As part of our Travel Addict Stories, we've made it our mission to feature the stories, experiences and top tips from the members of our ever-growing community. Maggie is a huge contributor to our group and has had her fair share of travel experiences around the world.
I asked her to spill the beans on what's she's been up to and share some wisdom and inspiration that no doubt will inspire you to embrace a life of travel-addiction!
Complete this sentence: “You know you’re a Travel Addict when...”
"...it ceases to be about your reaching a destination and becomes indistinguishable from living your life.”- Paul Theroux
How long have you been a part of the Travel Addicts community and what is it about being a member of this group that you like most?
About 4 years. I like the exchange of ideas of destinations in our community, and lots of travel inspiration.
What was the first ever international trip that you remember - what do you remember about it?
My first international flight was to India. The marketing slogan now is ‘Incredible India’. I’m not sure that I found it incredible as a child. But that trip stands out. It was unforgettable. I was 7 years old. All I had known up until then was South West London; Saturday mornings on Tooting Broadway, weekends on Wimbledon Common walking our dogs, Sundays at my aunt’s place in Tulse Hill. There were occasional day trips to Littlehampton on the south coast. This journey had so many firsts for me; First time on a plane, first time out of U.K, first time seeing the difference.
When did you realise that travel was more than just “a holiday” every now and then for you? When and how did you realise that you were a Travel Addict?
Perhaps this taps into the 'traveller vs tourist' discussion. Neither of us were ever resort/lie by the pool kind of people. We've always wanted to really feel a place, learn more about the culture, food, language. We quickly concluded that we couldn't achieve that in a two week holiday. We wanted more, full emersion in another place.
Travel addiction is probably best illustrated by our 'wall of trips', a whole wall of trip planning! We lived and worked in Indonesia for 3 years. In 30 months we took as many trips to different part of the country, as well as in S.E. Asia
What impact has travel had on your life?
Travel has completely shaped our life. Together we have lived in 9 countries and visited countless others.
When was your last trip, and where did you go?
Giulianova, on Italy's Adriatic coast
What’s your NEXT trip? Tell us all about it!!
Tomorrow! L'Aquila, the 'Queen of the Appenines' (This was posted back in March - so she's back now...)
Have you ever travelled solo? If so, what did you learn from it? If not, is it something that you’d like do?
A few times. My first solo journey was to NZ. The second was interrailing across Eastern Europe to Istanbul. More recently it was to Hong Kong. I've always seen solo travel as a time to be completely free to do as you chose. One quickly overcomes any fleeting fears. It's exhilarating and liberating. A tonic.
Who are your favourite travel buddies and why? (Permission to shout them out!)
My other half
"If you want to understand somebody, go with him on a journey – Abaluyia of Kenya
I wrote about this on my blog...
What is the BEST hidden gem you have ever found?
The Africa House - Near Mpika (Zambia) in 2002. An unforgettable experience
What is your... 1) Favourite travel book? 2) Favourite travel quote? 3) Favourite travel movie or TV show? 4) Favourite meal that you’ve ever had on your travels?
1. 'I dreamed of Africa' - Kuki Gallmann
2. "Travel as much as you can, as far as you can...Life's not meant to be lived in one place."
3. 'Going Nowhere Slowly'
4. Sri Lankan breakfast, Colombo
Is there anything exciting that you’re working on at the moment that you’d like to share? How can our readers connect with you?
I'm always trip planning!
Connect on the blog's FB page - Mother City Time
Read more www.mothercitytime.com
Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mother_city_time/
We hope that you got some inspiration from Maggie’s Travel Addict Story! Our community is all about finding those bucket list places that you’re destined to experience, and meeting like-minded travel addicts from all walks of life.
If you are not already part of our Facebook community, be sure to join us here ( and to apply for a feature like this in our community blog, you can sign up here
Of course join our email list so that you don’t miss out on future Travel Addicts events, international trips and all the best advice!
Thanks so much for being part of our community, keep wanderlusting, keep sharing - adventure awaits!
Sherilyn
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