My 2017 Travel Lineup: Curacao, Kenya, Dubai and More!

Ya’ll. I’ve been in America for 6 months straight. Like, how did this happen? I’m outchea acting like Trump’s wall is real, and I can’t even get out this bitch, when in fact nothing about this presidency is real life, and my passport actually still works.

If you’ve been following me on Instagram, I’ve been reliving some of my favorite memories with photos from India, Brazil, South and Africa. But now it’s time to make some new ones! Below is a shortlist of where I’m headed in 2017. If you’ve been to any of these places, I’d love to hear your suggestions on what to do, and most importantly, where I should eat. (Because, priorities).

CURACAO
::March 2017::

Come through sunshine! Ya’ll have no idea how amped I am to get 50 Shades of Amistad on this beach. This is a solo trip where I will spend my days meditating, swimming, exploring and clearing my mind before my busiest event planning season back home. I’ll be staying at Scuba Lodge, and dabbling in scuba diving for the first time! Follow my Instagram Stories to see how awkward I look in all that gear, and find out if I’ll be adding diving to my list of adventure sports abroad!

NEW ORLEANS
::April 2017::

I don’t really need another reason besides gumbo to visit NOLA, but this trip is extra special. I’ll be doing some filming in small towns outside of New Orleans, and visiting the plantation where my father grew up. This year I’m really trying to learn more about my heritage, and will be working with Ancestry.com to figure it all out! I got my kit a few weeks ago and can’t wait to get my results. Stay tuned to find out more about my family’s history, and see if I’m able to visit a country that shows up on the list!

PANAMA
::May 2017::

In college when I studied abroad in Costa Rica, people often assumed I was Panamanian because I was Black. If that’s any indication of how many of your cousins ‘nem are gonna be in these Panamanian streets, then I’m here for it! This is a fun group trip with the OHPsalms crew who I’ve island-hopped with a few times before, and we’ll be staying at a brand new resort called the Dreams Delight Playa Bonita (which makes my inner bougie girl very happy!). Stay tuned to see what adventures me and my girls get into in Panama!

BARBADOS
::July 2017::

*puts down chicken wing*

So yeah, my crew of 20+ is back at it again this year! I know, traveling with 20 women sounds insane, but these trips have created some of the absolute best memories of my life. This is my first time at Cropover (Barbados carnival), and I’ve heard it’s the next best thing to Trinidad.  As Trinidad becomes more expensive, I predict other carnivals will gain even more popularity on “off years” for frequent masqueraders, so I suspect this won’t be my last time at Cropover. If you’ve never taken a girls trip to carnival, (or a girls trip at all), check out my post on how to make it happen, then DO IT!

DUBAI
::October 2017

Ya’ll. I know I should be all excited about this skyline and being a part of the #DubaiBlackout2017 and stunting on these hoes on a sand dune, but all I can think about is this guy:

He’s everywhere! Or at least dudes who look like this. (Wait, is that racist? Father forgive me.) But on the real, the men in Abu Dhabi were open mouthed fine AF. Like don’t look directly into their eyes fine. I wanted to throw my panties at one I saw outside the airport but I was afraid of getting arrested and having to tell my Mom why I’m in some middle eastern jail begging for an attorney and some fried chicken through an Arabic translator. At any rate, I’ve been dying to get back to the U.A.E. since my epic layover in Abu Dhabi, and am pretty geeked about this trip! Follow the ‘gram for my #sanddunestuntin photos.

KENYA & TANZANIA
::September 2017::

I’m headed back to the Motherland! It’s been 5 years since my last trip to Tanzania, and I’ve been dying to get back ever since. This time I’m traveling with wellness coach Cassandra Nuamah as a part of her Africa Retreat series, and our itinerary is insane! Everything from a safari trip and a visit to the Masai tribe, to textile making and beaching in Zanzibar, this 10-day adventure will definitely be one of my highlights of 2017. If you’re interested in visiting Africa, visit her website and sign up for one of her trips!

SOUTH AFRICA
::November 2017::

While many travelers rave about the beauty of Cape Town, I fell in love with Johannesburg in a matter of a few hours. The Maboneng neighborhood where I stayed felt like home in ways I’ve never experienced in any other city abroad, and I often consider living there during Winter in New York.

On this trip, also with Coach Cass, not only I get to go back to Jozi, and see Cape Town again, but we’re also visiting Durban for the first time! Plus so many other activities I didn’t do like traditional dancing with the Zulu Tribe, a safari excursion, and community service in local villages. Oh, and we’re working out every day, which will help me stay on track for my first trip of 2018!!! Hint: feathers, paint and powder! #wejamminstill

BALI
::TBD::

A few years ago I curled up on my couch and watched Julia Roberts pack up her shit, chuck deuces to her hubby and skip the country to figure out life in foreign lands. She spent the next few months eating her waistline away in Italy (#goals), finding peace in Bali, and meeting the love of her life. After it was over, I turned off the TV and went back to my same old job doing my same old hamster wheel routine the next day. Since then I’ve lost that job, and still haven’t met hubby, so what better time to run off to Indonesia and just breathe in silence for no reason? With the plans I have for my life in the next few years, I need to take advantage of this carefree solo time while I still have it. I don’t know the “how” or “when” behind this trip just yet, but I’m listing in here and putting it out there to see what happens. Can’t wait to share my experience with all of you!

 

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What’s on your list for 2017? Any bucket list experiences? Have you made a list yet? If not, write it down tonight and share your list! And relax – it doesn’t have to be a blog post, or even a Facebook post. Text a friend, or group of friends letting them where you want to go and why. Speak that dream into existence. You’ll be surprised how much faster you find yourself right there where you’ve always wanted to be. Good luck!