The world according to ambermarie
Mountain/Desert/Ocean/Jungle... which one are you?
Probably a combination of all of them.
What was your first great travel experience?
In 2006, aged 17, I went on a BSES expedition to the Peruvian Amazon - it was the longest I'd been away from home and my first time in a less-developed country - quite a culture shock. It was hugely expensive for what it was, but had I not gone I don't think I'd have had the courage to travel in Asia by myself the following year.
What has been your favourite journey?
Travelling during my gap year as a whole.
What are your Top 5 places worldwide?
Leh, India
Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
The Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Yangshuo, China
Iquitos, Peru
Recommend a special place to stay
The Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka - I splashed out for one night and it was blissful; I fell asleep listening to the waves of the Indian Ocean crashing right outside my window.
Which three items do you always pack?
My super-bright headtorch always comes in useful!
A sleeping bag liner for use in grotty hostels/sleeper buses.
My camera to capture all the memories.
Which passport stamp are you proudest of?
India
Which passport stamp would you most like to have?
There are too many to list.
Where or what is your guilty travel pleasure?
I know that I am supposed to be travelling on a budget, but it really annoys me when people are so desperate to save a couple of pounds that they stay somewhere absolutely vile ... and yet were they at home they'd happily blow £20 on a night out drinking. So sometimes I forget about the budget and stay somewhere ever so slightly more expensive just for comfort purposes (but then feel guilty when I meet other travellers who've got a room for 50p a night!).