Monique – Dancing My Way Through the World
Ever wanted to visit a golden Buddha statue, eat a waterbug or dance in a bar with strangers in Hong Kong? Whatever it is, Monique has probably done it. She is traveling the world while following her two passions: traveling and dancing, both at the same time.
1) Who inspired you to travel?
To be honest, there was no certain person who inspired me to travel. I was always curious from a very young age already what would be out there, I would always be in the nature and explore new things and I had always the urge to see more. I guess I just have the travel gene 😉
2) What is your biggest fear?
Not to be able to travel or dance anymore wich means I would lose the loves of my life. As well one of my fears is, that I have to give up on my nomad lifestyle and have to go back to a “normal” lifestyle, the one I left successfully a while ago.
3) What is the most memorable moment you’ve had while traveling?
One of them was in Thailand walking up 1236 steps to a buddha statue on top of a huge hill. This was at the Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi. When I reached the top, which also was the last destination of my 7 week trip through the country, I just realized how much you can achieve if you work hard for it and never give up on your dreams!
4) Who would you want to be stranded with on a deserted island?
My best friends. They make my days whenever I need to be cheered up, they support me whenever I need support, they never shrug when I say “I just changed my plans , hop on a plane and go to a new place! Tomorrow!!” , they believe in me and that I do what makes me happy and are truly happy for me therefor. they are my chosen family and I would not want to miss one of them in my life.
5) Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without on travels?
It’s definitely yellow. I need yellow in my life. So I probably would take my duffle bag. or my dress. Or my skirt. Or mu shoes. Or … anyways I’d take something yellow – and my ‘Wanderlust’ ring!
6) What does your family and friends say about you travelling so often?
Haha oh well. I guess in the beginning they thought it was just ‘a fling’ or a phase, at least my family did. But they realized quite early that traveling is a dedication, a love in my life I wouldn’t want to let go anymore. So they accepted that I won’t be in my home town anymore but instead living a nomadic life on the road <3
My friends though always supported me and knew I would grow wings very fast. I guess it was only a matter of time for them until they had to let me go (at least physically). But I get the best support from them and wouldn’t want to swap any of them.
7) If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Bwahahahaha. Good question. Ok. Alright. It’ll probably say DANGEROUS CURRENTS!
8) What’s on the top of your bucket list right now?
Living in Hong Kong for a while. I fell in love with Hong Kong when I arrived with the cab from the airport in 2012. Driving into the city, my heart skipped a beat and I got excited like a little girl when spotting the Easter Bunny and her Christmas presents at once. And this feeling didn’t stop ever since. But there’s another big point on my bucket list: Celebrating my 30th birthday (believe me, it’s closer than you think) on Machu Picchu.
9) What is the worst misadventure you’ve had during your travels?
Getting heavily food poisoned in Siem Reap/Cambodia while my 5 day stay there. I had to spent 3 days in my room, only being unable to move or even open my eyes, lying on the bathroom floor and vomiting all day long. On the 4th day I forced myself into a Tuk Tuk at 4.30 am to have a full day exploration in Angkor Wat. I thought I wouldn’t survive, but the pain was so much worth the gain! Sunrise in the ancient temples of Angkor Wat and so many stunning memories.
10) What is the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Fried water bug. Similar to a cockroach. Just bigger. Haha. Yep I did it, and not only once 😉
11) How do you make money and control your expenses to be on the road so often?
As I am only on the road, I stay in places longer than other travelers. I get myself work visa’s and find jobs I can work and finance myself. While in the new country I also travel around and see what I can explore while I am there. Right now I am also building my online business to afford travel and working on the road. I am an Online Marketing & Social Media Manager and will consult companies especially Travel & Tourism, Sports & Fitness as well as Health/Fitness/Wellness related. I will offer special Workshops soon for their social media channels and offer many more services.
12) Have you ever traveled alone, why or why not? If yes, where did you go the first time you did?
I actually ONLY travel alone 😉 I meet friends on the road, old and new ones, and share some time and travels with them, but the main time I travel alone. For me it is a way of freedom, a way to be by my true self and to make sure I keep myself true. For me it is very important to be honest and straight forward, even if those are mostly reasons why I get into trouble here or there – but I am absolutely a no-bullshit-kinda-girl (as my friend Jordan nicely said a bit ago). And to arrive in a new city/country/island alone, placing your feet on the new ground, breathing the new air and just feeling the unknown surroundings – that’s just one of the best feelings to me ever and brings massive happiness to me 🙂
13) Tell me about the craziest or most unforgettable night out during your travels.
Hahahahah OMG. Ok I’ll try to make it short. One night I will definitely not forget about was back in March 2012 when I was in Hong Kong. I just met this guy (whom I am friends with since) on the metro, and after some chatting we decided to do a pub crawl. I ended up walking through the whole city that day and didn’t eat much but had to hurry to be on time (you can’t be late being German can you?). Well I was there obviously 10 minutes early and was waiting to meet my friend. When he arrived we decided to do a prober bar tour through Hong Kongs bar district Lan Kwai Fong having only one drink in each bar we would go to. We ended up visiting 9 bars plus having 4 shots on the go. We would try drinks from all over the world which we picked up on our travels, knew from our hometowns or just found on the menus. I even taught one of the bar keepers how to do a proper ‘Calimocho’ after he thought it was a disgusting mix but loved it after he tasted mine. What an awesome night! We had so much fun and laughters! And after all those bars & drinks but not eating throughout the day I probably don’t have to mention that at one point I was quite overwhelmed by the effect of all those liquids. Happily I jumped on the bar table when we entered the last bar for the night and was dancing (or something like this) over the drinks placed on the bar. The (really not happy) bar keeper tried to get me down, which I thought was funny and I was dancing away. I was laughing and now bar keeper 2 tried to get me down while I was happily dancing over drinks and (oops) kicking a beer bottle off the table. The now super angry bar keepers were ready to climb on the bar table as well when my friend (already in a good mood as well) finally came and picked me up from the bar table. We couldn’t stop laughing and ran out of the bar. One of the best nights out I had in a new place with someone I just met. But not the only one 😉
14) Where did you go on your most recent road trip?
After living in Thailand for already 13 months I wanted to see the whole country and not only Phuket, the island I have been living on. So I caught a flight to Chiang Mai and travelled all the way down south and a bit across the country. I traveled 2927 km by only using local transport. I used 12 different kind of vehicles, from tuktuks, busses, boats, to sidecars of motorbikes and other crazy things on wheels to get around.
15) What is one travel advice you’d like to give?
If you keep waiting for the right moment to go, you will miss it. Just pack up and leave!