a new series in which I interview bloggers about their travel and their aspirations. I hope you enjoy reading what my fellow nomads are up to!
today’s featured blogger is Paige, from for the love of wanderlust.
tell us about yourself! how did you get started traveling?
I started traveling at a young age with my parents. They always took my brother and me on road trips across the U.S., usually to different National Parks. I went to Europe for the first time my freshman year of High School and that sparked a love for international travel. Since then I’ve been back to Europe multiple times, South America and Asia. I will forever be grateful to my parents for starting my adventures off young, paying for European adventures in high school and they have encouraged me to keep traveling since.
what is your favourite destination, and why?
This is such a tough question! I think my favorite country (so far) is Cambodia. I loved the people, the natural sites, the temples, the food, just everything! It is a destination that will always stick with me. My domestic favorite is the American Southwest. There is this wild feel out there in all the desolate beauty. It’s pretty magical.
what is your ultimate travel destination? have you been there, or do you have plans to go there anytime soon?
India, India, India! This has been my #1 since I was 16, but other opportunities have always come up. I majored Cultural Anthropology & Eastern Religion in college and my love for Indian culture only grew through those experiences. I actually finally have plans to get to India! Next year I’m taking off to Asia again and India is part of that trip!
what is the craziest travel-related thing you have ever done?
The crazy-coolest thing I’ve done so far is probably abseiling down waterfalls in Dalat, Vietnam or doing the cave connection tour in Sagada, Philippines. The crazy-stupidest thing I’ve done was yell at a cab driver who was scamming my friend and me in Saigon. He parked the car and had me walk down a dark alley with him to show me he brought us to our hostel. In hindsight, I maybe shouldn’t have gone with him, especially since I was yelling at him. Then I hit the trunk of his car until he opened it to let me get our bags out while still yelling. It wasn’t my proudest moment, but he was seriously scamming us and it was about 4 am and I was ready to be in our hostel. It all turned out alright, but just probably not something I should do again.
do you prefer to travel solo, or with someone? why?
Both have amazing perks. I love the flexibility & freedom of solo travel, but I prefer sharing experiences with someone I care about. I love traveling with my family, friends and fiancé because those are experiences you can’t have with them everyday.
if you travel with friends, do you think your friendship is stronger for that reason?
Absolutely! My best friend and I have traveled in 10 countries together and multiple states, and every single time we come back I feel like I’ve learned more about her and from her. Also, I think that it depends on the friend. Stacey and I travel incredibly well together – she stays strong when I cry on a bus packed with people and what I thought was a recently-strangled-rooster and I have some mad negotiating skills that she can sometimes be intimidated by. However, I have some friends that I love dearly, but I don’t think we’d travel as well together.
what’s on your travel agenda for this year?
I just got back from a trip to West Texas & Mexico with my dad, which was AWESOME. We did loads of hiking in Big Bend, National Park and slept in an awesome teepee. I have a lot of day & weekend trips planned to go hiking in the Ozarks, my honeymoon to Hawaii, and a trip or two to Asheville, NC – my second homebase.
You can follow along with Paige’s adventures (and upcoming wedding!) on facebook, twitter, pinterest, and instagram. Thanks for sharing, Paige!