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I’m going around the world (literally) with Star Alliance and Marriott!

BY ONEIKA RAYMOND

I’m doing a whirlwind RTW trip and I couldn’t be more excited for you to follow along.

So here’s the thing: I technically moved back to New York City on July 1st, but the truth is that I’ve barely been here.

Because not even 72 hours after flying in from Hong Kong, I repacked my bags (actually, who am I kidding, I didn’t even unpack!) and flew to Galveston, Texas, the starting point for a 7-day Caribbean cruise to Jamaica, Mexico, and Grand Cayman.

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On my cruise, somewhere in the Caribbean Sea

And then, just a few days after getting back from that, I found myself back at the airport again, boarding a flight to Trinidad and Tobago.  I spent 5 full days on the twin islands, visiting a friend, gorging myself on local food, and working on my tan. #toughlife

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On Maracas Beach in Trinidad

I got back from sweet T and T on Friday morning, but the adventures didn’t stop there. For, the very next morning, Liebling and I jumped on a train to the Hamptons, where we spent the weekend celebrating the birthday of my besties Joy and June, the dynamic duo behind the vegan food blog A Dash of Two. (Sidebar: the party was LIT.)

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Hello from the Hamptons!

Phew! It’s been a busy few weeks and now that I’m back in New York, common logic would suggest that I stick around for a while, right?!

Um… Not really!

Instead, I’m repacking my bags and am about to head out on one of my most exciting journeys yet!

Round the World with Star Alliance & Marriott 

I’m super stoked to announce that I’ve partnered with Star Alliance, parent company of the 28 member airlines keeping globetrotters like you and I criss-crossing the planet daily.

I’ll be helping them promote their new inspirational Round the World itineraries, as well as their super-intuitive, brand spanking new RTW flight booking system.

As such, I will literally be circumnavigating the globe for 3.5 weeks on their Round the World ticket!

I’ve also partnered with Marriott, the global lodging brand that has almost 4,500 properties in 87 countries; I’ll be staying in their hotels for most of my sojourn. Yasss!

(Please excuse me while I take a moment to exit the room and, erm, scream into a pillow. I’m too excited.)

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Black & Abroad in Hong Kong

I leave tomorrow(!) and this is the definition of a whirlwind trip. Over the next 24 days I’ll fly nearly 25,000 miles (that’s almost 40,000 kilometres for you metric folk) around the globe, crossing the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and hitting up 8 cities in 7 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Here’s where I’m going and the order in which I’ll be visiting:

  1. Toronto, Canada
  2. Geneva, Switzerland
  3. Doha, Qatar
  4. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  5. Lalibela, Ethiopia
  6. Muscat, Oman
  7. Beijing, China
  8. Honolulu, Hawaii
  9. New York City, USA (aka HOME!)

Amazing right?  The theme of my trip is World Wonders, so my primary responsibility is to blog and vlog about the sights (and sites) in these places that’ll make you say “ooh”, “ahh”, and book a ticket before you can say “Round the World”! 

You can thus expect dispatches from some of the planet’s best man-made and natural wonders. The Alps, Beijing’s Forbidden City, and the rock cut churches of Lalibela all figure on my packed travel itinerary.

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My last visit to the Alps, as seen from Hallstatt, Austria

So keep an eye on the blog and follow me on Instagram and Facebook for up to the minute updates from this epic trip around the world!

And if you’re going to be in any of these places over the next month, let me know as I’d love to meet up! I’ll be travelling solo and would love to connect with you. And of course, recommendations for what to see/eat/do are also appreciated. 

Squee!

Have you ever been on a RTW trip?  Is it something you’d be interested in doing?

SHARING IS CARING

211 Comments

  • So fantastic! Will be following your adventure from Nairobi!!! And if you’re ever here, feel free to say hello!!

    • I’m really happy for you, Oneika! I just discovered your blog and felt an instant connection because I’m also a soon-to-be certified teachers who loves to travel! Your down-to-earth approach to travel is absolutely enjoyable. Can’t wait to read/watch your stories on your RTW trip!

  • This sounds fantastic, congratulations Oneika!! I’m really curious to read your reflections, especially about Qatar, Oman, and Ethiopia. I haven’t found too much travel writing on these countries and I’m sure that you will have plenty of interesting insights to share. Have an amazing time on your trip!

  • That’s absolutely amazing! Incredibly inspiring… I look forward to seeing all the adventures!

  • 8 cities in 24 days?!?! woooo! sending you positive/jet lag-free vibes!

    I hope you’ll be vlogging during this world trip!!! *crosses fingers*

    Congratulations!! 😀

  • Way cool and congrats!
    Yup, have done a few ’round the world trips myself. They are always fun. Even did one that just went to places in the southern hemisphere.
    Will follow your journey.

  • Wow! Have fun! Wish I would do a round the world trip too! Someday we’ll get there I guess! Have a nice trip..and Ethiopia is such a big deal..especially their food..injera! Enjoy..:-)

  • Well that just like the most lit 24 days ever. Love to hear about Ethiopia and can’t wait for the pictures.

  • Damn that is exciting!! Looking forward to following your adventure around the world

  • Awesome, so happy for all the opportunities you are getting girl. Enjoy.

  • I am so excited for you Oneika! This is an incredible opportunity! I can’t wait to vicariously take this trip with you!! Have fun! Be safe! Do it Girl!!!!!????????????????❤️❤️❤️❤️?

  • This sounds awesome! I definitely plan to do a RTW type trip at some point in the next few years, enjoy your travels!

  • Congrats and have a GREAT time, lady! Around the world, that’s awesome!

  • I’m definitely interested in flying around the world. I can not wait to hear about your experience.

  • An around the world journey is my dream. I’m interested in hearing all about it. Love Marriott!!!!

  • Sounds very exciting and exhausting! I live in Doha and wish I would be there when you come, but I’m currently traveling myself and will be in New Zealand or Fiji when you get there. Enjoy your travels!

  • Bon, bon, bon voyage! Can’t wait to read the blogs from each place.

  • Wow!!! Congrats girl, wishing you safe travels all the way from Nigeria, wish you were coming to this corner of the world. Have bucket loads of fun!

  • This. Is. So. Amazing!

    Cooooooooongratulations Oneika. How super!

    I’m really excited for you and can’t wait to read all about the exciting places you visit, and the adventures that you’re sure to have. Yay! And double whammy yay!

    Good on your girlfriend! xx

  • I’m so excited to watch this happen! I can’t go on vacation right now myself, but I can live vicariously through you.

  • Wowzers!! You are the bomb-dot-com, and my travel writer inspiration! I recently attended the blogging while brown conference, and have been so inspired to take this passion of mine that is writing and traveling more seriously. Keep showing us how you live your passion and the possibilities that exist for women like us! Have a blast & can’t wait for the updates!

  • I eagerly await your posts. I have considered a RTW trip for some time. Lalibela is fascinating. Enjoy all of your adventures, as you always do.

  • That’s an experience of a lifetime! I’ll be following your journey. Have fun!

  • I would love to do something like this, but the money is the pebble in the shoe for me. If anybody has a few thousands laying around that they have no use for feel free to sponsor my RTW trip.

    I always did want to visit Oman, can’t wait for your feedback. Hope you get to fly Lufthansa, they are in the star alliance and such a fabulous airline.

  • This is inspiring and quite amazing and I am so excited for you. Please share details of how I can take part. This is a dream of mine and I would love to do take advantage of opportunities like this.

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