Women of Zafigo

While the world is busy practising social distancing, we are doing the opposite. We are physically distancing, but still reaching out, and staying socially connected with our community of global women travellers through #ZafigoStories. This is the Humans of Lockdown edition.

Coping with stress caused by COVID-19 related concerns is a challenge for many. But there are tools and steps you can take to manage your overall wellbeing, and they will be explored in an upcoming session of Hello Zafigo, where Marina Mahathir will speak to Amanda Luukinen on how we can live well in this…

My previous host, Tanya, told me about this riverside paradise in Quito, Ecuador, owned by her parents-in-law and said if I wanted to camp there, she could hook me up. I thought, why not? In my mind, I was about to head to a magical mountain land in an area called Pachijal Forest.

Even when COVID-19 started making headlines, I didn’t take it too seriously. Until it reached the city I was in. And as with every unexpected major change in life, I went through several phases before coming to terms with accepting that this pandemic was really happening.

Tune in on Saturday, May 2 at 3PM and listen to Marina Mahathir and Aisha Preece, founder of OutandBeyond.com, discuss the different ways one can earn money online, all from the comfort of your own home.

A day in the life of Zafigo's founder, Marina Mahathir during the movement control order.

A recap of Marina Mahathir's conversation with Dr Sakia Haque of Bangladesh and Xyza Cruz Bacani of the Philippines, who shared their experiences and thoughts on being up close with COVID-19.

Join Marina Mahathir, Dr. Sakia Haque and Xyza Cruz Bacani this 3rd April 2020 as they talk about the current COVID-19 situation in their respective countries, and discuss how the pandemic is affecting them on personal, social, and occupational levels.

A letter from Zafigo's founder, Marina Mahathir on the COVID-19 situation in Malaysia and beyond.

Although adventure has traditionally been a man’s domain, a fair share of women have proven that the female spirit can be every bit as brave, intrepid and curious as any man.

I’ve been volunteering at the same place, Hostel Esperanto, for over a month. Purposely so because I wanted to be in a familiar place with familiar faces over Christmas and New Years.

"There’s really not that much to do in Guayaquil. I probably would’ve been a bit bored being here by myself for a week. It’s the most populous city in Ecuador, but travellers usually only come here as a pit stop before flying to the Galapagos Islands or taking a long bus ride".

Cusco has grown into familiar territory. I wander the streets without checking my maps for directions, wave hello to storekeepers I pass by every day, and bump into friendly faces pretty much every time I go out.

If you ever come to Cusco, Peru, don't make the same mistakes I made.

The worst is always when I enter the cabin only to have my heart stop for a second because I see a tarantula chilling on the wall somewhere or on the clothes that I hung up.

There were serious runners who pushed off as fast as they could, leisurely strollers who looked determined to enjoy every bit of the 10k on their own time, and kids who would speed up and then slow down intermittently. Last but not least, there was me.

Easy, go-to tips, tools and suggestions on how to use any travel destination as your playground for staying fit and healthy.

I think it’s official. I’m allergic to water. Me, who drinks water from the taps in India and doesn’t get diarrhoea. Now, my body swells up when I touch the water in Madidi. I wash my hands and they start to itch like mad. I'm ready to head for La Paz.

ZafigoX 2019 happened the weekend of 21-22 September 2019 and what a weekend it was! Amazing women regaled us with their tales of strength, growth, and adventure.

While we were still in Elqui Valley, unsure about what to do or where to go next, Rodrigo, mentioned he was going to drop by a beach somewhere on the way back to Santiago. So we (just barely) bundled ourselves into a small sedan and off we went.

Judging by how my days in the Elqui Valley started, I would never have guessed it would be ending on such a good note. I was here to catch the total solar eclipse. This was the best place to see it.

Travel blogs offer an in-depth and real look at the highs and lows of travel without actually having to go out there and experience it yourself. Here are some travel bloggers who are worth a follow!

Xyza followed in her mum’s footsteps and became a domestic worker in Hong Kong for almost a decade. In that time, she picked up photography and would share her work online. Here's her story:

It appears that I feel none the wiser when faced with a precarious situation. I asked myself how I would handle things differently based on past experiences. Would I be wiser this time around?