Diary Of A Travel Blogger From Mont Blanc To Jerusalem

Alexandra is currently 21, and studying for her BA. She loves science, DIY, writing and drawing: but more than anything travelling and photography. When she was young she travelled a lot with her parents and saw  many amazing places, discovering that what she loves the most is that feeling of being anonymous in an utterly new city. She believes having adventures is a vital part of our lives. 

Name: Alexandra Nissimova
Occupation: Biotechnology student
Current Location: Sofia, Bulgaria

 
Favourite hot place to visit:
This one is easy, I have been numerous times in Israel and believe it is an amazing place to be. It is hot like a hellhole but it’s worth the visit. As my favourite hot place there I have to chose the resort Eilat, located in Southern Negev Desert at the northern tip of the Red Sea. It is so exotic and beautiful – the sea life never stops no matter how hot it is outside (temperatures often exceed 50 degrees Celsius). It is a great place to visit!

Most happening city you’ve been to:
That must be Jerusalem. I have always been so amazed with how the city is almost magically divided in two parts: a modern one with luxury buildings and new architecture, and the Old City, where time seems to have stopped centuries ago. There are so many different people constantly on the move.
Best airport for stopping over in:
I have never paid much attention to the airports, I can’t wait to get out of them and discover the beautiful cities that await!

Most dangerous place you’ve been to:
This question brings up some nice but scary memories. The most dangerous place I have felt to be was visiting Mont Blanc and stepping on the panoramic viewing platform at Aiguille du Midi. The cable car to the summit, the Téléphérique de l’Aiguille du Midi, was built in 1955 and takes you to the incredible 12,605 ft above the ground. The viewing platform connects the summit to the upper station without any support in the construction. It’s just hanging up there-in the air, connecting the two huge mountain rocks in which the stations have been built in. And since I extremely scared of heights looking down from the platform at that height… Believe me I have never felt so scared and small! Still it is a view that can certainly change your perspective of life.
The most calming place you’ve been to:
This will have to be a spot in the woods in a mountain called Stara Planina in my country Bulgaria. I love exploring the mountains here in Bulgaria, the nature is so amazing and I do like picking up mushrooms. This one time I found this spot near our house there where you can see the whole mountain landscape from the top, since we live near the crest of the mountain. I love going there on my own, just sit between the trees and think about everything that has been bothering me. It is my favorite and most sacred place to be.

 
The most incredible view you’ve taken in:
Oh, without a doubt this one goes to the Budapest panorama at night! It just takes your breath away. The calmness of the Danube river and the immaculate bridge on top, the amazing architecture… I will never be able to fully explain how it looks or feels. It is something that just has to be seen with your own eyes!
Best cold place you’ve been to:
I haven’t really had a chance to visit any places that could be classified as really “cold”. I have a thing for the heat.
The thing you don’t leave home without:
My camera, my camera, my camera! No matter where I am going, you never know when and where you will find something worth the shot! I don’t mind leaving my head at home if I have my camera with me!

The hardest journey you’ve done:
I remember wanting to give up a couple of time on the route: the goal was to reach the Boyana Waterfall in the mountain in Sofia suburbs, in Bulgaria. It is a walking trail which takes maybe 5-6 hours to get through. It was summer, very hot, and since it is an ecopath in the mountains there were lots of mosquitoes waiting for “fresh meat”. So it went something like this: I was excited, I was hot, swollen and itchy from mosquito bites and then just sad and tired. Seemed like the most horrible walk ever.
Needless to say, as everything hard, it turned out to be completely worth it. I just love waterfalls and this one was so picturesque that I would go through the same hard trail anytime to see it again!

The most incredible food you’ve tasted:
Hummus! It is made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. I love it with hot spices! It is such an amazing dish.
Somewhere you’re yet to discover:
I would really love to travel to the United Arab Emirates! I am truly fascinated with the wilderness of the deserts and the modern cities. I hope to have a chance to make this dream of mine come true some day!

You can check out Alexandra’s instagram @travel_passions for some more awesome travel photos.