Liebster Award – By bloggers, for bloggers

I’ve just been nominated for the Liebster Award!

If you’re wondering what on earth that is, you’re not alone. Up until last week I hadn’t heard of it either. But after a little digging I’ve found it’s a cool way of recognising bloggers, getting to know them a bit better, and finding other blogs worth reading. It’s kind of like a chain letter, only without the doom and gloom or promises of riches if you share it. What you get instead are interesting answers to a range of questions.

Scroll down for my answers and nominees.

What is the Liebster Award?

An award for bloggers by bloggers, with the aim of connecting and supporting new and upcoming bloggers. It aids blog discovery and connections between bloggers and the writing community.

So I’ve been nominated, what do I do now?

I’ve got 11 questions to answer written by the blogger who nominated me.
Next I’ll pick 5 new bloggers to nominate.
Finally I’ll send these bloggers 11 new questions for them to answer.

CHAOS AND TRAVEL Questions:

1) Who or what inspired you to start your blog?

I’ve been writing for other blogs and websites for several years, and decided it was time for me to bite the bullet and create my own site. My blog has been live for a couple of months now and I’ve found it’s a fun way to share my love of travel.

2) What’s your favourite activity you do in each country you visit?

Eat. I love trying new flavours and ingredients whenever I travel. I figure it takes you out of your comfort zone and is the best way to experience the culture and traditions of where you’re visiting. I avoid the likes of Subway and McDonald’s because they’re the same everywhere. Street food is usually the best option.

3) What’s the best hostel/hotel you’ve stayed at?

The Peninsula Hong Kong is, so far, the pinnacle. I stayed there for one night a few years ago and it was incredible, I’ve been pining for it ever since. The Rolls Royce from the airport was a fun experience; I was amazed at the skill (and nerves of steel) of the driver weaving in and out of the city traffic. I’ll get back there one day.  The room, the views, the service, and the food were all out of this world. Read my review here.

4) Where’s the best place you’ve been swimming?

Lady Elliot Island. It’s a small coral cay in the Southern Great Barrier Reef, and the water was unbelievably clear when I visited. We did a couple of dives, which are by far the best I’ve ever experienced, but it was the snorkelling that was my favourite. We went on a snorkel safari where you jump overboard when the skipper spots something worth seeing, and ended up snorkelling with two manta rays feeding on the surface just as the sun was setting – the water around us was filled with golden light.

5) If you can choose one, what’s been your best experience been while travelling?

An elephant trek in the far north of Thailand is probably my favourite experience. We stayed at the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort and trekked through the resort grounds with rescued elephants that now live on site. The resort rescues street elephants, and gives their owners food, accommodation and employment in exchange for staying at the resort. Check out the Asian Elephant Foundation for more.

6) I bought a Trumpet when drunk in India, what’s the weirdest thing you’ve done while travelling?

I ate a cricket. It wasn’t the consuming that was weird, but the fact I ended up with a cricket leg lodged in the back of my throat. I wound up having to go to the local hospital to have it pulled out. The doctor admitted he’d never had anyone come in with this before. Lesson learned: always chew your food before swallowing.

7) Favourite method of travel?

I don’t have a preferred method, they’re all good depending on the circumstances. Flying is probably the best if you’re travelling long distance, cruising is good if you aren’t in a rush and just want to soak up your surrounds, road trips for when you want to do a bit of local travel, and rickshaws for when you’re smashed at 3am.

8) Is there a country you’re not bothered about travelling to?

I’d never say never to travelling to a country, because for all I know I could miss out on some life changing experience. Sure there are some that are less desirable than others, war zones for instance, but who knows that the future will bring.

9) What’s your favourite blog?

Landlopers is probably my favourite, it’s interesting content written in a way you can easily relate to. Following that I enjoy Crooked Compass and Where to Next. I’m always stumbling across interesting new ones though.

10) If you had to own one what would you choose, a house, campervan or boat?

A house. I’ve got a green thumb so need to have a garden. My partner Simon and I built a house just over 12 months ago and we’ve loved seeing it evolve over time. We designed the house from scratch so it’s exactly what we want, and we’ve had a plan for the garden we’ve been working towards. A veggie patch is the newest addition.

11) If you had limitless cash would you still travel on a budget or in luxury?

Why limit yourself to just one? Sure it may be nice to travel in luxury, but there’s something fun about taking the budget option and really experiencing a place. I’d try for a healthy balance, a bit of luxury with some budget thrown in for good measure.

My Nominations:

Deborah @ Where to Next
David @ An Irish Abroad
Engtat and Sheena @ Etsy Explores
Claire and Anthony @ To Love To Live

My Questions:

1. What kind of traveller are you? Laid back, stressed, well-organised etc.
2. Which destination has surprised you the most and why?
3. Where was the first place you travelled solo?
4. What’s your favourite travel magazine?
5. How did you come up with your blog name?
6. Where is the one place you’re desperate to travel to?
7. Where’s the first place you’ll usually go when exploring a new city?
8. Pick one song you could listen to for the rest of your life.
9. What’s your favourite quote and why?
10. What do you enjoy most about blogging?
11. Are you a night owl or an early bird?