Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award

Thank you to Deb of Tag Along Travel for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers award! I am truly touched by the gesture. I enjoyed answering her thoughtful questions and am excited to share them with you today. To provide a little bit of background, Deb travels with her husband Steve, who is frequently on the road for business. In the beginning, she constantly dropped him off and picked him up at the airport. Tired of the routine and waiting at home for him to return, about ten years ago she decided to start tagging along. Through the written word, she recounts her journeys, discussing her favorite destinations, the adventures she encounters and helpful tips and tricks. Before I share my answers with you, though, let me outline the stipulations that come with this award.

The Rules
You must answer 10 questions assigned by the person who has given you the award and you must then give the award to 10 other bloggers with 10 of your own questions. Below are the questions Deb asked me.

How do you cope with jet lag?
The moment I step on the plane, I set my clock to the local time of the destination to which I am travelling. Therefore, if it is 11 p.m. at my destination, I should try and get some sleep, so as to adjust to the new time zone. I make sure to drink plenty of fluids, as well, and a good night’s rest (but not oversleep) when I’m finally able to sleep in a comfortable bed. Often the first day is the hardest and you just need to push yourself to adjust as quickly as possible.

What’s your favourite travel photograph from your collection?

What’s the overdone travel quote you see on social media that makes you groan the most (e.g., travel is the only thing you buy that makes your richer)?
“I want a ticket to anywhere.”

What’s the best hotel amenity that you have come across on your travels?
While the amenity is nothing fancy, I really appreciate when hotels offer conditioner. My hair is long and thick, so conditioner is a must. In terms of a specific example, although I haven’t stayed there, I loved the products my step-dad brought home from the LEGOLAND in Billund, Denmark. The bottles had cute little dragons on them!

If you could take a trip with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
My partner, Matthijs. We love setting off on a new adventure and seeing the world together!

What makes you feel uncomfortable when travelling?
Sitting too close to someone on a long-haul flight. That or hiking in jeans.

What is the biggest misconception people who don’t travel have about travel?
That travel costs a lot of money. While it can, it does not have to.

What is the must-do attraction or experience for someone travelling to your hometown?
I am from the Detroit suburbs originally. While it depends on an individual’s interests, I would highly recommend attending a Red Wings ice hockey game or Tigers baseball game. In terms of museums, the Henry Ford and Greenfield Village are spectacular. Both activities will give you a good sense of Detroit’s culture and community. I personally love Belle Isle, as well.

In Amsterdam, the city in which I currently reside, I highly recommend a canal cruise. Amsterdam is picturesque and seeing it from the water provides a unique perspective. The 17th century canal ring is a UNESCO heritage site filled with gorgeous gabled houses, elegant bridges and in the summer months lush green trees. If you only have time for one museum, I suggest the Rijksmuseum. It is home to numerous Dutch masterpieces including Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and others by Van Gogh. Plus the building itself is a work of art.

Where was your last trip and from 1 – 5 with 5 being amazing, how would you rate your experience?
We just completed a road trip in Northern Michigan and would definitely give it a five-star rating. My partner, who is Dutch, had never experienced Michigan in the summer months, and I wanted to show him the true beauty of the mitten state. We made stops in Mackinac Island, Petoskey, St. Ignace, Whitefish Point, Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks, Marquette, and Escanaba. We hiked some incredible trails, including the trail that connects the lower and upper falls of Tahquamenon as well as Sugarloaf Mountain in Marquette, and sailed along the shores of Pictured Rocks at sunset. We biked around Mackinac Island and hiked the interior plus visited the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point. On this trip alone, we saw three of the five Great Lakes: Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Local specialties such as whitefish, trout and perch graced our plates almost every single evening, and we also had the opportunity to try another Upper Peninsula treat: pasties. Pasties are similar to calzones, but filled with meat and potatoes instead. From the clear sparkling shores and majestic waterfalls to winding roads and the never-ending forests of trees, we truly experienced Pure Michigan.

Where are you going next and why?
As of right now, we are visiting the Ardennes in the south of Belgium and in the late fall will probably travel to Portugal. The Ardennes has been on our list since 2012 or 2013, first of all because of the beautiful countryside and second to visit the La Chouffe brewery. Portugal I have only heard remarkable comments, in terms of culture, nature and weather.

My Nominees
Maria Berz of Global Brunch
Erica and Tara C of Trippin Twins
Emily Flynn of This is Not a Guide Book
Amy French of Roaming Historian
Savannah Grace of Sihpromatum
Pola Henderson of Jetting Around
Cherrie Kishazy of Cherrie Kishazy
Dorothée Lefering of The Touristin
Jennifer Lichty of City and Sand
Vicki Mattingly of Voyager Vicki

The Questions
1. What do you love most about traveling?
2. What is the earliest memory you have of traveling? How old were you, where did you go and with whom?
3. Do you have a song you always listen to before setting out on the road? If so, what is the song and why is it special?
4. What is the most exotic food you have ever eaten? Where did you try it? Would you eat it again?
5. When you are traveling, what do you miss most from home?
6. Tell us about a unique souvenir you brought home. What makes it so special?
7. Tell us about a food you discovered abroad. Have you tried to make it back at home? Please feel free to share the recipe, if you feel so inclined.
8. Share one of your favorite travel quotes and why it resonates with you.
9. If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?
10. What is the next trip you have planned?

Thank you again to Tag Along Travel for the award. Nominees, I am excited to read your answers and see who you nominate in return. Please remember to mention them on Twitter, as well. Happy travels!