I’ve been awarded a Liebster award by Travel Without Trends and thanks a lot for the gesture! It’s greatly appreciated. The Liebster award is an award given to new bloggers as a way of recognizing them and the work they put into their blog. Liebster is a german word and comes from the word “Liebe” which means love – so a liebster is, roughly translated, a loveling or more loose translated a darling. A cute word to use towards someone you like.

It functions as a chain and when you are nominated you have to answer 10 questions after which you yourself nominate new blogs and ask 10 new questions. A great way to raise awareness of new bloggers and the persons behind through a sort of chain.

When you yourself are nominated this is what you have to do:

1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
2. Link back to the blogger who awarded you.
3. Copy & Paste the award to your blog.
4. Answer the questions given to you.
5. Nominate 5 blogs to receive the award who have less than 3000 followers.
6. Inform them of their nomination by leaving comment on their blog.

So without further ado, here are my answers

My Liebster award questions – answered

IF I DIE TOMORROW, WHERE SHOULD I TRAVEL TODAY (CONVINCE US!)?

This is indeed a tricky question and is also very subjective. I bet everyone has got that one place they want to go to. A place they’ve thought about for long but has always pushed out due to practicalities (or maybe fear if it’s the top of Mount Everest). For me it’s Antarctica as penguins are simply my favourite animals. So for me the answer is simple and I bet if you think real hard, it’s easy for you as well.

To be a little more concrete, I’ve always loved Austria. Go there – see the mountains, drink the beer, eat the food, talk to the people – you won’t regret it.

CAN YOU IMAGINE TO TRAVEL WITH A PET?

No. I mean, I can imagine it but it’s not something I have ever considered doing – I have a hard enough time taking care of myself and it would require a much different travel style.

ACCORDING TO YOU WHAT IS THE ONE THING WE SHOULD DO OR KEEP IN MIND WHEN TRAVELLING?

Keep focus on why you originally went travelling (in case of long term) and why you love it. Don’t make travel a chore – relax if you need to. You don’t have to see everything.

WHAT DO YOU ALWAYS CARRY WITH YOU WHEN TRAVELLING (APART FROM PASSPORT)?

Cell phone, and since I started blogging – a laptop.

DID YOU EVER REGRET TO GO ON A JOURNEY OR TRAVEL-RELATED ADVENTURE?

Never. I might have in the moment but the moment has always passed and looking back I always get reassured more and more that it was the right choice to go out and see the world. There is no doubt about it – travelling is rewarding.

PLEASE GIVE ME ONE SENTENCE THAT DESCRIBES WHAT TRAVEL MEANS TO YOU

I can see that I’m stepping on your last question but the answer is the same: “To travel is to live”

WHAT WAS THE BEST FOOD/ DRINK YOU TASTED EVER AND WHERE CAN I FIND IT?

This question I cannot answer unambiguously but even despite the simplicity of the dish, a simple roasted duck rice in Penang, Malaysia is just so mouth watering good. I don’t know what it is about it, I can just keep eating them.

More concretely I had a sweet potato vegetarian burger at burger queen in Pai, Thailand which was also  extremely well made.

YOUR REMEDY FOR FEELING LONELY ON A TRIP?

Skype, chat, music. Or alcohol – not a healthy remedy but very effective.

IF YOU HAD ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD, HOW WOULD IT CHANGE THE WAY YOU TRAVEL?

I would travel faster but right now – I wouldn’t change much.  I like budget backpacking. With time however, I might transition away from the $5 bed bug ridden dorm beds into something a bit more.. clean.

However, when I think about it – I would definitely eat better. Food is a big expense on my travels and that would skyrocket!

WHY DO YOU BLOG?

Originally only to keep friends and family in the loop about my travels and to let them know I’m okay – but lately I’ve transitioned more into a more general info blog and it functions as an outlet for my experiences, thoughts and reflections.

CAN YOU SHOW ME YOUR FAVOURITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR PICTURE?

It’s a quote by Danish author H. C. Andersen (The little mermaid, the ugly duckling, the steadfast tin soldier) and it simply goes:

“To Travel is To live”

It resonates so well with me.

My 11 questions to new nominees

1. How often do you travel?
2. What is/are you reason(s) for travelling?
3. What is your favorite destination?
4. What is your prefered style of travel and why – Solo, group, couple, backpacker, luxury?
5. At what age did you first time leave your country (if you remember)?
6. Why are you blogging and who are you writing for?
7. What book should everyone who is travelling for a long time read?
8. Did you ever regret going on a trip?
9. Do you have a goal for 2016? (Travel to Antarctica, visit 30 countries, learn French)?
10. Write an example of one of the best experiences you’ve ever had while travelling.
11. Do you have any advice that the whole world needs to know?

The 5 nominees

First of all, congratulations and I hope you enjoy it!
And here they are:

The Trekking Cat

Madalyn Asker Abroad

Chip Johnson Film

Big Beaver Diaries

Anita Simonsen