Wait, what is the Liebster Award?
After doing a little research it turns out that The Liebster Award is an online award given to new bloggers by bloggers who’ve been on the scene for a while. Even though we don’t consider ourselves a new blog, (having been around since 2009,) we’re excited to be recognised by the blogging community and to have been found (and nominated) by other bloggers that had no idea we previously existed.
Are there any official rules to follow?
Here is a site that has tried to compile all the variations of The Liebster Award “rules.”
Since the rules are so flexible (and everyone seems to have their own version) we’ve gone ahead and selected some blogs that we enjoy and some blogs that we had to do some searching around for. We also focused on South Africa / Africa based blogs that are either travel orientated or at least have travel stories – since that’s our thing.
So if we’ve nominated you and you have NO idea who we are then that’s awesome, I think we’re doing this right.
It’s also worth mentioning that we’ve purposely left off some of the “bigger” blogs who already get a lot of exposure and have lots of readers.
So, without further adieu – a big thank you to Dan on The Road and Bamber Travels for nominating us!
In no particular order, here are our 11 nominees:
- Dillon Kin – I Live Under a Rock
- Roxanne – Roxanne Reid
- Di Brown – The Roaming Giraffe
- Brigid – Becoming The B Boss
- Stuart Parker – Capturing Africa
- Iga Motylska – Eager Journeys
- Dave Cole – Cook Sip Go
- Colleen Blaine – Travel. Write. Explore
- Anton and Tammy – Tazz Discovers
- Jessica – Jesska
- Andrea Klinkenberg – Andy Wandy
Our 11 Questions from Bamber Travels:
1. What’s the most obscure thing you’ve seen abroad?
Since moving to rural Malaysia we can honestly say we’ve seen more roadkill on a daily basis than ever before. Seriously at least 4 or 5 times a day. Monitor lizards, monkeys, dogs, cats, wild cats, snakes and more show up dead on the side of roads every morning. Plus the scariest aftermath of accidents you’ve ever seen- cars in the craziest of places, positions and in the worst of shapes along straight roads.
2. Your number one necessary travel item?
Our passports; you’d think that this is obvious but we have previously lost ours (in Penang) and have felt the pure terror that accompanies this. As South Africans there are very limited options for you once this happens so we triple check we have these stored safely at various points along our travels.
3. Assuming money was not an issue, what is one thing you’re dying to DO?
Travel for months or more at a time (starting in South America), returning to our home in Cape Town only to catch up on blogging and family time.
4. What’s the greatest story you have from riding on a bus?
All my funniest and strangest moments on buses come from Korea. Seoul was the first place in the world where I saw women get up and leave their seats for men. The men would just stand right in front of them until the person sitting got up. Also, the bus drivers all seemed to think they were in Formula One and barely stopped at the sidewalk for passengers to disembark.
5. Why do you travel?
For the freedom, the exhilaration, the experience, the beautiful, the bizarre, the stories, friendships and foods. Perhaps it’s because are addicted. Perhaps it’s because we can’t stand the thought of doing the same thing day in & day out.
6. What is one international food dish you love to make or want to learn to make?
Tom Kha Gai- like Tom Yam but with lemongrass, coconut milk, heaps of chilli, chicken, shallots, ginger and goodness.
7. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
Spain or Argentina- I fell in love with everything about Argentina on my visit there plus I have always wanted to learn Spanish. Spain fulfils language dreams plus the allure of living in Europe for awhile and live a life of espresso and tapas in narrow alleyways. The waves and cuisine of San Sebastian along with the Alhambra of Granada are just some of the places I’d love to live.
8. Tell us about one of your BEST travel days.
There are too many to share, but one of our most recent awesome travel days was a 2 hour boat ride away from where we’re based now; to Tioman island. In Salang, you can walk straight off the beach and snorkel right there and see more fish, spectacular coral of all colours and marine life than most places in the world. Vaughan went scuba diving there and it is said to be one of Malaysia’s top spots. This underwater world is magical, mesmerising and we constantly return.
9. What can ruin a great travel experience?
People. Annoying people. People; local and tourists alike have the ability to make or break a travel experience whether it’s the service they provide at a hotel, on a tour or just those you meet along the way. Thankfully it’s not common but every know and again you get stuck with arrogant, obnoxious, loud and rude people on a boat, train, bus or tour that can change the entire experience for everyone.
10. What do you feel is the most important takeaway for your readers (from your blog)?
All we’ve ever wanted to do is inspire our readers to explore and travel. If they can’t afford international travel, then local travel is great too. Road trip around your own country, visit a new town on your weekend, try camping, take a boat trip, experience something new in the great outdoors. Your life will always be richer and fuller because of it.
11. What’s your next travel destination?
This June we’re off to Indonesia and Thailand. Can’t wait!
Nominees, once you’ve posted your answers please add the link in comments or on twitter so that we can read them!
Our 11 Questions to Nominees:
- Hotels, hostels or tents?
- Your top two most essential travel items (excluding your passports)?
- Where’s your hometown and what’s the best thing about it?
- What is a typical day like for you (travelling or not)?
- Why do you travel?
- What is one of the best travel lessons you’ve learnt so far?
- If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?
- What was one of the most unusual experiences you’ve encountered?
- Why did you start blogging?
- What’s your preferred mode of transportation?
- What’s your next travel destination?
Stuart Parker says
Thank so much for the nomination!! Learnt something new today about the Liebster Awards and enjoyed your post. Will get to work on my questions and answers.
Vaughan @ The Travel Manuel says
Great stuff Stuart, an absolute pleasure – we love and are so envious of your photography! Looking forward to hearing your answers! #spreadthelove