Toronto, Canada
Can you believe this site is two and a half years old? Where did the time go? It used to be terribly ugly with white text on a black background and lime green highlights.
Were you there for that horrifying time?
Fortunately the site continues to evolve and I wanted to share a couple of big changes coming up. I’d love to say I have a master plan for the site, but just like my life I’m trying to figure out things as I go along. I don’t see these as dramatic moves but I feel compelled to share things with the people who have supported me most.
Advertising
I have always had ads on the site but I have joined an ad network and they will be a bit more prominent. I’m a bit worried that some of you will feel that I have sold out but I do hope the site can pay more bills and this is a way I can keep funding travels.
Don’t worry you don’t need to click-through on the ads to help me out. Also the network just serves the ads and I don’t know all of the advertisers so if you see anything inappropriate or so annoying you don’t want to read my site please let me know before leaving. I’d hate to annoy people without knowing it.
Press trips
I’ve been approached to do some press trips which means I go places for free. I’ll always let you know when it’s a press trip and I will always be honest about where I go. I’m not just going to take any free trip offered, it has to be somewhere I want to go – for example I have no desire to see any more of Austria right now, whether someone wants to send me for free or not.
I’m really encouraged by the tourism boards who are open to me experiencing things my way. Maui agreed to let me stay longer so I could discover things beyond the obvious and I’ve spoken to others about coming earlier or staying later so I can wander about. They know what my site is about and aren’t trying to force me to write hotel reviews so going to see if it’s a good way to supplement my own travels.
Travel guides
A lot of you email with specific questions about where I stayed, ate or took a tour. As I said I don’t want to write reviews but I do want to share the information so starting with Maui, Moloka’i and Lana’i I am creating travel guides under the resource tab. I’ve also started one for Toronto because it’s a great city but no one ever writes about it in a way locals experience it. I’ll share photos, links to my posts and basic information you can use as a starter to plan your own trip. It’s a massive undertaking, much more than I thought it would be so please be patient as it will take some time to get up.
Resources for you
Finally I am contemplating a resource page to things I love, particularly bacon items. The links would be affiliate links which means I would get a finder’s fee for the sale but at no extra cost to you. It’s been at the bottom of my to- do list for nearly a year but I may do it this summer.
So lots of changes but what I hope you find is that the most important aspect, the stories I write, don’t change at all. I still want the site to be about me sharing the ups and downs of travel and me figuring out a life that works for me.
Who knows what works, but I hope some of this does!
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I'm Ayngelina and in my mid-thirties. I left an amazing job, boyfriend, apartment and friends to find inspiration in Latin America. I'm creating a new life choosing what I want instead of what other people think I should do.
Change is always good. I’m working on a post about site updates myself. I look forward to your guides because I may go to Maui based on your experiences there (what I’ve read so far anyway).
Maui gave me the idea for the guides as I know lots of people will have questions. It is taking much more time that I had ever expected but when it is done I’ll have a resource of everywhere I stayed for people planning their trip.
Sounds like something that will be worth your time because people are really looking for those personalized recommendations that they can’t get in other travel resources.
Thanks for letting us know that things are changing. I really appreciate you opening up and letting us know exactly how and why. So few people actually acknowledge this when they take a leap forward. But I appreciate honesty, and want to wish you all the best with it all. I will certainly continue reading!
Rebecca recently posted..Post #60: HELP! Writer Needs a New Look!
When I write I try not to think about people reading or reacting to it, that way I don’t censor myself but I do owe something to my readers and wouldn’t want to do anything that would make them stop coming. The changes should be minor but I needed to share them rather than surprise everyone.
1st – LOVE the photo… jaja!!!
2nd – LOVE the honesty… like always!!!
3rd – Change is good and it’s awesome that you can turn your blog into something bigger.
4th – I’ll still keep reading… so good luck!!!
5th – Miss ya & hope our paths cross again.
That’s all.
Jaime recently posted..Oh India I hate you… I hate you not!
Well I really want to spend more time in the US so you may be surprised where we meet up!
Sounds great! And love your honesty too
Beverley | Pack Your Passport recently posted..27 Confessions At A Party
Thanks, I just wanted people to know that I am aware some won’t like it but it’s a necessary change if I want to keep spending so much time on the site.
Evolution is a good thing. And as for actually being compensated better for all the hard work you pour into this site? Awesome. Thanks for the heads up.
Marsha recently posted..Adventures Along the Pacific Coast
I just don’t want people to think I’m selling out, some things may change but the essence stays the same.
Awesome! The guide pages are a great idea.
Thanks Judy!
I can’t wait to see the new developments on your site, so good luck with your plans, I’m sure they will turn out great!
Cheers!
Adrian recently posted..House with Flowers in Madrid
Thanks so much for the support, I hope it helps the site grow and gives me more time to commit to it.
Sounds good to me! The site needs more bacon based information
Laurence recently posted..Capture the Colour Photo Contest
I will try! I’ve been on a veggie kick lately but I’m heading to Portland so there should be more pig there!
Sounds like you are taking the next step in your blogging journey. Love the line ” I hate to annoyed people without knowing it”
Well it happens I’m sure!
Don’t worry about the advertising. People will whine about it, but then they’ll get use to it and stop caring about the change.
Lawrence Michaels recently posted..Top Ten Phuket Beaches
I know there will be some negative feedback but I’m hoping it’s not too intrusive.
Yes for writing more about Toronto! It’s such a great city with diverse neighbourhoods… and sometimes I feel like I don’t know this city at all, even though I’ve lived here for 10+ years now. Clearly, I need to explore more…
Pauline recently posted..An Evening in Lisbon
I have lived in Toronto for ten years and there is still so much to see.
I look forward to all the changes that are going to happen! I’m glad the tourism boards want to work with you – free is always fun!
Thanks Chrystal, I am really fortunate that so many of them are open to doing things a bit differently so I can keep the spirit of the blog.
I write about Toronto in a way locals experience because I AM a local. But it’s always good to have a local resource guide. They’re helpful when you get the questions all of the time.
Natalie T. recently posted..Travel Find Tuesday: Are We Losing the Moment by Capturing the Moment?
I hope it does help ease a lot of the questions people have as I don’t often provide the details.
I’ll stay a loyal reader. I’m looking forward to the guides. I passed the hotel Tierra Atacama onto my dad who might be going later on in the year! I only know about this hotel because of you
You have been such a wonderful reader, always full of support. I really hope you find nothing changes except for a few aesthetics.
I think it is great! You deserve to be paid for your work and getting that travel money is essential. Congratulations!
Jonathan Look, Jr. recently posted..Isla Holbox
Thanks so much, I hope everyone feels this way.
Congrats with the changes, sounds good. I think people will understand you need to make some money in order to keep eating and stuff like that. We come for your writing and stories, and we’ll stay for the same reasons.
Ali recently posted..Heidelberg – Sleeping With the Locals
Thanks Ali, my intention is to keep the site just as if I didn’t have any assistance at all – don’t worry there will be no hotel reviews.
I think it’s great that you’re continuing to grow and change and that it’s always reflected in your blog. I am also very excited to see a Toronto resource–I can’t wait to read about my beloved hometown from your perspective! Keep up the great work.
Melanie recently posted..Salad With A Side Of…Chocolate?
Toronto is such an amazing city, it’s like you are traveling while you are in it.
Congratulations on your blog becoming such a world wide success! I dont think there is anything wrong with this, you havent sold out provided you dont let a freebie sway your opinions and you tell it like it is! So glad I discovered you – its a great read
Chompchomp recently posted..Largesse Dinner #6 Petite Mort, Shenton Park
I could never write an untrue thing on my site – if something is free and I don’t like it I will never say that I do.
While I am actually a FAN of lime green, I applaud the changes.
Thanks, I feel like doing another site change but first I need to catch up on a bunch of other stuff.
Ayngelina, what plugin you are using which pops-up at the beginning with suggestion to like your page on facebook?
Vi recently posted..Satisfying Your Island Sweet Tooth – Favorite Hawaiian Desserts
Facebook Like Box. I just started experimenting with it. Is it annoying you?
All good stuff. A resources tab is a great idea. I do remember the old black background and I actually liked it, but I can see how some may have found it challenging on the eyes. If your U.S. travels take you through Chicago, let me know so I can say hi.
Scott – Quirky Travel Guy recently posted..Lost luggage and frozen tents: lessons in perseverance from Alaska
I liked the black background too but everyone hated it.
I would LOVE to go to Chicago and it’s so close to Toronto. You just may see me…
Don’t worry about the advertising part. I just love your content although I seriously would love to read more about your Philippine adventure
seems like you really had good memories here before the millenium thingy 
Also, yep just do what you think is best for you and the site! Looking forward to the good changes.
Micamyx|Senyorita recently posted..The Mossy Forest in Gunung Brinchang: Like a Dream to Me
The Philippines really changed me, I’ve been thinking a lot about returning to Cebu just to see how it changed.
EXCITING NEWS, Ayngelina! That photo really expresses it well! Hahaha! Love it! I can’t want to see what you have in stor for us! Also – as a RECENT local Torontonian (6 months old) I am very interested and excited about your upcoming Toronto recs!
zoetic * epics recently posted..vevey : seeking fame & forks
Well I look forward to seeing more of you too!
Wow, two and a half years? That means I’ve been reading your blog for two whole years now – just as I was making plans to go abroad. Exciting changes, Aynge!
Ceri recently posted..Visiting Frida
Time flies and we still haven’t met.
I for one, would love to see that original colour scheme make a reappearance.
Can you run a poll or something
Nate @yomadic recently posted..Travel The World, Meet Interesting People, and Shoot Them. Seriously.
Haha seriously people hated it and wrote me to say how much they hated it. I’m thinking about going all white so the ads aren’t as intrusive but that is at the bottom of my long to-do list.
Love the photo and the guides idea! This bacon resource may be dangerous…haha!
Looking forward to all of the changes.
ehalvey recently posted..Guest Post: Betrayal by Fugu
Just when I thought I wasn’t spending enough time on the blog I decide to add more features. I am a glutton for punishment.
I’ve been doing a lot of changes and updates too. It is a lot of things that I haven’t thought about or know how to do until recently. You look back after the changes and sometimes wonder, “what was I thinking” hehe.
Cornelius Aesop recently posted..New Brew Tuesday: North Peak Brewing Co. – Nomad Dry Hard Cider
I have stopped bothering to do the changes myself, Chris Richardson from TheAussieNomad.com has been a savior for all the technical stuff.
But I have noticed your changes, they look great.
Yay! Happy two plus years! Your blog is one of my favorite go to read, especially when food is involved. But above anything, you’ve stayed true to your bacon self and that speaks volume. I think it’s great the sites evolve. I really don’t care if you have ads or start taking on press trips – how you fund your travels – so long as you are your bacon self. That’s why I enjoy reading your posts.
We definitely have a mutual love for food, thanks for all your support.