Three years ago today, I found myself with an unexpected free day in my college room at Cambridge University, which was a rare treat. Unlike the typical image of university students hanging out in pubs on weekends, my course kept us constantly busy. I often felt envious of other students lounging around barbecues, soaking up the sun, while I trudged off to another programming session in hopes of catching a rare glimpse of Professor Stephen Hawking, whose office was nearby.
On this particular warm April day, which was unusual for England, I had no assignments or deadlines. So, I called up my friend Lloyd and we decided to enjoy the unexpected sunshine. During our outing, we finally decided to pursue an idea we’d been talking about for a while—a travel blog. We had settled on the name “Hand Luggage Only” a couple of years earlier because that’s how we preferred to travel, even during longer trips that required more than just hand luggage. The domain and a basic website were already set up, so on April 12, 2014, we focused on designing the layout and publishing our first posts, including an introduction and several prepared pieces.
Creating the blog was exhilarating, much like completing a big project or putting together an intricate LEGO set. I didn’t share it on my personal Facebook right away because I wanted it to stand on its own. We didn’t start the blog for family and friends—they could see our updates on Facebook. Instead, it was a way to connect with other travelers and share experiences and tips, like must-see places, hidden gems, and cost-saving tricks, with the idea that informed travelers make better journeys.
One benefit of blogging was the motivation to use my camera more often, giving a purpose to my photography beyond sitting unused on a hard drive. It encouraged me to improve my skills and justified investing in better equipment.
Blogging became an expressive outlet, allowing us to connect with incredible travelers. A month in, we experienced our first surge in traffic. Initially, I thought our site was under attack, but it was genuine interest from people excited to travel. What started as 80 to 200 daily visitors has grown to over 750,000 a month, forming an expanding community of travel enthusiasts who share advice and experiences.
You, the readers, are the heart of the Hand Luggage Only community, and we’re proud to share this journey with you. On this three-year anniversary, I want to say a huge thank you for supporting and being part of Hand Luggage Only. Your encouragement, comments, and shares have been invaluable, lifting us up when times were tough.
As I type this right before a long trip I haven’t packed for, I apologize if there are any typos. I’ll correct them later! Thank you again for being a part of this adventure.
