There are times in our lives when we just have to take a bold step and not look back. One of those steps is doing something that makes you happy.
To Victoria A., traveling is what makes her happy and this has made her leave her job to focus more on exploring the beauty in this world. She is an adventurous woman who’s well travelled. She’s on a mission to explore the world in 13 months which she has started.
Follow her round-the-world adventures on her blog and Instagram page.
WHAT DETERMINES YOUR DESTINATION OF CHOICE?
I have a list of places that I have always wanted to visit and the list increases daily haha. So when I get the chance, I travel to a destination from my endless list. Before I started traveling full time, I would try to visit more than one country per vacation so I shorten my list that way.
WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU CAN’T DO WITHOUT WHEN TRAVELING?
My power bank. I have a powerbank which I have been using for the past 2 years and it recently stopped working and I almost cried. It was replaced the same day but I cannot do without my powerbank. The one I use has a capacity of 20,000 mAH which means it can charge my phone from 0 to 100% at least two times. The powerbank is very crucial because when I travel, I tend to stay out for long hours so I definitely need juice on my phone.
WHAT’S THE MOST MEMORABLE THING YOU’VE DONE ON VACATION?
It is really difficult for me to pinpoint one thing because everyday is a new experience and I meet new people all the time. I guess part of the most memorable will actually be meeting people who I have been able to connect with through social media. It is indeed a blessing because I feel less alone in these destinations when I meet people I have previously connected with on Instagram.
QUITTING YOUR JOB TO TRAVEL MUST HAVE BEEN ONE BOLD AT THE SAME TIME SCARY STEP! HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THE UNCERTAINTY OF BEING A FULL TIME TRAVELER?
I have been preparing myself for 2 years so when the time was right it was not difficult at all. It was more exciting than scary for me because I have always wanted to do this.
FUNDING YOUR TRAVELS IS THE NUMBER ONE THING FULL TIME TRAVELERS HAVE TO DEAL WITH. NOT EVERYONE IS LUCKY TO LAND SPONSORSHIP GIGS. WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE REGARDING FUNDING YOURS AND WHAT ADVISE DO YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE VENTURING INTO FULL TIME TRAVELING?
Funding my travels is based solely on the money I have saved for this journey. I hope to land sponsorship gigs along the way but like you said not everyone is lucky enough. I have prepared myself for the best and worst case scenario.
SPEAKING OF SPONSORSHIP, YOU RECENTLY LANDED ONE WITH TRAVELSTART TO SOUTH AFRICA. HOW DID THAT GO AND DO YOU HAVE ANY KILLER TIPS FOR “INFLUENCERS” SEEKING SPONSORSHIP FROM BRANDS?
I was approached by their PR specialist Sam who set me up with a few tours in Cape Town sponsored by Travel Start. I had a great time working with them because I think travel start is a very progressive company. Because I am still up and coming so I don’t think I can give advise yet but one thing I know people and companies respond to is being yourself. Create the content that speaks to you and all other things will follow. I am trying to live by this.
OMAN OMAN OMAN!! YOUR STORIES AND PHOTOS WANTED US TO PACK OUR BAGS AND GO. TELL US THREE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT OMAN AND WHY YOU THINK WE SHOULD VISIT.
Oman is filled with terrorists (I got a lot of questions about this when I visited). It is expensive and it does not have beautiful sights to offer..
None of these misconceptions are true. Oman is truly one of the most beautiful and affordable countries I have visited.
HOTELS OR HOSTELS?
Hotels or private room in a hostel. I tried hostels three times and I had a great experience the first two times but the 3rd time made me stay away for a long time. I will rather stay in a budget hotel or Airbnb rather than hostels.
SOLO OR GROUP TRAVEL?
Solo. With group travel it is easy for people to cancel at the last minute. Except If it is a trip planned by Naija Nomands then I will of course come along 😊
YOU SEEM TO BE ON TOP OF YOUR GAME WHEN IT COMES TO SOLO TRAVELING. GIVE THREE DESTINATIONS YOU WILL RECOMMEND FOR FEMALE SOLO TRAVELLERS AND WHY?
Tokyo, Cape Town and Oman. Those destinations are safe and there are a lot of free things to do.
YOU ARE ON A MISSION TO TOUR THE WORLD IN 13 MONTHS. WHAT COUNTRIES ARE YOU EXPLORING THIS YEAR?
I am exploring Asia, a lot of African countries and I am thinking of throwing in some countries in Central America like Belize and Mexico. I have always wanted to visit Mexico City because I am such a foodie and I heard Mexico City is foodie central.
MOST TRAVELLERS HAVE BUCKET LIST. DO YOU HAVE ONE AMD WHAT’S ON YOUR LIST?
Yes I have one. A lot of things on my bucket list includes visiting landmarks like The Great Wall which I saw few weeks ago (whoop!). The full list can be found on my blog
WHAT IS YOUR DREAM DESTINATION?
Hmn Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka. Basically the Indian Ocean countries. I know you only asked for one haha
ANY ADVICE OR TRAVEL TIPS FOR THE NOMAD FAMILY? PLEASE SHARE
I always tell people that your happiness comes first. If traveling makes you happy, do it by all means. You don’t have to take a trip with a friend who probably has canceled in the past. You can travel solo. It is very fulfilling. Don’t let anyone come in the way of what makes you truly happy.
Our mission for now is to tour around Africa and we have kicked off already. Are you also on a mission to tour around the world? How many countries have you visited yet?
