I have the good fortune of being nominated by two dear travel blogger friends, Mike from StruxTravel and Grace from Pinay on the Move to participate in Tripbase.com’s My 7 Links project. The purpose is this exercise is to unite bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint endeavor to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again. While it is never comfortable to toot your own horn, it would be disingenuous to say that you do not have favorite posts. Here’s mine:
1) My most beautiful post
is a fantasy piece that I wrote that expresses how I would feel to scale the heights of Mount Kilimanjaro. I haven’t realized that dream yet and not sure if I ever will, but I enjoyed imagining it.
2) My Most Popular Post
Curiously enough, my Sailing the high seas in a…..freighter? the post went viral. I suppose freighter cruising is still novel enough to garner a lot of interest from folks who love to cruise but hate the crowds.
3) My most controversial post
is without a doubt is Following your heart doesn’t mean leaving your brain behind, mostly because some misinterpreted my intent when I espoused putting yourself first.
4) My most helpful post
I believe is A Step by step primer on how to bid on Priceline. I wrote it after finally conquering my fear of using it. It wasn’t until I realized that it’s all in how you play the game did I begin to start getting the best deals of my life.
5) A Post Whose Success Surprised Me
was Navigating Oahu’s Circle Island tour. Not that I don’t think it’s a good article, it’s just that I was taken aback that so many people are searching for the circle island tour route. Currently, ranking # 1, I find that 99% of my traffic comes directly from Google searches for it. It’s definitely a popular topic for those planning trips to Oahu.
6) A Post I Feel didn’t get the Attention it Deserved
I don’t think All Aboard the Chinese Express got the attention that it deserved. I guess the idea of traveling long distances on a bus isn’t appealing to most no matter how comfortable, clean and technologically advanced it may be.
7) The Post that I am Most Proud of
https://aviewtoathrill.net/2011/02/07/gratitude-is-the-best-gift-that-you-can-give-yourself/ because I was not sure how it would be received by the readers. To my surprise and amazement, it proved that despite what we may witness from day to day, most people are decent, thoughtful and caring.
Stephanie - The Travel Chica says
July 16, 2011 at 10:28 amYour most popular post was one I hadn’t seen before due to my late entry into the travel blogging world. I can see what it was so popular.
I also really enjoyed your most controversial post, probably because I completely agree with you 🙂
Renee says
July 16, 2011 at 10:36 amAww..thanks, Stephanie! It was so fun to write it and once I got started I couldn’t stop for either post! LOL
Scott - Quirky Travel Guy says
July 16, 2011 at 10:45 amOh nice, I have the same fear of Priceline so I’ve never used it. And I’m going to read that post right now!
Renee says
July 17, 2011 at 10:13 amLOL….Scott…glad I wasn’t the only one freaked out by Priceline!
Grace says
July 16, 2011 at 11:29 amRenee, I honestly think that your sailing the high seas on a freighter post appealed to my adventurous side. I didn’t realize you can do that. The rest is really good as well although I don’t think I have seen the how to bid on priceline one until now. Very useful as I’ve always wondered how it works but was too lazy to find out myself.
Renee says
July 17, 2011 at 10:12 amGrace,
Personally, I do not like cruising….but like you said….I would do it simply for the adventure! Yes, be sure to check out the Priceline article….I tried to explain it where the whole process would make sense.
Gray says
July 16, 2011 at 11:30 amGood choices, Renee.
Renee says
July 17, 2011 at 10:11 amThanks, Gray…it’s funny how you have to really give these things some thought.
inka says
July 16, 2011 at 12:49 pmI loved the freighter post too. Just re-read it.
Renee says
July 17, 2011 at 10:11 amThanks, Inka!
InsideJourneys says
July 16, 2011 at 2:19 pmLoved the freighter piece as well. It might just satisfy my wanderlust.
And Kilimanjaro — after that piece, you must visit!
I’ve had such a bad experience with Fung Wah that if there were the last game in town, I’d walk. They’d never see a dime of my money ever again!
Renee says
July 17, 2011 at 10:09 amMarcia,
Thanks…..I may not climb it, but I certainly want to visit it. Thanks so much for chiming in about Fung Wah. It’s so important to hear things like this (and probably explains the lack of love the article got) because this is how we learn what to avoid or promote. I appreciate you taking the time to let me/us know about that.
Jeremy Branham says
July 16, 2011 at 3:31 pmLove the posts on gratitude and using your heart. Great advice on Priceline but not really excited about using it.
Renee says
July 17, 2011 at 9:16 amYeah, I read your comment about Priceline…going over now to respond. Always love opposing viewpoints!
Norbert says
July 16, 2011 at 9:11 pmGreat selection Renee! I had read most of them, so now I have to catch up with the two I haven’t. 😉
Renee says
July 17, 2011 at 9:14 amThanks, Norbert! Happy reading!
Christina says
July 17, 2011 at 12:18 pmA great list! I enjoyed your freighter article (I had no idea…), and the Oahu post – very informative. I’ve never been to Hawaii, and it’s so far away from Europe that reading about it is very exciting!
Renee says
July 17, 2011 at 12:34 pmThanks, Christina….I hope that you get a chance to go to Hawaii!
kim/ohradiogirl says
July 17, 2011 at 12:43 pmWell, I just (somehow) discovered your blog and not a minute too soon. I’m traveling to Barcelona in two weeks and I’m seeking lots of suggestions. I’m about to comb through your blog now.
I also like the concept of this blog post. Would you mind nominating me? Oh, but you’ve probably already submitted your nominations. Oh, well.
All the best.
Renee says
July 17, 2011 at 12:51 pmHi Kim,
Welcome! I haven’t been to Barcelona yet, but my friend Mike from Strux Travel has and can probably give you some tips. I haven’t nominated anyone either….so I hereby nominate you!! Go for it…and when you post it let me know via twitter @aviewtoathrill.
Mack Reynolds says
July 18, 2011 at 11:49 ami love how the picture linking to this post matches perfectly with the scenery behind it! awesome. your most controversial piece is inspiring and thought inspiring. i can’t help but think of a few things in my life i want to change, but am too aloof or scared to do something about. most of all, i like you profile pic!
Renee says
July 22, 2011 at 6:38 pmHi Mack,
I love that pic too! Thanks for the compliment and I would like to encourage you be bold and face your fears and go for it….live a life of no regrets. Don’t be a stranger!
Debbie Beardsley says
July 18, 2011 at 1:31 pmAnother great 7 links! I haven’t read all of these but did go back and read your most controversial post. A very interesting and thought provoking post. Whether readers agree or not, they are at least thinking about it.
I have never even been to Priceline’s sight but will read your post on that and give it a try.
Renee says
July 21, 2011 at 9:46 amThanks, Debbie! I agree, if the subject gets people to think about things in a different way, it’s a good thing.
adventureswithben says
July 18, 2011 at 8:54 pmI can totally see how your freighter post went viral. Way cool!
Renee says
July 21, 2011 at 10:48 amI can definitely see you doing this, Ben!
Laurel says
July 20, 2011 at 5:59 pmI love the diversity in your posts, but my favorites are your uplifting and inspiring posts.
Renee says
July 21, 2011 at 10:52 amAh, how sweet! I am overdue when it comes to writing one of those….gotta get busy!
Lorna - the roamantics says
July 21, 2011 at 4:00 pmrenee, this is BEAUTIFUL!!! as someone who researches, acquires, and licenses archival photos and footage for documentary films i LOVE LOVE LOVE the first photo. how incredibly clever! i’ve also done that kind of research for streets i’ve lived on! and the way you’ve artfully laid out this post is great too! now for the posts- they always inspire me. you write such thought-provoking, eloquent, helpful posts that often stay with me. great picks- please keep them coming! 🙂
Renee says
July 22, 2011 at 6:38 pmLorna, you are the best! Thanks, I love that photo too…..whoever did it is a genius!