MAD Travel Diaries

My first taste of travel was with my Grandparents to Canada, I was only three. I've checked 50 countries off my list so far! Really? Me?

I am constantly asked “you’re from where?”, “where is that country?”, “are you sure that’s a country?” No sh*t Sherlock, I don’t…but seriously I am from little known Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean. The travel itch is a family gene passed down never mind I grew up in the small town of Debe with only 3,000 residents. I have managed to fuel my love for travel with studies and career over the ye

ars since leaving Trinidad at eighteen. I have enjoyed living in the US, Australia, Singapore, United Kingdom and France and taken full advantage of all the travel along the way. I am not quite a nomad but still working on finding a fixed address…one day it just might happen! High school friends nicknamed me Uncle Travelling Matt; yes I am their brave “Fraggle explorer!” I don’t have a bucketlist of places to visit but go where I have an urge too: exploring Cuba, visiting Tigers Nest in Bhutan, chocolate festival in Belgium, New Year’s Eve in Australia…even a work trip to Yemen with bodyguards I’ve experienced. One of my advantages is that I seem to blend in with most people…the Kashmiris, Yemenis, Cubans, North Indians, Nepalese, Cambodians, Bhutanese, and Latin-Americans, even whilst living in Singapore people thought I was half Indian/half Chinese. My Sikh friends in Bangkok still tell their families I am Guajarati with Bengali looking eyes when I have not one blessed clue where from the state of Utter Pradesh in India my forefathers came from five generations ago. Yes my Indian roots make me a travelling Trini chameleon! Many ask how I can afford to travel so much! Well I’ve never had a normal 9-5 job, mines was more 24/7 in various time zones. Being a young female expat does not just make for some memorable stories but helps rack up frequent flier points, hotel points, and save some dinero. I am a young woman who left the stresses of the corporate world behind to follow a more less travelled route for women...travel! It also helps having a network of the most amazing friends and family around the world that I not just visit, but travel with most times. M.A.D are my initials and these are my travel stories as a Trini female world traveller…

Marissa

08/07/2016

Passengers should dress appropriately for a flight, most fliers agree The days when all travelers put on their Sunday best to fly on a commercial plane are long gone, but most fliers still believe that airlines have the right to kick you off a plane if you are not dressed appropriately.

07/22/2016

One of my favourite spots in Boston and what a panoramic view it always is!

07/22/2016

Clam chowder and lobster roll on a HOT Summer's day in Boston! Can't come here and not have all my favourites!

07/20/2016

When you get to visit a silo house thinking it's more a hobbit house way out in the Catskills! Such a wonderful experience and for friends of friends to let us visit their uniquely designed house.
Would you stay in one?

07/17/2016

Clear skies, clearer roads...this is summer life in the , upstate New York. Refreshing for a change. Just beautiful.

Where you can and can't drink tap water in Europe

07/12/2016

It's always safest to drink bottled water when traveling but this is definitely good to know!

Where you can and can't drink tap water in Europe A new infographic has revealed the different destinations where tap water is safe to drink. While tap water is fine in the Czech Republic, you should buy bottled water in Slovakia.

07/12/2016

A stroll through Kensington Market in Toronto. The hippie/eclectic vibe is so refreshing in this Summer heat. Ending with some Vietnamese Pho and Banh Mi Banh Mi Bar

Manhattanhenge Is New York City's Very Own Solstice

07/12/2016

For all you New Yorkers, anyone in NYC at the moment (and me if my flight isn't delayed), what stunning shots this would be today!

Manhattanhenge Is New York City's Very Own Solstice If you're in Manhattan today, prepare to take an amazing photo of NYC. The city lights up during Manhattanhenge, when the setting sun aligns perfectly with the grid.