Interviews

Faces Of Dame Traveler: Meet Indie Marea

You’ve seen the iconic picture of a young woman staring off into the distance, looking into an epic travel scene. It’s sweeping, gorgeous and overall dreamy. But here at Dame Traveler, we want to turn the perspective around and show the beautiful faces of the girls in those stunning photographs. Say hello to our new interview series, The Faces Of Dame Traveler. We’re aiming to hear the travel stories, lessons learned and insider information these beautiful female travelers have gathered through their many years of life on the road. Meet Laura, creator of Indie Marea, a photographer, content creator, world traveler and… wait for it… Dame Traveler. We’re thrilled to feature this absolutely brilliant gal in this series. Meet Laura!

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

My name is Laura, otherwise know as @indie.marea on Instagram! I was born and raised in southern Switzerland in a town called Lugano. I have recently relocated to Mauritius, between all my travels. I started my Instagram page about a year ago to create a space for bringing my travel stories and images to life. Now, thanks to my love for photography and lessons learned, I use my creativity to work with many different clients to create unique content.

Why do you travel? What do you seek each time you hop on a plane?

I travel because I cannot stand still. I need to discover and know the history of this planet, customs of people, variety of foods, colors… I’m constantly looking for something new. It helps me to find inspiration for my pictures and my paintings. When I hop on a plane, I don’t seek for something specific. I like more to think that it will be the trip itself to show me what I was looking for and every time I realize what it is when I’m back home.

When and how did you fall in love with travel?

A good question, I don’t know! My first trip was when I was a baby (about 2 months). My parents used to travel a lot with me and my brother, like two or three times per year for long trips and every weekend my father used to make us visit our country, Switzerland. So, I think that is something that I have learned through them!

Where have you traveled to thus far?

I have travelled extensively in Europe, but I’ve also visited Kenya, Morocco and Tunisia in Africa, the South and North of India… but I think that Mauritius and Rodrigues Island are the most distant destinations that I have visited. On my bucket list I have so many far off destinations, like Rapa Nui and Australia!

Where is your favorite place in the whole wide world? That place that just makes your heart flutter the moment you hear it’s name.

My favorite place in the whole world is Hampi, located in east-central Karnataka, India. This historic site has about 1,600 temples in 42 square kilometers… and all monuments were built between 1300 and 1600 CE. It’s a really magical and powerful place. I love it.

If you could pick up and go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? 1,2,3 quick!

Bali! I know, everybody want to visit Bali but I really felt in love with the movie Eat, Pray, Love and dream of going there one day. I hope to visit very soon.  

What inspires you most when you travel?

Everything. Colors, nature, food, history and the energy that the place itself is emanating.

If you could summarize your personality as a country, which one would you be and why?

My personality may be so many countries. For sure a warm one, with a lot of palm trees and stunning beaches where to relax. I love quiet places where I can be amazed by the nature in total solitude. The water and the horizon relax me a lot… and I’m always so cold, so I need a lot of sun.

What is the best meal you’ve had while traveling?

The best meal I had was in Gris Gris, in the South of Mauritius in a restaurant named “Chez Rosy.” I think they do the best Fish Curry in the world.

How has a life of travel changed you?

The way that a travel can open your eyes and your mind is just so amazing and simple at the same time. I am more friendly, sensitive and connected with the planet. I have developed a deep connection with the nature, this made me a very ecological person. I try to not use chemicals, to live zero waste, no sunscreen, etc. I want to respect the planet. I think this is the big change be conscious of the environment and all the creatures that live in it.

What has been your most memorable travel moment thus far?

My most memorable travel moment was one more time in India, Hamp (can you tell I loved it there?). Very early in the morning, we woke up to see the sunset rise between the temples. We climbed rocks and waited for the first bit of sun shine. There was very intense perfume of incense because of a lot of temples were around us. When the first rays of sun have made their apparition, some monks started to sing. In that moment we felt like we had been catapulted back in the time. It was such a very beautiful feeling. Unforgettable.

How do you pack your bags before you go on an adventure?

A few years ago I read a book of Marie Kondo, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. After that, my packing methods totally changed. I recommend to anyone to read the book or watch some videos, is just amazing, simple and funny.

What is your “must pack” travel item… the one thing you simply cannot travel without?

My photo equipment: my Canon 5d Mark IV, 35 and 50 mm lenses, my GoPro Hero 5 for underwater shots and my drone.

Do you have any travel beauty tips?

I don’t know if other Dame Travelers will follow my travel beauty tips! In my backpack I don’t have a lot of cosmetics. But I always have sodium bicarbonate and apple vinegar to wash my hair and everything else and a big bottle of coconut oil. That’s it. I’m simple!

What is your travel style? What would we typically see you wearing while out and about?

My travel style depends a lot on where I will be traveling. In Europe I will be more fashionista with a super stylish luggage… but for travels like in India, I’ll pack my backpack and a lot of comfy clothes for walking knowing that maybe I will not take a shower for the next three days.

Do you have any travel insight on staying healthy and sane while on the road?

Yes, drink a lot of water (coconut water if you have the chance) and eat a lot of fruits (choose organic food because in many many country they use a lot of pesticides).

If you could give some advice or tips for women going on their first trip abroad, what would you tell them?

It can be difficult, to be a woman in a country that you don’t know. It’s ok. Just take some days to adapt and then discover. Savor everything you can. If you don’t want to stay alone, there are so many travelers around the world, just ask if you can join their journey. Don’t be afraid. LIVE, LIVE, LIVE.

Where else can we find your travels online?

At the moment I have just my Instagram page @indie.marea where I post daily and my Facebook page Indie Marea.

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