Today we have foodie and adventurer Michelle from Lights Camera Travel answering our Five Travel Questions. Born into a family of seasoned travellers, she left her job in 2013 to explore Southeast Asia for eight months. Read on to find out what destination in Asia she thinks is an underrated gem and see her awesome favourite photo!
Why do you love travel?
The unexplored possibilities. Its ability to throw you outside your comfort zone, out of routine, and make you question everything you think you know.
What destination is top of your bucket list?
My bucket list just keeps getting longer – it’s crazy! If I have to pick one – gun to my-head – I would say Norway – in both summer and winter. I’d love to see the northern lights, the fjords, swim with orcas, experience the midnight sun, hike to Trolltunga and visit Lofoten. The country just seems like a nature lover’s dream!
Where is your most favourite place you have travelled to?
China was an epic adventure. You couldn’t walk down the street with without something happening worth writing home about! The Philippines are truly the underrated gem of Southeast Asia. El Nido is just ridiculously stunning. Sagada is a beautiful, simple village with a lot to do. Not to mention the Filipino people are some of the most genuinely kind people I have come across!
What is your most favourite memory or experience whilst traveling?
Again, my head swarms with memories – but, one that comes to mind is being in Sagada (northern Philippines,) and being welcomed into the home of a local family. They were so warm, so kind, so genuine. They lived simply, bought fresh fruit and vegetables directly from farms Their young children ran around outside carefree, no shoes, hanging off the back of their neighbor’s pick-ups trucks. There was no sense of suspicion, no worry, no fear. Everyone is the community looked after each other. They had little but were so happy. It really made me realize that poverty is a mindset, that it comes from wanting more, not from having less.
What is your favourite photo from your travels?
Swimming with sea lions in Western Australia. I don’t remember this photo being taken, it was a fluke – but turned out to capture the moment really well!
Follow Michelle’s travels at Lights Camera Travel, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
