Welcome to our April interview featuring Retha from The Roaming Nanny. Her exciting blog documents her adventure travels around the world and completing 40 things off her to-do list before she’s 40 all while working as a nanny in the places she stays.
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Dates in the States: Who is the Roaming Nanny? Tell us about you, your blog and your mission.
Retha: I was a full-time Nanny for 4 crazy kids in Vermont for 5 years until about 2 months ago (February 2019) when I left to pursue travel writing, adventure trip leading, and travel nannying full time. My original Nanny Kids started calling me the Roaming Nanny a few years back and the name stuck.
My blog, roamingnanny.com is all about women’s Adventure Travel from the Everyday to the Epic. I want to show women that they can go on the epic adventures they’ve always dreamed off, but that they don’t need to go halfway around the globe to an adventure.
Dates in the States; We have loved reading about your amazing adventures around the world (seeing the pyramids in Egypt, hiking Mount Kilimanjaro) – tell us, what inspires you to visit these places? How do you decide where to travel to?
Retha: When planning my next trip I look at a few things:
- Does the adventure push me outside of my comfort zone
- Is it on my 40 before 40 list
- Will it take my breath away
- Did someone tell me not to go there (I love proving people wrong about a destination!)
Dates in the States: Out of all the crazy places you’ve visited, if you could pick just one, tell us which one has been your favorite.
Retha: The places I’ve visited are all so different from each other, but if I had to pick one I would have to say I loved Egypt the most. From a young age, I was interested in Archaeology – I blame Indiana Jones – and have been fascinated with Egypt. On the Discovery Channel, my Dad and I would watch everything about Egypt and I was fascinated. With so many amazing temples how can you not visit this beautiful country?
I was also told that Egypt was extremely dangerous, which it no longer is, by too many people that are in my opinion afraid of people and cultures different to their own. I will never let cultural differences keep from traveling to a destination. Ever.
Dates in the States: Tell us about your worst travel experience.
Retha: I honestly can’t answer this question. I don’t think I’ve ever had a terrible travel experience…yet. However, I’ve slept in my fair share of airports and been detained by TSA.
Dates in the States: We see you are a part of WHOA, can you tell us more about this organization and how people may be able to join you on a trip?
Retha: WHOA Travel is a women’s adventure travel taking kickass women to do kickass things around the world. And we dance the entire time we’re doing it! There is an African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together.” I personally feel like this sums up a lot of what we’re about at WHOA. We’re not just a travel company, we’re a travel family.
I lead 3-5 trips a year with WHOA to places like Mount Kilimanjaro, Peru, Everest Base Camp, and Germany for Oktoberfest. If you’d like to join in on the fun and hike with me send me an e-mail: retha@roamingnanny.com and I’ll tell you what trips I’m leading and how you can sign up!
Dates in the States: What was your latest trip/vacation?
Retha: As I write this I’m sitting in the airport on my way home from Cozumel Mexico where I learned how to scuba dive and earned my PADI Open Water Certification.
Dates in the States: How do you save money in order to travel?
Retha: I live simply. I don’t buy many material things, I don’t go out to eat very much, and I use airline miles. Making travel a priority is important to me, so I find a way to make it happen.
Dates in the States: Do you travel mostly solo, with friends, or with loved ones? Which do you prefer? (I know, tough question!)
Retha: In March of 2019 I was on the road for an entire month! I traveled with a group, with a friend, visited a friend at their home in another country, and traveled solo. I liked them all for different reasons. I don’t think there is a wrong way to travel.
Dates in the States: A lot of our followers are fellow bloggers like us. Can you tell us how you are growing your blog, what actions/steps you have taken, and what others can do to grow their blog as you have?
Retha: I’m really working on my SEO at the moment. It has been a difficult process, but it’s starting to pay off. I am by no means an expert in blogging as my blog as of the writing of this post has just turned a year old.
I’m also attending blogging conferences and making connections within the industry. This is helping me to pick up little tips and tricks as well as meet other amazing bloggers!
Dates in the States: We love what you’re doing and sharing with the world on your blog, tell us how we can support you!
Retha: Visit my website www.roamingnanny.com
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UPDATE:
Crystal met Retha at this years Women in Travel Summit in Portland, Maine. No idea that either of them would be attending this conference, it was a complete fluke! It’s amazing how small the blogging world actually is.
If you’ve never heard of the Women in Travel Summit, be sure to check out Wanderful – an organization that empowers women to travel.
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