It’s no secret: here at momondo, we love to travel. What we also love is crossing paths with others who enjoy traveling as much as we do. In our new interview series, Travelers We Love, we’ll shed some light on these modern-day explorers, travel bloggers and digital nomads. Driven by curiosity, they inspire us to get out there through their captivating photography, travel stories and sense of adventure. To bring those far-off destinations to you, we’ll be meeting some of these awesome travelers, learning a bit more about their favourite experiences and getting a few tips on how you, too, can forge your own path.
To launch the series, we caught up with traveling twin sisters SHINIMICHI in-between their many escapades around the Nordic region. Their Danish and Filipino DNA is maybe the reason for their insatiable travel bug, or is it their love of living and capturing unique moments abroad that keeps them on the move? Read on and get inspired.
What’s in the name SHINIMICHI?
Michelle: SHINIMICHI is simply a combination of our two names Sheena (Shini) and Michelle (Michi) and should be pronounced as ‘shi ni me shi’. It was a childhood nickname for the two of us, as one of our closest friends couldn’t tell us apart and just unified us into one single name. The name SHINIMICHI reflects that our blog is first and foremost a personal photo journal. It is a creative space for us to share our own pictures, memories and stories as we explore the world around us.
What tips do you have for people traveling with family members?
Sisters make the best travel buddies, through thick and thin © Sheena Ricafranca Rasmussen
Sheena: I am blessed that my ultimate favourite travel companion is my sister. We share the same interests and have a similar mindset when it comes to dealing with a situation. Traveling with family allows you to be 100% yourself – you can speak your mind without being afraid of ruining your relationship, and that is such a relief!
I would like to encourage people to share adventures with family members. Experiencing them in a different environment may shed some new light on your perception of them and yourself in relation to them. Sharing common travel memories is simply a good way to stay connected.
What came first: the photography or the writing?
Conquering Gásaladur on the Faroe Islands © Sheena Ricafranca Rasmussen
Michelle: Photography came way before the writing. SHINIMICHI was created back in 2010 as a mere photo journal with the intention of us using the camera more regularly. We did so and the journal became a collection of photography of friends and moments, which makes us smile and reminisce good times.
Nowadays, travel has become the centre of focus, but the core essence of our journal is still to bring out a sense of joy. Not only for ourselves, but for others, too. Our photography should be used as a source of inspiration – give you a sense, that it could be you out there exploring the world with your friends! As photographers we are still evolving and working hard on becoming better storytellers through this medium. My gut tells me we are heading in the right direction.
What has a life committed to traveling taught you about the world, and yourselves?
Sheena: At an early age, growing up in a multicultural family we had the privilege of being exposed to different ways of thinking and living. Traveling has helped me feed and expand my open-mindedness and respect towards other people and cultures. I learned never to judge before experiencing people and situations from different angles. It’s important to listen in order to understand. I found that the world offers you beauty, kindness and friendship wherever you go – it’s truly amazing! Personally, I discovered that I am rootless – my mind is always fleeing into an adventure even when my body is at home.
Why have you chosen to focus on traveling around the Nordics?
Hálsanefshellir basalt columns in Iceland © Michelle Ricafranca Rasmussen
Sheena: After many years of travel to far away places around the world, we created “The Nordic Journey” where we challenged ourselves to visit all of the Nordic countries within one year (2015). During this year, we realised that you do not have to go far to enjoy yourself, to challenge yourself and to experience new wonders. We found a new passion in hiking and camping – and what better place to do this than in the remarkable landscape of the Nordics.
How do you decide where you want to go?
Michelle: We are both very visually minded and find travel inspiration through photos. Show us some eye-candy from a mesmerising place and you will get our attention. To be honest, planning well ahead isn’t always our strong suit and often we make spontaneous travel decisions based on something we have just seen. If the time and price is right, we just go for it.
The overall expense is of course something we do consider before going all in on a trip. We like to save money, who doesn’t? That’s why the outdoor lifestyle suits us so perfectly. It allows us to be active in nature as well as travel cheap – two things we both prioritise, when it comes down to deciding where to go.
What is your most memorable travel memory?
Hiking the High Coast, Sweden is better with good friends © Sheena Ricafranca Rasmussen
Sheena: There are just too many! By far all of my fondest memories includes meeting up with “friends” from the internet. I love to connect with our followers on a personal level being it online or in real life. After months or even years of writing to each other it is just exhilarating to finally stand face to face, sharing words and thoughts, and creating life long memories. These friendships have brought us far and beyond – and I am so thankful for that! This has really taught me that traveling is far more than the destination. It’s the people who matter! So do come by and say hi – let’s explore the world together.
Michelle: One of my most memorable travel memories that springs to mind, was the time that we took a ferry from Cebu City to Bohol in the Philippines. Unaware that a typhoon had hit the country further up North and was causing the water to be unsteady at our part of the country, we went on board for our lives’ worst sailing experience ever! Motion sickness bags were handed out before departure, but we didn’t take them. We never usually get sea sick. Well, we were wrong.
That dreadful feeling of nauseousness crept up on both of us and soon enough my body completely shut down. Sitting there in foetal position and convinced I was about to die, I remember thinking, ‘Sorry Sheena, I cannot help you. Must. Save. Myself!’ It was crazy!
Share with us your favourite travel photo, and tell us a bit about what’s happening here.
Another unique adventure in Notodden, Norway © Sheena Ricafranca Rasmussen
Michelle: Picking only one favourite travel photo is hard! I have to go with this one from a recent trip to Notodden in Norway, where we camped in the freezing cold – something I could never have foreseen, not even in my wildest dreams! It was an old school friend, who invited us to join her for a camping trip. We hadn’t really seen each other in 10 years but our shared interest for the outdoor life brought us together. Quality wise this photo is not impressive. Story wise it sums up what traveling means to me: be spontaneous and adventurous, get outside and connect with people who matter to you.
Dream destination that you want to visit, and why?
Michelle: Hands down, the Pacific Northwest (PNW) in North America is the dream destination. Nature there is breathtakingly beautiful and the region is a true paradise for any outdoor adventurer! My head is filled with images of iconic places waiting to be explored! I can already picture myself walking along the mountain trails, getting lost in the deep ancient forests, crossing the cold lakes barefoot and cosying up by a bonfire on the beach on a starry night. In many ways, the PNW and the Nordic sceneries are quite similar, which can explain my crush on this region.
Sheena: My ultimate dream destination at this moment would be Lofoten in the very North of Norway – preferably going back at different times of the year. Ever since I was introduced to this place I have been truly captivated! During the long summer nights I imagine going hiking and camping in the remarkable tranquil mountainous landscape, and kayaking in the deep fjords while getting acquainted with the everyday buzz of the local fishermen. In winter, I imagine awaiting the northern lights to dance across the dark sky as I settle into the silence of this secluded Nordic haven.
What question would you like to ask our next participants in the Travelers We Love series?
Sheena & Michelle: Can you recount the best personal connection you made with a local while traveling?
