JAN 19 / Year 1 of Anywhere We Roam

2018 / YEAR 1 OF ANYWHERE WE ROAM

When we started this blog just over a year ago we were excited by the lifestyle it might offer, but also a little apprehensive. Would it suck the fun out of travelling and turn something we love into something we have to do?

Fortunately, it hasn’t.

The pressure to produce an engaging and interesting piece of travel content every week means we’re more focused on the destination and the stories it has to tell.

Last year we spent an amazing 4 weeks in TURKEY understanding the current political situation from locals; exploring townships in Cape Town still struggling to overcome the legacy of apartheid and learning about the challenges Namibia faces reconciling the needs of its animals with the needs of its people.

While this means we’re often working while travelling: collecting notes, editing photos and maintaining social media, we’re also getting a richer travel experience.

But we not only found stories, we also had a lot of fun. Whale spotting off the coast of Iceland without getting seasick, standing in awe at a cathedral built in the middle of a mosque, and having 6 coffees a day in Paris for research purposes.

OUR 2018 TOP DESTINATION

Our favourite destination of the year was Namibia. The incredible barren lifeless landscape of the Skeleton Coast, the famous sand dunes at Deadvlei, and the remarkable wildlife viewing in Etosha make it a country of incredible sights.

But it also had lessons for us. A country forced to confront the challenge of conserving its wildlife while also supporting its rural poor has to make some awkward choices. It has decided trophy hunting is part of the solution to managing this conflict – exploring this decision opened our eyes to a side of the argument you rarely hear.

OUR 2018 TOP MOMENT

If you read our blog regularly, you’ll know we like to reflect on our top moments, rather than just a list of the best things to see. For us, travel is not just about ticking off the major sights (although that’s important too), but what we learn and how we feel about an experience.

For 2018, our top moment was in Cappadocia, nursing a beer with our legs dangling over Red Valley. Shortly followed by a magical balloon ride and some fantastic hiking in a unique landscape.

UK BLOG AWARDS

Blogging for just one year means we still have a lot to learn and a lot of improvements to make. But after many hours thinking about our brand and our offering, we feel like we are just starting to carve a niche.

So, it was very exciting to be chosen as one of the 8 finalists in the travel category of the UK Blog Awards. To say we were surprised would be a massive understatement. Making it on the list with some other blogs we’ve been admiring for a while for their professionalism and top quality content was truly amazing.

And we would not have got there without you. So, a massive thank you to everyone who voted for us. The support we have received from all of you in terms of comments, likes and general blog engagement has been amazing. We look forward to collecting more great travel stories in 2019.

LOOKING FOR ANOTHER WAY TO HELP?

While no one gets rich from blogging, there are ways to make a small income while on the road. If you click on a hotel link in one of our articles and make a booking, we’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you, even if you book a different hotel.

The same applies to anything we link to Amazon – a guide book for instance. If you click on a link on our site that takes you to Amazon, then make a purchase we’ll get a small commission no matter what you buy.

So, next time you’re making a holiday booking or having a splurge on Amazon, keep us in mind.

WHAT’S ON THE AGENDA FOR 2019?

We’re still finalising our travel plans for this year, but Cuba is high on the list. It has a fascinating back story of revolution and communism, some great beaches and fantastic scenery. Since Trump tightened the economic embargo restricting travel by American citizens, it should also be much less busy.

MOROCCO is also on the radar for a return visit to soak up some of that north African culture we love. This time we’re keen to spend a bit longer and explore some of the more remote areas. But, no doubt Marrakesh and Fes will make it on the itinerary again as well.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON THE BLOG?

We’ve had a mini re-design of our ROAM page where we’ve collated all our articles into travel themes. So, if you’re looking for all our road trip tips, ideas for a historically infused holiday, or want a more thought-provoking read, hopefully, you’ll find something that piques your interest.

Here are some of our favourite articles over the last couple of months.

WHERE NEXT?

At the end of January we’re going skiing in Alpe d’Huez, France. This will be Paul’s first time skiing, but as an avid disco roller skater in the ‘80s, he’s fairly confident he’ll both be a natural and poorly dressed.

Cheers,
Mark & Paul.