Wanderlust is a strong desire for or impulse to wander or travel and explore the world
When you yearn to do something, it feels like everyone else around you is doing it and you’re the only one who is not.
Halong Bay, Vietnam
The Koala braving the wintery waters at Kuang Si Falls, Luang Prabang, Laos
Fruit stalls, Kota Kinabalu, Borneo
I am itching to travel. I’m sure I’m not the only one but when I listen to my friends’ travel stories, I get insane bouts of jealousy. This post is not going to soothe this itch. No sir. It is littered with some of my favourite travel snapshots. Revisiting travel photos is great, you get a second life from your travels, but man, it sure makes me want to pack up my bags and go.
Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), Chaing Rai, Thailand
Wanderlust Tag is a series of travel-related questions for those with wanderlust… Jules from The Kiwi Diaries recently played Wanderlust Tag. Jules is one of my favourite bloggers in the world. She is from Argentina but now lives in Auckland, New Zealand. She is a graphic designer, traveler and foodie. Kindred spirits! If you decide to play Wanderlust Tag, please make a note in the comments below and I will add you to the list.
Chilis in Brunei
Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Where was your first plane to?
When I was 9 months old, my parents and I moved from Hong Kong to Auckland, New Zealand. I have absolutely no memory of this flight. I imagine that I was a perfect little angel complete with aviator hat, goggles and white silk scarf.
BBQ feast at Lao Lao Garden with fellow Intrepid Travellers, Luang Prabang, Laos
Where have you traveled to that you would love to visit again?
Laos is one of my favourite countries that I have visited and Luang Prabang is my favourite area there. I’ve visited twice already and would love to go back. The Laos people are friendly, sweet though conservative, making them a starkly innocent when compared to the Thai people.
Heading into Laos near the Vietnam/Laos border
First meal in Laos: freshly made laab
Luang Prabang has a lot of French influence in the architecture and food. It’s a shame that Laos isn’t easy to get to, but this makes it that little bit more special. I’d also like to eat visit more of Japan.
Fruit seller in Halong Bay, Vietnam
You’re leaving tomorrow, money is no object, where are you going?
Paris, France. I’ve had a crush on France for as long as I can remember. I even took French class when I was about 13. J’adore la France!
Macaque at Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Preferred method of travel; planes, trains or car?
I prefer flying because it means I’m on holiday and/or going somewhere exotic. Although I had an awesome overnight train ride from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, trains in general don’t excite me.
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, Brunei
Favourite travel website?
Agoda.com – awesome for finding accommodation at huge discounts (often less than half price). You pay via the website in return for a voucher which you show to the hotel. The reviews are great as reviewers have to book and via the website to get the opportunity to review. With so many shady review websites out there, it’s nice to read trustworthy reviews.
Dawn at Hanoi, Vietnam
Where would you travel to just eat the food?
France, New Orleans, New York, Japan, Mexico, and Spain. When I travel, I always think about the food first.
Fish ready for the BBQ, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Catfish, sausage and spring rolls. Good eating in Vientiane, Laos.
Is there a place you would never go again?
A few years ago, The Koala and I had one day in Koh Samui, Thailand. I’ve been to Thailand many times before, but never to this particular island. Our friends told us to avoid Koh Samui because it was plastic, commercial and horrid. They said that we should get on the first boat out of there to one the nearby islands. We didn’t listen to their advice. We figured that we might as well stay one night so we could make our own minds up. My friends were right. In Koh Samui, a small beer will cost the same as 5 large beers elsewhere in Thailand. Food was expensive and catering to foreign tastes. Mega franchise chains everywhere selling the same stuff you might find at an airport. Shiny, fake people everywhere. Old white men, young Thai ladies. The Koala and I got talked into attending a timeshare gimmick. While we didn’t quite fit the profile, we are at first glance, a while male and asian female. We got a few free drinks out of it and then told them we weren’t interested. It was like hell disguised as something money can buy. While I don’t regret having the experience, I’ll never go back there.
Firing a Smith & Wesson in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Can you recite your passport number from memory if asked?
I could when I was traveling frequently but I’ve since forgotten. I usually commit it to memory when we travel.
The Koala and a gangster having breakfast shots in Vang Vieng, Laos
Blue lagoon in Vang Vieng, Laos
Do you prefer the Window, Aisle, or Middle seat?
I don’t really care but The Koala loves the window seat so I play along. Though for long haul, I like the aisle seat so that I can get up without bothering anyone. I don’t really mind being bothered. My real preference is to get a seat by The Koala. The last few times we have travelled, we have been split up which I found a bit weird.
River expedition with Mr Aji on the Sabah, Borneo
Buddha in Vientiane, Laos
How do you pass the time on the air plane?
Movie marathons! If there are no movies, then I’ll be playing games on my iPad. Oh and I get super excited about airplane food.
Airplane meal: chicken laab with rice and veges. Flying into Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Airplane meal: Chicken rice with chili sauce. Flying into Kuala Lumpur.
Snorkelling at Matapa Chasm, Niue
Hot air ballooning in Vang Vieng, Laos
So that was Wanderlust Tag. If you would like to play, copy and paste the questions below or on your blog:
Where was your first plane to?
Where have you traveled to that you would love to visit again?
You’re leaving tomorrow, money is no object, where are you going?
Preferred method of travel; planes, trains or car?
Favourite travel website?
Where would you travel to just eat the food?
Is there a place you would never go again?
Can you recite your passport number from memory if asked?
Do you prefer the Window, Aisle, or Middle seat?
How do you pass the time on the air plane?
I invited some lovelies from #brunchclub and to join Wanderlust Tag. Check them out:
- Sarah Sees The World
- Courtney Comms
- This Is Meagan Kerr
- Move Love Eat
- Becca Jane Lee
- Dani Pohlod
- XOX Bubbles
- Love From Jess XO
- The Confetti Room
- Child Of Ponderings
- A Food Awakening
- My Foxy Corner
- Laura Laura Blog
- Frock and Roll
- Imisssuz
My Travel Questions even posted up a round up in case you’re too busy to check all the posts above. Check it out here.
Bunny Eats Design 
Pingback: The #Wanderlust Tag | The Life and Times
Genie your photos are amazing! Thanks for the link back and driving this on #brunchclub. Look forward to reading everyone’s posts!
Thanks Sarah. As I said, the photos certainly don’t soothe any travel cravings.
STUNNING photos – you make me want to go relive your travel adventures.
Pingback: Wanderlust - This is Meagan Kerr
Your photos are so beautiful, Genie! My only regret is not taking more photos when I travelled overseas. I was young, and it was in the days when film was expensive so I had to leave the cameras at home. Next time though…
Thanks Meagan! I’m kind of split between having to carry a SLR around with me when traveling but I do feel that it is worth it. The Koala always says that you lose part of the experience of traveling when you’re hiding behind a camera, but I think you get to relive your travels by going through photos. It’s worth it to me. I can’t imagine traveling with film cameras though. I take around 100 photos per day when I’m travelling. Yikes!
Yeah, I think my mom was right to make me leave the camera at home! I would definitely take a DSLR now though – Doug just got a Canon EOS M so it’s super compact and perfect for travelling!
Beautiful pictures. Love it. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Jess. I have wonderful memories of traveling through Borneo.
Pingback: Wanderlust - Travel Tag - Move Love Eat - Health and Fitness Blogger
Pingback: I Think I Have Wanderlust – Blog Tag | Beccajanelee
AW thank you for the kind words….
I love that you continue the tag! and that you got a few more girls to do it…. let’s keep it rolling!
btw…that’s some amazing plane food, in the last plane I was they gave me something that was made out of nightmares hahaha. I loved all the photos from asia.
This was fun. I hope it snowballs!
I always get the “ethnic” meal option when given the choice. When we travel through Asia, there is always an Asian meal and a Western meal. The Koala and I always get one each. You can probably pick who gets what 🙂
Pingback: the wanderlust tag - dani pohlod
I’m just gonna join the others and say WOW, beautiful, stunning photos! 🙂
Pingback: Wanderlust Tag |
Genie, your photos are amazing, you’re making me want to travel more than I already do 🙂
I had wanted to travel to Koh Samui, but after reading your post, not so much anymore, The way you described it kind or reminded me of the town Niagara On The Falls (Canadian side), it was so touristy and themed (and very loud/expensive), it actually scared me a bit.
Ah this is awesome!!
That monkey/baboon/chimp/prehistoric human picture is so, so cool!
Pingback: Wanderlust Tag! | lovefromjessxo
I love your photos! Absolutely beautiful! x
No, you haven’t helped my current case of wanderlust!
Pingback: The Wanderlust Tag - Child of Ponderings
Pingback: Wanderlust Travel Tag | A Food Awakening
Pingback: Another case of Wanderlust | MyFoxyCorner
This was great fun. Did mine just now and it was fun writing about a different topic and the questions are a great way to get you writing about a new topic.
Pingback: Travel // Wanderust Tag - Laura Laura - New Zealand Lifestyle Blogger
Pingback: What Is Wanderlust? | My Travel Questions
Wow I never even considered travelling to Laos but after reading this and seeing your beautiful photos it is now near the top of my list!! Wonderful post and this tag was such a great way to get me back in to blogging for 2015 🙂 Thank you!
Get to Laos before it gets overrun with tourists!
May 2015 be a year of epic proportions for your blog 🙂
Loved this travel post with the photos. So many places in the world to see! Hope you get to travel in the near future so you can take more wonderful photos.
Thank you. I hope I get to travel some more too 🙂
Pingback: Wanderlust ♥ - FROCK AND ROLL™
Pingback: Wanderlust Tag | imisssuz
I just participated in this! imisssuz.wordpress.com
Sweet, I’ve added you to the list. Reading your answers now 🙂
I found your blog via Frock n’ Roll and, since Laos is pretty high on my travel list, I intend to stalk through your archives.
When flying, have you tried the trick of booking a window and aisle seat in a block of three? My friend told me to always do that because the middle to go so you might get an empty seat and, if not, pretty much everyone will be happy to swap out of the middle seat.
Hi Kathryn, nice to meet you. I’m such a scrooge, I never pay extra to choose my seat. But if you manage to get a flight that isn’t full, that is a good idea.
Laos is awesome. Feel free to pick my brains and rummage through my older posts.
Thanks. I’ll definitely be back with questions once I have firm plans 🙂
Pingback: Wanderlust tag - Amber in Wonderland
We have been inspired to do the post as well. Thanks for starting it up!
By the way your travel photos are amazing! They make me want to pack a bag, throw in my job and just go see the rest of Asia.
Thanks Frecklenz! Going through my photos, it makes me feel the same way.
Pingback: Wanderlust Tag | Frecklenz
Awesome tag – and really, really great pictures! Made me add Laos to my bucket list 🙂
I answered the questions as well on my blog, so thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Nikkie, thanks for playing. I loved your NZ-centric answers 🙂
Your photos are magnificent. I can completely identify with wonderlust!
*Wanderlust. (spelling is a pet peev of mine.)