While minding my own business tapping merrily away on an upcoming post, along came not one, but two blog award nominations! It stands to reason, I was rather chuffed and set about letting my family and friends in on it. All I had to mention was “awards” and their congratulations could be heard from far and wide.

Now, we know it’s not an Oscar, but it is recognition for the time and effort poured into our beloved posts by the very people who can fully appreciate it; our peers.

So here’s where I have the opportunity to thank all and sundry and to pay it forward to some well deserving Travel Bloggers in my midst.

The Versatile Blogger Award

Firstly, thank you to Sam from Sam H Travels for nominating me. Sam’s ethos is “To Travel Is To Live”, who can argue with that, right? She’ll be bringing us some Florida State Park wonders over the next few weeks so follow the link, subscribe to her updates and enjoy what I’ve had the pleasure of discovering through her posts.

Ok, so let’s get the rules down:

1. Display the Versatile Blogger Award badge on your blog – check
2. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog – check
3. Share any 7 facts about yourself
4. Nominate up to 10 bloggers and notify them

Well, here goes with #3!

• #eat #drink #explore #shop; my hashtags are a way of life!
• I’ve moved 10 times in 10 years in 4 countries.
• Oysters are my favourite shellfish.
• I’m currently studying Mobile App Development, Mandarin and Spanish.
• I just completed a 14-day juice cleanse (refer above #eat #drink)
• My favourite part of travelling is the friends I collect.
• Danish TV dramas are my current binge watching obsession (no, I don’t speak Danish)

Here are my nominations….drum roll, please….

Hitchy Travel Stories come from Sylvain who hitch-hikes around the globe. He’s currently in India for 6 months on his way to Nepal. Head to his Twitter or Instagram accounts for regular updates and look out for his Monthly Project, a post supporting organisations in need.

Vanathi’s blog, I Spy Pretty Places is on expat travel. Vanathi and my ships passed in the night, she went from the Middle East to Asia and you all know I did the opposite. Based in Singapore, Vanathi writes for everyday travellers.

I’ve been following megsblogged on her travels now for some time. I’m always keen to read her latest post. Whether it be a location review, restaurant review or book review, Meg tells you what she likes and why. She’s been influential in the Dubai dining scene and Zomato loves her.

These 3 blogs give a cross section of locations, experiences, cuisines and a few holiday reading tips. They’re well deserving of the Versatile Blogger Award so I encourage you to follow, subscribe and check them out on social media.

The Liebster Award

TravelFolio kindly nominated me for the Liebster Award and I’d like to thank them for their recognition and the questions I will be answering momentarily. The beauty of Travel Folio is that Vishal and Neelu, the main contributors to the blog, encourage other bloggers to collaborate with them by guest blogging. So, if you’re a blogger, take them up on it, I know I will!

There are a few versions of the rules for this award, but the latest seems to be as follows:

1. Display the Liebster Award badge on your blog – check
2. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog – check
3. Answer the questions your nominator asked of you
4. Nominate up to 10 bloggers and ask them your own set of questions.

So here goes Travel Folio, the answers you’ve been patiently waiting for:

Why do you blog?

Blogging allows me to revisit the sights, smells and tastes of a destination while writing of the experience and allows others to use my blog as a foundation for their own planned visit. I also enjoy the community I’ve become a part of.

What’s your biggest blogging challenge?

Finding the time to focus on writing an engaging post on a previous destination while distracted by where I’m off to next.

Which is your most desirable destination?

There are so many places I am yet to experience, but Iceland seems to be popping up a lot lately, although I’m keen to get to Cuba while its uniqueness is still intact.

What is one new thing you’ve learned because of blogging?

Coding! I’m still a complete novice but I’m not as frightened of it. My gorgeous friend, Alison helped me start my blog and basically forbid me to go to the coding page. I sneak in there now and then and play. Don’t tell her! 😉

Please share your blogging goal for 2017?

Posting weekly, but I may have already failed at that this week. LOL!

Your favourite airlines and why?

Now we live in Dubai, Emirates. They’ve been very good to me.

I have never had a bad experience on Cathay Pacific.

Although Qantas cabin crew can get a bit hoity toity at times, I still call Australia home!

Which is the place you don’t want to visit and why?

Pass!

I could probably say Aleppo right now, but that might make me sad and angry. I don’t want to get political while accepting my awards.

And my Liebster Award Nominees are:

LivingItUpCT! Nadine does an awesome job luring all and sundry to her beloved Capetown. Please check her out, she’ll inspire you on a weekly basis with her brand of quirkiness. If Capetown isn’t on your bucket list, check out LivingItUpCT on Instagram and it soon will be.

Travelsewhere! David, a fellow Aussie and self-confessed travel addict, takes you to places a little less travelled ensuring you are forever updating your bucket list. Having visited 20 countries by the age of 12 and now 50+ in his twenties, he’s a reliable source for less tourist driven locations. His blog began from Instagram and his photography rocks!

Estafania Mayone! There’s only one post on the page but check it out, it’s a good one. Who doesn’t love an island right? I think receiving a Liebster Award nomination might be the encouragement needed for more posts. Let’s see….

OK you guys, here’s what I want to know from you.

When and why did you start blogging?

Is there anything specific you do to motivate yourself to write?

Who’s your favourite Simpsons character and why?

Where do you live?

If you could invite 5 people (alive or dead) for a dinner party, who would they be?

Where is your next destination?

Have you bungee jumped? Where, when and, for goodness sake, why?

Thanks again to Sam H and Travel Folio for your recognition and congratulations to my worthy nominees, you all deserve it. 

I’m on tenterhooks awaiting your answers to my questions, especially you Travelsewhere! 😉

(oh, and thanks to everyone for loaning me your pics!)

Versatile Blogger and Liebster Awards; they’re things we love….