MRP was born in New Zealand / Aotearoa - the land of the long white cloud ... He has been wandering the world – living out of a backpack – most of his adult life. Since 1988. And while he holds a university degree he has never had a permanent job or a career, never owned a house or car or motorbike – but once had a TV – and today he remains ‘on the road’ and single, never married, no children, few assets, no social circle or societal niche … one day he may ‘normalize’ but for now he’s still addicted to the constant fresh experience that is the freedom & excitement of a wandering life.
Early travel days 1989: MRP age 23 - Nemrut Dagi, TURKEY
MRP has an endless curiosity and a deep respect for nature, animals, Mother Earth & every culture & country on the planet – although he is yet to see everything he hopes to experience what he can while he can …
the journey so far 1988 - 2008
I’ve lived, worked, and traveled 100 countries - check detailed maps here - and intend experiencing more as I slowly see the world …
what is: the candy trail … ?
It’s about a nomadic life – my life as a traveller during the past 20+ years wandering solo across continents, stopping to work when I need funds but always on-the-road somewhere new, fresh and foreign. My journeys are always meandering, unplanned, often errupting into crazy adventures that have a mind of their own … And its these rewards (the following of a candy trail) of fun, hedonism, experience and knowledge, this trail of addictive hits in the experiencing of new adventures, global cultures & scenic wonders, this total freedom of choice to travel that I term THE CANDY TRAIL …
watching the day away
about MRP as artist
He draws with the camera and paints with the computer. As a digital artist MRP evolved in 2001 but has taken photos since his earliest travel days and his art is derived direct from his original photography (sometimes supplemented with clip-art). He began exhibiting in 2006. He is self-taught, and specializes in producing colorful montage travel art and murals, surrealistic social commentary & wild psychedelic art > Check out his art here.
rain, rivers, storms - Bangladesh
opening the doors to democracy - IRAQ
in your eyes i see procreating goddesses
buzz-zing
eco footprint
Because of budget, the modern world, also because of the way I always like to travel – I only fly when I must: usually to get out one-way to then travel overland across continents, unplanned and making the route as I travel by local transportation, stay in simple hotels, or family guesthouses, spend mostly at restaurants or stalls and other small local businesses so that as little of my money as possible goes to large-foreign-owned resorts or tour companies or to brutal, corrupt host governments SO mostly my travel funds pass directly to the everyday local people.
- thoughts -
MRP hopes for a future world focused on global justice,
equity & peace …
but wonders what catastrophes will precede this golden era
MRP is guided by the wisdom:
‘the past is finished, the future is uncertain,
all we have is now – so live life deeply;
enjoy everyday as,
if your last …’
MRP lives by the principle:
‘Be a good person; do no harm to others’
the candy trail … crazy world travels – on the road across the planet, since ‘88 www.thecandytrail.com
