Solo travel has always been at the heart and soul of Ayana’s adventures. Her love of photography and video creation combined with a passion for travel have led her to create both an Instagram account and Youtube channel dedicated to exploring the world. From solo cruising the French Polynesia to travelling to wherever her dart points to on a map, she’s not short of incredible travel stories, and lucky for us she’s here to let us in on some of her best!
Ayana has stayed with us at our Barcelona hostel and plans to spend the rest of summer 2021 exploring more of what Europe has to offer whilst staying at St Christopher’s Inns. Read on for our Innsider interview with Ayana and check her out on Instagram and Youtube for an inside peek at her incredible adventures.
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What is your dream destination?
There are so many amazing destinations that I want to travel to, so it’s difficult to only pick one! But, I think that Bali is very high on my list. It has so much to offer and it looks absolutely breathtaking in photos! It’s somewhere that I really want to be able to see with my own eyes.
What is an essential item you never go travelling without?
I have a couple things that I cannot travel without: my travel journal and chapstick! I love being able to pass the time in airports or on planes and trains by writing in my travel journal. Plus, I know that one day I will LOVE looking back on all of the entries I have written about my adventures! I am a chapstick addict but I’m also very picky about the chapstick I use so I always bring one brand from home no matter where I’m travelling to.
Best meal you’ve ever had on vacation?
I’m such a foodie when traveling so this one is difficult! I think that one meal that really stands out to me was at a Tapas restaurant in Barcelona. The food was delicious and we ended up ordering so many different options. It was so good, we ended up going back again the next day!
Best St Christopher’s memory/experience?
My best experience so far was in Barcelona, Spain. I met some of the sweetest people there and ended up spending my weekend exploring the city and going to the beach with them! It was really fun to be able to meet other solo female travellers and share the experience together. I’m very excited to stay at the St Christopher’s Inn in Paris on an upcoming trip!
What’s your funniest travel story?
Last year, I decided to go to French Polynesia for two weeks. I was going to go on a cruise around the Society Islands and the Marquesas Islands however, once I got there, I fell in love with the Society Islands! I also met some amazing people from around the world and they were staying for another week…WELL…I ended up staying in French Polynesia for an entire month! I kept extending my trip on what should’ve been my “last day.” Everybody thought I was crazy but I had the most amazing time and it’s a trip that I talk about almost every day!
What’s the best way to meet people when travelling?
I’m a huge fan of hostels as a solo traveller! I think it makes it so much easier to meet people and make friends quickly. I have met some of the most amazing people at hostels and it’s really cool because you’re all sharing the experience together. Hostels are full of young solo travellers and it's such an exciting and inspiring thing to see. I love being able to hear about everybody’s travel experiences and what brought them to the city/country we all meet in.
How best to remember a trip?
I love vlogging, taking photos, and journaling my travels! Being able to watch a full video of my travel adventures has been one of my favourite things to do after trips. I love to sit and watch my vlogs from trips I took 2-3 years ago. It is such a nostalgic feeling and takes me right back to that very moment!
What city will you always happily go back to, and why?
I will ALWAYS go back to Paris at the drop of a dime! It was the first country I visited in Europe and as soon as I arrived, I was in love! It’s such a beautiful city and there is so much to do and see there. It will never get old for me.
What’s your best piece of travel advice?
My best advice is to just go for it! I know it can be scary and daunting, but it will be the best experience you ever have. Once I started travelling I never looked back, and I have never been happier or more myself! It has been the most eye-opening and exhilarating thing I’ve ever experienced.
Check out our Innsider interview with , (Roxanne & Maartje) and (Toti & Alessia)