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Photo Source: Amoy and Instagram
After this Travel Crush interview we are convinced that if you bring your full self to all that you do, especially when traveling, you are the only company you really need. If ever you wanted to give solo travel a try than this is the TCT for you!
Get tips on how to fly solo like a pro, from Amoy's top three things you should do as a solo traveler to her next solo traveler friendly destination. Amoy is about to get you right!
Tell us about yourself! Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do? What inspires you to travel?
My name is Amoy, and I was born in the Caribbean on an island that is known for its food, culture, sprinters, entertainers and a lot more. This island is often referred to as the land of wood and water. By now you should know that I am describing the lovely island of Jamaica.
I am a Jamaican transplant who now resides on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. I moved here when I was about 11 years old. I am the oldest of all my siblings. In my spare time I enjoy traveling among other things, but one of my core passions is to help people. I am pursuing a career in the biotech industry where I have the pleasure of helping to transform cancer care. I have always believed that you can have multiple passions and pursue all of them. It is why I started a blog to share my travel and fashion tips, while simultaneously pouring into my love of caring for others and making a significant difference in the world. I believe you must bring your whole self to the table if you want to thrive in today’s world: your personality, your sense of humor, your style and most importantly your passion. All these elements combined makes me who I am. In essence, my personal brand is built around my love for all these things.
I haven’t always had the luxury to travel so for years I lived vicariously through others on social media or got inspiration from movies. Growing up I was really sheltered so it was not until I moved away to college that I started exploring new places. Once I had a taste of that freedom I slowly started to break out of my shell. What started off as small trips across the United States, turned into solo trips across the Atlantic. To break out of my comfort zone I committed myself to travel solo at least twice a year. Today, I am lucky to have built a life that has allowed me to travel even more.
We see you're quite the fashionista! How do you curate your vacation wardrobe?
Aside from solo traveling I have always had a love for fashion. I grew up in a household where I was raised to always carry myself well. Growing up my grandmother would say, “you never know who you may run into so put yourself together before leaving the house.” It was ingrained in me from an early age. In primary school I wore uniforms. It was around this time that I started taking pride in my appearance by shining my shoes every day and seeing to it that my uniform was always neat. When I moved to the United States, I no longer had to wear uniforms and that’s when I was truly able to express my own personal style. At age 16 I got my first job in retail management at a high-end boutique store here on Martha’s Vineyard. Not to toot my own horn but I was quite good at it. I saw the difference it made when a woman of any age found a functional dress that looks amazing on her. The light in her eyes when she finds a dress that hugs her body perfectly or when a nice pair of heels is just what she needs to help boost her confidence.
Personally, I believe that looking good makes you feel good, and when I feel good, I am more empowered to bring my whole self to the table. A little tip that I find helpful when traveling solo is to wear a signature perfume to help boost your confidence. It is also a great conversation starter and a way for people to come up to you. There is nothing more attractive than a person who dresses well and is bold enough to travel alone.
I curate my vacation wardrobe by selecting pieces that I (1) comfortable, (2) functional but also (3) fashionable. When it comes to vacation, I like to plan my outfits at least a week in advance. Similar to my personality, my style is very vibrant and magnetic. I don’t shy away from showing that side of me, because a little color never hurt anyone! However, as I get older I find that I gravitate towards more neutral pieces, specifically white because it contrasts with my richly melanated skin-tone. My go-to staple piece is always a satin dress. They are easy to pack, don't take up too much space, and you can easily layer them in the fall or winter
To those wanting to try solo travel, but maybe afraid to take that leap, what is your advice to them?
To those who want to solo travel but are still afraid to take the leap, I would encourage you to invest in yourself and make great use of your time. I am not going to lie to you, solo travel takes courage and willingness to step outside of your comfort zone, but once you overcome that fear the possibilities are endless. I know this sounds cliché but take it from someone who spent years waiting on other people to do fun things with. I thought the only way to truly enjoy a nice holiday was to be surrounded by friends, family, or a significant other. I was wrong; there is nothing more liberating than making a reservation for one, sleeping in a hotel room alone, booking excursions for a party of one, or dancing on a catamaran boat cruise surrounded by strangers as you sail into the sunset. Travel taught me so much about myself that I wish I could show you a fraction of it. I don’t do it for the fancy photos, the luxury hotels, or the videos. I love to explore, learn, and get outside of my comfort zone. I would encourage everyone to travel alone at least once in their lifetime.
What are your tips to make solo travel and doing things alone (going out to eat, to do excursions, site-seeing etc.) less daunting?
My top three solo travel tips are: 1) Familiarize yourself with your surroundings and act accordingly. 2) Leave your all your valuable or designer items at home, unless you are going on a luxury holiday. 3) Finally, always have enough money on hand to catch a cab. Leave your debit card in the hotel safe and take your credit card in the event that you run out of money. Your bank card is to be used for emergencies only.
For more solo travel tips for overcoming your fear, and for recommendations on the best places to travel alone please check out my blog at Stylebyamoy.
If you had a ticket to go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I had a ticket to go anywhere in the world, I would visit Switzerland because of what it has to offer: scenic landscape, rich architecture, lush green pastures, the overall quality of life, it's solo travel friendly, and also because I would get to spend more time in nature. At my age, I value peace of mind and being able to get away from the hustle and bustle.
Where else can folks find you?
Please check out my personal blog. The link is posted in my bio on my Instagram page
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