It’s time for another in my World Travellers series as I interview Canadian solo traveller Stephanie Mayo, who runs two blogs as well as working full time and travelling as much as she can.
Who are you?
I’m Stephanie, a single lady from Canada who loves solo travel, wildlife, writing and hiking! I’m pretty busy with a full-time job, two blogs (The World As I See It – travel blog and Lady of the Zoos) and always thinking about my next trip.
Where are you from?
I’m from Toronto, Canada and currently live just an hour north of the city.
World Travellers: Stephanie Mayo at Gullfoss, Iceland.
Where have you been?
I’ve been throughout the States, Mexico, Cuba and throughout the UK and Europe where I spend most of my travel time. Though I’ve sadly not traveled much in my own country I’m hoping to change that in the next year.
Where are you now?
Still in Canada awaiting my next epic adventure starting at the end of April!
What are the top 3 places you’ve visited?
Top three, oh that’s a tough one, I seem to fall in love with many of the cities I’ve visited for one reason or another. But if I had to choose, my top 3 places that I’ve visited would be Iceland for its stunning natural beauty, California for its near perfect weather and sunshine and awesome National Parks and Budapest for its simple charm.
World Travellers: Stephanie Mayo from The World As I See It – Trafalgar Square (Monopoly)
What is the best travel experience you’ve had?
It’s hard to choose the best but I’d have to say taking my father on his first trip to the UK and Europe a few years ago was definitely one of the best travel experiences I’ve had. It was amazing to be able to spend that time with him and see places I’d already visited in a new light, through his eyes.
What is the worst travel experience you’ve had?
The worst travel experience I had was after going to a fancy restaurant in London and getting food poisoning for the first time and being up all night wretchedly sick.
What is the funniest travel experience you’ve had?
Hands down the funniest travel experience was “trying” to play Monopoly in a café in Amsterdam after some treats – I’m sure you can imagine!
What is the scariest travel experience you’ve had?
It was my first backpacking trip overseas with a girl friend of mine and we were strolling across one of the bridges in Rome, passing by a small group of people, when we caught sight of two dogs that had been somehow sewn together at the side. It was a horrible sight and as we stared aghast one of the creepy guys came over and was trying to dance with me. My friend had to grab me and pull me away from him – it was the creepiest experience EVER!
World Travellers: Stephanie Mayo from The World As I See It at Muir Woods
What is the most random job you have had on your travels?
I’m a part time traveller and don’t take jobs while on the road, I leave all my time for travelling.
How do you fund your travels?
Nothing extravagant here, I have a full time job that though I don’t make a lot of money I do budget well, allowing me to travel part time. It just goes to show you that you don’t need to make a lot of money to travel, you just need to make choices, and mine is always travel!
World Travellers: Stephanie Mayo from The World As I See It in Budapest
What 3 tips would you give a new traveller before they set off on their adventure?
My three tips are rules I live by when it comes to travel: plan, go with no expectations and slow down and enjoy every moment!
What are your future travel plans?
My future travel plans will take me back to the UK and Europe for my fourth trip, but this one is epic as it will be my longest, at 3 months and my first time visiting solo! I’m so thrilled to be visiting a few places I’ve already been like London, Paris and Venice but am beyond excited to be adding some new places, ones that have been on my wish list for a long time like Cinque Terre, Bucharest and Athens!
Biography
I’m a part-time traveller with a passion for all things travel, writing, wildlife, the great outdoors and hiking. Once a zoo keeper I now make sure to visit amazing zoos around the world and educate the public on the importance of zoos, conservation and the wildlife ambassadors saving them. When I’m not at a zoo or travelling you’ll find me in a small town in Ontario, writing, reading, researching and planning my next adventure.
The World As I See It – travel blog http://ladystravelblog.com
Lady of the Zoos http://ladyofthezoos.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ladyofthezoos
Twitter – https://twitter.com/LadyoftheZoos
Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.com/ladyofthezoos/
Thanks to Stephanie for being the latest in my series of World Travellers! If you travel the world and run a travel blog or are a travel writer, please get in touch and you can be featured on the series. If you are a friend or mine or someone who I have met on my journey, you can be featured in my Backpacking Buddies series. Either e-mail jonny (at) dontstopliving (dot) net or head to my Contacts page and get connected. You can also subscribe to Don’t Stop Living by filling in the form below!
Safe travels!
Thank you so much for having me take part in your awesome World Travellers series!
Stephanie Mayo recently posted…My EPIC Solo Adventure – March Update
Thanks for being part of the series Stephanie. Safe travels. Jonny