Adventures of Sassy Funke: The Nigerian Travel Vlogger!

Are you looking for a serious dose of wanderlust and travel inspiration? Excellent! Welcome back to The Traveler’s Chair! This month’s edition features Nigerian Travel Vlogger, Sassy Funke! 😀

With over 35 countries under her belt, she’s making the world her oyster- one destination at a time…

 

I met Funke about 2 months ago, when she reached out to me on Instagram. She was planning a trip to Kenya, and looking to meet Travel content curators like herself…

I felt genuinely blown away by her courageous spirit and was enthusiastic to connect! 🙂

Our meeting turned into an adventure of discovering beautiful spots like Geco Café in Lavington, and shopping at the Maasai Market!  We’ve since become friends, and I’m thrilled to share her story with you! 😀

 

Life shrinks or expands in proportion with one’s courage ~ Anaïs Nin

 

 

Meet Sassy Funke: The Nigerian Travel Vlogger

 

What wouldn’t we easily guess about Sassy Funke?

I am actually very shy and it takes a lot to psych myself to Vlog in public, especially in Africa and during flights!

 

What made you start Vlogging?

I started my Travel Blog while attending Business School in France… At that time, I realized that my stories could change the misconceptions about my home country Nigeria, & Africa in general.

This desire also drove me to launch my Travel Vlog on YouTube, in 2017.

 

 

What’s your typical day as a Nigerian Vlogger?

Vlogging is actually not my full-time job… I run an Immigration Consulting Agency for people looking to study or work in Canada and other western countries.

I’m also a Media Entrepreneur and recently produced a season of my first reality TV show “Looking for Love Naija.”

 

Whoa! And how do you balance everything?

It can be a tough balancing act, but having clear strategies and goals for all my businesses makes it easier…

I try to travel and create content during my free time, then I edit videos during weekends.

Tip> Invest your energy only on what matters.

 

 

What challenges do you face with Vlogging in Nigeria?

Filming in public places is tough! Nigerians dislike being featured in videos… So they tend to give awkward stares which makes it tricky to be original and authentic.

Our slow internet speeds can also be a pain! One time, it took me 7 hours to upload a 300MB video!

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWc5UOKls8k

 

What’s your experience with Immigration…?

I’ve had some very challenging experiences with Immigration…

For instance, one time I nearly got deported while returning to the UK on my Student visa, after a holiday. The visa was expiring in a few months, and my employer at the time had sent in my work permit application but I hadn’t received it…

I spent over 12 hours ‘detained’ at Gatwick Airport. Thankfully, my employer helped to get it sorted out. 🙂

Then, after working and living in the UK for 5 years, I acquired a British passport… Now traveling life is much smoother (Lol) as I encounter less hassles by Immigration. 🙂

 

Any Immigration Tips you can share?

>Never lie about ANYTHING! (Sometimes I feel like they’re looking for any reason to deny you entry into their country- so don’t lie.)

>Just answer the questions asked and don’t share any more than is necessary.

>Lastly, remain composed and humble.

 

What’s the longest you’ve ever saved for a trip?

Honestly, I haven’t had to save for a trip in recent years… I formed the habit of saving as early as when I was 20; even when I didn’t have specific plans for the money…

This habit has allowed me to travel whenever I want to. 🙂

 

Growing up my father called me “Ajala” (aka serial traveler) because of my curiosity to explore new places and dive into new experiences. ~ Funke Ogunkoya

 

 

 

Have you ever had to give up something to raise money for a trip?

When I was 17, I wanted to go on a school Netball trip in Spain. My father refused to pay so I had to improvise.

I asked my classmates if they’d help sponsor my trip if I kept quiet for 2 days. Most of them thought it’d be impossible since I always had an opinion! They pledged various amounts to see if I could pull it off.

I went without speaking for 2 days straight in Boarding school! And I raised the entire 300 pounds that I needed!

 

Share One Of Your Best and Worst Travel Experiences…

I have so many good ones! 😀 Last year, when I traveled to Croatia, my friends and I went to a restaurant that a taxi driver had recommended. But we found it closed down for a private party.

We pleaded with them till they let us dine in a private area… Their hospitality was so amazing that we stayed there chatting with the waiters and eating for 6 hours! Way past their closing hours…

I haven’t experienced such hospitality in a long time! Croatians are lovely people. 🙂

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BX1FtbLlsb-/

 

Of The worst…

I was once in a scary high speed chase in Mexico… We were on our way back to Guadalajara from Puerto Vallarta when it happened. I don’t know why they chased us, but later on we learned that there was an increase in kidnappings in the area…

 

Travel Tip> Talk to locals about the security of an area and find out if there’s anything you need to watch out for…

 

What 5 places are top on your bucket-list?

• Bora Bora
• China
• Bali
• Egypt
• Thailand

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bli4FATF7CN

 

What were some of the highlights of your trip to Kenya; both the good and bad…

I enjoyed my trip to the Giraffe Center, and the Elephant Orphanage was amazing!

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlyLvp2guR3

 

I also met Marion Mithamo & Farhana Oberson (Vlogger) who are both such lovely people. 🙂 And yes, my time in Diani beach was UNREAL!!!!

 

As far as the ‘Bad’ goes, I once waited for over an hour for Uber, when about 10 Ubers cancelled on me! 🙁

Apparently, Uber drivers prefer cash transactions to credit card, as I later learned…

Travel Tip> Find out about & download alternative Local Taxi apps when you arrive at your destination…

 

What are some of your Go-to Travel Tips/ Hacks…

• Always carry your adapter and cable in your hand luggage.
• Ask nicely for flight upgrades and you will be surprised…
• Always subscribe for Airline loyalty cards. They’re free and a great way to gather points to redeem later on flights and hotels!
• Always get a local sim card on arrival (getting stranded is not worth it!)

 

Do you plan to Vlog for life?

Gosh I really don’t know what life holds so I can’t quite say…

I am trying to make an impact that goes beyond ‘online’, so as long as Vlogging supports that mission, I don’t see why not. 🙂

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BjCa_HUA7Kz/

 

 

Any last words for people who want to follow their dreams?

Focus on what you are truly passionate about & have a clear direction from the onset…

Be authentic and Start TODAY!

 

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A huge thank you to Sassy Funke for sharing her life and travels with us. I hope you feel inspired to give your dreams a chance and to start wherever you are! 🙂

Thank you for reading my friends! Do you have any questions, comments or feedback for Sassy Funke or Scrapbook Journeys? Feel free to leave a comment down below! I love engaging with you! 😀

 

BONUS>>Watch Sassy Funke’s Maasai Market Travel Vlog HERE

P.S. You might also like this post>> ‘Scaling Mount Everest: Adventures of the Hikemaniak

 

 

<<Stay Inspired Always>>