Liebster Award

We have been fortunate enough to be nominated for the Liebster Award. The Liebster Award is an award given to blogs (usually relatively new blogs) by other bloggers and is a way to build networks, show support, and gain exposure within the blogging community. We would like to thank Travel and Trouvailles for this recognition! She (Jessie) had a great blog herself and has written about some interesting experiences. Go check it out!

Now, the exact rules seem to vary depending on where you look (such as this site or this one) but here is a summary:

• Thank the blog which nominated you and recognize their blog.
• Answer their questions.
• List the rules in your post.
• Display the award somewhere on your post/blog.
• Write 10 random facts about yourself (optional.)
• Nominate 5-11 blogs and inform them of their nomination.
• Provide 11 questions for these bloggers.

These  are the questions Jessie asked us:

Why did you start writing your blog?

We started our blog as a way to keep track of our travels/as a sort of travel diary, get more information out about the places we visit for other travelers, keep our family/friends in touch with our travels, and really, just to try it out! We kind of felt like we would be missing out if we didn’t blog. It’s such a growing trend and allows you to learn more about things like WordPress, SEO, social media, etc. and it’s fun!

What is the best food item / dish you have tried abroad, and where was it?

Kyle:

A vegetarian Khmer Red Curry in Siem Reap, Cambodia (at Peace Cafe) but the Pho in Ho Chi Minh is a close second.

Briana:

I love the coffee in (northern) Vietnam and the fruit all over SE Asia. In terms of food, that is such a hard choice! I think it would depend on my current mood. I can’t deny that a recent meal out (in Beirut): fried cheese rolls and fattet bazenjan (fried eggplant soaked in garlic yoghurt with toasted bread and pine nuts) was really delicious.

If cruises count: probably food there- on our last one (honeymoon) I had this extremely delicious very rich chocolate dessert and the a meal that I somehow cannot recall except that is was really good. I also enjoy Kyle’s cooking! He often tries out cooking local dishes.

If you had to choose one country (aside from your own) to move to permanently, which would you choose?

Kyle:

It’s hard to say. I’m definitely torn between Malaysia and Korea. Malaysia would offer a higher standard of living and more comfort (because it’s cheaper) but Korea has such great convenience and safety and just things to do.

Briana:

Of the places we’ve visited so far: probably Korea. We felt so at home when we were there. There is a lot to do, it’s modern, safe, and has a lot of beauty. Korea also has seasons which is really appealing to me. This is even despite the fact that I actually don’t like much Korean food much (except kimchi.) Malaysia certainly offered more in terms of variety of produce and more familiar food and it was cheaper so I wouldn’t mind it either, though.

It is a good hub, and it does rain a bit. I think I also wouldn’t mind moving back to Italy or somewhere else in Europe but Italy would certainly be more expensive. We should be tackling more European countries soon. We’ve only been in Cyprus a few days but I imagine it would be a nice place to retire. Okay, I am going to stop myself before I start talking about more countries.

What has been your favourite travel experience so far?

Kyle:

Exploring the countryside in Yogyakarta, Indonesia around Borobudur was fun.

Briana:

From recent travels/travels with Kyle (because I also had some nice travel experiences in childhood) probably exploring Cat Ba Island, Vietnam. Our recent safari in Yala National Park in Sri Lanka was also pretty neat and I have enjoyed the various cat cafes we’ve visited all over. Oh and going to Mariposa Grove in the snow (in Yosemite) was also a really cool experience.

Can you speak any foreign languages?

Kyle:

I can have a rough conversation and can read and write in Spanish.

Briana:

I just know little bits of various languages. I studied Latin in high school lol but it helps with learning others. I just need to put in some effort. We really need to because it seems we are often find ourselves in groups in which we are the only people who aren’t polyglots.

What is your preferred way to travel? (Bike / train / plane / walking, etc)

Kyle:

Internationally, I would definitely say by plane. Then, in smaller areas, high end metros, such as what Seoul and Bangkok offer. If that’s not available, motorbike.

Briana:

I like trains if they are comfortable and not crowded. I like airports but the actual flying in the airplane part depends- it is kind of cramped. We both like motorbikes but they can be dangerous. I like to ride a regular bicycle around towns!

That might be my favorite but I don’t like to ride up hills or for very long distances. We have also just recently rediscovered the comfort and convenience of cars. I know, I’m not really good at giving a solid answer to these questions.

What job do you do now / what do you want to do in the future?

Kyle:

Animate. In the future I’d also like to run an Airbnb.

Briana:

Now: a little ghost writing, a little online tutoring, a little assistance for college students doing their homework, and various other even smaller things. Depends on what work is available. I also look for jobs for both of us.

In the future/in general: so many things. I could go on for a very long time so I won’t even start.

Where is your favourite place to be?

Kyle:

Some place with access to nature. Preferably, with mountains.

Briana:

My favorite place to be? I don’t know. Probably my favorite city from recent travels is Hanoi. I am a bit obsessed, actually. What I picture for perfect, though is it is December and it’s snowing outside and I’m in this stone cottage with lots of Christmas decorations and there is really soft carpet on the ground and a fireplace and there are cats and cookies and hot cocoa and appetizer dishes and books. I mean, what could be better than that? Though right now we are watching 7 cats in Cyprus so that is pretty cool!

Do you like reading? If so, talk a bit about a book you’ve enjoyed.

Kyle:

I like reading. I like most Michael Crichton books. They are sci-fi but rooted firmly in a more modern reality.

Briana:

Yes, I do like reading. I haven’t read nearly enough recently. (Which is bad because reading tends to have a positive effect on my writing skills.) Darn. I just can’t choose something to talk about at the moment. Nothing is sticking out to me that I want to talk about.

10. What’s your favourite animal?

Kyle: A bird. I can’t specify what bird, it changes.
Briana: When I was young it was horses. Now, cats. I love cats. If you ask me about my interests/hobbies: cats. I love all animals, though. I have grown rather fond of elephants recently.

List three things on your bucket list

Kyle:

I could put hundreds and tomorrow I could give a completely different set but here are three: To hike Stanley’s Trek through Africa, to wing suit through the mountains, and to trek Nepal.

Briana:

I would like to visit every continent, start my own successful business, and also create an organization/non-profit designed to do some good in the world. I could say other things in the realm of travel, family, and career.

10 facts about us:

1. Kyle’s favorite color when he was small was purple and as he got older it became red.
2. Briana’s favorite color when she was small was red and as she got older it became purple.
3. Kyle has always been very comfortable in the water and can hold his breath for a long time.
4. Briana does not like to go underwater because water gets up her nose and she cannot hold her breath very long and she becomes very disoriented.
5. Kyle hates bananas.
6. Briana used to eat something like 7 bananas a day when she was an adolescent.
7. We both currently have long hair.
8. We both like mountains.
9. We didn’t pick up an enjoyment/appreciation for coffee until later in college but now enjoy trying it everywhere.
10. We both love animals.

Questions for our nominees:

1. How did you decide on the name of your blog?
2. What is the best food item / dish you have tried, and where was it?
3. What was your first foreign (or domestic if you haven’t been foreign) travel experience?
4. What do you do/how do you earn money?
5. If you could do anything (for living/working), what would you do?
6. What is your favorite travel experience so far?
7. What is your least favorite place you have been/visited/lived?
8. What is your ideal setting?
9. What do you hope to accomplish within the next 1-5 years?
10. What is your favorite flower?
11. What is the best advice you’ve received?

Our nominees:

• Orbit the Orb
• Eris Goes To
• World Inside My Pocket
• Thoughts of Sheryl
• Maiv Mainevni
• Wonder Liv
• Moco-Choco
• The Luxpats
• Lori Greer in Portland
• World Travel Family
• The Nomadic Family

Yes I did the full 11. It’s fun to give out awards!