Self-confessed travel addict and now professional travel blogger, Stephi Parker (34) first got the travel bug on a trip to southern Africa before she went to university.
And now, after a decade of travelling and four years of working as much as 60 to 70 hours a week producing her blog, Ms Parker has been nominated for a prestigious award for Best Travel Blogger.
Ms Parker said: ‘The British Travel Awards are being held in London in November and only the top three nominees in my category with the most votes can attend and I would love to get a chance to go.’
Originally from Trinity, Ms Parker set out on her travels in Latin America after completing her masters before a friend suggested that she start a travel blog.
Once she started her blog – Big World Small Pockets – it took three years of hard work before she was able to become a full-time blogger by 2017.
And now the former JCG student spends her time travelling the world, writing and collaborating with brands who now – due to the success of her blog which boasts up to 50,000 hits a month – help to fund her trips.
‘I knew that pursuing a traditional career wasn’t for me and I worked all kinds of jobs in bars and restaurants to fund my travels and then in 2015 I decided to start a blog after a friend of mine suggested it to me.
‘The idea of making money from it didn’t feel attainable at the time but I have the kind of personality that I will take on the mantle of any challenge, so I went for it.’
As a solo female traveller, who prefers to travel off the beaten track, Ms Parker has a lot of advice to give to anyone interested in a nomadic lifestyle.
‘I would always tell people not to be afraid of travelling alone. The mainstream media can portray a very distorted view of the world which can put people off going to certain countries.
‘As an English speaker I am very lucky and usually have no problems communicating with people, but Google translate can also be a Godsend.’
Speaking about what she has learned, she said: ‘Travelling has taught me that the Western concept of normal doesn’t actually exist in the rest of the world, the Middle East is the most hospitable place on earth and Ethiopia is hands down my favourite place to visit.’
Voting closes on 30 September and the winner will be announced at the Gala Award ceremony on 27 November. To vote visit britishtravelawards.com.
