The Catch Me If You Can- Jessica Nabongo
Today I feature Jessica Nabongo who is the traveler of all travelers.
Jessica is the first documented black woman who has travelled to every single country on this planet and is my personal inspiration.
Jessica Nabongo a wanderlust, writer, entrepreneur, public speaker and travel influencer. At her core, she is a dreamer looking to craft a life and career that interconnects her passions and talents. She also wants to use her story to educate and inspire others to travel and experience the world around them.
She is also the Founder of Global Jet Black(@globaljetblack&@thisisthecatch).
A first generation American, Jessica was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan to Ugandan parents. She attended St. John’s University in New York, where she earned her undergraduate degree in English literature. In just a few years after college, she started (and ended) a career in pharmaceutical sales, moved to Japan to teach English, and completed a graduate degree at the London School of Economics.
She captured her experiences along the way, honing her photography skills.
As her career path changed, Jessica realized that travel, writing and photography continued to show up as vehicles of self expression and were essential parts of her life, leading to the creation of this site, The Catch Me If You Can. She uses her blog to share her story and build a community. She also created Jet Black, a boutique luxury travel company that hosts group trips and curates itineraries to countries in Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean.
Her work as a travel writer and entrepreneur has led to speaking opportunities around the world.
In October 2019, Jessica became the first documented black woman to visit every country in the world. Now try to beat that...
What are your favorite Destinations?
Whenever people meet me and hear about my travels I am always asked, what is your favorite country, beach, restaurant, cuisine, hotel, etc. It is sometimes hard to think of these things on the fly and I will admit that it is usually the places that I visited most recently that spring to the top of my mind.
Beaches
West Bay Beach, Roatan
In 2009, I visited Honduras and was astounded by the stunning West Bay Beach on the Honduran island of Roatan. With lush mountains as a backdrop, the white sand beaches and crystal clear water are only topped by some of the best snorkeling I have ever done in my life. Coral reefs anyone?!
Green Bowl Beach, Bali
All of the best beaches in Bali require work! You generally have to climb down hundreds of stairs to access these strips of paradise and Green Bowl Beach is no different. A short drive from Uluwatu, it is totally worth the journey and the exercise. The cave on the beach offers a bit of reprieve from the blazing sun.
Nungwi Beach, Zanzibar
Zanzibar has one of the most stunning coastlines that I have ever seen. And while there are tons of beaches, Nungwi stands out as the best though Paje is a close second. The white sand and perfectly blue water, dotted with traditional dhow boats will have you daydreaming about Zanzibar for years to come.
What can't you travel without?
Flight 001
I cannot live without my Flight001 products!! My faves are the Spacepaks - DO NOT PACK WITHOUT THEM -, 5-in-1 Universal Travel Adapter, T5 Family Passport Wallet (pictured), and the Expand Duffle.
Lo and Sons' O.G. Bag
I never leave home without my Lo and Sons' O.G. Bag. This bag is the perfect travel companion because it has a laptop sleeve and enough space for everything I need at my fingertrips during a flight, such as my Bose headphones, passport wallet, pens, a pillow, a blanket and other knick knacks. I have had it for two years and never fly without it.
The Away Bigger Carry On
After years of reading reviews and buying and returning bags I FINALLY found the perfect carry on bag. The Away Bigger Carry On is perfect for those that like to travel light. This bag, coupled with the Lo and Sons OG bag is my go to for EVERY SINGLE FLIGHT. The fact that I can charge my phone is an added bonus and the wheels roll perfectly on any surface.
Now that you have visited every country, what are you going to do next?
I am thought after travel writer and entrepreneur and I continue to undertake Motivational Speaking opportunities around the world. I also run my own businesses.
Jessica is a selmade afronaut and she has reached it All The Way Up.
She is an inspiration for thousands of Black people around the world.
Now start and try to catch up....
Blog: catchmeifyoucan.com
Email Address: info@thecatchmeifyoucan.com
Facebook: The Catch Me If You Can
Instagram: thecatchmeifyoucan