BUY NOW, PAY LATER
Shop today to get what you want now and pay for it later with Afterpay.
Photo Source: Desirée and Instagram
Meet Desirée, a fierce solo traveler who loves food, beaches, and all things aviation. With nine countries under her belt, she knows a thing or two about jet-setting the world and doing it safely. Keep reading to get the inside scoop on how she does it.
Tell us about yourself! Who are you? Where are you from? What do you do? What inspires you to travel?
Hello, my name is Desiree, and I am a true aviation geek who loves to travel. I work in aviation for the government. I enjoy live music, fashion, trying new foods, and interior decorating. My personality type is an ambivert, and that is a person who has a balance of extrovert and introvert features. I am a huge fan of all things love, and it interests me to learn other people's love stories. I have a big heart, and I tend to see the good in all people (I acquired this trait from my mama).
I fell in love with traveling at a young age and learned about different cultures from my parents. I was born in Germany, so I don't claim a "home" per se. I lived the longest in Texas, so if I had to choose a place I am from, I would say there.
Living abroad at a young age fueled me to want to travel to different countries. I have a hunger for knowledge, and I want to experience all the world has to offer so I can share my experiences with others. I hope that maybe it will inspire someone to take a trip they have only been dreaming about. People fail to realize that they don't have to go far or spend a lot of money to travel. Traveling can be pretty affordable, and I love sharing what I know to help educate others.
My mother also inspires me to travel. She passed away 5 years ago, and she was so proud of her daughter, who wasn't afraid to live her life. I know that she is my guardian angel in a sense when I travel and that brings me so much peace. I am a very free-spirited person and also strong-minded. I have the mentality that I can do anything because my parents told my siblings and I that we could and to not let anyone say otherwise.
How do you make frequent travel your reality?
I research the best times to travel to places on my list each year. I work around those travel dates and then go from there. Sometimes I can make long trips and sometimes I can only make weekend trips. If I find a good deal, I will go with it. I am learning that long layovers are great options to experience places you wouldn’t typically want to stay for an extended period. The pandemic helped me a lot because I worked remotely for two years, acquiring an abundance of personal time. I could also save more money by not commuting to work, eating out frequently, or purchasing clothes for work.
How many countries have you visited and which destination was your favorite? Why?
I have visited 9 countries, and my favorite destination was St. Maarten. The island has two sides, Dutch and French, offering so much history and fantastic food. I did favor the Dutch side a little more in the food department, and some of the best whole red snappers I’ve had was there. It is easy to navigate on the island, and the locals are super friendly. The water is stunning, and the scenery is to die for. I would love to go back again and stay a little longer. I was there for 7 days, but I would like to do 10 days next time.
4. Share with us your best piece of travel advice.
The best piece of travel advice is to always do your research to be safe. I know YOLO is a big thing, but you have to remember not every country is the same, so you have to know a little something about the area you are traveling to. If you are staying stateside or traveling abroad, let someone know all of your moves. Make copies of your documents and always keep a copy in your accommodations. Share your location with a friend if you are traveling via Uber. If you are getting picked up by a driver, always look at their license plate and verify who they are before stepping one foot into their vehicle. Remember that not everyone’s experience will be the same, so don’t let others scare you from traveling. Take their experience into consideration and move accordingly. Enjoy yourself and live the one life you have been given. Time is something we can’t get back.
5. What travel experience was your least favorite? What made the experience less than desirable?
Recently I had a moment in Jamaica, but it only lasted for 24 hours. I knew before going that the men are pretty aggressive. I was not prepared for how aggressive they were as far as hitting on me. No one invaded my space or put their hands on me. Still, I was pretty uncomfortable with the abundance of “catcalling.” I was traveling solo, so I felt like a walking piece of meat, to be honest. I had to be on the phone, so the men would leave me alone because sometimes, me saying no or no thank you wasn’t enough. On day two, I secured a driver through my resort for the rest of my trip, and everything was fine after that. Jamaica is such a beautiful place, and most of the locals are friendly and kind-hearted. I wouldn’t let that one bad experience ruin my entire trip. I would definitely visit again but not solo.
Where else can folks find you?6. Where can folks find you other than Instagram?
You can find me on Tiktok @desirehenry1!
Here are some more of our favorite travelers and their gorgeous shots.
Ready to keep your hair looking fabulous on the go? We know that traveling can be a bit rough on the hair, especially when you're hopping between different climates and accommodations. So, what’s the best way to protect your hair while you’re catching some Zs?
Let's dive into the great debate: silk pillowcases vs. bonnets.
We’ll break down the pros and cons, spill some tea on the public bonnet debate, and help you decide which is the best for your next adventure.
STAY READY SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET READY WITH
All the essentials for hair and body care made for life on the go, with travel friendly packaging and formulations that make packing, carrying (on), and using them simple and easy.
Enjoy the convenience of free shipping on orders over $35 to both the US and Canada.
