travel boldly & live intentionally
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Hi, I’m Lotoya!
I’ve visited 38 countries on 5 continents 👣
I figured out when I was pretty young that I would never truly be happy with a typical 9-5 and white picket fence.
At 23, I moved to Japan to teach English and since about 2013 I’ve worked remotely with stints as a digital nomad in Europe, Africa and South America.
I share my journey of building a life of freedom and escaping the ordinary in case you’re interested in doing the same (whatever that means to YOU) .
Latest YouTube Videos
Let’s take a close look at my 12-year-old Sisterlocks! I’ll cover the various lengths, sizing, colour, and how my hair has matured and evolved - including how I handle delicate areas. If you're curious about what mature sisterlocks look like up close or you're navigating your own long-term loc journey, I hope this section-by-section breakdown is helpful!
I moved to Tokyo, Japan, at 23 to teach English at a private university. I loved it, but I also cried almost every day for the first month. I was raised in one of the most multicultural cities in the world, and I'd moved to one of the most homogeneous. It was everything I'd dreamed about, but it was also a shock to my system.
In this video, I share the 3 countries I’ll always recommend to solo Black women travellers after visiting nearly 40 countries over 19 years of travel. From Costa Rica to Iceland and Thailand, I’m sharing what made these destinations so special and why they’ve earned a permanent spot on my "recommend" list. Plus, I share a bonus country that is not currently open to tourism but should be on your list for a future date.
Summer is brutal on my Sisterlocks - chlorine, sweat, humidity and sun can leave them dry and brittle. This summer I stepped back from my normal moisturizing routine to a lighter one with less oil that still keeps them hydrated, protected, and healthy through the heat.
In this video, I’m sharing the 3 countries (out of 38) I won’t return to as a solo Black female traveller. While solo travel around the world has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, not every destination will have a second (or third) trip.
Looking for the perfect day trip from Toronto? Hamilton, Ontario, Canada is the “Waterfall Capital of the World” with 156 waterfalls! Here is a mix of popular and quieter falls you can explore in one afternoon (with parking and accessibility info included).
The Solo Escape Planning Call
For the woman who's ready to see the world but can't hit "book" . . .
If you've been working hard and are ready for adventure or rest, this is your moment.
Or maybe you're ready to travel and are tired of waiting for others to join you.
Welcome to The Solo Escape Planning Call.
In this focused 1:1 session, we will take you from dreaming about travel to confidently flying out on your first solo trip.
Together, we will clear any hesitation, map out your next steps, and build the practical plan (including itinerary, hotels & transportation) you need to make your travel dreams happen!