Welcome back to Traveller of the Month! The first Tuesday of the month means it’s time for me to spotlight another travel blogger to share their stories and wisdom with all of you. And this traveller sure has a ton of amazing stuff to share!
I’m super excited to introduce August’s Traveller of the Month. Not only is she an awesome travel blogger, inspiring adventurer and worthwhile Twitter follow – but she’s also a fellow Vancouverite who I’ve had the pleasure of hanging out with in person!
Without further ado, meet August’s Traveller of the Month: Emma (she/her) from Forever Lost in Travel!
And if you missed last month’s, get to know Mitch & Colin here!
Please introduce yourself! What is your travel story?
I’m Emma, a travel blogger who also has a day job in travel and tourism, so it really is my whole life.
I grew up in the UK, and when I was a kid, our family holidays involved mostly road trips to the south of the country, usually Devon or Cornwall. My Dad was afraid of flying and we didn’t have a lot of money for expensive international trips anyway.
But I never felt like I was missing out. I really did get an appreciation for the travel you can do on a budget which I still value to this day.
I travelled abroad for the first time when I was 14, on a school trip to Germany as part of an exchange program. I lived with a family over there for a couple of weeks, and I would say that was the catalyst to my obsession with foreign travel.
There’s something about being surrounded by unfamiliar places and things, getting to try new foods and learning a new language – even if I’m not very good at it – that I just love.
I find it oddly comforting to be slightly out of my depth in a new destination, taking pleasure in the small things like getting a positive response to trying out a new phrase in a foreign language.
At 23 I decided to travel to Canada. My first solo international trip. I would be leaving home for 6 months. That was in 2006, and I’m still living in Canada now, so you could say I kinda like it here.
My home is Vancouver, which I may be biased about but I believe it to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I still enjoy exploring British Columbia and Vancouver, and you can often find me hiking in the mountains or road-tripping around the province.
I try to balance domestic travel with international trips, budget vacations with a little bit of luxury along the way. And I’m never happier than when I’m exploring somewhere new.
How did you decide to start your travel blog and what sort of stories do you share there?
I started my travel blog, Forever Lost In Travel, in 2018. Working in travel and tourism, I was lucky enough to be invited on a work trip where we went heli-hiking for a few days in the mountains of British Columbia. It was a phenomenal experience, and I was surrounded by like-minded travellers who had all been invited too.
I got talking to a few of them, and realized that they weren’t all travel professionals, but some of them were travel bloggers. I was on this trip for free (which was amazing), but they were being paid to be there and write about their experience.
It was at that moment I thought “I want to do that”. To write about my travels but also potentially make some money along the way. Who wouldn’t be inspired to do something similar? Two weeks later my blog was born.
I write for two big reasons. One, to inform and inspire others to travel because I really believe travel makes you a better person and it has been so influential to me. And two, as a way of recording my travels so that I not only have photos to look back on, but can better remember my feelings of travelling to some of those incredible places.
I love to share my stories, my tips, and honestly just make travel seem a little easier and more accessible to people no matter your budget or comfort level. I try to add a little humour along the way, and a bit of brutal honesty, because travel isn’t always easy and it would be unrealistic to pretend it is.
Who hasn’t had things go wrong while travelling? But I think that makes travel even more exciting, and those are the moments you remember and often laugh about years later.
Yukon, Canada
What do you do when you’re not travelling or writing about travel?
Well, you just described about 80% of my life, so I guess the other 20% would be thinking about travel. Seriously, I’m always planning a trip somewhere.
I love to make lists and plan itineraries. Even if I don’t ever make it to those places, it’s somehow soothing to me to plan out adventures.
Non-travel related activities, though? I do enjoy reading; I always have a book or three somewhere nearby. Sure, some of them are travel related, but I also like to get lost in a fictional world for a while.
Hiking is also a big part of my life. Through the summer months I’m often doing day hikes into the mountains around Vancouver, or planning multi-day hiking trips with my friends. In the winter, I’m newly into snowshoeing which is a fun way to take to the trails even in the winter.
Outside of that, like any good Vancouverite I can regularly be found checking out a farmers market or partaking in some craft beer. I moved out of the city a couple of years ago and now enjoy a bit more of a quiet life in my village, surrounded by nature.
Share your top 5 favourite travel moments
It’s so difficult to narrow them down to just 5, but here goes (in no particular order).
1) Spending the day with elephants at Elephant Nature Park in Thailand
OK, I lied. This is hands down my favourite travel experience, and one of the best days of my life. We spent a day feeding, walking with and learning about elephants at this wonderful ethical sanctuary near Chiang Mai.
2) Visiting the European Christmas markets
I love Christmas, and the whole festive season. The food, the lights, the music, the atmosphere. It’s all so magical.
So it stands to reason I also adore the Christmas markets in Europe. It’s easy to forget about the cold weather and dark evenings when you’ve got a hot cup of glühwein warming you up, and plenty of little festive trinkets to buy.
My favourite markets over the years would have to be Vienna, Budapest and Tallinn.
3) Summiting Mount Kilimanjaro
A bucket list item for me was to climb Africa’s highest mountain in Tanzania. It was challenging, I’m not going to lie, but what a reward it was to stand on the rooftop of Africa gazing down on the clouds below.
Despite all the altitude sickness, and tiredness of the 8-day trek, I am really happy I made it and super proud of my achievement.
4) Seeing Giant Pandas in China
I lived in China for 2 years and during that time I visited Chengdu, where the Giant Panda Research Base is, a number of times. Pandas were one of my favourite animals as a kid, and to see them up close was incredible.
The highlight for me was seeing baby pandas in the nursery, including one who kept escaping from his playpen in a bid for freedom every time the researcher’s back was turned.
5) Meeting wild giraffes in Africa
I know we’re at my third animal encounter here, but clearly you can see where my passion lies. On a recent trip to Africa I was lucky enough to spend a few days on safari. Of all the animals I was most excited to see, the giraffe topped the list.
Not only did I see plenty of them just wandering around the national parks on safari, but I was able to get even closer to them at the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. These giraffes have over 60-acres of space at the sanctuary, but they happily interact with people for the food that’s provided to them.
There’s no greater ew/aww feeling than having a giraffe slurp treats out of your bare hands with their sloppy wet tongue.
Giraffe Centre, Nairobi
What destination would you go back to over and over again?
I love Paris. I’ve been there time and time again, and I never get bored of that beautiful city. Whenever I find a new place to visit in Europe, I coincidentally often end up flying into and out of Paris on the way.
I no longer find it necessary to run around all the tourist sites on every visit, and I’m happy to take it slow and enjoy wandering around the neighbourhoods or finding a sidewalk cafe to sit with a book and watch the world go by.
Paris seems to be a very love it or hate it city, and I’m firmly in the “Love it” camp. The art galleries, the bakeries full of delicious pastries, and the iconic sights – everything feels a little more magical in Paris.
What destination would you never go back to?
That’s a tougher question. I didn’t have the best experience in Rome, but I wouldn’t say I’d never go back.
Luxembourg I found to be a little lacklustre. There were some great things to see there but there wasn’t really a whole lot of energy about the city. Still, under the right circumstances I would probably try it again.
I think travel preferences do change over time, and for that reason I’m always open to giving somewhere a second chance. A place I didn’t like in my twenties might appeal more now I’m in my forties.
If anything, I’m more cautious about revisiting places I absolutely loved many years ago for fear that it might not be the same now and that the good memories I have of that place would change.
What is still on your travel bucket list? And what have you recently checked off?
I have an ever-growing bucket list. I often add three items for every one I cross off.
I was recently able to check off a huge bucket list dream of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. It wasn’t a cheap trip so that took some saving up for. A safari had always been a dream since I was a child so getting that one checked off was extra special.
Sticking with Africa I’d say my next big ticket item still to do would be Egypt and the Pyramids. I was obsessed with ancient Egypt when I was younger and although I unfortunately had to cancel a trip to Egypt, I hope to visit in the near future.
Antarctica, as popular as it is becoming, is probably highest on my list. Although, much like Kilimanjaro, it is very expensive to visit so I’ll have to save for a while.
I recently visited Istanbul in Turkey and that’s made me really want to explore the country more. There’s so much history there, that I just can’t wait to go back. I’m a bit of a history nerd, so anywhere with historic sites and I’m there.
Elsewhere in Europe I was finally able to cross Ireland off my bucket list this year. It had been sat at the top for a long time, which is weird since I grew up in the UK and it’s so very close.
But my top European bucket list destination now would have to be Greece. We’re back to the history thing for my inner nerd, but also because of just how beautiful it looks. And the food, don’t forget the amazing food.
This is one I promised Jeff I won’t visit without him though, so we’ll definitely have to make this happen soon before the travel itch becomes too much to handle.
Mount Kilimanjaro
What is the best food you’ve eaten on the road?
Food is one of the greatest parts of travel. To try new dishes that you either can’t get anywhere else, or are just way better in the place they come from.
I devoured every single meal in Thailand with a grin from ear to ear, dancing in my seat and making yummy noises. From the curries to noodle dishes and even desserts, it was all so flavourful.
We were lucky enough to be able to take a Thai cooking class and learn some of the dishes so that we can recreate them at home.
I also really miss Chinese food, I mean traditional Chinese food from China. I was worried I wouldn’t find anything I could eat there as a vegetarian, but the food I had in China was way better than any Chinese restaurant I’ve ever been to outside of the country. The dumplings alone are incredible, as is my favourite egg and tomato dish.
While I was there I taught English to one of my friend’s children in exchange for Chinese cooking lessons. Best trade ever.
I also have to give a shout out to all the deliciously decadent pastries and cakes of Europe. France and Germany especially. There’s no bad travel day that can’t be turned around with a freshly made croissant, buttered pretzel, lemon tart or rich chocolate dessert.
How about the worst food?
It’s difficult to think about the worst food, as I actually make a lot of my travel decisions based on the food. So if I’m not keen on a particular cuisine, I likely haven’t visited that country yet.
I do rate countries on their snacks though, as one of my favourite travel activities is going to local supermarkets or convenience stores and stocking up on unique goodies.
Vietnam? Great snacks. Iceland? Amazing snacks. Tanzania I was a little disappointed with. No matter which store I went in, it seemed that most of the snacks I was finding were imported British chocolate bars. Not very exciting as I was looking for something a bit different.
But I did have some other great food there so that more than made up for the snack shortage.
If you could live abroad, where would you want to live and why?
I always said I would live in Paris at least once in my life. It doesn’t have to be a long time. It might only be a few months. But that is a dream I will continue to work towards.
There’s something about the city that just keeps sucking me in, so I may as well give in to it completely one day. That absolutely feels like something to do in retirement, when I don’t have anything to do except read books while drinking wine at a cafe and stuffing my face with rich pastries.
I don’t even like wine, which is why this will be a long term goal. I’m sure I’ll appreciate it by the time I’m retired, right?!
Jeff and I always talk, half jokingly, that we’ll move to Thailand when we retire. It was one of our best vacations together, and so relaxing between the warm weather, and the stunning beaches. I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Elephant Nature Park, Thailand
What is the best accommodation you’ve ever stayed in?
The best would probably have to be the Fairmont Orchid in Hawaii. That place is paradise. From the welcome we received, to the hotel amenities, and the awesome views.
We had a garden room so I had a secluded little patio for my breakfast or reading throughout the day. The hotel also had a private beach where we could see sea turtles just chilling in the sun, and water activities such as snorkelling and paddle-boarding at no additional charge.
The pool area was so relaxing, and I really enjoyed the outdoor bar complete with delicious food and fruity cocktails in the shade. We spent 3 nights there and it was amazing.
What about the worst accommodation?
I’d say there’s been a few. There was the place in Thailand where I got bed bugs and their “lagoon-like” pool was more like a swamp.
Or the “murder motel” with a dodgy lock and a gap so big under the door to the outside that I practically had to sleep in all my clothes to not freeze.
But the one that probably wins is a “hotel” in Rome I stayed at with my parents. Their 24-hour check in desk didn’t exist, and when we arrived at 10pm after flying in late and then being pickpocketed on the train from the airport, we found out this was actually more of an apartment and you had to call for the staff to let you in.
They answered that they would be there in 20-minutes. The next day they moved all our stuff into a different room while we were out exploring for the day, and when we arrived back, another group were in our room and I’d been downgraded to a camp bed.
The final straw was on our last night, my Mum went to the (shared) bathroom to discover the toilet was overflowing and rapidly encroaching on the doors to our rooms. We called the staff (again, not on site), and they said they’d be by in the morning.
After arguing that the whole place would be underwater by then, they hung up. It was 4am and we were to leave at 7am anyway for our flight so we figured out how to turn off the water supply, packed up and spent the next three hours killing time in McDonalds with all our luggage.
The truth is you never know 100% what you’re going to get when you book a place. You can read the reviews, and do all your research and there can still be surprises. But, these are all fun stories to tell now, and that’s what travelling is all about.
What’s one thing people don’t understand about travel blogging?
How much time it takes to write a blog post, and that it isn’t just about travelling all the time.
Everyone loves to fact check so there’s a lot of research that goes into making even the simplest of statements about a destination sometimes.
Plus, if you don’t write while you’re on a trip, you often have to go back through notes and photos to piece a couple of things together. I take notes wherever I am so I don’t forget things, but more importantly what I felt about the travel experience while I was in it.
After all of that, there’s the writing, the rewriting, the agonizing over the title, the subject lines, and a catchy intro that both sums up what you want to talk about without giving it all away in the first paragraph.
Not to mentioned the editing: spell-checking, realizing you’ve used the same word three times already and you need a new descriptor, and keeping your writing style very much your own while working to make it searchable for the likes of Google so that people actually end up reading it.
Then there’s the photos. Finding the right one, editing the photos, and the classic error of writing an entire blog post about something only to realize there was one photo you forgot to take and now you need to edit your post again or try and find a picture of what you were talking about.
There’s a lot of work that goes into writing each and every post, and it can be difficult when it doesn’t take off how you hoped it would.
But for me, the best thing is when I get a random comment from someone on my blog or on social media from someone who read my post, and found it useful. Seeing them book the same place I visited, or go on a tour they loved because I recommended it. That’s really nice to see.
Moraine Lake, Alberta
What is the best local festival or celebration you’ve attended?
China is really big on festivals, so in my two years living there I was able to attend many. My favourite would have to be Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year.
Most people get time off work, and often travel back to their hometown as it’s a very big family holiday. But as a visitor, I just had a week off work so each year I picked a different city to celebrate in. There are lots of local celebrations including delicious food, parties and fireworks.
One year I was in Chengdu, and we spent the evening making Chinese dumplings, as is traditional for big celebrations.
After eating our weight in yummy dumplings, we took to the streets to join in the family friendly celebrations. A huge crowd gathered in a local temple, where we waved in the New Year at midnight with fireworks going off overhead.
I found that locals were not only very welcoming and friendly but were keen to explain the celebrations and the significance of the new year in their culture. Definitely one of my happiest memories of my time in China.
How has your travel style changed and evolved over the years?
I think anyone’s travel style will change over time, mine is no different.
In my twenties I was all about budget. I was trying to do as much as possible on as little as possible. 10-person dorm room hostel stays, overnight train vs. flying to save $20, finding cheap eats along the way, and often skipping proper sit-down meals.
I still like to get the best value for money, don’t get me wrong, but I also don’t want to compromise on everything now that I’m lucky enough to have a little more to spend on travel. I also don’t travel as much with a full time job as I did when I was younger.
Now, you couldn’t pay me to spend a night in a shared dorm room, listening to someone rustle plastic bags at 4am as they’re packing to leave. And I do compare what my time is worth with just purely cost savings when my vacation time is limited.
But I also like to indulge in a nice fancy meal somewhere, and take that extra tour/experience if I can. Hotels are my preferred accommodation. I like nothing more than a hotel room to myself, find a show I want to watch as I settle in for the night, or take a luxurious bubble bath with a drink and book – something I never do at home.
I have become more comfortable with solo travel as I get older too. When I first started solo travelling I wasn’t always comfortable going to dinner in a restaurant by myself, or finding my own way somewhere versus taking a tour.
Now I’m very happy to take a book to a restaurant as I proudly say “Table for one, please” when I enter, realizing that no-one else there cares that I’m dining alone. And I’ll take a tour if it’s the best option for me, but I’m also willing to take the bus or find my own way if it means the experience is better.
Another way my travel style has evolved is around compromise. Despite often travelling solo (where I don’t have to compromise on anything), I do still travel with other people too. But I’m maybe a bit more selective, and have to know that we travel well together and that I can get my own space if I want it.
Too many times in the past have I caved and given up on a place I really wanted to visit because they didn’t. Now, I rarely compromise. If I want to see something or do something that the other person doesn’t, let’s take a couple of hours apart and meet back up for dinner.
Columbia Icefields, Alberta
What advice do you have for newbie travellers or aspiring travel bloggers?
Don’t do what everyone else is doing just because they’re doing it. Figure out what you want for yourself in travel, or what it is you want to write about as a travel blogger.
Just because everyone lists the same top 10 places to visit doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go somewhere else, or do other things. It also doesn’t mean those are the only things you can write about.
I find it refreshing to hear a counter opinion or a little more honesty when people travel instead of only focusing on the positive things. Travel is hard sometimes as well as being fun.
Tell the truth, be honest and your readers will respect your opinion more.
For new travellers, I would also urge you to try new things, and push yourself out of your comfort zone a little more each time. It doesn’t have to all be in one go.
Not sure about solo travel? Book a short getaway close to home. Worried about figuring out all the pieces of your trip yourself? Join a group tour. Don’t think you’ll like a traditional local food? It might be your favourite thing you’ve never tried.
Lastly, where can we find you online?
You can check out my blog at foreverlostintravel.com and I can often be found posting photos or random musings about travel over on X or Instagram.
Thank you for joining my Traveller of the Month series, Emma, and sharing so many incredible stories and bits of travel wisdom. Head on over to Emma’s blog to inspire your next adventure and stay tuned for September’s Traveller of the Month!
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