As many of you know, Danielle and I decided to go our separate ways for some solo traveling in the spring, before reuniting this summer in Israel.
We had planned to continue blogging together on The Roaming Coconuts, however we quickly realized that sharing a blog from different continents would be a bit tricky. Coordinating blog posts while Danielle is in Ethiopia and I’m in Iran? Maybe not the best idea.
But beyond a practical standpoint, blogging separately was proving a little stressful on both sides. When we were traveling together we usually ended up writing posts together as well. But when I had to write posts on my own, I suddenly felt like I was setting myself up to be compared to Danielle.
I felt like my writing was worse than hers, my posts not as clever, and my photos less impressive. Sitting down to write about a place, I felt an extra pressure to write something good enough for her standards.
It was all incredibly silly, especially as once we talked, it turned out she was feeling much the same way. I mean hello, it’s a blog! It’s for fun! Neither of us should have been feeling that way about it.
So after a lot of thought, I’ve decided to write separately over here at Heart My Backpack. We still might co-write some posts and I’m sure we’ll be popping up on each other’s blogs quite a bit. This will just be easier and less confusing for everyone.
Phew, that out of the way, I’m sure everyone (someone?) is wondering: what’s next?
I don’t have any plans set in stone, but I have a rough outline of my travels for the next half year. It looks like this:
If you tilt your head to the left, it sort of looks like the outline of a girl’s hair, no?
Okay the plan:
I’m in Norway now, and on Thursday I will fly back to Thailand to spend a month there with my friends.
In March I will (hopefully) fly to Iran (on my Norwegian passport of course), then travel overland up to Armenia and Georgia.
Then I plan on getting a ferry across the Black Sea to the Ukraine. I’ll go up to Transnistria and maybe over to Moldova and… then I might have run out of time.
In early May I have tentative plans to meet some friends in South Africa. Hopefully we’ll also get a chance to explore some surrounding countries, like Namibia and Botswana.
In June I will head up to Jordan and then Israel, where I will reunite with Danielle!
Then after Israel I will probably return to Norway to have some quality time with my family.
All this could change of course. As of now I only have my flight to Thailand booked.
Sound okay?!
Matt says
Wow, sounds like you’ve got some big adventures coming up. I’m glad I’ve found your blog and I look forward to reading about your journey!
Silvia says
Thanks – hopefully they’ll all work out!
stephanieeeee says
what the heck you’re going to IRAN without me?! where is my norwegian passport?!! also, how unfair that i might end up being banned from ever traveling there?! i am providing you with zero jordan tips now.
Silvia says
What?! What did you doooo?
The GypsyNesters says
Wow, looks like you have quite a year ahead of you! Safe travels in the new year.
Tyrhone says
Now that is some serious globe hopping! Israel is high up on my list, looking forward to reading about that one. Also, I think blogger envy is a big thing these days as the blogging community booms. I get jealous of my girlfriends blog sometimes, even though I am a much more well rounded person in general 😉
Have a great year!
Silvia says
Ha, well glad I’m not the only one! And yeah, I’ll be excited to visit Israel and get a chance to see beyond its negative political reputation.
Agness says
Wow, what a great list of countries! South Africa has been on my bucket list for ages. I really hope to make it there soon. Wishing you all the best on the road and awesome travel adventures in 2014!
Silvia says
Thanks, Agness! South Africa has been on mine for ages as well. My sister and I had wanted to plan a trip there when we were teenagers but couldn’t make it work. So finally!
Taylor Hearts Travel says
Haha, the dilemmas of blogging, eh?! Glad you got it sorted. It sounds like a sensible idea.
Your travel plans sound great. I can’t wait to read all about them.
Silvia says
Ha, right? Maybe a little dramatic, but it’s all sorted now. Phew. And thanks! Hopefully the plans go as planned.
Caitlyn says
Wow, you’re certainly covering some ground this year! I’ll be tuning in to hear about your time in Iran for sure 🙂
Silvia says
Haha yes I’ll be a little all over the place come spring. Definitely excited for Iran, though!
Colleen Brynn says
Ugh this sounds absolutely superb. x
David Ryan says
Love this post. Can’t wait to read your future adventures.
Vanessa says
Hi Silvia, I just stumbled upon your blog through Agness and Cez. So funny that you have just moved your blog because this is pretty much the same what I have just done one and a half weeks ago, too. I moved my blog from wordpress.com to a self-hosted website. Your travel plans are amazing, Jordan is on my bucket list as well. Iran sounds pretty impressive and a bit exotic, especially for blonde women. Will you be travelling there on your own?
Silvia says
Ugh, a bit of a pain, right? But it’s also kind of exciting to have a fresh new site.
I will be traveling to Iran on my own, though I plan on couchsurfing at least while I’m in Tehran, so I’ll have some local support. And my blonde hair will be covered by a headscarf? Haha we’ll see how that goes.
While I was traveling through Central Asia I met some other tourists who had passed through Iran and loved it, so I’m hoping I can have a similarly positive experience!
Vanessa says
I so much agree, moving the blog was a bit of a pain till the site was set up properly, but I am also glad I did that.
Couchsurfing in Iran sounds really exciting, but I guess it will be great fun and you’ll probably have a fabulous time on your travels. I am looking forward to read about your adventures there and in the other countries along the way.
Silvia says
So glad it’s working out! And thanks, hopefully there will be many tales to tell.
Vanessa says
May I ask which widget/plugin you are using for the “About Me” section in the sidebar of your blog which links to your About Me-Page? Was it a widget within your Theme? I am looking for a plugin like that already for several months but haven’t found the right one yet.
Silvia says
I couldn’t find a nice plugin either! I ended up just using a text box and adding code for an image and text linking to my About Me page. If you just Google “add image to WordPress text widget” and “add linking text to text widget” you can find the code.
Hope that helps – good luck!
Vanessa says
Hi Silvia, thank you so much for the tips and hints. I will definitely try that out in the next few weeks.
Silvia says
Any time, Vanessa. Good luck!
jennifer says
You have such a great itinerary planned. I love reading blog posts about places I am not familiar with. And I agree with you, it does look like the outline of a girl’s hair.
Silvia says
Yes! I’m not crazy then. And thanks, I hope I’ll have lots to share!
Cherishka says
Ferry from Georgia to Ukraine sounds very interesting. Iran sounds even more interesting. Can’t wait to read more about your up coming trips! Jordan was an amazing country, I had a really great time there! Now that I’m based in Budapest, travel around is a little easier. If you happen be around, don’t be afraid to give me a shout! Norway is my favorite country and I want to ‘retire’ there (if I get rich one day)!
Silvia says
Thanks, Cherishka! Excited to see Jordan now. And I’ll definitely let you know if I’m in Budapest – one of my all time favorite cities!