jetsetters: @hbomb_worldwide
We’re not quite sure how to compose this next introduction, so we’ll put the fancy prose aside and just say this: if you’re looking for a New York-based attorney who also happens to excel at singing karaoke around the globe, Harvey from H-Bomb Worldwide Karaoke is your guy. He’s crooned along in karaoke bars across 27 different countries (that’s a FACT), with more travel plans in the works. Read on to hear more about his song-filled adventures and how he lost a Chilean girl’s hand in marriage thanks to a lousy chess game.
Favorite Place: A tie between Greece and Italy. The reasons include the Mediterranean climate, the stunning beauty, the food, and the history dating back to classical times.
More importantly, favorite meal: In Istanbul I had a dish called iskender, which consists of grilled lamb strips, chunks of bread, tomato sauce, yogurt, and melted sheep butter, all mixed together. The taste of this dish was absolutely incredible.
The moment you caught the travel bug: During winter break of my senior year of university, I competed in the World Debating Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Prior to that trip I had never been out of my native United States and had never even been on an airplane. That trip instilled in me a lifelong love of travel.
First experience traveling alone: Between my second and third years of law school, I took summer law courses in London and Salzburg. The program was run by a law school other than mine, so I didn’t know any of the other students beforehand. Then, after the classes wrapped up, I spent three weeks traveling around Europe on my own.
Ever been (or thought you’ve been) in imminent danger while traveling?: In Mexico City I was robbed by a taxi driver. He took my smartphone and some of my money, and then he forced me to get out of the vehicle and left me in the middle of nowhere at 2 a.m.
And on Easter Island I was chased by a pack of three stray dogs in a deserted area at dusk.
Then there was the time that I only found out later of the danger I’d been in. It happened when I was on safari in South Africa. At about midnight on my first night at the game lodge, I was hungry so I wandered out of my bungalow, hoping to find a staff member to help me out with late-night snack options. I did end up having the kitchen make me a sandwich. The following evening I was in the bar, having drinks with staff members. The staffers casually mentioned that leopards and hyenas frequently roamed the lodge grounds at night, so that it wasn’t safe to leave my bungalow alone after dark. In fact, they told me that just the night before (the same night when I’d stepped out of my bungalow to search for sustenance), a leopard had been running around on the premises! I shudder to think what would have happened if I’d encountered that leopard.
Worst hotel/hostel experience: Arriving in Johannesburg on a Saturday afternoon, I was exhausted and jet-lagged after having been up all night on a 15-hour flight from New York. Normally in that situation, I will take a nap. But when I got to my hotel, I couldn’t get to sleep because there was a wedding party staying on the same floor and they were being very loud — slamming doors, screaming, etc. Eventually the hotel kicked out that rowdy group of guests, but the damage was done. I ended up not being able to get to sleep until very late that night, and I had problems with insomnia, fatigue and illness for days afterward.
Best hotel/hostel experience: The Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, Tennessee a couple of months ago. I’m one of those New Yorkers who doesn’t drive, my license having expired in 2011. Getting around a town like Murfreesboro, with no mass transit and unreliable taxi service, could therefore have been difficult for me. But the hotel’s bellhop staff volunteered to drive me all around Murfreesboro in a shuttle van that’s normally just used for airport runs and the like. They took me everywhere from a karaoke bar to a Civil War battlefield — and didn’t charge me for any of the rides. One of the bellhops even gave me an impromptu tour of the city, which included a stop so that I could get out and take photos in the historic downtown. My suite in the hotel was spacious and had lots of amenities, but it was the outstanding service that really made my stay there memorable.
In case you’re wondering what I was doing in a random place like Murfreesboro, I was there on official World Karaoke Tour business! I’d heard that a local bar had a karaoke show hosted by a woman named Heather who calls herself “H-Bomb”; so I just had to fly down to Tennessee and meet this other H-Bomb. But I digress.
Favorite family vacation: My parents gave me the opportunities that enabled me to become a frequent traveler in adulthood. However, we didn’t go on any long-distance vacations when I was growing up in New Jersey. I do treasure my memories of our end-of-summer family road trips to Cape Cod and Atlantic City.
Must-have packing item: I wish that I only had one must-have packing item! But I can’t go anywhere without taking along all of the following: (1) laptop, (2) DSLR camera, (3) tripod for taking long-exposure photos, (4) Kindle, and (5) smartphone. And that’s without even getting into the related accessories like chargers and voltage converters. I’m not complaining, as these devices have greatly improved the quality of my trips and my ability to document them.
Most unbelievable travel experience: On a flight from Santiago, Chile to Easter Island, I was seated next to a Chilean urologist and his college-aged daughter. Among the offerings on the in-flight entertainment system was a computerized chess game that passengers could play against other passengers. The doctor told me that I should challenge his daughter to a game of chess, and that if i won the game he would give me his daughter’s hand in marriage. I’ll never know if he was serious, because I lost the chess match! I swear that I was trying, but I just suck at chess. (Postscript: the father and daughter did not disembark at Easter Island; they stayed on the plane, which was continuing onward to Papeete, Tahiti. So I never saw them again.)
Favorite “I can’t believe I’m doing this” moment: Waking up on Easter Island.
Place you can’t wait to return to: London. I’ve spent more time there by far than in any other foreign city, but have only been there once in the last six years as I’ve prioritized seeing places that I haven’t yet been to. But I miss London and really need to make it back there!
Place you can’t be paid to return to: There’s no place I’ve visited that I wouldn’t return to. In some cases I would take greater safety precautions, but I would still go back. Every place that I’ve ever been to has had at least some good qualities. Also, there are always things that I didn’t get around to seeing on my first visit to a particular destination.
Any exciting trips coming up?: Next month I’m off to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Kiev, plus a weekend in Chisinau, Moldova. If all goes to plan, the 3 countries that I’ll be hitting on that trip will become the 28th, 29th, and 30th countries on my World Karaoke Tour. That will give me the distinction of having sung karaoke in more countries than anyone else that I know of! (There’s an Australian travel writer named Brian Thacker who’s sung in 29.)
Just a few days after returning from that trip, I’ll be heading to Toronto for my first-ever TBEX! I look forward to meeting lots of my favorite travel bloggers in person for the first time there.
Dream vacation: I want to sing karaoke in Antarctica, the only continent where I have yet to make a karaoke appearance. So all I have to do is find a way to get to McMurdo station, a scientific base that isn’t on any cruise ship itinerary, has no hotels, and doesn’t welcome tourists (but does have a bar with regularly scheduled karaoke nights!) Of course, getting to Antarctica from North America (or from most places) is expensive and arduous anyway. My goal of singing there just adds another layer of challenge.
Favorite tourist attraction: Going to observation decks at the top of skyscrapers and enjoying the panoramic view of the surrounding area — especially at night.
Favorite “I’m trying not to look like a tourist” attraction: One of the nice things about going to karaoke bars in foreign countries is that in most cases you don’t see other tourists, and it can be a great opportunity to meet locals (although the loud music isn’t always conducive to conversation).
I also like riding local mass transit systems, and reading on my Kindle, etc., just as if I were commuting to work on the subway in Manhattan.
Favorite travel photo: Me on Easter Island with some of the moai. I’ve been fortunate to see some pretty amazing things in this world, but those mysterious stone statues have to rank at the top of the list. Seeing them was definitely worth my run-in with the killer dogs.
H-Bomb on Easter Island
For more of his adventures, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!
If you want to be featured as our next Jetsetter, don’t be shy! Drop us a line at thelazytravelers [at] gmail [dot] com or leave a comment. We’re friendly, we swear.
xo!
the romantic & the wino
35 Comments
Paul Farrugia
Great interview! What a cool idea, travelling around the world singing Karaoke. I hope he makes the South Pole!
Paul Farrugia recently posted..Faces of Burma
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Paul: Thanks! I’m grateful to the Lazy Travelers for interviewing me. And I will find a way to make it to Antarctica (although not necessarily to the exact South Pole, as I’m not very outdoorsy). 🙂
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday Photo, week 23: the Roman Pool at Hearst Castle
Charu
The chess anecdote made me laugh!! Great interview.
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Charu: I’m glad you liked it! And before that flight I literally hadn’t played chess in years. There’s a lawyer at my firm who’s very good at chess, and has competed in tournaments. If only I’d taken lessons from him before that trip. 🙂
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday Photo, week 23: the Roman Pool at Hearst Castle
Red Hunt
That is crazy about the chess match, haha…I have to agree with Easter Island being such a cool place to visit, still near the top of my list. See you at TBEX Harvey…
Red Hunt recently posted..The Caves of Gunung Mulu
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Red: Yeah, no matter how many other places I go to, I think Rapa Nui will always have a special place in my heart. Like you said in a DM to me, that island is magical.
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday Photo, week 24: the statue of the Immaculate Conception in Santiago
Leah Travels
I’m dying at the Murfreesboro experience. I’ve been there! I have a friend that lives there and her family owns half the damn town including a terrific restaurant that has smoked chicken wings. Not fried. SMOKED. I wish I could remember it’s name. But anyway, this interview made me laugh.
Leah Travels recently posted..Next Up: Camels, Cars, Colorado, Canucks & Kahakai
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Leah: Thank you. And I hope that when you’ve gone to Murfreesboro you had better ways of getting there than the Greyhound bus from Nashville. Anyhoo, although I didn’t know what to expect from M-boro, I have to say that I had a really good time there. I wonder if your friend’s family has any connection to Duggers Food & Fun (the establishment where I went to the karaoke show hosted by the other H-Bomb. It’s in a strip mall called the Kroger Shopping Center).
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday Photo, week 23: the Roman Pool at Hearst Castle
@mrsoaroundworld
What a fun interview! Interesting guy! Made me smile!
@mrsoaroundworld recently posted..My hOtel: St. Pancras Renaissance, London @stpancrasren @renhotels
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Ana: I appreciate the kind words! And I’m always happy to put a smile on someone’s face. 🙂
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday Photo, week 23: the Roman Pool at Hearst Castle
Anita Mac
Great interview…love meeting so many new people through your jetsetters series. Would definitely watch the Antarctica karaoke! What a challenge.
Anita Mac recently posted..Cafe du Monde: A Must Eat Experience in New Orleans – sugar coated beignets
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Anita: I really like this series too! And I’m glad you liked this particular interview. When I finally get the chance to sing in Antarctica, it will surely be an unforgettable experience . . .
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday Photo, week 23: the Roman Pool at Hearst Castle
D.J. - The World of Deej
Hilarious stuff…how have I not been familiar with Mr. Hbomb until now?
D.J. – The World of Deej recently posted..Dawn at Augusta National – Picture of the Week
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@D.J.: I guess I’ve been keeping a low profile. 🙂 Besides, it’s easy to get lost amid all the amazing people in the travel blogosphere.
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday Photo, week 23: the Roman Pool at Hearst Castle
lola
too funny! great stories! way to make it to the top with your World Karaoke Tour! singing karaoke in more countries than anyone else is an impressive (and fun) feat! and now that you mention it, its definitely a great way to meet locals!
lola recently posted..One Day Stay: Kennebunkport, Maine
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Lola: Thanks, the World Karaoke Tour definitely adds another dimension to my travels and it’s always fun! I just hope I won’t have to drink too many shots of vodka when I sing with the locals in the former U.S.S.R. next month . . .
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday Photo, week 23: the Roman Pool at Hearst Castle
The World Wanderer
Great interview! That story about the leopard in Africa is too much! I was the worst, and never left my tent in the middle of the night. I could hear the jackals right outside and I was too afraid to leave, haahaa.
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Erin: You know, the worst aspect of the leopard story is that the lodge had given me NO WARNING of the dangers of wandering alone at night. There should have been a giant sign on the desk in the bungalow, admonishing guests of what might happen if they step outside after dark! Although I might have had to take the risk anyway, because I’d been sick with flu-like symptoms, so I’d eaten virtually nothing all day; so when I finally started feeling better at about midnight, I was STARVING. And I can never fall asleep if I’m that hungry. So I might have still felt the need to do something to rustle up some victuals, and there was no phone in the bungalow to get in contact with any staff members. But it would have been helpful to know beforehand that I myself might become someone’s dinner.
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday Photo, week 23: the Roman Pool at Hearst Castle
Becca
Harvey was so hungry that night, the leopard really was the one who was in danger…
🙂
Great interview Harvey! I’ll post on one of your other pages so you’ll know it’s me.
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Becca: I don’t know, not sure if I would have been up for trying a leopard-burger; it might have tasted a little too gamey. 🙂
I’m so glad you enjoyed the interview, BTW, since you had already heard most of these stories before. 🙂
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..Touring Egypt, part 4: the earliest Egyptian pyramid in Saqqara, plus the ancient capital of Memphis
Kieu ~ GQ trippin
A karaoke-singing attorney?!! I like this q the most: Favorite “I can’t believe I’m doing this” moment: Waking up on Easter Island. I’d love to wake up on E. Island.. bucket list!
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..On Being Home
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Kieu: Rather than a karaoke-singing attorney, I prefer to think of myself as a law-practicing karaoke singer. 🙂 And I highly recommend the inclusion of Easter Island on any bucket list — and it’s not as hard to get to as many people think. It’s good to combine with a journey to South America, as there are direct flights from Santiago and Lima. My flight from Santiago was only about 5 hours.
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday Photo, week 24: the statue of the Immaculate Conception in Santiago
Jenna
Fun interview with lots of intriguing answers. The dangerous answers made me shudder a bit, though…I am fortunate to never have been robbed or chased by mad dogs. I can see why you chose your answer for “I can’t believe…” moment–going to Easter Island is a dream trip of mine.
Jenna recently posted..It’s All About the People
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Jenna: It was definitely fun to PARTICIPATE in the interview. And lot of credit for that has to go to the Lazy Travelers, to whom I am grateful for making me one of their featured Jetsetters!
Although I was robbed, I was fortunate that the experience didn’t have a worse outcome. And I’m also fortunate that I outran the mad dogs. 🙂
And you should try to plan an excursion to Easter Island one time when you’re visiting São Paulo – it’s just a hop, skip and a jump from there via Santiago!
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..H-Bomb’s Friday Photo, week 24: the statue of the Immaculate Conception in Santiago
toos
Excellent Harvey and love the picture!
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Toos: Thank you! And the pic is definitely one of my favourites — if I didn’t have such photographic evidence, I might start to wonder whether I had really visited such an otherworldly place as Easter Island!
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..Touring Egypt, part 4: the earliest Egyptian pyramid in Saqqara, plus the ancient capital of Memphis
W*C*B*F*F
Wow, I was not aware of the fact that you could be shacked up in Santiago now had you won that Chess game! Great interview – questions and answers!
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@W*C*B*F*F: Thanks, I ‘m glad you enjoyed the interview. Credit for the questions must, of course, go to the Lazy Travelers.
And hey, who says that the marital home would have been in Santiago if I’d won that chess game? 🙂
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..Touring Egypt, part 4: the earliest Egyptian pyramid in Saqqara, plus the ancient capital of Memphis
Tawny of Captain and Clark
I loved this interview! So many questions! What would have happened if he own the chess match? What would have happened if he met the leopard? Either way, I think we need to become friends with Harvey. He sounds AWESOME.
Tawny of Captain and Clark recently posted..Getting fancy with London high tea.
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Tawny! Thank you so much! Coming from legends like Captain and Clark, that’s a huge compliment! It would be great if we could be friends.
As to your questions: I’m kind of GLAD that we don’t know what would have happened if I met the leopard. 🙂
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..Touring Egypt, part 4: the earliest Egyptian pyramid in Saqqara, plus the ancient capital of Memphis
Raul (ilivetotravel in Twitter)
H-Bomb should check out the winery outside of Chisinau with the tunnels for storing wine (I wrote about it in my blog). Also, he should try mamaliga and papanash but not sure how easy these are to find in Chisinau!
Raul (ilivetotravel in Twitter) recently posted..Kilimanjaro Hike: Day 6 – Reaching Uhuru Peak on Summit Night
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Raul: I know about those wine tunnels. My time in Chișinău will be quite limited, so I don’t know if I’ll make it to them, but they are definitely on my radar. Also, I took the liberty of googling those food items you mentioned, and I want to try both of them! So I hope that I’ll find me some mamaliga and papanash.
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..Touring Egypt, part 4: the earliest Egyptian pyramid in Saqqara, plus the ancient capital of Memphis
Traveling Ted
I have only sung karaoke in the Philippines, Vietnam, and the U.S., so I am way behind HBomb and not a threat to overtake. I will be in Toronto for TBEX, so I hope to get some world travel karaoke tips and maybe hear him in action.
Traveling Ted recently posted..A tour around Krakow
Harvey (H-Bomb's Worldwide Karaoke)
@Ted: The Philippines and Vietnam are both places that I very much want to get to and sing karaoke in, so I’m jealous that you’ve sung in those countries. I definitely plan to do some karaoke in Toronto on that Saturday night during TBEX!
Harvey (H-Bomb’s Worldwide Karaoke) recently posted..Touring Egypt, part 4: the earliest Egyptian pyramid in Saqqara, plus the ancient capital of Memphis
craig zabransky (@StayAdventurous)
awesome interview and strangely enough I sat next to a Chilean girl on the NYTF Sunday tour involving Mezcal tasting, she was a designer for victoria secrets, I wonder if she could play chess too…
Plus, so amazing to get to hear you sing in NYC
https://vine.co/v/bUxTJYEgaAM
Finally we will need to rectify that Mexico City story one day… see you at TBEX.
stay adventurous, Craig
craig zabransky (@StayAdventurous) recently posted..Postcard-Hong Kong, a City of Contrast