Nominated For The Liebster Award

Smash Monotony - Nominated For The Liebster Award

I am absolutely over the moon to tell you lovely lot that – after just TWO months online – Smash Monotony has been nominated for the Liebster Award!

Massive thank you to Addie from Fit Fab & Foreign for the vote. It’s so cool to know that the blog is already being recognised by fellow travel bloggers and my hard work is starting to pay off.

Keeping the dream alive; here’s my interview! Read on to find out more about me, and Smash Monotony, and who I’ve nominated for the Liebster Award, below.

1. What is your most valuable lesson learned while travelling?

This probably lies somewhere between being patient enough to find and book low-cost flights – I have a tendency to just book out of excitement – and packing too much.

Two pretty valuable lessons for a traveller, I think; shop around and pack only what you need.

2. What do you wish you could tell yourself when you started travelling?

Talk to people. They’re more than likely in the same boat; feeling a little lost and possibly in need of a friend. Don’t be scared to say “yes” to things.

Get out there, see and do as much as you can. The experiences that you will share will turn into lifelong friendships and memories if you just give things a chance.

3. How do you choose your destinations?

I am instantly drawn to far-flung, tropical, and cultural destinations. Asia, Southeast Asia and Indonesia are at the top of my list right now and they will be the first places I travel to. If all goes to plan, it’ll be “touchdown, Delhi”, hopefully by the end of summer this year.

I’m looking to work my way down the west coast of India and across to Sri Lanka. From there – and this may seem a bit unorthodox but to travel is to be free, right? – fly over to Japan! Then there’s South Korea, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand – into Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

From there, who knows? Well, that’s the plan anyway.

4. What is the wildest experience you have experienced?

Smash Monotony - Nominated For The Liebster Award - Diving

My most recent trip was to Egypt – my first ever scuba diving trip – and one that I will never forget for a number of reasons.

There were most definitely a few hairy moments, and wild experiences, but I consider them all to be positive as I learned so much. If we’re talking about the wildest of them all during my 7 Days Sailing And Diving The Red Sea then have a read through and check out ‘Caught In A Current’.

5. What do you do when you aren’t travelling?

Well, right now I’m adding a ton of content to Smash Monotony and growing my followers as organically as possible. Saving money for the next trip and planning my route.

I’m doing my best to get to know a few people online too – fellow travel bloggers, digital nomads, general travellers – as you can never have too many friends when you’re out there in the big wide world.

Feel free to follow me and drop me a message on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram… it would be cool to keep in touch.

6. Do you like Scenery or Cities best? Why?

While cityscapes can be pretty mind-blowing, I think natural scenery beats them hands-down every time. I mean, what would you rather look at; a skyscraper or a volcano?

7. What would you do if you had all the money in the world?

Keep travelling, of course! I’d give money to animal sanctuaries and environmental projects, as well as poor local communities around the world. I’d also like to start a variety of foundations or charities to help those less fortunate to travel.

8. What’s your favourite food?

Smash Monotony - Nominated For The Liebster Award - Pad Thai

This is by far the hardest question in this interview – I LOVE food!

If I had to choose though, it would probably be Pad Thai. I love the balance of meat, vegetables and noodles. Perfect meal! Mind you, any food that’s stir-fried or Wok-based. So authentic, but easy to cook and healthy too.

9. What do you find yourself doing on long flights?

I’m usually far too excited when I’m flying to do anything else! Now I’ve got Smash Monotony to think about, I like to write new blog posts or read my Kindle and research new places. I’m always trying to learn new things so I like to spend my downtime wisely.

Having said that, there’s no shame in kicking back with a red wine or two, is there?

10. What was your first adventure that gave you a taste of travel?

I’ve talked about this a little bit on my Meet Dan page.

I spent ten years in the music industry as a DJ/Producer – the last five of those years touring internationally – and, although I’d been away many times before with my family as a child, the possibility of jumping on a plane 3-4 times a week for gigs really got the fire going in my belly.

Since then, I knew I had to pursue a new dream; to travel the world and write all about it.

11. If you could go anywhere, at any time period, where would you go and why?

Smash Monotony - Nominated For The Liebster Award - London

This may sound like a bit of a cop-out, seeing as though I’m a Londoner myself, but I would have loved to have seen Norman and Medieval London (1066 – late 15th century).

This period created some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks and would have brought so much change to the city. The Tower of London, London Bridge, Westminster Hall, and others, were either first constructed or reincarnated during this time. Streets were cobbled and narrow and it would have just been so different to what we know today; even with early versions of the landmarks that still stand today.

I’m fascinated by history and London is arguably the most historic city on the planet. Middle Ages, Tudor, Stuart, Victorian… I’d love to go back to any of these periods.

Thanks for reading my interview! Below is a list of those that I have nominated for the Liebster Award and the questions that I’ve put to them.

Congratulations to everyone listed – looking forward to reading your posts soon.

I Nominate…

• Brittany from The Sweet Wanderlust
• Katie from The Traveling Spud
• Tommy from TommyGoRound
• Dana from Wandering Donut
• Chandi from Paradise of Exiles

11 Questions For Those I Nominate

1. Where did you see your favourite sunset so far?
2. What are your travel blogging goals for 2016?
3. What does travel mean to you?
4. Tell me about one person that you’ve met on your travels who has changed your life in some way.
5. Do you feel drawn to a particular destination that you haven’t yet been to? If so, where and why?
6. How many blog posts do you write each week or each month? Do you find it easy to think of new content?
7. What do you usually pack when you’re off on a trip? Any particular must-haves? What’s in your backpack?
8. Give me three of the most useful foreign phrases that you have learnt along the way and the English translations.
9. If there was one thing that you would suggest as in improvement on the Smash Monotony website, what would it be? Shameless self-improvement here! 😉
10. What steps will you be taking to monetise your blog, if any?
11. Post your favourite travel photo and tell me about the story behind it.

General Rules To Follow

• Accept the nomination and answer the questions of the blogger who nominated you
• Think of 11 new questions yourself
• Nominate bloggers you would like to answer your questions
• They write an article about being nominated for the Liebster Award on their blog and link back to the website of their nominator
• Please remember to tag your nominator again when you share your article on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, so they can read your Liebster Award blog post

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