Explore the World with the Travelin Chucks

Dr. Jessie Voigts's picture

I've got the most fun travelers to share with you today! Chelsea and Kinsey are the Travelin Chucks - adventurous women who explore the world and share their joie de vivre with us. From Cambodia to China to Vietnam, the Travelin Chucks ("The world is at our feet!") is a great website chock full of travel resources, advice, Chucks, and funny videos. LOVE IT! We were lucky enough to sit down and talk with Chelsea and Kinsey about their site, travel tips, connecting with readers, and more. Here's what they had to say...

 

Travelin Chucks - Kinsey, Egypt

Kinsey, Egypt

 

Travelin Chucks - Farmers, Vietnam

Farmers, Vietnam

 

 

WE: Please tell us about your site, travelinchucks...

TC: We’re Chelsea and Kinsey, two badass girlie girls from Boston infected with the travel bug. We travel for the adventure of it all; the great times with locals and fellow travelers from all over and try to catch it all on film to share with the world.

We travel on our own, on a budget, taking on adventure after adventure—with no entourage or safety net. Our purpose: to see the world, experience other cultures, and teach others how to do the same all through our video entries and blogs. We also provide hostel reviews, advice from other travelers and soon to come a food section!! We are modern girl power. Independent. Fearless. We live and love life because life itself is way too short and the world we live in is way too rich with culture and new experiences to ignore. We do it up the way we love it…and have been finding out along the way that even though the world is so diverse, we’re all more similar than we are different.

 

Travelin Chucks - Forbidden City - Beijing

Forbidden City - Beijing

 

Travelin Chucks - Kinsey, Buddha, Vietnam

Kinsey, Buddha, Vietnam

 

 

WE: What was the genesis of your site?

TC: Before we took off for our trip to Asia, we had scoured the Internet looking for fun, interesting and insightful videos produced by young, adventurous travelers. To our disappointment there were none. We decided to take on the challenge. We want travelinchucks.com to be a site where young people like ourselves can see just what is out there, learn from it and inspire them to travel; as well while also providing them with information and tips on how to do it themselves. Go see the world through your own eyes!!

 

Travelin Chucks - Chelsea, London

Chelsea, London

 

Travelin Chucks - Chelsea, Yangshuo, China

Chelsea, Yangshuo, China

 

 

WE: What are your top travel tips?

TC: 1. Be open-minded. You are going to be exposed to things that might make you uncomfortable. Customs, beliefs, food, languages etc. are not the same everywhere.
2. Expect the unexpected. Plans and views change and fast!! You think you have a set view on a place or people and one small event during your day will turn it upside down. On the other hand, your plans can turn on a dime due to transportation issues, weather, what other travelers are doing and sometimes your health!
3. Be Positive. Crap happens, but you just have to work your way through it. Don’t get us wrong, travel is Amazing, Fufilling and Empowering but it also has its moments. When those moments come try power house through them with positivity…It Helps!!!

 

 

 

 

WE: You utilize videos in your site - how is it to find internet and connect with your readers, while traveling?

TC: Finding Internet while on the road is easier than what most people would think. We travel with out laptop and access the Internet through the free wifi that the majority of hostels, guesthouses and hotels provide. When that is unavailable, we tweet and post on our Facebook fan page at internet cafes about where we are and that we cannot find wifi. During this time we continue to produce content and post once we hit the next major city.

 

Travelin Chucks - Night market, Beijing

Night market, Beijing

 

Travelin Chucks- Ragamuffin, Cambodia

Ragamuffin, Cambodia

 

 

WE: What are your favorite aspects of traveling?

TC: 1.The unknown. Not knowing exactly what is around every corner.

2. The people. The people you meet on the road, other travelers and locals alike, leave lasting impacts on your experience and ultimately who you become.

3. The freedom. There are no concrete plans on the road. They shift from day to day based on what you discover is out there to do.

 

Travelin Chucks - Kinsey, Russia

Kinsey, Russia

 

Travelin Chucks - Sanya, China

Sanya, China

 

 

WE: How can people best prepare for travel?

TC: 1. Research about the country you are traveling to. What local customs are, the climate, health risks and attire (especially for women travelers).

2. Learn the main greetings of the language of whatever country you are going: Hello, Thank you, Goodbye and 1-10. Locals really appreciate your efforts and it generates goodwill.

3. Always have your country’s Embassy info with you for each country you are visiting. God forbid that anything happen to you while away but it can and might happen (as we learned on our last trip) and it is good to have embassy numbers and addresses handy.

 

 

WE: How do you suggest travelers give back, while traveling?

TC: Volunteering while abroad is becoming more and more popular with travelers. It makes sense, while traveling you begin to realize just how great we have it back home. We have so much that why not give back? If you research opportunities before you leave 98% will charge you anywhere from $1000 - $3000 for your time!!! Ask at hostels and guesthouses that you stay at for any local volunteer opportunites. Most are run by locals and can help you find the right place to give your time to; schools, hospitals etc. Don’t forget to ask other travelers. If they have volunteered anywhere, they are the best form of information as to what the experience is like. Pretty much, ask around.

 

Travelin Chucks - Schoolgirl in Cambodia

Schoolgirl in Cambodia

 

 

WE: Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?

TC: This summer we will be introducing our new partner in crime, Andrea!! She is an old time friend with a lot of sass!! She is a novice in the world of travel and will hopefully inspire others that have the desire but fear of travel to hit the road…Jack!!!

We will be uncovering the hidden jewels of New England this summer so stay tuned!! As well as a trip we are planning for sometime next March!!

Rock On Rock Hard!!!

 

Travelin Chucks - We Love Noodles, Hong Kong

We Love Noodles, Hong Kong

 

 

WE: Thanks so much for sharing your infectious travel enthusiasm - LOVE your site and travels! Time to lace up my *own* Chucks and get moving.

 

For more information, please see:
thetravelinchicks.com/

 

All photos courtesy and copyright Travelin Chucks