Fernanda Prats is a fashion stylist who has worked for many international publications in her native Brazil. She has taken a year off and is travelling the world as a Digital Nomad writing about her various experiences. Due to her penchant for coffee she even took a Barista course but after arriving in Sri Lanka she has become addicted to Ceylon tea! Her hobby is photography and she likes authentic experiences. 

Why do you love to travel? 

To experience the lifestyle in other countries. 

Your favourite travel destination and why? 

Sri Lanka. My favorite destination is usually where I’m visiting at the moment. If the place doesn’t deserve my preference, I just move. 

What do you need for a perfect holiday? 

If I can start the day with a good breakfast and have a good night's sleep, I always find my way to make the best of a holiday. 

In which country have you felt most at home? 

On this journey, I’ve been to 10 different countries in 10 months and I noticed how things flow easier with enough time to adapt. If I could mention only one country, I would say Slovenia because I quickly connected to Ljubljana’s lifestyle. 

Most unusual souvenir you have brought home? 

A pink plastic nose, modern Scandinavian design, to place my glasses at the workspace. 

Worst holiday or travel experience? 

An incident with the taxi mafia in Halong Bay, Vietnam. They not only harassed the tourists and tried to rip us off, but also threatened the bus drivers so only locals had access to public transportation. As we decided to walk 20 minutes and take a van far from their spot, they followed the driver and made him stop to leave us in the middle of nowhere – so we would need to go with them. This situation almost turned into as a fight. I felt so vulnerable that I called the Tourist Police but it was impossible to communicate in English. Anyway, we refused to enter their cars and ended up walking to our hotels. 

Best piece of travel advice? 

Kindness and respect are welcomed everywhere. 

Your top 5 travel destinations? 

Kyoto (Japan) in the cherry blossom season, Huacachina (Peru), Europe by train, a road trip in Slovenia and Natal (Brazil). 

What has travel taught you? 

Detachment. 

Which country did you taste the best ever cuisine? 

Italy. 

Next travel destination? 

I’m still figuring out the next step of my journey. Any recommendation? 

By Tina Edward Gunawardhana