My 2019 was all about living boldly, staying connected to people and places that bring me joy, and trying new things! Here’s a recap of my top travel moments of 2019.

Experiences that Never Get Old

Hosting Guac Fest in NC

Although it’s been 1.5 years since I moved from Durham to NYC, I still feel connected to NC. NC won this city girl’s heart mainly because of the amazing community I’ve developed there. While living in NC, my friends and I started hosting an annual guacamole competition called Guac Fest. Last year, my friend Joy and I both flew back to NC to host guac fest with our friends. It was a memorable night with friendly competition, fun, and delicious guac!

My friend Lera passed This lovely tradition onto me, and now I want to share the fun with you! Here’s how to host your own Guac Fest:

1. Divide your friends into teams of 3 or 4

2. Provide the basic ingredients (2 avocados per team, tomatoes, cilantro, onion, garlic)

3. Each team brings their secret ingredient, comes up with their team name, and a theme song to play while making their guac.

4. Before making guac, each team member takes a shot of tequila or any liquor of their choice

5. Each team gets 3 minutes to make their guac and clean up

6. The winning team is determined through blind taste testing. Each Guac Fest attendee gets two papers to cast their vote.

7. Hand out the team prizes, eat more guac, and enjoy the company.

Besties Reunion in Puerto Rico

One of my friends from my adolescent years, Frances, moved to Puerto Rico to help push restoration efforts post-Hurricane Maria. It was such a treat to visit her with some of my closest friends and explore the island through her eyes. Traveling with locals is one of my favorite ways to experience the world.

Hosting my First Group Trip

After years of being the designated trip planner amongst my friend groups, I decided to branch out and organize a trip for my broader travelJewels community. The trip was a relaxing and adventurous Memorial Day Weekend getaway to Grenada! Twelve women from all over the country trusted me to give them an unforgettable experience. A lot of thought and intention went into the trip, and I was happy that everyone enjoyed themselves and tried at least one new thing during the weekend.

Attending the World Influencer Congress in Uzbekistan

This past summer, the Government of Uzbekistan invited me to the World Influencer Congress. It was pivotal in my blogging career because it was my first press trip, and I met many incredible content creators. I also appreciated exploring a country that wouldn’t usually be on my radar.

Journey to Find Curly Hair Products in Uzbekistan

I went through so many emotions when I unpacked my suitcase in Tashkent and realized I left my hair products at home! After the initial shock, I decided to make an adventure out of it and try to find products to maintain my curls during my time in Uzbekistan. I spoke with many locals to find a nearby beauty supply store and eventually found one. Unsurprisingly, no products catered to thick, curly hair, so I had to improvise and get items that would give my curls a little moisture in the arid heat. The two guys who worked there spoke limited English, and my Uzbek speaking skills were non-existent, but somehow, we made it work!

Favorite Excursions

Jungle Cenote Excursion in Tulum

I finally made it to a cenote in 2019! There are over 6,000 of them sprinkled throughout Mexico. We zip-lined our way past annoyed Howler monkeys to a secret cenote in Punta Laguna Natural Reserve.

Check out my 3-day Tulum travel guide here.

Bioluminescent Bay Tour in Fajardo, Puerto Rico

Kayaking through the Bioluminescent Bay in Fajardo was one of my most majestic travel experiences. There are only five bioluminescent bays worldwide, and Puerto Rico has three. Most cameras can’t capture the shimmery glow produced by the microorganisms in the water. Despite not having photos of the experience, the picture is still vivid. It was so calming to kayak under the moonlight with glowing water.

Work Travel Fun

Camping in Joshua Tree National Park

In 2019, I started a communications job requiring me to travel quite a bit across the country. In pure travelJewels fashion, I like to extend my work trips and have some fun when possible.

During a work trip to LA, I flew in earlier to go camping in Joshua Tree National Park with one of my blogging besties, Joshua Walker. This was my first time camping in a National Park! We had so much fun bouldering and camping underneath the clear star-lit skies.

Eating my Way Through the State Fair in Dallas, Texas

I had an extended birthday celebration in Dallas, my first time in Texas. If you’ve ever been to a Southern State Fair, you know you are in for some entertainment. My time at the NC State Fair primed me to learn about all the different types of fried foods and personalities fairs can attract. But as they say, everything is bigger in Texas, and I was excited to experience the Texas State Fair. It didn’t disappoint! We enjoyed trying the different foods and catching the various performances and expos.

Reconnecting & Recharging

Ending the Decade in the Motherland

I started the decade in South Africa and ended it the best way possible: a trip back to the motherland, visiting Ghana. Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo declared 2019 the Year of the Return in Ghana. It marked the 400th year since the first slave ship left Ghana to head to the Americas. Although this was my second visit to Ghana, this experience had a different energy. Seeing so many people from the African diaspora returning to reconnect with the continent was terrific. It was the greatest homecoming!

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