Welcome to a new edition of Spotlight On!

We’re very happy to speak with Jessica Kay from A Passion and A Passport!  As she describes herself, she’s a wanna-be world traveler, wanna-be photographer, frozen yogurt and Nutella addict, and lover of new destinations and experiences.

Let’s get to know her a little better!

Q1. Could you please tell us more about yourself?

Certainly! I’m a traveler/blogger/photographer/explorer by night and weekend (and any other spare second I have), and a full-time employee M-F 9-5.

I run the popular travel and adventure blog, A Passion and A Passport, where I share tips, photos, and my experiences around the world. I find that most travel bloggers are traveling full-time or pretty close to it, so my blog proves that travel is possible even with a steady full-time job, mortgage/rent payments, and everyday stresses of life.

A few more fun facts: I’m a sucker for adventure and crave trying new things, and have recently zip lined and went cave tubing in Belize. I am literally obsessed with sea turtles and snorkeling in general and have ultimately decided I want to be a professional snorkeler. And lastly, I would read guidebooks to places I’ve never been 24/7 if I had the time.

Q2. When did you start traveling? What was the first destination?

I was fortunate enough to start traveling at quite a young age with my family.  I’ll have to ask my mom about my very first destination (hah), but the first one I have memories of is in Barbados, falling off a banana boat! The first major trip I took sans parents was when I flew into London to meet a best friend.  From there, we glam packed for 2 weeks (staying in hostels but flying everywhere)- exploring Paris, Rome, Geneva, Nice, and Cannes, before departing London to head back to the states. That is when my love for travel truly emerged.

Q3. Which countries and cities did you dream of visiting while growing up?

I’ve always LOVED white sandy beaches and warm weather, so naturally, French Polynesia and Hawaii were always on my mind. Crossed one-off this past summer, and will be exploring the other shortly 😉 Truly feels like my childhood dreams are coming true, although so many other places have been added to the list since then!

Q4. When did you first travel solo, what did you do to prepare for it?

Traveling solo is actually something I have yet to do! Crazy, right?! I have taken a bunch of flights solo, but I’ve always met up with someone soon thereafter, do that doesn’t really count. I’ve been thinking about a solo trip for some time now, and may just peruse it in the near future. Stay tuned!

Q5. Congratulations on getting married! I read that you honeymooned in the amazing Santorini. Can you tell us more about the island?

Aw, why thank you! And yes, I did honeymoon in the Greek Islands: Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete to be exact. All the islands were beyond breathtaking, and I’m having a difficult time putting my emotions about Greece in general into writing.

The sunsets from our balcony in Santorini were literally out of this world, and the private villa we were upgraded to in Mykonos was better than perfect.

During our time there, we hiked up a mountain, went swimming in a hot sulphur spring, went scuba diving (for the first time ever!), rode around the islands checking out beaches on ATVs, ate way too much delicious Mediterranean food and drank delicious cold drinks!

 

Q6. Is your spouse as adventurous as you are?

I would say he has a few adventurous bones in him, but not nearly as many I do. He’s always up for new and exciting adventures, but likes to relax on the beach with a good book as well.  I have a problem in that I cannot sit still for the life of me, so that’s when I usually go shell-hunting and/or make designs in the sand.

I sometimes have to drag him out to partake in all my crazy antics, but he always has a great time once there. Recently, we’ve been at the top of Haleakala in Maui to witness the sunrise above the clouds, ridden camels and donkeys in Israel, and went scuba diving in Greece.

Q7. What is the best travel advice you’ve ever received or asked for?

Just go…Simply put and straight to the point. I feel most of us over think almost every decision we must make, when in reality, most are simple yes/no questions.

Q8. Your blog, A Passion and A Passport, focuses on your many adventures around the world, what would you like to accomplish with it in 2014?

I began blogging to show others that travel really is a possibility even if you do in fact have a demanding job like most of the world does.  As much as I would love to be traveling long-term, I’m not even sure it would be for me.  Sure, in theory it sounds more than amazing, and I know a bunch of travel friends who do, but for me, I’m not sure.  I like having a nice cozy apartment to head home to after work each day, and I actually kind of like my job. In 2014 I hope to inspire others to continue living their dreams and show them how to incorporate more travel and adventure into their current lives.  I choose not to entirely change my life, but rather, enhance it.  Of course I would love for my readership to grow, but if I can inspire just one person, I’ll be more than satisfied.

Q9. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Lounging on a beach under an umbrella with a cocktail in hand. Forever.  Wait, didn’t I just say that I like my apartment and day job? :p I try to live one day at a time, so who knows just where I’ll be in 5 years! That’s 1,825 days to live out first! Ubud, Maui, Antarctica?! Who knows.

Q10. What is your all-time favorite quote?

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down “happy”. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment and I told them they didn’t understand life.” – John Lennon

How can we contact or follow you online?

Follow my adventures at www.apassionandapassport.com, and connect with me on

Facebook– www.facebook.com/apassionandapassport

Twitter – @passion_4travel

Google+ – google.com/+JessicaKaytravels

Pinterest – www.pinterest.com/passion_4travels

Instagram – www.instagram.com/apassionandapassport

It was great speaking with you Jessica!

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions!

We sincerely wish you wish you all the very best and many happy travels 🙂