The Sisterhood of the World Blogger Award

The Sisterhood award is given to female bloggers around the world, and Melody of Wherever I May Roam Blog has nominated me. Melody was one of the first people I met in Boston at WITS’15 and I’ve enjoyed following along on her adventures since. I’m honored to have made her list and grateful for the opportunity to participate.

The rules for the award are to mention the blogger that nominated you, answer 10 questions of the bloggers choice, nominate 10 more bloggers, and make up new questions for your nominees to answer. I love that this award creates community among bloggers!

Q&A

1. Where is your happy place?
Over the years this has changed from horseback riding + living at the barn to snorkeling (hopefully scuba diving one day) + anything in/by water to hiking + enjoying fresh mountain air & scenery. The one thing that has been consistent is I’m happiest when outdoors, and I don’t think that will ever change.

2. Are you a fan of cruises and if so, what is your favorite cruise line?
Cruises can have a lot of perks, just like group tours, and is a great way to see many different places while not worrying about accommodations and transportation. It gives you a good taste, then in the future you can return for more in-depth visits.

You decide what do to, from free time relaxing to tours and excursions. There is something for everyone of all ages, whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic getaway or a family looking to spend quality time together you will be happy. It’s all what you make it. Plus there is never a shortage of food and drinks. Everyone should go on at least one cruise and experience it first hand.

Below is a list of where I’ve cruised and cruise lines I’ve tried.

Cruise destinations: The Bahamas, Mexico, Caribbean Islands (Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Martin, U.S. Virgin Islands) and Canary Islands (Lanzarote, Tenerife).

Cruise lines: Carnival, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean. Each offers something a little different, depending on the time of year, destinations/itinerary and budget. I would have to say my favorite has been Royal Caribbean, especially the newer ships.

3. What is the least favorite destination you have been to?

I don’t think there’s been a place I haven’t enjoyed in some way because I really try to travel with an open mind, embrace the culture and find something good everywhere. A destination that surprised me though would be Morocco. It really is a stunning country filled with such diverse geography and is home to truly incredible people, food and vibrant culture.

4. Did you ever plan a trip solely because a fictional movie or book was set there?

There are many places I’d like to experience first hand but no, I haven’t solely planned a trip because of a movie or book setting. In June when I was in London (read more here) my friend and I did plan to go to Warner Bros. Studio Tour for The Making of Harry Potter (which I’d highly recommend).

5. What is the best museum you have ever been to?

Love the arts and took five art history classes in college, so I’d have to say an art museum. I’ve been to many but two favorites are the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City and the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. Along with the art work, the sculpture garden at The National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC is also a must visit.

6. How did you come up with the name for your blog?

My vision grew and so did alyssa setia photography + design, launching my new venture, Adjust Your Focus™ in May 2015. Adjust Your Focus™ is a platform to be creative and where I share my love for photography + design + travel. This is a place to connect and a source for inspiration. I encourage you to follow your dreams + focus on what’s important.

For a dream to come true you have to have a DREAM.
You need to BELIEVE it can and will happen.
Take a leap and CREATE it. Start doing things, no matter how big or small, that will help you to achieve your goals.
You’ll find even if you don’t ACHIEVE the initial goal, you will accomplish more than you would have imagined you could. You will have taught yourself valuable lessons, learned and grown.

By leaving your comfort zone behind and taking a leap of faith into something new, you find out who you are truly capable of becoming. What we lose in comfort, we gain in freedom. There is no such thing as failure, only feedback and opportunity. Perhaps this is where you ADJUST YOUR FOCUS™.

For the full story check out About Adjust Your Focus™

7. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves when traveling?

  1. People who you travel with and/or encounter along the way who expect everything to be like it is back home. The beauty of traveling is to open your eyes and embrace change, not constantly compare and complain about it.
  2. Seeing travelers use their smartphone’s for local information. Yes, technology and the abundance of resources online are amazing but so is having face-to-face experiences with locals. You never know who you’ll meet or what suggestions they’ll have. Interact, engage and discover.
  3. Security lines at the airport being slowed down by those who decide not to read signs or listen to the TSA people about how to go through security. It’s simple, follow the signs/rules so everyone can get in and out quickly (thankful for TSA Pre check).

8. List your top 3 bucket list destinations.

  1. Africa: Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania. My trip to South Africa in 2013 really sparked a strong desire to either return there or go to one of the other three places I mention and volunteer (something with wildlife and/or children). I’m making this a priority to do in the next few years.
  2. Australia. It’s always been my #1. I was fortunate enough to explore a lot of Western Australia in 2014 but want to visit much more of the country (working on going with a work visa for a year+ in 2016). Ideally, I’d love to tag on New Zealand when I’m out that way too.
  3. Greek Islands. To go island hopping and experience as many of the islands there as possible.

The list goes on and on, including many in Asia and South America… and Iceland!

9. What is your favorite form of social media to participate in? Your least?

Right now, Instagram. I have been able to connect easily with so many people from all over the world. Also love Pinterest and plan to use it more. My least favorite is Twitter, I just never have been able to get into it.

10. What is your most successful post on your blog to date?

It’s a tie between Exploring Europe and Moving to Colorado, with Introducing BonAppetour and Contiki Tours close behind. Adjust Your Focus™ is still quite new and I have a lot of posts coming and topics/destinations/tips etc. I want to share!

It’s Your Turn

Blogging is a real community, a sisterhood. We learn from and support each other. Some people don’t understand the work that goes into it and the satisfaction of writing a blog and inspiring others to travel, but I know many of you do.

10 bloggers I would like to nominate to join us in the Sisterhood are:

  1. Ana, The City Sidewalks
  2. Marissa, Little Things Travel Blog
  3. Clelia, Keep calm and Travel
  4. Shannon + Michael, Camera & Carry On
  5. Mandy, Mandy Living Life
  6. Kristin, Be My Travel Muse
  7. Jodi, Legal Nomads
  8. Michelle, Taste & See Life
  9. Alli, The Vintage Postcard
  10. Brianne, A Traveling Life
    Ok one more!
  11. Stephanie, The World As I See It by Lady of the Zoos

My questions:

  1. Which country or city has surprised you the most so far? Good or bad.
  2. What is the best advice you can give a new blogger?
  3. Have you ever volunteered overseas? If yes, where and what did you do? If no, do you have any plans/interest to?
  4. While traveling what has had the biggest impact on you and why? This could be a person you met, place you visited and/or experience.
  5. Have you ever been to a travel blogging conference? If yes, which one(s) and would you recommend it? If no, do you want to attend one?
  6. If you could pick anywhere in the world to go where would it be?
  7. What’s your favorite travel related quote?
  8. When it comes to adventure, from skydiving to swimming with sharks, is there something you really want to do yet are terrified of? If you already did it, how was the experience?
  9. What is the most memorable, and perhaps strangest, food you’ve tried while traveling?
  10. What is one thing people might not know about you/your blog?

This was a fun post to write and I look forward to learning new things about each of you. Please stop by and check out these amazing bloggers and learn more about them. Thanks for participating! Do you have a favorite blogger, someone who provides inspiration and support? Share their URL below.

Thank you all for your support… and thank you to Melody for nominating me!