To Celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Caribbean Culture + Lifestyle is shining a spotlight on women fueled by a sense of adventure and wanderlust. In this interview, Miss Earth 2021 and Belizean traveler Destiny Wagner shares some of her top travel recommendations. From exploring the hidden gem that is Punta Gorda town to experiencing Belizean culture in its coastal villages, here’s what Destiny had to share with us.
Caribbean Culture + Lifestyle: From the Americas to Africa, you’re undoubtedly a well-traveled woman. What type of travel appeals to you the most? Solo-travel? Group Travel?Â
Destiny: I love traveling on a whole. So, whether I’m with a group or alone, I’m generally happy. I have noticed though, that when I’m alone a lot more people approach me, creating a more unique experience. However, in groups, I always feel safe and assured.
CCL: When you’re away traveling, whether for work or fun, is there anything about Belize in particular that you usually end up missing?
D: I always miss the people and food. I can never be away from home for too long. Everything is in close proximity, and I love the network I have. The diversity is incredible compared to many places and we take pride in the different ethnic groups.
CCL: In 2021, you achieved many spectacular and inspirational firsts, including being the first Belizean woman to win a major beauty pageant as well as the first black woman in 16 years to win the title of Miss Earth. Firstly, what did that moment feel like for you?
D: It was surreal, and it still is. I was originally unaware of the impact. It didn’t take me long to realize how significant this achievement was not just for Belize, but for young black women around the world. I was thrilled of course. However, just because you’re the first to achieve something doesn’t mean that it’s going to be all glorious as the first. You have to set the tone and essentially be the blueprint for the young women behind you which caused a great amount of stress for me. Nonetheless, I try to remain present and I’m forever grateful for the opportunities that came during and after.
CCL: Secondly, is there anywhere in Belize in particular that you would recommend to travelers who want to experience Afro-Belizean culture in the country?
D: When it comes to the Afro culture, I would recommend Seine Bight, as well as Hopkins. These are small villages that are mainly inhabited by the Garifuna people. The food, the people, and the vibes set these villages apart. All these villages are also within close proximity to other popular tourist destinations giving visitors the best of both worlds.
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- Photo by the Belize Tourism Board
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- Photo Credit: Belize Tourism Board
CCL: From influencer to author and entrepreneur and of course Miss Earth 2021, you wear many hats, but some might say that, more than anything else, you’re a PG girl at heart. Are there any hidden gems or lesser-known places and experiences in your hometown of Punta Gorda or the greater Toledo District that you would recommend to fellow travelers?
D: I love my hometown! It’s a tight-knit community so, everyone knows everyone! As an outsider, it can be a bit challenging visiting with that fear that you might not know anyone. Luckily, everyone is friendly and loves seeing new faces. It’s a small town so we can tell who a visitor is and generally, we are all curious and want to make sure they have a great time. Some local spots include Walucos and Seafood Infusion for lunch and dinner. After hours you have my favorite: Roots Rock Reggae, which is a local club! Aside from nightlife, you have the waterfalls in San Antonio and Rio Blanco. Amazing rivers, jungles, and even Caye’s off the coast. Punta Gorda offers so much to the traveler looking for an outdoor adventure.
The falls at Rio Blanco National Park, photo courtesy APAMO Belize
CCL: During the pandemic, you added “Founder of Seasoned Lingo Games” to your list of achievements. Tell us a bit about your game Weh Yuh di Seh and how it has been received by both locals and international visitors. What sparked the desire to create a Kriol-based game?
D: During Covid, many wanted to stay in the comfort of their own home. My family and I participated in a lot of game nights! That’s when I realized the disparity within the gaming industry. There was no game for Belizeans in our local dialect, Kriol. I started to write down all of the most popular Kriol phrases. Then, I logged into Facebook and wrote down a lot of the comments from the news section and suddenly, I had compiled a list of over 150 phrases.
I wasn’t quite sure what to do with them originally and out of nowhere the idea just struck me while I was riding the bus. It’s been so fun to create and to play with people and to give Belize more exposure when it comes to our culture and language.
CCL: Will we be seeing any expansion packs any time in the future?
D: Most definitely. We have a lot of languages here in Belize and other parts of the world that often go unrecognized or are on the verge of going extinct. That’s where Seasoned Lingo Games come in: to keep these languages alive and celebrate the diversity within those countries.
CCL: What’s next on your travel bucket list?
D: Great question! Most of my travels have been spontaneous. I hardly ever plan anything. I’ll get an invitation, or I’ll be invited to speak somewhere, and depending on what’s near those places, that’s when I will decide where I’m going. I’m very blessed to have friends across the globe and to have a platform that allows me to travel and represent Belize as well as myself and my businesses. I’m sure I’ll be taking some trips this year but as always, I’m being thankful for where I am at this exact moment. Right now, that’s the most important.
