Today I won a travel writing award

I am absolutely delighted to share that I have won a travel writing award. I placed second in the We Said Go Travel 2017 Inspiration Travel Writing Award. The We Said Go Travel (WSGT) website is in the top 12% of websites in the United States of America, where there are over 80 million websites at present, and their travel writing awards are highly regarded. This contest was judged by Richard Bangs, the father of modern adventure travel, Amanda Castleman, a freelance journalist who features in the Guardian and the BBC amongst others, and WSGT's own travel expert Lisa Niver.The theme for the 2017 Inspiration award was “How travel has changed your Life”. Writers were asked to write about a place in their life or a place they visited where they took a risk and fought against fear and were willing to grow forward.You can read my entry below, which is about a huge turning point in my life that occurred in the bustling city of Hong Kong. Working my way through tears and fears in crowded streets, I found my way forwards to an incredible chapter of my life:http://wesaidgotravel.com/award/choosing-hope-a-migrants-crossroad-in-hong-kong/ 

Calling All Writers & Ocean Fans

CALLING ALL WRITERS & OCEAN FANS!I'm looking for new/experienced writers to write about their scuba adventures, marine life profiles, kit reviews, diving tips and ocean conservation initiatives for The Scuba News. With our growing network of regional editions around the globe, this is a great time to get involved and gain some online exposure.If you're interested in sharing your stories* and/or being pitched ideas to help improve your writing skills and share your passion for the oceans, get in touch! 

Kathryn@thescubanews.com*Just like this awesome little nudibranch, no story is too small for consideration.

Nesting in Kuala Lumpur

After a long and noodle soup-fuelled three days of flights I have made it from Fiji to Kuala Lumpur (via Melbourne, Auckland, Hong Kong and Singapore). I lost sight of which airport was which during the 18,000Km of flights but enjoyed exploring each airport during layovers and in a haze of sleepiness and hunger. Noodle soup and our colourful new travel cushions certainly kept us entertained.Kuala Lumpur is known to be a foodie heaven and it has already exceeded expectations with its endless variety of Asian foods from many countries, all at street food prices. I have enjoyed sushi lunches, more noodle soup than I can shake a chopstick at and avoided the pungent durians at all costs. A highlight so far has been our exploration of KL's China Town, which was typically decked out with giant red lanterns and a myriad of covered and open-air market stalls and alleys. The sights, sounds and smells of the alleys and bubbling Chinese pots of fish being stirred by ancient Chinese women were overwhelming at times and yet fascinating. Having already filled ourselves on local samosas we had little room for more food but will definitely return another day. We contented ourselves instead with exploring the bustling market stalls and admired local fruits, knock off goods, a street performer undertaking a very long headstand which turned his face purple and an endless array of flower bouquets containing teddy bears. An eclectic mix!As I am also approaching a move to New Zealand in mid-December I have taken to stocking up on some basic goods essential to a writer's life....my favourite pink Muji pens and a new journal. I have missed those simple items during my three years of being on the move and, as someone kindly pointed out, I am definitely 'nesting'. It feels great to be travelling and even better to be preparing to make a home.