US American expat Andi from andionadventure.com has nominated this blog for the Liebster Award. Thank you, Andi! Andi is currently living in Taiwan and has an engaging writing style. Make sure to check out her stories. 🙂
The travel blogger community is a special one. We are here on the web pouring out information, stories, and advice solely because we love travel. And we want to help and inspire you to travel too. The Liebster Award is a bit of encouragement and recognition passed along between bloggers to say to each other, “Hey, you’re making it! Keep going!”
Here are Andi’s travel questions for me. At the end, you’ll see the blogs I’ve nominated, so hopefully, you’ll get hooked on some new travel blogs!
1.) If you won the lottery and money was no object, where would you travel?
New Zealand!
2.) What is one of your favorite travel memories?
Spending shabbat with about 100 people at a rabbi’s house in Jerusalem.
3.) Do you prefer solo travel or traveling with others? Why?
I prefer a balance of both. Some of my favorite memories have been made while out exploring a country alone, but there are plenty of bonuses to traveling with a friend or family. While solo travel is empowering, for long-term travel, it is nice to be able to share experiences, see things from another’s point-of-view and have support when you are sick, for example. But taking breaks for alone time is important when traveling with others, too.
4.) What are 3 things you always pack in your carry on bag?
My camera, ipod, and mini Bible.
5.) What are the top 3 countries on your Bucket List?
I’m pretty much up for wherever, but I’d love to see Iceland, Tanzania, and Colombia.
6.) What inspired you to start blogging?
Reading. I saw the impact that writing can make. When researching Cambodia, for example, I continually read blogs that warned and wrote stories about bag snatching. This concern obviously made its way to the tuk tuk drivers in Cambodia because many had put wire around the open places where your bag could get snatched. I wouldn’t be surprised if that change was directly due to the blogs. Other travel bloggers have helped me immensely while traveling, so I’d like to give a bit back as well. (Below: Tuk tuks)
7.) What is your worst travel experience?
Does dealing with taxi drivers the world over (doesn’t seem to matter where!) count?
8.) In your opinion, which country has the best food?
The USA. 😀 I don’t mean to be biased as a USA citizen, but after 11 months on the road, I’ve realized that there’s no place like home, for food. You can find the very best of any type of cuisine and..there’s chocolate, everywhere. I miss Costco…
9.) What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen?
An island in Cambodia called Koh Rong Sanloem. It was composed of two sides of perfect, quiet beach and a nearly untouched jungle running through the middle of it. <3
Lago di Como in northern Italy would easily be next.
10.) If you could live anywhere, where would you choose?
That’s a hard one! I’d need a little more exploration under my belt to answer confidently. New Zealand sounds like an ideal place, but I still haven’t been. I would live in Israel, though I find it a bit stressful and expensive. Thailand holds a special place in my heart, as do Spain and northern Italy. But I still have really no idea.
11.) What is your top tip for beginning bloggers?
Find what inspires you and write about it. You won’t find your voice trying to be anyone else or by trying to figure out what people want to read. When your passion comes through your writing, your niche will find you. As the brilliant C. S. Lewis put it,
Even in literature and art, no man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it.
My award nominees are:
The rules of the nomination are as follows:
- Thank blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog
- Answer the 11 questions
- Nominate 6 -11 others
- Create a new list of 11 questions for your nominees
- Choose your own nominees and inform them
11 Questions to be answered:
1.) What is your favorite way to explore a new place?
2.) What is your favorite mode of transportation? (animals count)
3.) What motivates you to travel?
4.) What travel memory always makes you laugh?
5.) When have you been the most nervous or apprehensive before doing something or going somewhere new?
6.) What is the main thing you wish could be different in relation to travel and the travel experience?
7.) What characteristics makes a country amazing for you?
8.) What is the best thing someone can learn or take away from traveling?
9.) How do you deal with getting sick while abroad?
10.) Name three things on your bucket list.
11.) Who inspires you to travel the most?
Happy reading, happy blogging, and happy globe-trotting to the amazing nominees!
Great post! Thanks for the compliment, I really appreciate it! I need to add that Cambodian island you recommended to my bucket list – sounds like perfection! Happy trails!
You absolutely deserve it! It was great to be introduced to your travels through this award. I hope you check out that island- I’d love to go back too! All the best 🙂