Interview
Jumia Travel had an
interview with Amarachi, a Systems Engineer who runs Chapter One travel blog.
She shared her travel experiences and advice for travellers.
Kindly
tell us a little about yourself and what you do?
Hi, my name is Amarachi.
I’m a systems engineer who loves to travel. When I’m not at work, I run a
travel blog called ‘Chapter One’ where I share some of my travel experiences.
You
have visited 21 states so far in Nigeria and 18 countries all over the world.
How would you describe your experiences in your travels?
Generally, they’ve been
nothing short of amazing. I have gotten the chance to meet wonderful people
everywhere I’ve been. Now, it feels like I know someone in every country and
that’s a big confidence booster especially when you travel alone.
What
do you love the most about travelling?
Just the general feeling
of experiencing something different than what I am used to. It could be the
culture or the food, the sights or sounds.
What
inspired you to start travelling?
I was introduced to the
travel lifestyle at a very young age. My dad would move from place to place
(within Nigeria) and we would get a chance to either move with him or visit and
so, I grew up loving this lifestyle. But it wasn’t until 2015 when I took my
first solo tour Europe that I really embraced it.
We
know that ChapterOne is about your travels, what else do you try to share with
your readers?
The blog is mostly about
my travel experiences but I also share tips about everything related to travel,
from visa application processes to travel itineraries and costs required to
visit featured places. I also love to write, so a few of my fictional works are
also shared on the blog.
With
all of your experience traveling, when would you say is the right time to
travel in Africa/in Nigeria?
I’d say ‘NOW’ is the right
time. If you have to wait for perfect conditions all the time, you probably
won’t be going anywhere! You do have to consider certain things like weather
conditions, general safety and so on but there’s always somewhere that’s just
right to visit at any given time.
Traveling
can cost a lot of money. How do you afford to travel – are you rich?! Trust Fund? Heiress? Tech Money? Oil Money?
LOL. Travel doesn’t have
to be [too] expensive, you know. I recently explored sites in two countries for
only N20, 000. So, it can be done cheaply. That being said, I do have a full
time job as a systems engineer and I am able to save money – in a separate
travel account- to fund my trips. I live with a guardian, so I don’t pay rent,
I avoid compulsive shopping… basically, I do all I can to cut costs here and
there.
What
would you recount as the funniest or most embarrassing travel moment you have
experienced?
Hmm, I got stranded once
in a different country and had no choice but to beg for money from other
tourists (or locals) around. My MasterCard suddenly stopped working and I had
zero cash on me. I was traveling solo as well, so that was a bit overwhelming
for me.
As for the funniest
moment, I think it had to do with the time I wore my wristwatch upside down
before going to bed. I woke up at about 1am but I thought the time was 7am and
I had an event to catch up with at 7. I practically ran out of my room only to
realize my mistake later on.
What
are the three things that you certainly cannot travel without?
They’d have to be Malaria
medicine, Vaseline (I have an unhealthy addiction to Vaseline. I hate my
hands/feet being dry, so I take this product everywhere I go!) And the obvious
one, a camera
You’ve
been to so many of these places and frankly I envy you already, where else do
you want to go?
I’d like to visit Morocco,
take the Trans-Mongolian express from Russia to China and see the salt flats of
Uyini in Bolivia. I’d also love to visit Japan and a few countries in Southeast
Asia.
How
much has traveling changed your view of the world?
Oh, it has given me a
whole new perspective. I see now that people are the same everywhere, that
there’s good and bad. From my experience, good is most prevalent.
Tell
us about some of the most interesting places you have been to in the different
states and countries you have been.
Within Nigeria, I’d say
the most interesting place I’ve been to for now is Erin Ijesha. I loved the
waterfalls and the hike. It was truly beautiful. Outside Nigeria, top picks
will have to be the Taj Mahal (India in general) and the Serengeti – I stayed in
a tented camp in the middle of the park and went on a hot air balloon safari.
What
steps do you take to ensure your safety while travelling?
Before the trip: I try to
research on the places I’ll be visiting and keep certain information handy,
such as police numbers, hotel numbers, hospitals, etc. Also, details about how
to get from the airport or bus stop to my accommodation is something I sort out
as well.
At my destination, I try
to keep a low profile. This means, no flamboyant jewelry or the likes. No late
nights, especially in areas I am not familiar with.
Back home: Someone always
has an idea of where I am or where I’ll be going.
When
you search for hotels, what amenities or facilities do you look out for before
you book for a hotel?
Honestly, a good room does
it for me. I also appreciate when there’s a restaurant within the hotel that
serves really great breakfast. I usually book a room that comes with breakfast
added.
Most
practical piece of advice for those planning travel
Just go for it. It’s okay
and completely normal to be nervous. Do your research about the places you’ll
like to visit, be safety conscious and have fun!
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