ABOUT ME
I’m Keyta, welcome to my website!
I was born and raised in a tiny Cornish village by the seaside. Having parents from opposite sides of the world instilled a great love for travel and adventure in me. My mother hails from a far-flung tropical island in the Philippines and my father from chocolate-box town in Oxfordshire. In his younger days, many years before I was on the scene, my father boldly sold everything, bought a yacht and sailed around the world for several years. He spent much time in the Caribbean and completed Atlantic and Channel crossings numerous times.
Stories of his tropical adventures (which are like something straight out of a book) along with family holidays to the Philippines opened my mind at a young age. As soon as I could, I embarked on my own travel journey.
Over the years I’ve lived in eight different locations, backpacked solo as a uni student, volunteered as and English teacher in Thailand, road tripped around New Zealand, lived a fast-paced city life in Dubai and of course started this blog which has taken me across the world.
Thanks for tagging along for the ride, it’s great to have you!
For female and fashion-related content, head over to my YouTube channel.
ABOUT THIS WEBSITE
Originally named ‘The Wayfarer’, I launched this blog back in 2014 whilst at university. At the time, I couldn’t have imagined what would come as a result.
Through this blog I have had the privilege of collaborating with some of the biggest names in the travel and lifestyle industries, including KLM, Air France, Skype, Lebua Hotels and Resorts and many more. It has taken me around the world on press trips and paved the way for my career in digital marketing and writing.
Some of the main blogging highlights include producing exclusive behing the scenes coverage of KLM’s Social Media Hub at its headquarters at Schiphol Airport, covering and getting involved with the SAME Forum at the House of Commons and working with a number of tourism boards to produce content for this website.
For me, blogging and content creation will always remain a passion project. It always puts a massive smile on my face when someone lets me know that my content inspired them to try something new.
WORK WITH ME
There are many ways in which we can work together. I offer digital marketing services for premium brands through Worldex Media. I can also be comissioned for written peices, having been published on Manchester Evening News, Time Out Dubai, Time Out Abu Dhabi, Flight Centre UK, Round the World Experts, Destination2, Holiday Gems, Cornwall Living, Falmouth Packet and many more.
I have had the pleasure of interviewing Sting, Robbie Williams, Jack Dee and Jo Koy. As part of the Expert Traveller series I produced for this website, I interviewed the likes of Rajan Datar who reports for the BBC Travel Show and Lufthansa pilot and aviation influencer, Felix Gottwald.
I also offer sponsored and editorial coverage on KeytaHawkins.com.
Please email me directly for any of the above: keyta@worldexmedia.com.
READ ME ELSEWHERE
Watch my live interview with Sting at The Last Ship premiere – Manchester Evening News
Interview with Robbie Willams – Time Out Dubai
Interview with comedian, Jack Dee – Time Out Dubai
Interview with comedian, Jo Koy – Time Out Dubai
A bloggers guide to packing for Thailand – Flight Centre
Best places to go for afternoon tea in Dubai – Destination2
Best spots for an amazing view of Dubai – Flight Centre
What to do in the Maldives – Destination2
At the top of the Burj Khalifa – Destination2
Why you should move to Dubai
Thinking of shaking life up a bit? In need of a change? If so then making a move to Dubai in 2o22 is a good option. When it comes to living and working in Dubai, making the move relatively easy to set up. That's not to mention that as a destination, Dubai has much to...
Life lately #3
It feels great to be back in the UK in time for spring. I had attempted to plan my return to correspond with the arrival of the warmer weather. Although it was still pretty cold when I first got back, it finally seems as though the feeling of spring is well and truly...
Aura Skypool Dubai – The world’s highest infinity pool
One of my all-time favourite things to do in Dubai has got to be Aura Skypool. This sky-high hangout opened relatively recently and happens to be the world’s highest infinity pool, located at the top of the Palm Tower. As you would expect, the views are nothing short...
Northumberland National Park
We had been so lucky with the weather on our recent visit to Scotland that it was decided that we would extend the trip a bit longer and head over to Northumberland National Park. I find that it is very often the case that the best memories are...
Why Brits should consider moving to Dubai
Are you considering making a big life change in 2022? If moving to another country is an idea that you have been mulling then I say, why not? Why not make this the year that you simply go for it? Moving to Dubai was one of the best decisions I ever made, for a...
Edinburgh – UK
When it comes to my favourite UK cities, I am sure I am not alone in considering Edinburgh right up there at the top of the list. As a city, Edinburgh has all of the makings of a top-notch destination. It's sizable, has a rich history with picture-perfect historic...
My top 10 travel essentials
When it comes to travel essentials, there are number of go-to items in my arsenal that pretty much come with me on every trip without exception. If any of the items mentioned in the video are of particular interest to you, the full list is below! Happy travels!...
South Downs National Park
Since visiting the South Downs National Park for the first time, it has become one of my favourite destinations in the UK. I was lucky enough to have my brother (who lives in the area) to show me around and it did not take me long to absolutely fall in love with it....
Life lately #2
At the blink of an eye it's 'life lately' time of the month once again. I am back in Blighty in time for the spring - though it admittedly it is taking some time to adjust to the mild British spring weather and I have been spending a lot of time bundled up in knitwear...
Dubai life – 10 things I missed about the UK
Dubai is a fantastic place to live - be it for a few years or something longer term. From the ambitious international crowd of expats, a lively restaurant and nightlife scene to its expansive stretch of coastline where beach days aplenty can be enjoyed. It's safe to...
Chipping Campden – The Cotswolds
I have to admit that I only visited the Cotswolds for the first time relatively recently. It had always been on the list for me, especially as without exception, you always hear great things about it as a destination. Largely prompted by the pandemic like many others,...
Full tour of Dubai Mall
One of the main things that attracts people into Dubai from far and wide is its amazing shopping offerings, namely the Dubai Mall. As the largest mall in the world (it is literally like a whole town under one roof) you are spoiled for choice if a bit of retail therapy...
Road trip to Jebel Jais – the highest point in the UAE
There are few things in life that I enjoy more than a good road trip. The scenery, the stops en route, the building anticipation for the final destination...what's not to love? One of my good friends from Singapore happened to be visiting Dubai so we thought what...
Raffles The Palm Dubai
Since it opened late last year, Raffles The Palm Dubai has become one of my favourite destinations in Dubai. From the grand, palatial architecture to the choice beachside location and the welcoming and attentive staff, there is much that I love about...
My experience with sensory deprivation / flotation therapy
Despite its scary sounding name, sensory deprivation is something that I have been wanting to try for quite some time. Also known as flotation therapy, it involves floating in a pod to induce a deep and intense state of meditation. Sensory deprivation is said to have...
Life lately #1
Oh how time flies. Can anyone else hardly believe that we are already midway through March? I had initially pledged to myself that I would do a 'life lately' roundup each month this year but as I'm only now posting the first instalment, so you can draw your own...
London dining favourites
When it comes to drinking and dining in London, it’s safe to say that you are spoilt for choice. It’s a city that I have spent a lot of time in, yet have hardly scratched the surface when it comes to its culinary offerings. That said, I thought I’d share some of my...
10 Life lessons from a twenty-something
Another year older. Hopefully a bit wiser. Today is my birthday and I am finally at the stage of life where I stop divulging my exact age – at least not on the internet ;). Many moons ago, at the age of 25, I thought I was terribly old and put a lot of self-induced...
Life in Dubai
I can hardly believe that it was around a year ago that I took a one way ticket to Dubai to start a new life. In some ways it feels like just yesterday but in others, life before Dubai seems like an eternity ago. When I look back on the year, I almost need to pinch...
Northern Thailand
I've seen a fair bit of Thailand – the last time that I visited the country I spent three months exploring the south islands, Bangkok and the provinces surrounding it. However, I didn’t get a chance to explore the north of the country until my most recent visit. ...