’t changed them; they are just regular fellas from the United Kingdom.
What did YPT get up to with Backpacker Ben and Bald and Bankrupt?
The following morning, I took Backpacker Ben out to discover some of my favourite abandoned places. Although safe and hassle-free to visit such sites (if you know what you’re doing) I was fully prepared for Backpacker Ben’s luck of bumping into security or meeting stray dogs. Luckily this didn’t happen.
We were successful in visiting the sites and Backpacker Ben was able to get his content and also have an extensive history lesson from me.
After our excursion, we met Mr. Bald at our Soviet hotel and went out for breakfast. I had the opportunity to ask him further questions about his travels to certain regions which I will be including in our Soviet Europe tours. We said our farewells, as they continued to Pridnestorvie and I continued to Chisinau Airport.
Why you should travel like Backpacker Ben and Bald and Bankrupt?
Backpacker Ben is truly a fascinating guy. At a young age he understands the value of travel and adventure over materialism. We all have that one friend who criticizes or comments on people who like to travel, often on a budget. However, these are the same friends, who buy takeaways, coffees, have large monthly payments on a car on finance, and have a wardrobe full of clothes, but still purchase more. Unfortunately, we both agreed you can’t travel like you’re in your 20s when you’ve retired. He’s truly making memories and inspiring others to do so.
Mr. Bald has introduced a generation to a region really misunderstood by many people in the West. In fact, it was the reason why I started to explore the former Soviet Union before I became the Soviet guide for YPT. Although he has moved on to many exciting places around the world often being accompanied by Backpacker Ben, he’ll always be the greatest of all time (GOAT) for his adventures in Eastern Europe.
We offer many budget Soviet Europe tours, often being the first adventure travel company to open up a region. With on-the-ground research, unique itineraries specifically designed for those who hate group tours as well as travelling with like-minded people, which really makes us stand out from our competitors. Join us in Pridnestorvie for our 2025 tours!
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