I was asked to speak on a panel about How I Started. I wasn't sure what I was going to say. I didn't prepare anything. I was a little nervous, but once they handed me the microphone, it all came pouring out. I pursue all things that make me happy like my soul is on fire. Please enjoy the full video.

Now that Ive shared my experience in Sydney, let me tell you all how I got there for under $200, well for $127 total. 

The number one question I get asked in person and on social media when it comes to my travels, is how can you afford to do it. There are a few ways to make your travel dreams a reality. You either have to be loaded, that I am not. You have to budget and strategize, both of which I do. 

My strategy was NOT to pay for my ticket at all. 

I usually tell people that credit cards are evil and they should never get them. I do believe they are evil if you don't know how to use them. The interest rates on credit cards are ridiculous. The only way to avoid them is to pay them off as soon as possible. I generally only charge what I know I can pay that month. My strategy to get to Sydney revolved around my, one and only, credit card, my Delta American Express.

I am very loyal to my Delta American Express card. Ive had it for over 10 years and I keep the balance at zero (most of the time). I love this credit card, because you get Delta SkyMiles for every dollar charged and 2 miles for every Delta related charge. 

I have been wanting to visit Australia for a few years, but the thought of paying over $2,000 for a plane ticket, nearly made me sick. I haven't paid over $1,000 for a plane ticket in a very long time...I just couldn't bring myself to do it. To avoid the steep price tag, I decided to start saving my miles to cover the cost of the trip. For 4 years, I saved my miles. I read a ton of articles that said I'd need 150,000 Delta Skymiles to get to Sydney. Last March, I only had 110,000. I started plugging in dozen of fall dates and it kept saying 150,000, then finally I plugged in my dates and bam! 110,000 miles for a free ticket to Sydney. I paid $127 for the taxes and that's it!

Some people think 4 years is too long to wait for a dream trip, I certainly don't agree. The time is going to pass regardless! I pay anything I can with my credit card to get as many miles as possible. 

Since I've had my Delta American Express Card, I've gotten a RT (round trip) to Tokyo, RT to St. Barth, OW to London, RT to Sydney, RT to Brazil, and a reduced fare RT to Dublin.

Let me be honest, Australia was never been a must see destination for me. I didn't do much research on what to expect and I don't know many people that have been. I honestly didn't have many expectations when it came to my favorite thing to do on my travels...eat!!! I love to eat. Well, let me be specific, I love to eat really good food. I wasn't sure what I was going to experience in Australia, but let me just tell you, Australia has some QUALITY food!!! Here are the 6 things that made me moan and say nomnom during my short visit to Sydney:
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​1. COFFEE.  If you're a coffee lover...have it anywhere it is so damn good. I had my first cup of coffee at the airport and it rocked my world. I kept ordering it everywhere and even the most random places had delicious cups of joe. They also had almond milk at every place I went, that is NOT the case in NYC.
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LMJ coffee recommendation: Gertrude and Alice's on Hall St. (near Bondi Beach). I had their iced coffee and rolled my eyes because it was so tiny and $5!!!, but once I tried it, man, I would have paid $10 for that deliciousness. Maybe I just haven't had real coffee before... so damn good.

2. TOAST. Yes, toast. Their bread is delicious. It's not generic store bought, I swear it tastes like each place bakes its own bread. And the butter. Lordy lord, the butter, maybe I just never had real butter before. They pump their butter with soul and love and omg...it's so damn good. I got toast a lot, because it was usually the cheapest thing on the menu, but omg, was it just delicious. You can get the toast anywhere. I did love Gertrude and Alice's avocado toast. I love avocado toast in the states too, but in Australia, it was tastier. They put feta and herbs in their version at Gertrude and Alice's. My iced coffee and avocado toast there was my favorite meal in Australia. Just typing this make me want to go back and eat them both again...every...single... day. Cant you just taste it?
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3. Burgers. They have some quality meat too. I keep saying quality, but that's exactly what everything tasted of. I know we, America, gets a bad rep for its food and the poor quality. Some countries won't even accept meat from our country and I kinda get why. Everything I ate in Sydney tasted like they didn't cut any corners to make it. I complained a lot about the price of these goods, but you definitely got something worth the price tag. 
​LMJ Recommendation: Moo on Bondi Beach and Chur in Surry Hills #nomnom
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4. Fish and Chips. Damn. So fresh. So right. Get some and moan... I swear you will.
​LMJ Recommendation: Blue Fish in Darling Harbour. Save some money and get it to go. Grab a seat on a bench by the ferris wheel and chow down as you watch people go around. Omg... nomnom.

5. Brown Sugar. The restaurant, not the condiment or 90s classic. Cute little date spot with great food. The ambiance is sexy. I went with my brother's friend who happened to be in Sydney at the same time and we could barely make eye contact...LMAO. That place makes you feel like you're in love with a stranger. Sexy ass roses, dim candle lit tables, man listen, that's where you take someone to convince them to leave their woman/man for you. Scallops and ink pasta and you'll get her/him I swear.
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6. Acai Bowl. OMG. I almost forgot my favorite sweet meal of the trip. I had an acai bowl with coconut ice cream from Coco Joy at the Westfield Mall. It had homemade granola, the acai was on point, the coconut ice cream tasted like it was made my two coconuts in love... Wow... wow...wow. $10 and so good.

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Thank you Sydney! You treated me and my taste buds right. Until next time!!!

​Love, Love, Travel (and Eat)!

​LMJ

     Sydney reminds me of NYC, meets Venice Beach, sprinkled with the hot bods of Miami, Florida. There is a ton to do in this ocean side city. Trying to do it all in one visit is difficult. I try not to make long lists of things to do and running around checking things off one by one. I don't suffer from FOMO at all (Fear Of Missing Out). It's something I've learned over the years. I feel like earlier in my travels I had to see and do it all, because who knew when I'd be back. Not anymore. I now travel with the mindset of enjoy what you can this visit and see some more next time. I'm not sure when I'll be back Down Under, but my travels tend to take me anywhere I want at the most random of times, so I'm sure I'll be back sooner than I realize. I definitely didn't give myself enough time here, but I managed to experience some of the awesomeness that is Sydney down under.
​       Here are my top ten things to do in Sydney:

​1.Visit Bondi Beach (It's pronounced Bondai not Bondee, don't make the same mistake I made). It's picturesque; for for the view, watch some surfers, and maybe go in. Make sure you're a very good swimmer, because those waves are NOT A JOKE!!! I barely got in as deep as my ankles.

2. The coastal walk from Coogee to Bondi Beach (or the reverse, which is what I did) at sunrise is INCREDIBLE! Take advantage of your jetlag and do it early on during your trip. You will not regret it.

3. Have a drink and a swim at Bondi Icebergs. Entry is $6.50 for foreigners, apparently if you're a local you need to have a membership. Drinks at the bar are decently priced too. I had a apple cider for $6! Having a swim in the seawater pool over looking Bondi Beach is nothing short of amazing. Wear something bright so that you can pop against the blue and white back drop. Your IG pics will be DOPE. We do it all for the 'gram dont we? LOL...kinda, but not really.

4. Visit Toronga Zoo. You'll see the Sydney Opera House on the way to the zoo. Make sure you head to the top of the ferry for the best pictures with Ms. Opera House herself. When you get to the zoo you will ride a cable cart over some baby elephants (so DOPE), before finally entering the mostly open zoo overlooking the Sydney Harbour and the Sydney skyline! You can't hold koalas in Sydney, but you will see sleeping ones. A lot of people want that quintessential picture holding a koala, but I was totally okay with just seeing them and watching them do what they do. You can hold koala's in Brisbane, head there if that's something you want to experience. The animals seem so happy at Taronga. The lemur park was my absolute favorite. I've never been to a zoo that allows you into the animals' enclosures! I got so close to the lemurs, it was unreal. Tip: Buy your ticket online to save 10%

5. Walk across the Sydney Harbour bridge. I was going to climb the bridge for $250, but then I realized that I'm not Diddy and I needed to stay in my lane. I also read that it wasn't worth the outrageous price tag. I wasn't going to let the price keep me from doing it, because I splurge for experiences, but in the end I ran out of time and didn't even walk across. I had a day where I could have ran over, but I found myself enjoying my time at a cafe and I didn't want to let FOMO kill my vibe and I didn't. Although I didn't do it, I think it's something to do. Someone needs to do it for me :).

​6. Visit the Blue Mountains for some hiking. Tip: Do this on a Sunday and all your travels will be capped at $2.50!!!

​7. Snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef.

​8. A surf lesson (Be VERY careful, those waves are NOT a joke).

​9. Visit one of Sydney's many street markets. Sundays they have some awesome ones.

​10. Take a Harbour Cruise at night.
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1. Sydney is expensive AF. Prepare your pockets beforehand and get ready to cut cost as often as possible to survive without tapping into your 401K retirement reserves. Follow this advice to survive on your dollars in Sydney.
​     a) On day 1, head to Woolworths (yes, it's still around Down Under...might be showing my age with that one) or a Coles Supermarket and load up on snacks AND WATER.
​     b) Water fountains have spouts for you to refill your water bottles. Australia supports Mother Earth, we should too. Keep an empty bottle with you at all times, bc paying $4 for every bottle of water will seriously add up.
​     c) Do your research and check to see if there are deals on places and attractions you want to visit. I did a simple google search before going to the the Taronga Zoo and I saved 10% by purchasing my ticket online. A dollar saved is a dollar earned!
​2. The SUN will find you. Apply and reapply sunblock as often as possible.  Even if it's very cloudy!!! I chilled on the beach on a cloudly AF day for maybe 40 minutes...24 hours later it still felt like there were 1,000 red ants biting my back...FML!!!
​3. Comfortable foot gear is a MUST. Ladies forget your heels, wedges, and flip flops. OMG did I walk a MILLION steps a day (I averaged 25K steps per day). I thought I was cute rocking my gladiator sandals on day 1 and ended up with a big fat blister. My NIKE frees went on on day 2 and they didn't come off. Walking (BROKEN IN) sneakers are the way to go.
​4. Australian people are so friendly! I met at least 2 new friends each day. People will chat you up any chance they get and they mean what they say. I shattered my Samsung Galaxy phone the day I arrived and had to pay $200 (I know, don't remind me, still makes me roll my eyes) to get it fixed at the local mall. The guy who helped me was so nice. He offered to show me around after his shift and he did! And no, he didn't try hoping my leg either. He was super respectful and took me to Darling Harbour. He paid for us to get on a ferris wheel, my first time in ages. Then we walked around and he made sure I got back on my train and offered me any help during my stay. Of course I spoke to him daily and even went back to see my friend one last time before I left.
​5. On Sunday, all transportation costs are capped at $2.50, when you have an Opal card (their rechargeable transportation card). I rode the bus from the airport, then all around town, and I took 3 train rides and the total deducted from my Opal card was $2.50. Get your Opal card at the airport (the sell them at the convenient stores right outside of customs) and plan your busiest day of sight seeing for a Sunday.

Can you really fall in love on your travels? Have you ever? Would you ever? Yes. Yes. Yes. I have and I still believe it's possible. I have fallen for men on my travels many of times and I think it's fun and exciting. Fuck what everyone else says. If you feel it and you believe it, go after it. In life and in love you have to play big to win big.

​Travelling to Cuba is no longer illegal for Americans. There are 12 legal reasons to visit Cuba.
They are:
1. Family Visits
2. Official business of the U.S. Gov't
3. Journalistic activity
4. Professional research
5. Educational activities
6. Religious Activities
7. Public performances
8. Support for the Cuban people
9. Humanitarian projects
10. Activities of private foundations
11. Exportation of information
12. Certain authorized export transactions*
* According to www.cheapair.com

We chose to visit Cuba under Religious activities. My mom's pentecostal church found us a church in Cuba and we spent our last full day with them. Donating goods to the members of the church and the orphanage they are associated with.

How to get there?

Although it is not illegal to go, you cannot buy a direct flight from America. You have to buy two tickets. We chose to buy round trip tickets from NY to Cancun, Mexico. Then one from Cancun to Havana on Interjet. Interjet was amazing! They dont charge for checked bags and changed my connecting flight to a direct flight at no extra charge. You must be in Mexico (or whatever country you choose to fly to first) for at least 2 hours before flying to Cuba. You need a Cuban visa. Interjet sold them right at the check in line. They are $20.  Most of the group allowed customs to stamp their passports. It wasnt a big deal at all. Out of 12 of us, I was the only asked why I went to Cuba and I told them and it was fine. 

Where to stay?

Hotels are booked solid for about a year. We stayed at an Airbnb, 50"s Decor Casa. The owners Ignacio and Ana are great and extremely hospitable. They have a 6 bedroom 5 bathroom apartment. It is adorable, super clean, and walking distance to the Malecon. The highlight of our stay was a daily breakfast spread on their terrace for 6 CUCs (about $6).
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/10614626 (Link to our Airbnb).

​What to expect?

Cuba is so SAFE! I've been to about a dozen countries in the Caribbean and I seriously felt the safest in Cuba. I arrived hours before my entire group and explored alone and didn't feel uncomfortable at all.

There is virtually no WIFI on the island. We heard some of the nicer hotels have it, but we never found it. If you have work to do NOT count on having wifi anywhere. 

No credit cards. BRING CASH. We all budgeted for $100/day, but the prices were really affordable and none of us really spent that. I would budget for less than that a day. I think $60/day is just fine. Drinks were $1, meals were between $4-12, cabs were $5-10, and souvenirs were usually $5 or less. I bought a wood sculpture for $12 and a friend bought some art at $140.

The people of Cuba are in serious need. By day two people were asking us if we had gum, soap, lotion or clothes we could give them. It was heart breaking. Bring stuff to give away and keep it with you at all times... it will be used and they will definitely be appreciative.

What to eat?

Food is hit or miss. We went to a paladar (privately owned restaurant) and we didn't like it at all. We were nervous all the food of Cuba would lack flavor, but lucky for us it just kept gettin better and better! Make sure you have some ropa vieja, empanadillas, ice cream, and Cuban coffee!!!

My top 5 eateries not to be missed are:

1. Paladar Los Mercaderes ( Get the Ropa Vieja skip the passion fruit mojito)
2. El Cocinero (Super hipster, awesome prices, and greatttt ambiance)
3. El Ajibe (get the specialty chicken... so tender... so flavorful!!!)
4. El Palio (pricer than all the others, but absolutely delicious. Get the pesto pasta)
5. Los Nardos (huge portions cheap prices)

What should I do?

• Ride in an antique car
• Head over to Old Havana
• Get donuts early in the morning along the Malecon
• Head over to Plaza Vieja and watch the salsa dancers on stilts
• The beach is a must
• Give back to the people of Cuba and enjoy them. They truly are what make Cuba what it is.
• Mojitos and ropa vieja...don't miss either, although their mojitos aren't as sweet as ours

Live, Love, Travel,

LMJ

Gone are the days of throwing everything cute I own into a suitcase, purchasing several new pieces of clothing, and lugging around a heavy suitcase.

I always pack in outfits. Saves me time and helps me avoid bringing things I dont need.

Shopping like crazy for your next trip is fun, but when you take several trips a year it adds up... big time. I now try to find new outfits with the clothes I already own.

Ive been on team carryon for nearly a decade. Checking a bag isnt the worst thing in the world. I dont even have to pay for my first or second checked bag (perks of staying loyal to by beloved Delta Airlines). I prefer limiting myself to a carry on because:

1) It keeps me from overpacking and lugging around a heavy suitcase.

2) I dont have to wait for my luggage with the 200 people on my flight and I can get exploring that much faster.

3) If my bag is with me the whole time, the chances of the airline losing it is a big fat zero. No one wants to get to paradise and hear that their bag is in another city.

4) Less is more... mobility is everything.

Live, Love, Travel,

LMJ