Meet the latest traveler in my Travel Blogger Interviews series – Samantha Firth of Traveling King.
1. Tell us a little about yourself: Who are you? Where are you from?
Hi! I’m Samantha Firth and I write a Luxury/Adventure blog. Currently located in Adelaide Australia however I was born in Zimbabwe, travelling has been in my in my blood from the day I was born! My mother loved to see the sights and I would often travel interstate to see family while I was a child. In 2000 we moved to Australia and have been travelling around the world with Adelaide as our home base since.
2. What is your blog about and how did you start blogging?
My blog, Travelling King, is mainly about Luxury with some adventure trips and tips intertwined. I started blogging in 2012 as a way to collect my memories and photos from trips I took to share with my friends and family at home and around the world.
Do you travel for work or for pleasure?
At this stage I travel for pleasure. Like most people, I have a full time job and a mortgage but get my travel fix in whenever I can.
What is the most stunning place that you have ever visited?
Gee that’s a hard question! It’s a tie between Boracay in the Philippines and the North Island of New Zealand! Boracay has beautiful white sand beaches and clear blue waters where as NZ it just so green and beautiful!
5. Do you feel that blogging takes time away from your social and/or family life?
Yes definitely, its like having a second full time job but I don’t mind. I’m not a massive social butterfly unless I’m travelling.
What is the one thing that is too large or impractical to travel with that you wish you could take with you when you travel?
My MacBook laptop. I love being able to use it for blogging while I travel, but its so damn big it takes up the majority of my backpack and I end up using my Ipad for notes or posts while I travel anyway.
Are there any countries that you would not consider visiting and why?
I’d love to go to Egypt, but refuse to due to the high rate of crime and the overcrowding of tourists at the Pyramids. I would also generally stay clear of any countries that are under civil unrest or at war, its not worth risking my life.
Do you have any funny travel stories?
I’ve been lucky that we haven’t had many issues or funny things that have really happened to us on our travels but we did hire a yacht to take us island hoping while in Thailand, however I forgot that I tend to get fairly seasick and forgot to take tablets with me, needless to say our day was pretty much ruined as I spent the majority of the day puking or sleeping. We did get to enjoy a nice lunch on a nearby island and then had to try outrun a large storm that came in after lunch, which didn’t help my seasickness!
What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?
Recently my husband Ben and I went to Auckland in New Zealand for a quick 4 day trip and he convinced me to do the Auckland Skytower Jump…. I worked up the courage and go to the top, step off the platform and screamed 90% of the way down, once I’d stopped screaming enough to enjoy the scenery the jump was basically over!
What is your favorite mean of transportation (plane, train, car, ship)?
I love flying, I don’t necessarily love that you have to sit down and behave for 12+ hours but it helps when you’re in business class!
You can follow Samantha on:
Upeksha
Great interview. I love discovering new travel blogs to read!
Rhonda Albom
I’ve seen plenty of people doing the Skytower jump. It looks really cool but I would never do it. I also tried to outrun a storm on a yacht once, I learned not to do that again.
Anda Galffy
It must have been a terrifying experience being chased by a storm, Rhonda.
samantha
The Skyjump was SUPER cool but scary! And the Storm in Thailand wasnt as scary…. i spent most of my time below deck trying not to die from feeling sea sick haha!
Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields
I think you are being a bit unfair on Egypt. I believe it is quite safe again now but because so many people think it isn’t the crowds have dried up. We are headed there at the end on the year so I will let you know!
Anda Galffy
Looking forward to hearing about your adventures.
samantha
Hey Lyn – i guess its a hard question because there is always somewhere that people may not like or feel is unsafe.
I would love to see the Pyramids – its been a long time dream but after hearing stories from friends and family who have been recently (some of which are season travellers), its been a bit off-putting.
Annette @ A French Collection
Great interview. I loved learning about Samantha and her travels.
samantha
Thanks Annette xx