Here at the Towers we've always known that the contributors on myWanderlust are world class. The proof is in the compelling experiences posted each week, the stunning photos uploaded as galleries and the funny or thought-provoking forum posts, which provoke discussion each week. But it's always nice to get outside validation of that. This week that validation came with hmoat 01 took out the World First travel writing competition with her experience piece, On The Road to Samnaun.
The story recounts a terrifying journey along a road, precariously perched on a Swiss mountainside. Hmoat 01 had me when she described the road as a 'scratch on the mountainside.' Such a simple and evocative phrase. I've banked that one, along with Liz Cleere's phrase about 'shark-eyed men' in her story about being held at gunpoint in Eritrea.
Hmoat 01's story is just one in a field of extremely high quality experiences this week, each garnering more comments than normal. GlenRooney's story about Peruvian Bullfighting was balanced, well-written and thoughtful and provoked an equally thoughtful and well-balanced discussion in the comments below. Not easy with such an emotive topic.
ColinO's LA pilgrimage continues with a trip to Universal Studios and the High Voltage Tattoo parlour. He walked away from one with a photo from the Kwik-E-Mart and the other with an approximation of the artwork on the cover of the Black Crowes' Warpaint album on his arm. And he hadn't even been drinking.
Elsewhere, Peterj2002 fills us in on a quick trip to Iceland and bilbo baggins reveals hidden treasures found in the Northern Pennines, Cumbria and Northumberland. And who knew DavidRoss had a criminal past? Find out more in his piece about breaking into the House of The Wolf.
Over on the forum this week, Roovilla is looking for help planning her wedding. She wants to tie the knot overseas and wants your suggestions. It would be remiss of me not to mention our new Unique Honeymoons magazine that just hit news stands. And the fact that I got married in a whitewashed missionary church in the Cook Islands by a minister who insisted on reading a bible passage about Sodom and Gomorrah and finished the service by imploring us to 'Go forth and multiply!'
Moonpea is going to Turkey with her boyfriend in February and wants advice on hotels. Julielc is off to Iceland for three days and is wondering what she should do. And LS13 is after some road trip tales for his brilliant car hire website. Oh, and jillaroo is giving away back issues of Wanderlust. Get yourself to Buckinghamshire quick-smart.
Just back from and righdubhmor went trekking in Sri Lanka for 16 days and apart from some leeches and too little time in Kandy, had a fantastic time. The people were friendly and the leopards in Yala easy to spot. Misabel went trekking too, but in Morocco. Highlights included star gazing and laughing. Advice? Take wet wipes and a torch.
GlenRooney has just returned from cycling through Hungary and was impressed by the hospitality of Hungarians, especially in smaller towns where buying a round of beers leads to all kinds of adventures. Goccia went to Fiji and cannot speak highly enough about diving in the Yasawa Islands and living like Robinson Crusoe.
We were taken on a tour of all corners of the globe in the photographic galleries this week. Mik led us through a Sri Lankan wildlife safari in Wilpattu. Rbarty revealed hidden corners of Laos. And Jill Cochrane brightened up a dull, overcast week with technicolour close-ups from the Buddhist trail.
My personal favourite, however, was the gallery posted by Peterj2002 of images from his flying visit to Iceland. If you read his experience, you'll know that it wasn't easy getting these stunning images. But every one of them is a winner.
Speaking of winners, don't forget we're presenting the myWanderlust Awards at the Destinations Travel Show in London on Saturday 4 February – 10.30 at Pizza Express. There are certificates and everything.
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