Travel writers from all over the world have inspired me to venture further and deeper into the unknown. Two writers in particular have stuck with me…
Let’s take it back in history. In 1771, the Scottish explorer Mungo Park was born. In 1796, Park set off on an adventure down the Niger River in West Africa. The river runs from the Guinea Highlands near the Sierra Leone Border, across Mali and Niger to meet the border of Benin where it then travels through Nigeria and eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean. His travels in this region led him to publish his experiences in his influential book Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa. I found it a compelling read and it is a must for anyone looking to pursue a future in travel and exploration.

Making new friends and acquaintances on the road is one of my favourite things about being a solo traveller. I have not only explored all corners of the globe and travelled in the most unconventional ways, to the most amazing places, I’ve also met some of the nicest, kindest people out there. Travelling is not just about how many countries you visit, or how long you spend on a trip, it’s about the people you meet on the way.

I landed in Bahia Solano with the intention of staying no more than a week and a point at where I could head further north into Jurado to begin my crossing into Panama. By any means, I could.

So I went to Miami before I travelled down into Colombia for an actual vacation before I travelled to the Darién gap I chose Miami as the flights to continue the onward journey were cheaper than I had expected so that was the main reason. But it was a blessing having a friend I worked with, had family in Miami much closer to Fort Lauderdale, the question was asked to see if I could stay with them, for a few days within a day it was agreed.