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Wandering Two months in, Two award nominations

It was a nice way to end the month of July by being nominated for our 2nd Award - The Liebster Award. As we start off August, the last month of Winter for me here in Australia, and we venture into Start Wandering's 2nd month online, I am so pleased to be nominated by Bon Bagage. 

In just two months I have learnt so much, not only about the world out there as others see it, but about myself as I embrace writing and inspiring others every single day. I didn't think I had it in me, but with encouragement, growth and inspiration I am surprising myself as well. 

Liebster Award Rules

1. Acknowledge the blog who nominated you and display the award
2. Answer eleven questions that the blogger gives you
3. Give eleven random facts about yourself
4. Nominate eleven blogs that you think deserve the award (with less than 200 followers)
5. Let the bloggers know you have nominated them
6. Give them eleven questions to answer

Which country would you never visit? 
That's a toughie.... A few things go through my mind when I think about this. Most tourists are too quick to judge a country, or a destination because of something that occurred a decade ago, or because the media hype displays it as a gang-infested, war-torn or a health stricken place where people of the western world should avoid. It may not be the right time to travel to certain parts of the world, at some point, but that is what makes history. A country beating adversity, some with wounds to show for it, and for the world to see and learn so it doesn't happen again. WWII was defined as the war to end all wars, and when I visited a concentration camp in Germany, the deaths, the propaganda that went with it, were there to educate our future generations - that this should never happen again.
OK that's the end of my rant about that, now to answer the question. In terms of possibility it would probably be North Korea. 

Do you have a travel song you always listen to when going away? 
I read this question, and knew exactly which song I would pick - always has been always will be: Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros (2009). 
I first heard this song from my brother who shared it with me while he was travelling throughout Europe. I missed him, envied him, and wanted to follow his footsteps. It was on my playlist as I backpacked around Europe in 2010, and when I was returning home, the folk band helped embed those memories until the next trip. When I met Shaun shortly after I returned, I finally understood what the lyrics meant. We have travelled far, far away from our hometown, but it feels home whenever I am with him, and that is what keeps us travelling.

I would also add any song from the soundtrack of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Ben Stiller picked some killer songs to amp up the feeling of wanderlust, including Space Oddity - David Bowie. 10, 9, 8, 7.........

What’s your most beautiful travel memory? 
Overall, the moment in New York City framed in my mind forever, when Shaun got down on one knee and asked me to marry him in New York city. That is irreplaceable and I cannot describe what that visit to Manhattan feels like to anyone, NYC will always be magical to me. 
One that I can share with you to do yourselves, is head to the top of Mount John in Lake Tekapo, New Zealand, at night. This place is known to have very little light pollution and apart from Antarctica is the most southern observatory in the world. It was also the world's first sky-nature reserve. Not only is the ride up the mountain in complete darkness fun enough (the headlights of the vehicles can destroy the telescopic lens), but when you're up there you can guarantee to see dozens of shooting stars, so many wishes were made that night. We also saw Jupiter through one of the five telescopes in the observatory. What is really cool is the astronomers at the top of the mountain help you take photos to get clear pictures, just like the naked eye, where you can see how here on earth we form part of the gorgeous Milky Way. 

On top of Mt John Observatory looking into the Milky Way sky

What keeps you motivated when you’re blogging? 
Photos. Whether its photographs I have taken on previous trips, current photos or pictures of destinations I plan to travel to and need some inspiration, the vision is created within these images. I might also have a moment, where it will all just click, an epiphany if you like where a smile, even tears of happiness met my face. Earlier on today this happened to me going for a stroll on my local beachside, and that has motivated a draft I am working on at the moment, and a few other things in the background. 
Reading my fellow bloggers, their ideas, their stories and their experiences is extremely inspirational. It is warming to know that so many people in all different places around the world all share the same passion, goal and experiences and most don't share the same language. That is incredible, and what makes this blogging industry impact the rest of the world. All it took was reading the blog of a young traveller one day, and two days later I had created this. No set-up, no foundation, just an idea and my fingers are energised using this keyboard when I am spreading the passion of wander. 
Finally, it is the jealousy. I am going to be honest, seeing friends on my personal newsfeed who are travelling while I am not kind of drives me crazy. Especially when they are somewhere that I have been or plan to go. I get that FOMO feeling (Fear Of Missing Out), and I swear it puts me into a bad mood for hours. But I am genuinely happy for people getting out there and seeing the world that I love so much, I know, I know, I can't have mother earth all to myself.

Do you visit dangerous countries? 
If we're talking the over-exaggerated media reports on dangerous locations worldwide, it might look like I actually listen to what they say. But if were the case as everything is reported, I would never leave my lightly padded bedroom. Danger is measured on the perception of the traveller, the most dangerous experience I have had to date isn't crossing the streets in Ho Chi Minh City (how much sense does their traffic make?), but a terrible night in Paris - more on that in a later post. Given the unfortunate events that lead to the death of a fellow travel blogger, Harry Devert, maybe Mexico. But I wouldn't say I felt in danger any more than walking the streets of my own city. 
If the question is aimed to see if I like the path less travelled, then hell yes! I am all for venturing into little villages, speaking with my hands, and experiencing the thrall of what is truly foreign. The danger aspect hasn't crossed my mind, I would love to trek the mountains of Afghanistan, shark dive in J'Burg, and travel through Africa from top to bottom. My head is in the clouds half the time, I may be naive but the world is meant to be seen. Danger or none, make the most of it. But always travel safely, and don't push the boundaries.

Where would you like to live other than your home country? 
Everywhere.... I could live in the Mountains of Canada, the beaches of South East Asia, the meadows and atmosphere inside Pubs in Ireland, or the Latin American culture of food, dance and carnival. The thing is I plan to do all of these things as a part of my bucketlist for life experience, not just to tick off a landmark or say I tried the top 10 cuisines in the world. But to immerse myself in another continent for as long as I can, to say not only did I step foot on all continents but I lived, breathed and experienced the different corners of the globe. 
Then after all that is done, I could probably do the unthinkable to Australians and settle in New Zealand. 

What’s the ultimate travel souvenir you ever got/bought? 
Other than my passport, and my very worn lucky four leaf clover socks, from my Pop's hometown in Northern Ireland. I would say the wine collection I have gotten from many overseas destinations. Some top picks from Central Otago New Zealand, and Niagara's Inniskillin ice wine. There are a few bottles that will remain closed for a decade. And we won't settle for that long anyway, so what a way to treasure a memory - in a bottle. And it will taste so very good.  

Tasting Inniskillin Ice Wine in Niagara on the Lake - Canada

Which trip are you planning right now? 
I would love to tell you, but its kind of a secret right now... Sssshhh. All I can say is I am preparing for the trip of a lifetime, a journey to Start Wandering. I will share this journey with all of my readers as it is being made and while I am away. Some very big things will be announced shortly, so I can only say keep reading and you will find out.

Is there something you don’t like about travelling?
Coming home... actually not even, its those last few days. You're still exploring, maybe 2 cities left, and these days flyby and these nights feel like they didn't even occur. You know that feeling, if you're a seasoned traveller, you too hate that feeling. I can only describe it as your heart stretching to hold onto every moment while it can, to embrace every sight, smell, taste and touch of your surroundings while you listen to the crowd rush around you knowing this is where I'm about to end up. Back to reality. The herding of people like cattle in their home cities, as they drag themselves to work each day. Yes that is the part about travelling I do not like. You feel it is unfair to fully enjoy the last couple of days, as you betray the city you're leaving. Such a bitter taste. 


What’s your favourite foreign food? 
OK I am going to nut this down to a few destinations and a few cuisines. 
1. Pintxos in San Sebastian - The Basque do their version of Tapas so right.
2. Che (Dessert in a glass) - A very specific Vietnamese dessert from Ho Chi Minh's Nha Hang Ngon - Sago, Coconut Milk, Banana, and Jellies. Also on par, is the Vietnamese Iced Coffee, a daily consumption while you're there, from anywhere.
3. Singapore Chilli Mud Crab
4. Given my extent of travelling throughout North America, I can't go past their take on foreign Mexican foods, and by far the Chimichangas from Hussongs in Las Vegas are the best! 

I can't go on my mouth is salivating! I am also a big fan of foreign wine.

Do you prefer travelling solo or with a companion?
Having travelled solo, or in groups with girlfriends, in the past, I am now converted to the trusty companion. My passenger for life. There is something special about exploring a destination with someone special to you. Whether you're in the car on a road trip and accidentally drive down the wrong side of the road, or get stranded in the international airport without a visa to your next destination, or experience some really unfavourable noises coming from the penthouse above your hotel room; I have someone to laugh it all off with. Not only that, the mini-meltdowns have brought us extremely closer together and have tested us throughout our entire relationship. We travelled as boyfriend and girlfriend, then we got engaged and travelled as fiance and fiance, then travelled as a married couple. The hardest has been as a married couple. Your funds are all derived from the same account, you know each other in and out, the flaws, the loves and the fears. And yet you wouldn't have it any other way. Shaun knows how to calm me down before getting on a flight in a thunderstorm (I'm in remission with my fear of flying - there is a cure!!). And I can negotiate the fees and costs for some of those big ticket expenses, car hire etc. We bounce off one another, because we still are individuals. 

My companion, Shaun and I - Fiji

11 Random Facts you might not know about me: 

1. I'm part of 10% of the population being left-handed, and proud
2. I've never broken a bone in my body, meanwhile Shaun has broken nearly all including two shoulder reconstructions and an ankle
3. I used to really enjoy painting and drawing, and want to take it up when I get back on the road
4. I am terribly afraid of scarecrows
5. I have never owned a dog, and am waiting for the opportunity to own one finally - I love dogs
6. I have two older brothers who have a major impact in my life
7. I lived in Melbourne for over a year while my husband trained in Air Traffic Control
8. Sunflowers are my favourite flower
9. I am a major fan of Ice Hockey which is growing in Australia, I follow Vancouver Canucks (Bruins fans please don't take it to heart, I love the city Boston!)
10. Shiraz is my drop of choice, followed closely by Pinot Noir (only from Central Otago)
11. I am actually really addicted to computer games, but I will play for a few weeks then lose total interest. 

Now nominating 11 blogs that I enjoy following:

1. My Rainbow Travel
2. Emily Luxton Travel Blog
3. Fit Travels
4. We12Travel
5. Have Blog Will Travel
6. Live Laugh Explore
7. Bemused Backpacker
8. Gone with the Backpack
9. Seize the Globe
10. Adrift Anywhere
11. Wandering Wanderluster

To answer my chosen 11 questions: 

1. Where in the world are you right now?
2. Can you pinpoint the exact moment you knew this was what you wanted to do?
3. When travelling what is your biggest challenge?
4. Do you take tours when you travel or explore on your own?
5. Name something, other than your passport, that if you lost in your baggage you couldn't live without?
6. What is your favourite airport and airport experience worldwide? 
7. What are the essentials you take on a plane, or long haul bus ride?
8. What was the most confronting travel experience you've had, and why didn't it stop you?
9. Was there a destination that surprised you and you fell in love with automatically?
10. What does your first day consist of in a new city?
11. You're at your favourite travel destination, and you have $10 left what do you do with it?

Can't wait to read each of yours - Go!

Follow your own path

Start Wandering's first award nomination and first month

Capturing the view on top of Mt. John overlooking Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

After I finished publishing my latest post on my blog, all about new beginnings and connecting with fellow bloggers, over night I had received my first Travel Blogger award nomination! This is a first for me, and it comes EXACTLY one month from the launch of my journey blogging as Start Wandering. It is so warming to me, and I would like to thank My Rainbow Travel's Christine for the nomination and following the journey I have been on so far to even consider me. The nomination is for The Versatile Blogger Award, and a great tool to connect new bloggers amongst one another to learn and discover more about their passion that lies within, in particular among my fellow travel bloggers. It is also a mechanism to honour the bloggers versatility in this online phenomenon of an industry, and their quality of writing, uniqueness, love and passion in words, and photographic visualisation of love for what one blogs. So to be considered in any of these categories and recognised this early - I am also honoured.

There are rules in being nominated, and we all love rules so please find them outlined:

•  Thank the person who gave you this award and include a link to their blog. Check
•  Select 15 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly and nominate them for the Versatile Blogger Award. Check - see mine below
•  Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself. Check - read on..

My aim on this blog is to share my personal journey with my followers, and learn and grow myself through motivation and inspiration of others. So it is timely I share 7 little somethings about myself to help you get to know me a little better.

 1. What would be included in a mini-bio about me?

My name is Carissa, I am a 20-something Australian, with an Irish background on my mum's side, and English heritage on my dad's. I have been told my fathers family first arrived in Australia to assist settling the Blue Mountains with expolorers Wentworth, Blaxland and Lawson, which explains why it is imprinted in my blood to wander great sights. I am married to a 20-something bloke called Shaun, who made the cut as my ultimate travel partner after I returned home to Sydney after my backpacking trip solo around Europe. I stand at a confident 5'1" which has its advantages and disadvantages, too short to reach the overhead baggage, but short enough to stand without stooping.

Sealing the deal in Wine Country, New South Wales

 

2. Why travel?

Growing up I never really ventured beyond the local beachside suburbs on the south coast of New South Wales. By the time I was 12 I started high school which was a multicultural shock for me, meeting girls my age who mainly spoke English as their second language, and I felt ashamed but so curious to discover more about their nationalities, languages and customs. I started working as soon as legally possible to save enough money to travel once school was out, and in the meantime learnt basic Brazilian-Portuguese expecting to travel to Brazil after my 18th birthday. By the time I finished school I had a great paying job lined up and while my friends were travelling to the Gold Coast for Schoolies, I started a career. I eventually saved enough money and by my 19th birthday I had submitted my Australian Passport application, that was liberating - at least I got it before I turned 20. Me and my two girlfriends booked a cruise through the pacific islands, to get the teaser of travelling well and truly injected into my system. I made some great friends on that trip from all over Australia, and explored wonderful islands of Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu with P&O Cruises. That was all I needed to get started, I don't know what first tipped me off but by the end of 2009 I bought my backpack and started planning my European getaway. 5 years and a marriage later I have stepped foot on 4 continents, travelled 21 countries and countless cities. So why travel, because the world is meant to be explored and for me as a person I need to immerse myself in culture, misdirection and tread the less beaten track.

My first overseas holiday - Vanuatu (2009)

3. What is my biggest challenge right now?

I am struggling to find the balance between the daily grind and my love for travelling. I have been employed for 7 years for the same organisation, and perhaps it is the 7 year itch for my employment relationship that I am tempted to scratch. My husband and I also did the whole lets get on the investment bandwagon in Australia while property was booming, and have a mortgage which is a challenge only because money is the consumer of all fears - and I recently overcame my fears. Which is complementary to the reason why I started my blog.....

4. Why did I start my blog?

So complementing why I had been caught up in worrying about travelling while having a mortgage, I typed into google, "travelling with a mortgage" "debt vs. travel" and came across many individuals and couples who have mortgages and travel the world. Some people have children and travel the world, and a human is much more expensive than a mortgage the way I see it..... So as I read blog after blog of people who embrace their challenges and create a written testament to help others get on board their next flight, why don't I document my journey to my next adventure to do the same for others. Truth be told, I also needed something to do, I was bored, unmotivated and lost the zest for life - I also had been diagnosed with severe depression while living in Melbourne, Australia. While I was tainted with that "label" and the stigma attached to depression, I kept wondering why, I don't understand I am usually the happy person people come to for help and support and just to have a laugh. I can probably say two things have already treated my depression, the creation of this blog, and the start of my wanderlust once again as I bite the bullet and take on a guaranteed adventure within the next 6 months. I want my followers to also not be afraid to ask questions about depression, while I know a lot of people who suffer, 1/5 will suffer at some in their life and there is no shame, as you can overcome it with your bright passions, you just need to find the spark to light it.

5. Loves

Apart from my family and friends, and the obvious love of wandering the world, there are a few things I love. If you asked me 6 months ago, what do you enjoy doing, or what is your hobby I would have to sit there and think about it. I would think is wine tasting a hobby? I laugh now because, yes it is! I love wine, mostly red wine and throughout my travels I have tasted in some great locations, Central Otago New Zealand the greatest by far. I also couldn't answer because I lost that feeling of excitement from within when you should be celebrating life, and when I started my blog I found a love for reading and writing again. I mean as a student most of us hated homework, essays and assignments, but I find myself waking up before my alarm excited to type. And that is for you, my readers. I also have a love for sport, ice hockey, AFL, UFC/MMA, soccer (sorry football to the foreigners), cricket and so many international sports. I also have a major love for dogs and puppies and most animals, so wildlife conservation is close to my heart.

6. Fears

OK so apart from the generic phobias most people have, you know spiders snakes etc. I have no issues, yes there are lots of these things in Australia and although I don't see them often I do not fear creepy crawly or slithery slimey things. I fear something that isn't even alive and kicking, and that is scarecrows - literally terrified. There is no real way to overcome that type of fear, like diving with sharks, how awesome would that be! I also majorly fear living a life without any purpose. Maybe that is attached to the previous depressive state I was in, but it gave me perspective to feel the hunger for purpose again - and that is to see all that this world has to offer.

7. And hopes. 

I invision my future to be somewhat nomadic. I don't mind the backpack, or the barefoot wandering, or long haul flights, train trips or bus journey's, in fact I appreciate getting to a destination even if it is over 24 hours. Perhaps because in Australia you have to travel so far to appreciate this tiny earth's possessions. Over the next two years, I really aim to have stepped foot on the remainder 3 continents, Antarctica is the big challenge. My hopeful bucketlist includes living and working in a Canadian Winter, a European Summer, a South East Asia school and South American conservation.  Then the fun stuff like base camp of Nepal's Mt. Everest, Shark Diving in South Africa, see Cristo Redentor in the flesh and Polar Bears in Churchill, Manitoba.

Now that you have gotten to know me a little more, and I hope you can sense my passion for adventure, I want to get to know the fellow travel bloggers I have been following closely and who help invigorate my passion for wandering. 

1. Have Blog will Travel
2. Travelling Canucks - Family Travel Blog
3. Travelholic Nomad
4. Nomadgirl.co
5. Don't Forget to Move
6. Newlywed Vagabonds
7. Jonistravelling.com
8. To Travel Too 
9. NOMADasaurus
10. Bemused Backpacker
11. The Vintage Postcard
12. Girl vs Globe
And a few big players who can't go unnoticed
13. Young Adventuress
14. YTravel Blog
15. We Travel Together

Wandering about new beginnings

The move from Melbourne to Sydney has given me a lot of time to think, but not a lot of time to type.
9 hours in a car, listening to trashy music to keep you awake, counting the sheep and kilometres as you pass down the highway can only keep you enthused for so long. We were strapped for time so the drive along the Alpine Highway or the Princes Highway along the East Coast were not an option so we took the Hume Highway (not exciting). One thing that I picked up along the way is that jittery feeling of excitement, that I left behind somewhere along the way. I know I am dreaming of adventure that is definitely coming my way. Or maybe it was just the over-caffeinated, drive across the South East of Australia...

Melbourne - Sydney 890 km in one day

I've spent a bit of time building up networks and followers to my Facebook and Twitter accounts trying to reach out to greater audiences of wanderers and bloggers like me. I hope to swap stories and hear journeys of liberation, adventure and wanderlust. I've tried getting in touch with people similar to myself to continue mustering up courage to live the ultimate dream.

While I am working, and saving up enough money for my next adventure, I need to remember a few things, and TravellingBuzz helped keep me grounded with: 20 things to do while your not travelling 

One of the problems I have is the ability to get bored really quickly, which is why I can't keep my feet on the ground for very long. So when all else leads to staying grounded, I need to get a little creative, part of the reason I have dedicated so much time to creating my new blog. I am forever interested in searching for new travel destinations that keep my spark alive, so any help in places off the beaten track to help fulfil my need for wanderlust - keep sharing! 

I now have an official Start Wandering Twitter and Instagram, and my next challenge now that I am settled (for the time being), is to work hard on building up this blog and turn it into a website. Any tips and ideas on progressing this for a full time worker starting out in this social media frenzy, would be great! 

Social Media is taking over!

Oh, and on a final note. One thing that is really scary in this life, is life vs. living. It is the struggle of the daily grind against earning enough to make a life, not a living. Why get caught up in the traps of living each day, month and year dreaming and never achieving. By all means this is not just about travel, some people are content in staying put and prefer the career ladder as a form of thriving and make it happen; or sport, or home-making, but if your not doing something to get you closer to your dream, your simply just existing. 

While of late people are not conforming to societies expectations, I have always liked to push the boundaries, and when people keep asking what is next on my list - the answer is not children, just not right now. No, I am not selfish that I want to live my life and travel the years ahead of me with my hubby - who in fact has bigger ideas on having his children on international soil. When I stumbled upon the Zapp family and took a page from their book. This family have been travelling non-stop for over 14 years giving birth to 4 children along the way - each in a different country of course!

What I learnt from their story is that life is surprising, and whatever your journey - you can make it happen. Where I end up, is not the point its where I go along the way that defines me.