Yes, I totally get the irony in the fact that I was nominated USA Today’s Best Budget Travel Blogger while traveling in Papua New Guinea, one of the most expensive countries on the planet.
And yes, I do hate these popularity contests that are really about driving traffic to a website (in this case USA Today, not linked here, purposefully).
But (snicker), I won. Which I think is just a hoot.
I’m pleased, actually, because it has nothing to do with me but everything to do with our dedicated Wanderlusters. You. Our website readers (60,000/month). Newsletter subscribers (nearly 10,000). Facebook friends and fans (nearly 10,000). And Twitter followers (more than 22,500).
You gals and guys rallied and voted multiple times (yes, that was legal) and made sure that when it counted most, Wanderlust and Lipstick ended up on top.
While it was my name on there, Wanderlust and Lipstick really is a group effort that includes our fantastic group of WanderBloggers and our support staff (THANK YOU Kristin, Kumiko Rissa and Rhoan).
And, really? I’m NOT a budget blogger.
My message has always been to inspire women to travel. To get out of their comfort zone and see the world. Sometimes that includes money saving tips. But first and foremost, I want ladies to take those first steps in traveling.
If winning a popularity contest helps to spread that message, then Yahoo!
Travel Well,
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