We’ve been nominated for the Liebster Award!
The Liebster award is given by veteran bloggers to new bloggers as a way of support and motivation for bloggers they feel deserve the accolades.
Marie from Seriously Travel was kind enough to bestow their nomination on us.
Though some think of the nomination as a chain letter, it’s better to look at it as recognition within the online blogging world. It’s also a way to meet other bloggers in your genre.
How the Liebster award works
After the nominator has chosen who they want to nominate they ask between 7 and 10 questions (although it seems that number varies from blogger to blogger) in an attempt to get to know the nominee better. Once the nominee has answered those questions he or she then nominates new bloggers which they think have great potential and have experiences to offer readers. The process starts over in a “pay it forward” way.
The following are the questions we were asked by Marie and our answers
1. Have you always loved to travel or is your passion a new one?
Both of us have been passionate travellers since we were young, more so because the passion was probably passed on from our parents. Between us we’ve travelled most of India (Our home country), parts of China, Thailand, Mauritius, South Africa and Eastern/Central Europe.
2. What is your earliest travel memory?
Him: My earliest travel memory is of Kashmir, referred to in India, as heaven on earth for its natural beauty. I was running ahead of my parents discovering tiny streams and vibrant flowers before I came across a table top rock which I could sit on. I sat and got lost in the sights. It was in the middle of the valley, surrounded by mountains, overlooking a tiny stream even I could hop over and wondering if I could spend my entire life like this on the rock.
Her: Definitely of Darjeeling, a popular hill station in India. It is famous for its tea gardens and offers the best views of the majestic Himalayas. I absolutely cannot forget the feeling of walking in-between the clouds, something which only can be experienced not told.
3. What is your favorite destination for food and what dish is your favorite in that destination?
Our favourite destination for food remains our birthplace, Kolkata in India. We’ve travelled to various placed in and out of the country, but the taste we are perhaps used to and have come to like remains a Kolkatan speciality. If you are not an Indian and up for an adventure of taste buds without giving mind to food hygiene and a little zesty spice, you will go back a changed man/woman, if ever you decide to leave that is.
The one street side dish which stands out is “Phuchka”, whose cousins in Delhi and Mumbai are called “golgappa” and “pani puri” respectively. A very simple dish of fried hollow balls stuffed with a spicy potato filling and a spicy water – not much to look at, but amazingly addictive after your first bite. Don’t forget to ask for a “sukha puri” which is basically the same dish without spices and a little black salt to top it. It works wonderfully to soothe your burning tongue
4. What is your longest stay in any one destination?
We usually stay for a max of 3-4 days at a place to get a good feel of the local cultures and sights before moving to a new destination. We try not to deviate from it, because we have only so many days at hand and are usually on a budget.
5. What is your worst experience while travelling?
There hasn’t been an experience to justify it calling worst, but we have been cheated at some places by people whom we thought we got along fabulously and have had things stolen at the most ridiculous of places, it’s all part of the package but it leaves a bad taste at the end of it.
6. What country would you live in other than your own hometown?
This is a very tricky question because every place has something unique to offer but we would love to settle down somewhere on the Garden route, South Africa if the law and order situation stabilizes a little more. We had an amazing time there, the people were very friendly, the views are amazing and best of all, the real estate prices aren’t heart breaking.
7. If money were no object, where would you travel?
Him: Antarctica for sure, it’s been a dream since I was a kid and saw all those amazing documentaries on NGC. Maybe the Machu Pichu trail, Japan and a trip to see the Northern Lights as well.
Her: It’s very difficult to decide a list, there’s so many places to choose from, but New Zealand would definitely feature in it. There’s also Paris in France and Venice in Italy which are sure to be in it as well.
8. How many different countries have you visited?
Between us, we’ve covered India, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, South Africa and Mauritius so 10 countries across 3 Continents so far. There’s always so much to see and so little time.
In an effort to pass it on, we’ve figured out some great bloggers you deserve some motivation:
1. Travel Soul 76
2. Nomad Wallet
3. Anglo Italian Follow us
4. My Travel Days
5. Never Jet Lagged
Here are our questions for our nominated travel bloggers. Once you’ve answered them, please don’t forget to pay it forward!
1. What do you do, besides writing your Travel Blog?
2. How do you generally travel and why? (Alone/Friends/Couple/Couchsurfing etc.)
3. What do you look for when deciding on your next destination/trip?
4. Is there any place you wish to go back to and why?
5. Three things about your hometown you would want us to see or experience?
6. Which is your favourite country/place and why?
7. Up to three special people who’ve met in your travels and would like to mention here
8. Which is your next destination?
It was great reading your blogs and we feel more people should know about you. We look forward to getting to know you better and hope you pass this forward.
Happy Travels!