Expert travel tips – Alumni

Jennifer Kingsley

Reason I travel frequently: I work as a guide for National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions on small ships around the world. I also write about places far from my home.

Number of countries visited: No idea.

One thing I always pack: Headlamp. Whether I’m stumbling for the bathroom at night, trying not to wake a shipmate, or reading (so many places don’t have reading lights), I’m always happy to have this small item. Also, my own hair conditioner.

One way I prepare for a trip: Lists. As in four pages of bullet points specific to each destination where I work. I also make sure to see family as close to departure as I can manage. I’m often away for one or two months.

Aisle seat or window? Aisle.

A hidden gem I’d recommend: Polynesia, the largest nation on earth. Take your pick from anywhere within the Polynesian triangle which stretches from Hawai’i to Aotearoa/New Zealand, to Rapa Nui/Easter Island.

Top travel planning tip: Do it your way. Some people love to have all the details, some like to pre-read, some like it all to be a surprise. There is nothing wrong with any of these, so don’t judge yourself (or your travel buddies).

Favourite travel splurge: Earrings.

Tip for budget travel: Get a job where you get paid to travel?

Overcoming jet lag hack: Because I cannot sleep on planes and I regularly travel to places with 24- to 36-hour transit times, I’m often so exhausted when I arrive that I don’t seem to get much jet lag. That said, I would not recommend this approach. Sleep when you can.

Most used app when travelling: Maps.me

Memorable wildlife experience: I was scuba diving (not my speciality) in French Polynesia, and we were at a depth of 32 metres in a lot of current. We were holding on to the bottom to maintain our position, and I was starting to feel afraid. I closed my eyes to breathe and calm myself down. When I finally looked around, an enormous manta ray was swimming in front of us, from right to left, leaving a sense of grace and calm in its wake.

A challenging travel experience I’d rather forget: Helping to administer Covid tests in rough seas in the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica. Nothing has made me feel more seasick than those nose swabs and their little test tubes. 

Parting thoughts: Travel, like so many things, can be both destructive and constructive. It’s fun and rewarding to be on the constructive side whenever possible, but travel always has an impact.

Where to find me: jenniferkingsley, Instagram