After frequently being asked for travel advice by family, friends, and friend-of-friends I decided writing a travel blog would be much easier. So here goes...
Lucky for me I work in travel, completely by accident. After living abroad for studies and following my first love overseas, I returned to Australia and quickly the idea of settling down in the suburbs seemed suffocating (each to their own), so quickly scared me into taking a job in Asia. I haven't looked back ever since.
There are various reasons why we all travel. Some travel to experience something new, others for a special interest like photography or food or to learn another language, and some travel simply because they need a break from their normal routine. These days, it's almost a social-must to have 'travel' as one's Interest.
Why I travel?
Summed up nicely by the Observer's Jonah Lehrer
"We travel because we need to, because distance and difference are the secret tonic of creativity. When we get home, home is still the same. But something in our mind has been changed, and that changes everything."
What sort of traveler am I?
I’d like to think I’m adventurous, but I certainly do like my creature comforts especially lately as I seem to be traveling less and holidaying more now that I live in HK and work full-time. I enjoy visiting places that make me appreciate and understand the differences between where I am visiting compared to home. I love the feeling of seeing or experiencing something new for the first time.
Admittedly, after staying in quite a few luxury properties, I am more fussy than not, when it comes to where I stay.
To elaborate, the 3 most critical aspects I gauge a property on...
Convenience and accessible location: there is nothing better than walking out from your accommodation right on the beach front or walking distance to the main attractions; no faffing about or extra transport costs trying to get somewhere
Great service: people leave the biggest mark on your trip; you remember the people (the staff’s genuine hospitality), not the bricks and mortar
Good-value: whether you’re spending USD$1000 or USD$100 per room per night, if the inclusions surpass what you’re paying (for eg. wifi, airport transfers or breakfast included in all room rates) that’s a big plus in my books
I give you this insight to my priorities as you never know the perspective of where the authors from online travel review sites like Tripadvisor come from. Someone's idea of terrible service or what they expect in a 4* property, may be completely different to your own.
I’m not a great writer, so apologies for any ill-phrased sentences…and I admit my SLR is usually always on auto+ setting, but I do love taking photos. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy exploring the world with me as one travel addict to another!
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