blogger of the week

We are introducing our first Blogger Of The Month in 2012 and it is the wonderful Mags Yip and her blog http://www.thesmartgirlstravelguide.com! We have sat down and asked her ten quick questions on everything travel! Enjoy!

NAME: Mags Yip

BLOG: http://www.thesmartgirlstravelguide.com

1. If possible, tell us where your favourite place in the world is and why?

   Most people will tell you that it’s “too hard” to pick a favourite place in the world, but I’m not about to cop out on the very first question ;)

   My icy cold heart belongs to Iceland (the country, not the supermarket), and Reykjavik is my favourite place in the world. Some people have labelled it barren, but I think it’s the most romantic place in the world.

2. If you could have your pick of anyone to travel with, who would you choose and why?

   My photographer AKA boyfriend; now that goes without saying. But if I could choose absolutely anyone in the world to travel with, I’d have to take Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington to China. Just for a laugh.

3. What is the one thing that you could never leave home without?

   Would it be wrong to say my makeup bag? I’m not a typical travel blogger who carries a backpack and has something cheesy like “born to travel” written across my t-shirt or anything. I don’t wear Australian hats with corks or special climbing socks, and I don’t claim to rough it everywhere I go. I just love to travel. And what’s so wrong with travelling by suitcase containing all my girly bits and bobs?

4. What is the most incredible sight you have ever seen?

   I’m sure that many people will agree when I say that Angkor Wat is just incredible in every way. But I don’t want to forget about all the dark nooks, crannies, fractures and fissures in the mysterious Icelandic landscapes. Head out of the city and into the eerie wilderness where the terrain starts to resemble the moon. I promise you, it’s out of this world.

5. What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten?

   Erm…..I’m a bit of a food weirdo. I hate fussy eaters and I will try most things once (most things, not all). I’ve tried everything from pigs’ intestines to lizard wine, fermented shark to soup made from bird saliva, but the most memorable culinary experience has to be a fried tarantula.

6. How many stamps do you have in your passport? Any favourites?

   The pages of my passport are getting very full as I am due for a new one soon (thank God – the picture is AWFUL). Unfortunately, I can be a bit of a wimp when it comes to asking for my passport to be stamped. I got shot down once in Finland. The rejection still haunts me.

7. What is your top tip for people that are about to embark on an adventure?

   Try everything. Even tarantulas. If you order burger and chips abroad, don’t even think about being my friend.

8. What is your most memorable moment whilst travelling?

   Watching old couples get up and dance to a live orchestra in Saint Mark’s Square in Venice – I wish I could explain just how amazing it was in words.

9. While travelling, do you miss/crave any home comforts? If yes, what are they?

   Just because I love travelling, doesn’t mean I feel at home wherever I lay my hat. I miss Twinings Earl Grey tea, the endless of supply of cheese and biscuits in my kitchen, a whole wardrobe full of clothes instead of just a suitcase, eBay shopping on a hangover, and my friends and family if I’m away for too long.

10. What is the main reason why you love to travel?

    To me, I couldn’t think of a more hurtful insult than to be called unworldly. As clichéd as it is, travel really does broaden the mind.