So we’ve taken a few weeks off with our Globetrotter series (sorry about that!) but we are back tonight and we have a gem of a blogger to share with you. This week it’s the lovely Josy from a Walk and a Lark.
I’ve long been a follower of Josy’s and always read her blogs wondering how her feet keep up with her with all her walking and hiking. I think mine would tell me to sit down and have a cuppa. We share that we are both expats with Josy previously liking Japan and now living in Canada and it’s great to read and relate to someone to who understands the trials and tribulations of living abroad. We also share a huge love of jumping photos and I am so glad she has sent one over to be included in this post.
This year she moved to Canada and as this has been long on bucket list I’ve been pouring through her posts to fuel even more wanderlust to get myself over there. This section on her blog has all the posts you need to know where to go, what to do and where to hike.
I really do love reading other travelers answers in this series and I think Josy’s answer to ‘Why do you think traveling is important’ is one of my all-time favourites. As traveling isn’t always important and that you can have a rewarding life even if you don’t travel. We often need to remember it’s a privilege to be able to do it and that not everyone has the means, funds or interest in traveling and that’s ok. We are all different and what’s important for one person is always going to be different to another and there are other ways to be enriched by the world. Such a refreshing reminder.
And on that note let me hand you over to Josy
Hello! I’m Josy.
I am not sure why I have always had wanderlust, but as soon as I first got a job back when I was 15, I started to save money for air tickets! I have lived in the UK, Japan and now Canada, so most of my trips have been close to those countries. My other love is walking and the outdoors so almost all of my travels include some long walks and thousands of photo opportunities.
What do you enjoy most about traveling?
This is a toss-up between food and pretty scenery! I LOVE to see the varied countryside around the world. When I lived in Japan, I picked up the habit of traveling with plans to eat a specific dish from whatever area I was traveling to. For example, Japanese people would all want to try kakinohazushi (really yummy sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves) when they visit Nara or eat Fugu (puffer fish) when they visit Ise. I love the culture of traveling to eat!
Why do you think traveling is important?
Hmmm…I don’t think it is important per se, but I do feel like I have been incredibly lucky and privileged to have been able to travel a bit. I mean, life can still be rewarding if you cannot travel, it is just the icing on the top to enrich a person’s life. I really think seeing the world and meeting people from different cultures opens my mind.
I am already a pretty cheerful person, but I also find planning my next trip helps make me really happy! It’s something to look forward to, and then something to experience and remember forever!
Where are you off to next? Or where have you just come back from?
At the moment all of my travel plans revolve around friend’s weddings. We just got back from a trip to Ireland (both North and South as the wedding crossed the border!) and my next big trip is for another good friend’s wedding in New Zealand. I am sooo excited to explore the land of the Lord of the Rings!
Having said that, as my husband and I are living abroad at the moment, every weekend feels like an exotic trip! I am having so much fun exploring the mountains near my new home!
What is your favourite photograph from your travels?
This is basically impossible for me to choose! I really like jumping photos and amazing mountains, so I guess I should pick this photo from Italy. A few minutes before the photo the whole world was white and the mountains were shrouded in mist. It is hard to describe how ridiculously happy I was when the clouds parted and this vista appeared. The sound effect that goes with this image is “squeee”
Who do you usually travel with?
Nowadays I travel with my husband, Marc. He loves to explore the world, but he is rubbish at making plans… so I normally make all the decisions, and just bring him along for the fun! He’s the one who takes my jumping photos.
If you were to give one piece of travel advice what would it be?
Taste as many local dishes as you can. It may not look like something you expect to be delicious, but you’ll never know unless you try it!
Also, if you live somewhere for a while, go back and re-try things after you have started to get used to the flavours. I wasn’t keen on maccha and azuki beans when I first arrived in Japan, but now I LOVE them both.
I also think you should attempt to learn some of the local lingo. Even if you are still pretty rubbish, people really appreciate the effort and the world is less bewildering if you can understand more about what is happening around you.
Tell us the most memorable moment you’ve had whilst traveling?
I have so many! This will probably change each time I think of an anecdote!
A few years ago my husband and I were hiking in the Atlas mountains in Morocco. There was a moment when we came over the top of a ridge to look down on the valley below and it was just magical. The colours of the mountains changed from browns to reds and yellows, in large colourful stripes. People had built their houses from the rocks in their area, so the colours of the houses changed in sync with the surrounding mountainside. I had never seen scenery like that before, and it blew me away.
The people that lived in those colourful houses were soo friendly! We walked through a village just as a group of ladies were getting ready for a wedding ceremony. They giggled when they saw me, and brought me inside to join in the celebrations by covering me in henna! My husband and our guide were not allowed in (girls only!) but they could hear our giggles before I returned with some very orange arms!
Another brilliant memory is from Mongolia. We went to stay with a family in their traditional Ger camp. They are nomadic people, following their herds as they cross the steppes. The problem is, they were a little too nomadic for our guide! We had to drive around for a few hours looking for them as they were not in the place we expected!!
Once we’d settled in, the local children came over to play with us, and my brother, George, spun one of them around. The child loved it so much that he then had to spin every single child in the camp! It was hilarious watching them collapse into dizziness and giggles. Their parents welcomed us with their “beer” and “vodka” made from fermented horses milk. It was pretty gross, but still fun to try.
Where is your favourite place that you’ve been to?
This has to be Japan! I love the gorgeous mountains, the ancient culture with all the temples and shrines, the fooooood, the festivals and the people. I studied Japanese at university, so have lived there both as a student as well as working for a Prefectural government. I have so, so many amazing memories from my years there. I could easily write this entire post just about my experiences in Japan. I also have many good friends there that I hope I’ll stay in touch with for the rest of my life.
Where was one place that didn’t live up to the hype?
Marrakesh. I thought the city was beautiful and loved the food, but I hated the way people treated tourists there. It just seemed like everyone was pushy or attempting to rip us off. I had a horrible experience with touts and it made me want to hide in our Riad and keep away from the streets. In the end, the stresses didn’t stop me exploring, but I never felt safe while we were there.
Tell us one place/experience on your bucket list?
I would love to go walking in the mountains of South Korea and eat some of their gorgeous food. I studied Korean several years ago, and although I have forgotten most of it, I can still read Hangul. I’d LOVE to explore and see if I can actually understand anything there!!
What is the one thing you wouldn’t travel without?
Walking boots (or at least comfy shoes that I can explore in!) My favourite part of visiting a new area is finding a map and planning a walk!
What can readers find on your blog?
I started my blog to document some of our pretty walks around the UK or on our travels. Since then I moved to Canada, so I’ve been documenting the amaaaazing scenery around Vancouver in British Columbia. I take far too many photos and find it difficult to cut down, so my blog is full of the vistas that have taken my breath away.
Where does your blog name come from?
My long-distance walking started with the Capital Ring through London. This is a 126km trail which goes through parks and pretty areas of London. I started planning the blog as we walked through the parks on this route. Originally I thought about calling the blog “a walk in the park”, but then when my husband suggested “a walk and a lark,” I liked the sound of that better.
Do you have a favourite blog post? What is it and why?
This changes all the time! At the moment I love my post about the Honen matsuri (penis festival) just because it’s fun to share a funny side of Japan that less people know about! I also adored writing about our fantastique walking holiday in Italy. I tried to fit it all into one post, but had so many photos to share that it expanded into a whole mini-series of posts!
To find more from Josy check her out here
Blog
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Josy has been a fun blogger to follow and a very supportive one. Love the new photos of you Josy!
Thanks Suzanne!
I feel the same way about you as you were one of the first blogs I found and stared following. I think it is because you love pretty photos, friendly pets and interesting travels. That makes for the best possible kind of blog!
She’s awesome isn’t she!! Xx
Awww, I love reading about Josy’s adventures – she’s the one who inspired my jumping shot in my new avatar! Thanks for featuring a great blogger Mel 😁
No way!?
That makes me soooo happy! I love your new jumping shot! 😀 😀 😀
Her adventures are just awesome! I mean a penis festival in japan 😂 loving your jumping pic I’m sure Josy would be proud!
I’m so innocent I read it as a Pens Festival first time round 🤣
I have been following Josy too and loved getting to know a bit more about her in this interview. Great post and another fun blogger.
Thanks Debbie!
Since I found you, I’ve always loved both your and Mel’s blogs. I keep wondering if there are more blogs from your other talented family members!
Well now that you ask! My sister and brother in law both have photography blogs 😊. I once wrote a post about our family of bloggers.
She’s awesome isn’t she. Just loved her answers xx
Yaaaay Thanks Mel! I hope you are rested from your break. I am so, so chuffed to be featured on your gorgeous blog! 😀
Thanks so much for getting involved absolutely love having you on the blog!
Great to know more about you Josy via the amazing Mel’s Globetotters. Your jump shots are awesome! Lovely feature ladies. Xx
Thank you!
My husband Marc is an expert jump-shot photographer..The main problem with those photos, is quite often my jumper will ride up and so my belly will stick out OR I’ll be concentrating so hard on the jump that my face looks pretty ridiculous.
I quite like those ugly shots too…but I only sent Mel nice ones for this post. I might have to do a funny blog post of my worst travel photos at some point!
Thanks Lorelle 😘
Reblogged this on A walk and a lark and commented:
The fantastic Mel from the Wandering Darlings has let me loose on her blog!
Mel has a whole series called Globetrotters where she interviews people who all love to travel. The idea is to share travel stories, tips and advice from all different types of travellers. I hope you guys like it!
You can read my post over on her blog here…
OK, new blogging milestone. I love the blog, the post, and everyone in the comments. Josy, I’d love to go to Japan! I’ve probably asked this already, but have you read Haruki Murakami?
Wooohoo blogging milestone 🙌 xx
Yaay for the blogging milestone!
Yep. I love Murakami, although to be honest I find him REALLY hard to read in Japanese. His translators do an amaaaazing job, so I normally cheat and read his work in English. 🙂
You would loooove Japan Lorna. Although to be honest some of my favorite places are not very accessible to wheelchairs. 🙁 They are improving, but so, so many of the temples and shrines have steps. My mum was in a wheelchair when I first moved to Japan, so that is when i got into the habit of taking loads of photos. I wanted to show her all the places that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to take her to.
What a great post! I love Josy’s blog (ssshhh don’t tell her it’s one of my faves) and what an amazing adventure she’s had around the world.
Josy- Japan is on my bucket list- I would absolutely love to visit there & see the mountains & temples and the pretty blossom. I loved your story about Morocco (the Atlas mountains bit). And that photo of you in Italy is so bloody good x
Oooh, you know if you do ever go to Japan I would be happy to help you plan it. I have given advice to so, many of my friends before their trips. 😀
P.s. thank you for liking my corner of the internet! That has made my day!
Thanks Josy! I’ll definitely keep you in mind if I ever go x
I hope you can go! It is an amaaaazing place.
Just a comment from Josy’s Dad. When Josy was in Japan she told us all about her adventures there by email. I collected them all together and published in a book called Japanland on Lulu.com. It gives a good insight to anyone wanting to visit there.
Dad in the comments!? This is awesome! 😀
Thanks dad!! You should be my publicist.
I find Japan fascinating too. Would you to travel there with my children when they are bigger, do you think it would suit family?
Oops! Sorry about my slow reply but YES!!
Oh my goodness Japan is a brilliant place to travel with kids! If you do decide to go, let me give you some ideas of fun things to do! Just for one example, the place where I used to live, Nara has a park with 10,000 deers that wander around and bow to tourists for food. Most kids love that…but also if you go just 20 minutes from the city center, you can take a crazy cable car up Ikoma Mountain. One carriage looks like a cat, and one looks like a dog, then when they go past each other, they woof and miaow! Then, at the top of the mountain there is a theme park with roller coasters. It’s really fun to go on rides while looking down at the scenery of Nara and Osaka. 😀
I have quite a few random, slightly mad fun things like that to suggest!
You are so good, thank you so much! I definitely think we will do this later when the girls are bigger and we save up a bit. Thanks for your lovely answer xx
Josy- I enjoyed your interview. I was especially interested in your observations about Marrakesh as we had an unpleasant experience there too. I wouldn’t want to make anything more of this as I’m sure every place on our planet has not worked for someone. Hopefully a net result of travel for all is greater tolerance and understanding.
Thanks Mickey!
I loved lots of things about Marrakesh (the food, the architecture etc.) so I certainly wouldn’t want to put people off from visiting. I’m just less enthusiastic about recommending it. I’m sad to hear that you had a similar experience.
Did you visit other areas of Morocco? We LOVED Essaouira and the Atlas Mountains. <3
Great choice of blogger! Josy’s blog makes me wanna get up and go walking.. then I remember how lazy I am!
Haha! I’m sure I’ll persuade you to come for a walk at some point Ritu! The canals near you do sound like a lovely place to start!!
One day!!!
I love both yours and Josy’s blog, but I’m an amateur traveler compared with you. Your blogs give me ideas though and introduce me to places that I hope to travel someday.
Yay Phil!
I feel like I’m an amateur as well. I just get really excited by all the possibilities of seeing the world!
Maybe all these posts will persuade you to go to Japan. It’d be so, so cool if Landon Bridges ended up time travelling over to have an adventure there. That way, you could claim all your travel expenses as business expenses (research for your books!)
LOL too funny! That’s a great idea!
It is always a privilege to be able to visit various countries and new places and enjoy the sights and sounds of those places. Loved all those memories and the clicks and great to know that you are getting the opportunities to see the world…..doesn’t happen to all….:)
I agree completely! It is such a privilege to be able to travel at all. I have a blogging friend who wrote about her struggles with visas, and it made me realize just how lucky I am to be from the UK. At the same time, the world does seem to be making it tougher and tougher (and more pricey) for people to move between countries. It is such a shame.
True that..
Two of my favourite travel bloggers in one post!! It’s so funny how certain things set you off a place (like Marakkesh) and some endear a place to you (like the Atlas Mountains). And I absolutely love your jumping pictures, I love that you have a tradition for travel!! I need to find something for myself 🤔🤔
Yaaaay! We love your travel posts too Jessica!
I especially love seeing the UK through your eyes as you notice the most interesting historical things!!
You can totally get involved in jumping shots! They often look terrible, but they are always fun!
Absolutely love Josy’s blog! She has great taste in walks! And cities *Vancouver fist bump*
This was an insightful little feature. I think I’ll read another! All the best.
*Vancouver fist bump* right back atcha!
You might end up spending a while reading all these globetrotter posts! I love them! 😀
A great read. I’ve not travelled much but this is definitely giving me some motivation x
Yay Rachel!
Where would you most like to go? I find there are so many bloggers with good ideas that I find I always have long lists of places I’d like to see. Or you can always explore near home…attempt to look at your surroundings with the eyes of a tourist!
I’ve recently just moved back to the North East (England) so I want to explore with my husband who isn’t from here. I’d like to do some city breaks in Europe too. I’m not too adventurous if I’m honest!
Oooh you lucky thing! You can get to the lake district pretty easily, or head up to Scotland! 😀
I went to the Lakes last month for the first time. Ive not been to Scotland for years x
Did you like it? I guess it changes completely depending on the weather so I hope you got to see some views!
I’m writing a blog post about it. It rained a lot but it was stunning x
Oooh I’ll come and see it when you’re finished. 😀
Thank you 😊
It’s so great to see Josy here! I love her blog and yours and both of you are giving me great ideas of destinations to travel to when I get the opportunity. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Lisa! I am sooo chuffed that we managed to inspire you!
What a wonderful way to get to know you better, Josy! I’m in awe of all of your adventures. In particular, I can feel your love of the people you’ve encountered along the way. Your openness to others and willingness to engage with them to learn, listen, and grow inspires me!
Thanks Angela!
You know it’s funny but I still feel like some of my best friends are in Japan, even though when I first met them I was rubbish at Japanese. Once my language improved, they realized how kooky/strange I am, so I was surprised that we all stayed friends! I still find it really interesting how people seem to have slightly different personalities depending on the language they speak and the level of fluency in that language.
I am not one who goes travelling so it i really lovely reading your post here Josy about some of the wonderful places that you have been to. Those jumping images are great too!!! 🙂
Thanks Judy!
You don’t have to travel to get involved with jumping photos! I should set some kind of jumping photo challenge!! 😉
True, I need to be somewhere out of the way, I wouldn’t want to cause an earthquake when I jump!!