English 
Updated on May 6th, 2024
I was honoured & excited to be nominated for the Liebster Award. I work hard to deliver quality with my blog & find it a challenge to get noticed, so it was a thrill to receive this from A Trip With A View. A Trip With A View is an excellent blog with a focus on affordable travel. Nicole is a travel enthusiast who aims to provide readers with the best options to make their travel dreams come true. Her website prides itself on publishing honest reviews of resorts and hotels visited, along with content that readers will find useful in planning their dream vacations.
About the Liebster Award
The Liebster Award is an award for bloggers by bloggers. The award recognizes new blogs with great content. It brings attention to blogs who have presented a fresh perspective on travel blogging. The purpose is bloggers supporting other bloggers. This award gives bloggers a voice and encourages more people to interact with us and follow our journeys. That can only be a good thing!
Sue Where? Why? What?
I have had a passion for travel since, as a naïve 22-year-old I arrived alone in Africa to spend 3 months on an overland truck. I was mesmerised by the beauty of the countries I visited. The diversity of the people struck me, while recognising how alike we all are at the same time. Since then I have visited over 60 countries across 6 continents & have no intention to stop any time soon.
In 2014 my life changed unrecognisably when I tragically lost my husband. Terry wasn’t just my life partner, he was my best friend, my partner in crime & my loyal travel companion. The only way I have got through the last few years is by following my passion. I created a Life List which has formed a road map & focus, providing me with a constant catalogue of distractions. I took redundancy from work & have never looked back. Sue Where? Why? What? came from a desire to share my journey & hopefully inspire others to heal through connecting with the things they love. You can read more in About Me.
I am 50 this year & celebrating by attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. I recognise that I’m not the only woman at my age who finds themselves alone, maybe for the first time. My mission is to look for opportunities where you can travel solo, even if you don’t want to be on your own. So far my experiences have included volunteering, learning a new skill, tours & just getting out there & doing it. I hope by sharing these, I can inspire women of all ages to go it alone. I believe that the joy of travel is not about the destination but the journey & the people you meet along the way that make it such a beautiful experience. Finally, I am starting to smile again & actually mean it.
10 Questions from A Trip With A View
1. What is one piece of advice you would pass down to other new bloggers?
Be patient, focus on delivering content & don’t get down heartened when you are struggling to be noticed. I believe that if you stay true to your goal & with a focus on the audience you are targeting then it will come…eventually!
I rediscovered solo travel in my late 40’s & recognise that I am not the only woman who may find herself in this position. I aim my blog at those ladies who have a desire to travel but may not want to be on their own. In Sue Where? Why? What? I provide ideas on holidays which can fulfil this need, as well as tips & advice for those who are keen to take the plunge & head away solo.
2. What was the first foreign country you visited and why did you choose it?
This was France, on a family holiday, when I was entering my teens. I am from the UK so when we first ventured from British shores it was hugely exotic. I don’t think I had a lot of say in the matter, as the youngest in the family but enjoyed each & every holiday we took there. Even the chips tasted different (& were called frites…very special!).
3. What is your favourite destination that you have travelled to?
This is always a really hard question, but I have to say Cuba. I am not a big believer in going back but have just returned from my 3rd visit to Havana & Viñales. I love it as much as I did the first time! Each time I leave feeling energised & rejuvenated from the spirit & beauty of the people & this complicated country.
4. Do you ever run out of ideas for blog posts and if so, how do you break through that writer’s block?
Thankfully, I’m yet to experience this! I have 29 years of travelling under my belt & I’m also exploring (almost) full time now. Throughout this time I have used journals to record everything & like to share stories from the road as well as travel guides. If I ever run out of inspiration, then I have a library of notebooks to dip into from through the years. That said, I do find I am more inspired to write some posts than others. I also occasionally struggle to find the right angle on a place so will just keep it on the back burner until I can see clearly how it will work. After that my inspiration returns.
5. What inspired you to start a blog?
I had a tragedy in my life in 2014 when I lost my husband. I found it difficult to express how I felt, so I started a blog. Check out my Postcards from Tragedy to Hope to read more. The plan was to share it with my friends, so they could understand better, without me having to get into the conversation. I got some lovely feedback on my writing style which was an unexpected response.
Losing my husband has allowed me to choose my lifestyle & follow my passion for travel. I decided to combine the 2 if I’m travelling why not share my experiences? I’m now enjoying how my blog is growing & it’s given me a focus which was very important to enable me to move forward again.
6. Share your favourite travel photo that you have taken and explain why it is your favourite.
This was a really hard one! Finally, I have chosen this. I took the photo while I was climbing Big Daddy Dune in Sossusvlei, Namibia. The dune is made of red sand. Dead Vlei at its base is white with atmospheric dead trees scattered in what used to be a lake.
I took this photo when I had passed most of the other walkers who had decided to make their way down into Dead Vlei. I carried on, fascinated & got this surreal photo. There is no editing & no photoshopping (to be I honest, I rarely do a lot of editing on my photos anyway). It demonstrates the beauty of nature & messes with your head a bit. That’s why I love it!
7. Are there any places that you visited that you would never want to go back?
I’m a big believer in not going back to places, especially if you’ve had a great time as it’s rare that your next experience will ever be as good. On the flip side if you have had a bad experience then your expectations are lowered so you will probably be surprised by how much you enjoy it!
I do have a love-hate relationship with Byron Bay in Australia. I have shared many very happy holidays with my husband & family in this beautiful town. After losing Terry, I have no desire to go back as the memories I create will never be as good as the ones I already have. I did return once as my family love it so much, but it wasn’t the same & only reinforced this belief.
8. Have you ever visited a destination that really surprised you? For instance, a place that either far outweighed your expectations or a place that really disappointed you?
So many that have outweighed my expectations! I am compiling a list of the “Unexpected Wonders of the World”. By this I mean places that you may never had heard of but they turn out to be spectacular. So far the list includes Crater Lake (Oregon), Waimea Canyon (Hawaii) & Ta Prohm Temple (Cambodia), to name just a few.
9. What is a destination that you have never been to but want to go and why?
I have never visited Iceland but am now desperate to see the Northern Lights, so it’s only a matter of time. All the photos & everything I have read makes it seem such a magical place & really safe for solo female travellers too which is the icing on the cake. Time to experience it myself!
10. What is one thing that you must have in your carry on?
My toiletries bag (under 100ml & in clear plastic!), just in case my luggage goes missing. I can live without most things, but face cream is a different matter!
My Nominations
3 Sisters Abroad
My Questions for the Nominees are…
- What is your next travel destination & why did you choose it?
- Where is your favourite “secret” destination that most others wouldn’t know about?
- What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on your travels?
- If you could invite anyone to dinner, alive or dead, who would you choose & what would you ask them about?
- If you could only watch 1 movie for the rest of your life which one would you choose?
Thanks so much for the nomination.
You’re welcome, Bree. Well deserved! Sue x