Many thanks Image Earth Travel for nominating my blog for the Liebster Award, which is very inspiring for a newbie like me. Before I had my own blog I always thought writing one would be very easy. Boy, was I so wrong. I never realised there were other bits I had to tackle, like designing pages, dealing with tricky templates, choosing the right photos. All that plus the gargantuan task of writing. With all the blogs out there on cyberspace there’s the desire to be noticed and ‘liked’ and ‘followed’ – so getting nominated for a Liebster is really quite cool. Thanks!
Award rules if you choose to accept
- Post about the award, thank the person who nominated you and link to their blog.
- Answer their questions about yourself.
- Nominate 5 –10 people with fewer than 1,000 followers, let them know via social media.
- Write your own set of questions for your nominees.
- Feel good about yourself for winning an award and pass it on.
My answers to Image Earth Travel’s questions
1. Is travel in your DNA and if so, explain why?
When I was a boy I remember looking at photos of far-away places, dreaming of the day I’d be able to see and photograph them myself. Now, I work and save money to travel as much as I can, camera in tow. So, yes, I guess you could say itchy feet is in my DNA.
2. What do you like most when visiting a blog site (content, photos, poetry, or other)?
I look for a connection – when the writing or photos elicit an emotion. I also love travel blogs that show a different and uncommon perspective of a place.
3. Are you at ease writing about yourself and sharing innermost thoughts in your blog, and why?
No. I don’t feel comfortable sharing my innermost thoughts, especially writing about them in a blog. What I do enjoy is writing about my travel experiences. There’s a feeling of accomplishment after I’ve posted something – I feel like I’ve returned a favour somehow. This place gave me joy, so I’m writing about it hoping that readers would visit it someday.
4. Do you have any advice for those that are thinking of travelling overseas but afraid?
My friend Yoon quit his job last year to travel around the world, backpacking from one remote place to another. From Australia he traveled to Central Asia, through Kazahkstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan – he’s still traveling and is now in Mexico. He’s had his share of little mishaps but he’s still in one healthy piece and having a helluva time. My advice is to be like my friend – be brave, go to those places you’ve yearned to visit, but be well prepared. There’s lots of reliable sites on the web to help you plan your trip.
5. How long do you spend on a blog site that you follow reading posts (1, 5, 10 minutes)?
About 5–10 minutes. Because I love photography I linger a bit longer when I see beautiful photos.
6. What is your preferred device/camera to take photos with and why?
I use a Canon DSLR and a mirrorless camera. I prefer candid shots of people, so I always carry a small camera that allows me to be discreet. This way I can capture natural expressions – when people don’t know they’re being watched, I think their smiles and frowns are much more beautiful.
7. What is your ‘pièce de résistance’ signature dish you love to make?
Friends and family love my carbonara. I suppose because I put a lot of feeling into the process. From the time I prepare the ingredients, I think of how I’m going to make this a better carbonara than the previous one I cooked. The secret to great carbonara is in the pancetta. Delizioso!
I follow lots of great blogs but here are five that I think deserve the Liebster.
- Two Travelin’ Chicas
“A dream to breakfree of materialistic existence and more with the breezes…” - Wanderlust – Travel with kids
Mother of four, traveler, reader, runner - Minnesota Yogini
Yogi’s adventures - J is for Journey
Travel oriented arts and culture - Wanderlust, trust, and pixie dust
“To say I love to travel would be an understatement; to say I travel enough would be a lie.”
My questions for the nominees:
- What inspires you to write a travel blog?
- What’s your most unforgettable travel experience?
- Have you had any Anthony Bourdain-like food experiences?
- If you were to live somewhere else, which place would that be and why?
- What advice can you give travel bloggers?
retratonz 