This week for our Globetrotters we are off into the cosmos to meet Natalie from the Cosmos Mariners: Destination Unknown.
Now I love a creative blog name and Natalie’s blog is one of the best I’ve come across. What is even more interesting than the name itself is the story behind it. You can read all about here and I completely agree that naming a blog is just like naming a child (although I haven’t experienced that just yet) you want it to be a goodun that stands out.
Natalie has been blogging for almost forever and you can tell she has mastered her craft over the years just by looking through her site. From a long list of companies, she’s worked with to informative and well-written posts. There is literally something for everyone who is looking for information and inspiration on their next trip.
I’ve always wanted to explore the south of America and Savannah has been high on my list so this post just makes we want to get there even quicker. The buildings look stunning and the tree lined streets are ones I want to wander down. For gems like the post above you can find even more destinations covered.
I’ve recently written a post about my travel loving parents and it was so great to read that Natalie travelling buddies are not only her husband but also her two children. Kids of parents who love travelling in my eyes will have the best childhood. The adventures, the stories and awareness of the differences within the world is something you only get by going somewhere new. They are two lucky little kiddos having Natalie as their mum.
I’ll stop jabbering on now and hand you over to meet the wonderful Natalie.
Hi, I’m Natalie, a former college professor who combined my love of learning with a desire to see the world to create my travel blog, Cosmos Mariners: Destination Unknown. Since starting my blog in 2010, I’ve discovered a secret apartment at Hampton Court Palace, flown in a World War II-era DC-3, stood in the shadows of inspiring buttes at Monument Valley, and crept inside an Iron Age burial ground in Ireland.When I’m not travelling with my husband and two young kids, I can be found exploring my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina, sewing, or reading contemporary British fiction.
What do you enjoy most about travelling?
I love that every moment is a new opportunity to learn something. As soon as I step out of my hotel room when I’m in a new place, I’m bombarded by new sights and smells, all waiting for me to dive in and explore. That fresh, new environment is what I crave when I’m not travelling!
Why do you think travelling is important?
Having your thoughts and perspectives challenged is incredibly important to becoming a more well-rounded person, and travel puts that at the forefront. If you’ve never been away from the comfort of home, and you’re suddenly placed in a foreign country, it’s overwhelming and scary, but it forces you to ask big questions like “What is my place in the world?” and “How can I better myself through what I’ve learned here?”
What is your favourite photograph from your travels?
This changes on every one of our trips since I always come back with new photos! My current favourite photo was taken on our recent road trip through the Western U.S. I’d always wanted to go to Monument Valley, so being in this incredible place with my husband and two kids was a dream come true. Fun fact: our 4-year-old took the picture! Perhaps I have a junior travel blogger in the family?
Do you have a pre travel ritual? If so what?
Getting ready for a trip with a 4-year-old and an infant is very different than how I used to get ready pre-kids. Nowadays, my pre-travel ritual is all about frantically throwing things into a suitcase a few hours before we have to leave for the airport and hoping that everything we need somehow makes it into the mess!
Who do you usually travel with?
My favourite travel buddies are my husband, Landon, and my two kids, Britton (my 4-year-old daughter) and Gibson (my 8-month-old son).
If you were to give one piece of travel advice what would it be?
Plan as much as you can, but know that you’ve got to be flexible in the moment. When making our itineraries, I give us more stuff to do than we can ever get to each day, so that way we have options when it comes to our sightseeing. Some days, we’ll get up and want to go to a historic palace for a tour, while other days, we choose to explore a local park.
Tell us the funniest story or a mishap from one of your adventures?
When I was a senior in college, my sister and I both went on a study abroad trip to the Bahamas. Our destination, Andros, is so sparsely populated, that our class flew on two tiny charter planes to get there, and the pilot of the plane I was on had to call ahead to the airport to make sure they’d cleared all of the cows off of the runway before we attempted to land! Once we landed (without hitting any local wildlife), we went through customs, got our baggage, and got an introduction to the island…all in the one room airport. I love going to (really) off the beaten path places since there are guaranteed adventure ahead!
Where is your favourite place that you’ve been to?
It’s a three-way tie between the Aran Islands in Ireland, the Dry Tortugas off the coast of Florida, and London, England. We were the only non-locals at a Gaelic quiz night at a pub in Inishmore which was the perfect way to experience what life was really like on the Aran Islands. I love to snorkel and scuba dive and the Dry Tortugas are gorgeous! (Plus, Fort Jefferson has stunning ocean views AND an incredible history, which is my perfect travel combo). And London was where I studied abroad in college, so it is like my second home!
Where was one place that didn’t live up to the hype?
I always get weird glances when I tell people this, but Paris did not in any way live up to the hype. At first glance, you’d think I’d love it since it has gorgeous architecture, a deep history, and a rich arts scene, but I didn’t enjoy my time there at all. I might go back eventually to see if I can find out what people love about the city, but I have many, many other places to visit first.
Tell us one place/experience on your bucket list?
I REALLY want to go to Machu Picchu, Peru, and Angkor Wat, Cambodia. I’m hoping to check one of those off of my bucket list in 2018!
What is the one thing you wouldn’t travel without?
I am super near-sighted, so I always travel with a few extra pairs of contacts and my glasses. I would hate to get in the middle of a trip and lose a contact or two and not be able to see a thing for the rest of it.
What can readers find on your blog?
I focus a lot of the nerdy side of travel: historical and literary sites are my jam! Since I have 2 kids, I also write about family friendly spots that we visit and the products that make family travel easier. You’ll also find general travel posts about packing, our cruises, itineraries, and the like.
Do you have a favourite blog post? What is it and why?
Before I started travel blogging, I worked as a college literature professor. I am deeply in love with all things literary, so my favourite blog post focuses on the ties that New Orleans has with American literature.
To find more from Natalie please check the links below.
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