Welcome! Donna-Kay

I’m a scientist who loves to travel, and this blog is about how I get to do what I love, despite working a regular 9 to 5.

I had always wanted to travel, to see all the fantastic, far-flung places I watched on national geographic when I was younger. I thought travelling meant you had to have lots of money, but now I know that all you need is to be smart with both your money and time.

This blog is for anyone interested in seeing how I plan my travels to exciting and vibrant places. Yes, even while working 9 to 5 as a scientist.

On my blog, I’ll be sharing helpful tips like how to bag cheap flights, the best times to book your holidays if you work a 9 to 5, straightforward ways to save up money for travels, budgeting for a trip, day trips, city breaks and weekend getaways as well as stories from my travels.

I believe being wise with money for travel does not mean you have to be cheap. I’ll show you how daily habits and mindful planning can significantly impact building a future where you’re able to travel while still working a 9 to 5.

If you love to travel like me but have to get innovative about using your precious holiday allowance to satisfy your wanderlust, stick around!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I hear you ask who this scientist traveller is and how I can know more about her. Well, let me answer some questions I get asked frequently, so you can get to know me better.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN

I am Jamaican-born and raised (island gal). I’ve lived in the UK for more than a decade. Then the next question after this is usually.

BUT YOU DON’T LOOK JAMAICAN, YOU HAVE A FRENCH ACCENT, OR I THOUGHT YOU WERE FRENCH

Yes, I have an accent. I still have my Jamaican accent. Just talk to me long enough, and you’ll hear my lack of pronunciation of any ‘H’s or ‘T’s.

WHY DID YOU START THIS BLOG

This blog is a creative outlet, and I am trying to start something different and out of my comfort zone. I wanted to show that you don’t have to sell everything and go travelling.

You can still have your 9 to 5 job and still fulfil your wanderlust. You just need to prioritise travel and be smart with your money. Plus, I can teach you how to ball on a budget.

WHEN DID YOU START TRAVELLING

I started travelling properly after finishing university and landing my first real job (making that baller student salary, not) in 2012. Not one for doing things small. I started my first trip by interrailing through Europe.

Ten countries in three weeks, filled with epic running to catch trains with only seconds to spree, sleeping in hostels with one eye open and praying that I didn’t get fungus from the bathrooms and drinking Italian wine by the Colosseum in Rome.

From then on, I’ve been travelling every year, ever since.
I’ve been to 18 countries so far. This might not be much to most, but I’m not a ‘hit it and quit it kind of traveller.

If I visit a country and fall in love with it, I tend to visit it again, but maybe in a different region or city. I love building a connection with the countries I visit.

HOW DO I SAVE TO UP FOR TRAVELLING

I work full-time and save my money. I would rather spend my money on experiences with my friends rather than on things.
I suggest you do too.

WHAT CAMERA DO YOU USE

I use Fujifilm X – T2 with an XF 18 -55 mm f/2.8 R LM WR lens (a starter kit) and my iPhone 7 plus.

HOW DO YOU TAKE SUCH GREAT PHOTO

Well, thanks. I will do my best. I’m not a photographer, and everything I’ve learned was from the University of YouTube!

I try to improve as much as possible and hope to take some photography classes in the future. Please let me know if you have recommendations on any excellent photography courses or teachers.