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Deirdre Amola | Bday Trip Plug

@deirdredares

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Black joy • Global living • Cultural connection ✨
Founder @blacktravelfest ✊🏾
Curating transformative travel in Africa & beyond 🌍
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Bali is not one vibe, and that’s exactly what makes it so magical. 🌺✨

Some days you’ll want to disappear into a villa or spa, slow mornings and zero pressure, just soaking in peace.

Other days you’ll find yourself wandering rice terraces or chasing waterfalls, grounded and calm, letting the beauty of nature reset your soul. 🙏🏾

Then there are the cafes and restaurants, where brunch, smoothie bowls, and creative energy make every hour feel inspired.

And yes… sometimes you’re ready to hit the beach clubs, dance, splash in the pool, and just be loud, flirty, and full of life. 😉

✨ The trick is knowing what part of Bali fits your vibe for the season you’re in ✨

🔻 Pick your area
🔻 Pick your energy

…And let the island do its thing.

💬 So tell me… what kind of Bali vibe are you most drawn to right now: Calm and grounding, creative and social, or fun and flirty?

If Bali is on your list, comment GLOBAL and I’ll send you my top travel tips so you can make the most of it! 🇮🇩💛

#travelreel #blackandabroad #thisisbali #blacktraveler #solotraveling by @deirdredares

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5 months ago

Whisper “CHAT” and let’s
talk about your next trip.

Not just beach bars and sightseeing... 
But the kind of journey that expands you. 
That feeds your spirit, slows your mind,
and stirs something deeper.

This is for the travelers who want more. 
More meaning. More magic. More memories.

Way less planning for you.

Whether you’re solo, celebrating something big,
or just overdue for a reset,
I plan life-giving, soul-stretching travel
experiences that take you beyond basic.

Ready for a trip that shifts you?

Drop “CHAT” and let’s talk. by @deirdredares

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a year ago

I’m Deirdre. ⁣
⁣
A Capricorn sun, Bali based traveler, recovering hustler, subconscious mind geek, and founder of Black Travel Fest.⁣
⁣
I believe in joy. ⁣
In freedom. In movement.⁣
⁣
And that travel can ⁣
change your life if you let it.⁣
⁣
I’ve built a life that gives me peace, and it’s my mission to help others do the same. ⁣
⁣
Whether that’s through a ⁣
birthday trip, a solo journey, ⁣
or just quietly following the ⁣
nudge to see more of the world.⁣
⁣
Now that you know a bit about me…⁣
⁣
I’d love to know you.⁣
⁣
✨ Where are you from?⁣
✨ What season of life are you in?⁣
✨ What dream are you chasing?⁣
⁣
Let’s chat. by @deirdredares

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a year ago

Travel has slowly changed the way I think about being available. 💭

There was a time when I felt like I needed to respond right away.

Reply to every text.
Return every call.
Keep up with every notification.

Now, every once in a while, my phone takes a backseat.

Because I’m riding an ATV through the dunes in Senegal. Or walking alongside cheetahs. 🫣

Or convincing myself I can sell ice cream on the streets of Manila. 😂

Or floating in the ocean while sharks and stingrays glide beneath me.

Or finally slowing down long enough to enjoy a massage without reaching for my phone every few minutes. 💆🏾‍♀️✨

The messages will still be there when I get back.
But some moments won’t.

I’m still learning how to be more present, not just when I travel, but in everyday life too. And maybe that’s one of the greatest gifts travel has given me.

If this way of seeing the world resonates with you, comment TEA and I’ll send you my newsletter with more travel stories, reflections, and lessons I’ve picked up along the way. 💌 by @deirdredares

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6 hours ago

Sooo.....

The chewing stick goes by a few names depending on where you are. In Senegal it is called sothiou, which means to clean in Wolof. In East Africa it is called mswaki, the Swahili word for toothbrush. It is also widely known as miswak across North Africa. The practice dates back to ancient Babylonia around 3500 BCE and was common in Egypt by 3000 BCE. So yes, this little stick has been outperforming your Colgate for thousands of years.

Here is what it actually does. The sticks contain alkaloids, fluoride and calcium which have natural antibacterial qualities that help fight gingivitis and reduce dental plaque. Regular use can help make gums stronger, freshen breath and may even support people looking to quit smoking. The World Health Organization has also formally recommended chewing sticks as an effective oral hygiene tool.

Now here is where I need help. How often am I supposed to use this? Do I cut it at some point? How long does one stick last? How do I store it?

If you know what you are doing with one of these please sound off in the comments because I have questions and I need answers. taken in Senegal by @deirdredares

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a day ago

Millennial friends, I don’t actually think we’re having a midlife crisis. I think we’re having a “Wait... I can build a life I actually enjoy?” moment. 🤔✨

Somewhere along the way, our generation decided that success wasn’t just climbing the corporate ladder anymore.

Now it’s...
✨ Moving abroad
✨ Becoming weirdly obsessed with Kizomba
✨ Running marathons
✨ Booking silent retreats
✨ Picking up new hobbies
✨ Reinventing ourselves at 40 instead of settling

Looking at this list, I’ve definitely checked a few boxes myself.

✅ I quit corporate
✅ Moved abroad... then moved abroad again. 😂
✅ Went sober
✅ And somehow a dance class turned into a full-blown Kizomba obsession

Honestly? I don’t hate this version of our “crisis.” If this is what a millennial midlife crisis looks like, I’ll take it.

Now I have to know, which one are you currently living? (Or what should’ve made the list?) 👀 by @deirdredares

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2 days ago

There are 37 countries in Africa ranked more peaceful than the USA on the 2026 Global Peace Index. Lower score = more peaceful. The USA scored 2.535, landing at 134 out of 163 countries. Follow me to get the full list.

🇱🇸 #86 Lesotho (Score: 2.016)
Lesotho is one of only three countries in the world that is completely surrounded by a single nation, in this case South Africa. It sits entirely above 1,000 metres in elevation, making it the highest country in the world by its lowest point. People call it the kingdom in the sky and the mountain scenery absolutely lives up to it.

🇱🇷 #87 Liberia (Score: 2.024)
Liberia is the first republic in African history, founded in 1847 as a home for freed American slaves. Its capital Monrovia was named after US President James Monroe and English is the official language. It also has some of the most untouched rainforest and coastline in all of West Africa.

🇿🇼 #90 Zimbabwe (Score: 2.051)
Zimbabwe is home to the Great Zimbabwe ruins, an ancient stone city that served as the capital of a powerful kingdom between the 11th and 15th centuries. It shares Victoria Falls with Zambia and offers exceptional wildlife experiences across Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks.

🇩🇿 #91 Algeria (Score: 2.053)
Algeria is the largest country in Africa and in the Arab world. Around 90 percent of its land is covered by the Sahara Desert, yet its northern coastline is lined with stunning Mediterranean beaches, ancient Roman ruins and architecture that most of the world has never seen.

🇨🇮 #93 Côte d’Ivoire (Score: 2.061)
Côte d’Ivoire is the world’s largest producer of cocoa, responsible for around 40 percent of the global supply. It is also the most dynamic economy in West Africa and one of the most underrated destinations on the continent. I would know, I am in the process of making it my part time home.

There are 17 more countries to go. Be sure to follow so you don’t miss out. by @deirdredares

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3 days ago

One thing about me: When I’m home, I’m questioning everything. 😂🤷🏾‍♀️

Who’s that?
Where are we going?
Is this legit?

But somehow, when I’m abroad and a local says, “I know a better spot,” and suddenly I’m like… “Okay! Lead the way.” 🤣

To be fair, some of my favorite travel memories have happened because I said yes to experiences that weren’t on Google Maps or in any travel guide.

That doesn’t mean throwing common sense out the window. I still pay attention to my surroundings, trust my instincts, and use good judgment. But I’ve learned that some of the best parts of any adventure happen when you’re open to the unexpected. ☺️✨

This beach ended up being one of those moments. 🌊

Now tell me, are you the friend who says, “Absolutely not,” or the one who’s already following the local? 👀 by @deirdredares

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4 days ago

There are 37 countries in Africa ranked more peaceful than the United States based on the 2026 Global Peace Index, which ranks 163 countries based on societal safety, ongoing conflict, and militarization. Lower score = more peaceful. The USA scored 2.535, landing at 134.

🇹🇳 77 Tunisia (Score: 1.947)
Tunisia is the northernmost country in Africa and the only African nation that sits entirely within the Mediterranean world. The coastline rivals southern Europe and the Roman ruins are among the best preserved in the world.

🇦🇴 78 Angola (Score: 1.955)
Angola is the seventh largest diamond producer in the world and holds some of the largest oil reserves on the continent. It also has over 1,600km of Atlantic coastline that remains almost entirely undiscovered by mainstream tourism. The capital Luanda has one of the most vibrant waterfront scenes in all of Southern Africa.

🇿🇲 82 Zambia (Score: 1.992)
Zambia is home to Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Locals call it Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates to the smoke that thunders. At its peak it is the largest waterfall on Earth by combined width and height and can be heard from 40km away.

🇲🇼 83 Malawi (Score: 1.994)

Lake Malawi is one of the largest and deepest freshwater lakes in the world and contains more fish species than any other lake on Earth, around 1,000 species, many of which exist nowhere else on the planet. The country is landlocked but doesn’t feel it. Called the warm heart of Africa and the people absolutely live up to that name.

🇬🇼 85 Guinea-Bissau (Score: 2.012)
Guinea-Bissau is made up of a mainland and an archipelago of 88 islands called the Bijagós, designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is one of the only places in the world where saltwater hippos live freely on the coast.

There’s 22 more countries to go it'’ gonna get spicy. Follow me so you don’t miss out. by @deirdredares

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5 days ago

A few outfits I wore around Africa this year. 👗🌍

This year has taken me across different corners of Africa, and every destination has inspired my style in a different way.

One of my favorite parts of traveling is seeing how people express themselves through fashion. 💛 Every place has its own rhythm, colors, and style, and I always come home feeling inspired.

Which ‘fit is your fave? Drop which slide it is below 👇🏾✨ by @deirdredares

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6 days ago

Before I lived abroad, I thought I knew what to expect.

I figured the biggest adjustments would be learning a new city, figuring out transportation, and maybe picking up a new language.

✨ What I didn’t expect were the quieter lessons ✨

- Learning that Blackness isn’t perceived the same way everywhere.

- Realizing that slowing down doesn’t mean you’re falling behind.

- Discovering that building a community still takes courage, no matter what country you’re in.

- And finding out that sometimes the things you miss most aren’t the big milestones, but the little routines you never thought twice about back home.

Living abroad hasn’t answered all my questions, but it has helped me ask better ones. It’s stretched my perspective, challenged my assumptions, and reminded me that there isn’t just one way to live a meaningful life. 🫶🏾

If you’ve ever dreamed about living abroad or you’re simply curious about what it’s really like… I hope this gives you a more honest glimpse into the experience.

Which one of these surprised you the most? 👀 by @deirdredares

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7 days ago

One thing people don’t always realize about working in travel is that someone has to do the homework before clients ever arrive. 📝

That means walking the property, checking out the rooms, exploring the amenities, getting a feel for the location, and making sure it’s a place I’d feel confident having our travelers stay.

And while I genuinely enjoy discovering new hotels, site visit days can be... a lot. 😅

You’re constantly on the move, you don’t get to settle in and enjoy the property like a guest would, and by the end of the day, every hotel lobby starts to blur together.

But this part of the work matters… because when our travelers arrive, I want them to feel like every detail was chosen with intention. 🫶🏾✨

The goal isn’t just to find a beautiful hotel, but to find the right fit for the experience we’re creating.

It’s not the most glamorous part of being a travel entrepreneur, but it’s one of the most important.

If you’ve ever wondered what goes into planning our trips behind the scenes, come check out @blacktravelfest. This is just one small part of creating the experiences our travelers get to enjoy. 🙌🏾✈️ by @deirdredares

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8 days ago