Meet the Nomads: Nina Fuentes

Nina is one of the first few travel bloggers that I got in touch with when I was starting my blog a couple of months ago. She's a well traveled Filipina who would go where some probably wouldn't.

A brave and free spirited person who dared to live life based on what she likes and loves doing.

She shares her travelogue and some budgetting information in her blog. Get to know her more at http://justwandering.org/.

Here's Flip's short interview with Nina.

How did you discover your passion for travelling?

"I've always been interested with traveling, but it was only in 2006 that I began traveling in earnest. That first solo trip out of the country made me realize just how much I love to travel."

What’s the most horrible experience that you’ve had on the road?

"The worst I can think of is the bus accident in Malaysia. I was riding the night bus from Kuala Besut to Kuala Lumpur, when the bus suddenly spun around the road and ended up in the ditch. It was the middle of the night, harldy anybody in the bus speak any English and my two mobile phones were running out of prepaid credit. It was scary, but the people were so nice and sort of looked after me."

What’s the most outstanding travel experience that you’ve ever had?

"The first time I saw the Ankor Wat. I wanted to go to Siem Reap because it's in every must-travel list. I wasn't too excited about going there, but from the moment I laid eyes on it from the tuk-tuk, I was transfixed. There was something about the Angkor Wat that draws people in."

What’s the biggest realization that you’ve got out of travelling?

"That I can do anything that I set my mind into."

What keeps you going? What keeps you motivated?

"Traveling is something that I enjoy doing. I agree that it can be tiring and tedious, but seeing the Angkor Wat with my own eyes is just one of the things that make all the trouble worth it."

This is a silly and hypothetical one. If you would be given a chance totravel with a popular person or a celebrity, who would it be and why?

"Peter Moore, my favorite travel writer. I feel I can learn a lot from him."

What could stop you from travelling?

"Unemployment and death."

Among the places that you’ve been to, which one fascinated you the most?

"The Philippines. It's a cliche, but I love discovering and learning more about the different culture and history of the Philippines and its people."

What's the best travel advice that you could give for a novice traveler like me?

"Get lost. Guidebooks are just guides -- they are not the rules. You don't have to follow everything they advice. Follow your own path and make your own discoveries. You'll enjoy your trip so much more."

What do you think about yourself?

"I'm just a girl who love to travel."

"Just Wandering is a project borne out of my love for travel. I share daily accounts of my days on the road (if and when I can or feel like it), reviews of services and accommodations that I've tried, and the most important of all: my travel expenses." - Nina