Amarachi . E –  If you are Nigerian(living in Nigeria) and ever looking for inspiration, our nomad of the week will inspire you to see the world. From hot air ballooning across the Serengeti and swimming with penguins at boulders beach to walking with tigers in Ranthambore and watching a rodeo show in Houston, she sure knows how to travel different. She’s an aspiring author who writes beautifully about her journeys on chapterone.com.ng. Instagram: @amarachiekekwe, Twitter: @amaraekekwe_

When you embark on a holiday, what determines your destination of choice?

Two things really. The first: Can I get to other places easily? Since I don’t really love air travel, I try to fit in as many destinations as I can into one trip. If a particular destination is easily connected to other cities or countries that match my interests, preferably by road/rail, then I would definitely consider it over another that isn’t.The second thing that determines a destination for me are the unique and diverse experiences I can get from that single place. I love busy holidays, so I’ll typically pick somewhere with tons of activities I can choose from.

Your ONE travel must-have?

I’d say malaria medicine. I don’t fall sick easily (Thank God) but the last thing anyone needs is having malaria in a country that knows nothing about it! Better safe than sorry 🙂

Most memorable thing you have done during a holiday.

I went paragliding in Cape Town and hot air ballooning in Serengeti. I can’t decide which experience I loved more. Paragliding was definitely more adrenaline pumping and the ‘craziest’ thing I have tried so far while gliding in a hot air balloon over the Serengeti as the sun rose, was such a beautiful and surreal experience.

Another memorable experience I have is watching the Champions League finals 2015 in Barcelona. Barca FC won and Barcelona went crazy! I joined the party at Las Ramblas. I have never seen that much madness in my life. Unfortunately, my phone died that night and I was unable to take pictures. But yeah, that’s an experience I wouldn’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Every avid traveler has a travel bucket list. What’s on yours?
 

I have a growing list of what I’d like to do. So far, I have been able to tick off a few items like a visit to the Taj Mahal (India), Sagrada Familia (Barcelona), and a trip to explore Europe (some parts). As for things I haven’t done yet, I’d love to take the Trans-Mongolian Express from Russia to China, Skydive, See the Northern Lights, Explore South America, Visit Petra (Jordan) and Cairo… the list goes on and on 🙂.

What is your favorite travel quote?

This changes all the time… Okay, actually, that’s a lie. I don’t have one but being asked this a few times, I did a google search recently and came up with a few. For now, I’d say this quote from Dalai Lama is what I’d go with: “Once in a year, go somewhere you’ve never been to before” – It’s how I justify my travels to my mum

Where is that ONE place you have to see in your lifetime?
 

For the longest time, Venice was my dream place. Thankfully, I have been there :). I am now unto South America (Brazil – Bolivia – Peru & Argentina – Yes, a single trip!) & Russia – Mongolia – China on the Trans-Mongolian Express.

Anything else you would like to add?

You don’t realize how much travel changes you until you do. Does this make sense? The reward of traveling goes beyond having awesome pictures, it changes you (for the better) in so many ways. I always encourage Nigerians to travel differently. Be open-minded, try out new foods, have amazing adventures, you will be better for it!