“The Wanderlust has got me…by the belly aching fire” ~Robert. W. Service
Our Curious Wanderer is Sherie Gakii,travel blogger at Kwetu with Sherie, a student of life and chronic wanderluster.
What is your favourite destination and why?
Diani. Not only is it a town on the beach, but its one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It offers a lot of tranquillity and is one of my ideal places to visit when I want to relax.
What factors do you consider when choosing a holiday destination?
The weather; places with harsh weather conditions are usually not at the top my list. I like moderate weather that I can easily be comfortable in.
The activities a place has to offer. I don’t like to sit in my room all day. I like to be adventurous, although sometimes a relaxing swim at a hotel will do just fine.
The cost is also a big factor. I like to get value for my money and usually do a lot of research to make sure that I am not just splurging. Preparing a budget and sticking to it also helps to cut down on cost. Travelling during off peak season ensures that my trips are cheaper and the hotels and resorts are less crowded that way I save while I have fun.
What are the top five holiday destinations on your bucket list?
- Phuket in Thailand. It is such a beautiful island
- Santorini in Greece
- Marrakech in Morocco
- Bora Bora in Tahiti
- Lake Turkana beach (I have seen photos and it’s such a unique site in Kenya)
What are you travel essentials
- My day pack, which has my national identity card, my ATM card, health insurance card and driver’s licence.
- Mosquito repellent
- Flashlight
- A shawl
- USB cable
- Toilette bag.
How do you save for your holiday trips?
The first step to saving for trips is planning for them. Once the plan is in place you can now work around your finances. I mostly choose to do away with money-wasting habits and put that money in my travel kitty. Priorities basically come into play in this and a lot of discipline. I came to realize that money is spent just for nights out in clubs over the weekend is more than enough to arrange a trip and go experience something new.*hint * *hint* .
What was your worst travel experience, and what went wrong?
I got stuck as I was heading to a certain resort in Kajiado. The terrain was a bit off and since I had no prior experience on such a road. I was driving uphill on a road with very loose thick soil and it was pretty slippery. So at some point I panicked and braked and at that moment the car got stuck in the soil. So there I was …alone…in the middle of nowhere. The signal was weak and it was just around that period where lions were escaping the national park and roaming around Kajiado and its environs so I was pretty scared of leaving the car. Eventually, I managed to contact the resort and they sent someone to come help me out.
Do you prefer travelling alone or in a group?
I definitely prefer travelling in a group. Not only does it make the experience worthwhile and much more enjoyable, it also cuts down on cost. It’s generally easier to bargain for better rates if the group is larger and also expenses such as fuel are spread across. It’s also much safer since in case you are driving, you have people to alternate with and won’t suffer too much fatigue.
If you had the chance to settle down in another country where would it be?
I honestly wouldn’t choose to settle in any other country apart from Kenya. It is home.
What souvenirs have you collected on your travels?
Anytime I go to the beach I always go around collecting seashells. It has become an involuntary thing. They usually remind me of a lot since there’s always a reason a particular shell would catch my eye. It is either something I’m going through in life or just special people they remind me of.
What tips would you give to other travellers on how to keep their belongings safe in their rooms?
Always keep your things in your bags when you are not in the room. When things are scattered in the room it makes it easier for someone to take something without you noticing.
Always keep your room locked.
I sometimes take a picture of my suitcase arrangement before leaving the room just for remembrance.
Always remember who had access to your room at any particular time.
You can follow Sherie on Instagram to catch up with her as she explores this beautiful country.
