Today’s blogger interview is with Shikha from ‘It’s a Wonderful World’. I’ve been following her blog for a year I think now and it’s always full of great stories and photos. So I’m sure you’ll enjoy this interview with Shikha!

 

 

Hello from New York! “It’s a Wonderful World” is a collection of my travel stories. My husband is the sometimes unwilling and mostly cheerful companion in my travels, and now I am trying to make a traveller out of our 13-month old daughter.

2. What made you decide to start a blog?

I realized that I get super excited when I talk to friends and family about incredible travel experiences. I know at least three people who have visited Amalfi Coast in Italy, and one person who has visited Cinque Terre thanks to my passionate description of these places. The blog was a way to share that passion with more people, without incessantly boring the said friends and family. Also, sometimes due to circumstances, you are not able to have the kind of travel experiences you want, right at that time. This blog helps me keep the wanderlust alive. And…. I am a total shutterbug, lugging my SLR camera everywhere. The blog also gives me excuse to keep visiting the vast photo archives, and showcasing the best ones.

3. What have your favourite experiences been away from home/the place where you were born?

There are two travel experiences that changed me forever. The first was a trip to Ireland in 2006 and my first trip to Europe and only the second time I was leaving India, the place of my birth. We had a car with no GPS, a map of Ireland provided by Hertz and 10 days to explore this country which has stunning natural beauty. By the end of this road trip of a lifetime, the map was in tatters and through numerous wrong turns and impromptu decisions, we saw incredible sights.

Here I am in Chamonix, France, after getting very close to Mont Blanc but not being able to see it due to a massive snow storm – the best view of the Alps I never had!

The second was a 16-day trip to Italy and Switzerland. Unlike the Ireland trip I just mentioned, this one was more organized, with a carefully planned itinerary and advance online tickets for museums and other attractions.  Even then we made a spur of the moment decision to stop in Siena, and that day turned out to be the day of the Palio! After being enthralled by the culture and sights of Italy, and the gorgeous Alpine scenery of Switzerland, I decided that I wanted to really explore more of the world.

4. When you write your blog, who are you writing for?

This blog is for anyone who could use some friendly travel inspiration or anyone who wants to reminisce about their own travels.

5. What advice would you give for anyone wanting to start their own travel blog?

“Write and they will come” – Just write, write and write. As you keep writing, your writing improves and you find your voice.

6. What do you enjoy writing about most on your blog?

Did I mention that I love to travel? Ha ha ha. I enjoy writing about unique experiences, such as how our plan to see the Mont Blanc was an epic fail due to a snow storm, and why you should visit Milan, even for a few days.

7. What’s the hardest thing about running a blog?

Finding the discipline to consistently publish good posts has been my biggest challenge. There are periods of time when I have let the blog just languish away. Now my goal is to publish at least one post every week. As every blogger would find, there is no dearth of content. I just need to post more!

8. Please recommend three blog posts you’d like readers of this to read!

Give Milan a few days.

A tryst with the French Alps

I might be Central Park obsessed!

9. How can people find your blog and find you on social media?

My WordPress blog “It’s a Wonderful World” can be found through this web address:

https://shikhaitsthelittlethings.wordpress.com/

I also have a Facebook page where new blog posts get published:

https://www.facebook.com/WonWorldBlog/

 

Thanks so much for being part of the Travel Bloggers’ series Shikha! May the Journey Never End!