OCEAN LOVER #6: Bruno Maltor
Bruno Maltor, an adventurer of today
Where does your passion for travel come from?
My passion for travel comes from my earliest youth.
When I was 6 years old, my parents hung a huge map of the world next to my bed. She immediately inspired me. I had fun learning the names of all the capitals, of all the countries in the world and I asked my mother to make me recite them (she gave me the name of a country and I had to find its capital).
For me, it was a bit like Avatar or Lord of the Rings, a somewhat imaginary world. And as I grew up, I realized that it was a real map of our real world and that I wanted to explore all these names of countries and cities that I had been able to learn.
What was the trigger for your change in life?
There was no particular trigger, but it was a journey that led me to first launch my blog on December 12, 2012, 8 years ago.
It developed quite well but the goal was really not to make a career out of it, simply to share my passion. Over time, people started to follow me, follow my adventures, like my photos and videos, etc.
And 6 years ago I was offered a permanent contract where I was doing my work-study program, in a large audiovisual group and I refused to focus 100% on my blog.
It was a bit about passion or reason, and I visibly preferred to take the path of passion.
Have you noticed any changes in the planet since the start of your adventures?
I would say that there are places that are really shocking, unfortunately.
For example, I recently went to Transylvania, in Romania, in the east of Europe. And there was a lot of waste in nature.
However, I have the impression that there are more and more projects being launched, things being done, in an attempt to make things happen. Citizens are launching initiatives that aim to reduce our environmental impact. And that’s really super cool and very interesting.
Which countries and destinations have impressed you the most by their environmental commitment?
I have already been to Costa Rica and this country seems to be very committed to the environment. Respect is a very important value, particularly that due to nature. So I would say Costa Rica could be a good country. But then, I don't know the commitment of their companies. However, we know very well that their impacts can be much greater than the citizens, unfortunately. To leave their premises lit at night etc., lots of little things. But I think Costa Rica is still a good example of a government because it tries to make things happen. Perhaps Canada too is a country well underway. Whether it's because it's a big country with fewer people, maybe, I don't know. But I think, once again, that there are more and more initiatives being launched.
During your travels, was there a particular moment or place that raised your awareness and strengthened your ecological commitment?
No, I've really been aware of this for a long time. I try to fly as little as possible, despite my job which means I have to fly from time to time. Sometimes I have to go to the other side of the world and it's complicated to get there by train.
Typically, I have traveled around Europe 3 times by interrail, I really like traveling by train. I also crossed Canada from east to west by train. It took a long time, it's the second largest country in the world but it was a great adventure.
I have also been vegetarian for 5 years. There are lots of things that I try to do on a daily basis, in order to try to change things on my own scale.
This summer, following the Covid 19 crisis, you chose to travel only in France. Have you discovered a beach, a lake, an authentic place close to water that you would recommend to our readers?
I want to tell you that for that, Corsica is still paradise. The paradise of beaches, authentic places etc. So I would recommend Corsica in general.
There are many beautiful places in Corsica that are worth a detour.
What is your relationship to the oceans/seas?
I feel very concerned by nature in general, particularly by the fauna and flora. As I said a little earlier, I have been vegetarian for 5 years. My report is therefore strong.
I am also fortunate to have PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors: diving certification) which allows me to dive whenever I can, all around the world. And for me the oceans are a place of meditation, serenity, fullness... For the record, I have had tinnitus for 15-20 years due to external otitis. And when I dive, it's one of the rare times where I don't really hear my tinnitus. I don't know why, my brain will never explain it to me (because tinnitus is brain related). But I know that it's a moment that is for me, and that allows me to be connected to a nature that is too often forgotten, because we don't see everything that happens under the oceans unless we dive.
So for me, the oceans and seas are extraordinary places.
I think we should all go diving, it would allow us to approach things a little differently and realize that we need to be careful.
Can you tell us about an encounter that marked you during your travels in recent years?
Honestly, there are hundreds of them, so it would be difficult to choose just one.
A small, easy gesture for the planet?
I don't know if this can be considered easy, but being vegetarian could be a great step forward.
So be careful, I hate to be moralistic about this subject which is very sensitive. It’s true that this is a controversial subject. People don't necessarily want to change their habits. But if we all adopted this diet, it would solve a lot of problems for the planet.
Written by Apnée Swimwear
