About Chasing Jay
Hey,
I’m Jay.
Thoughtful travel, beautiful places, and building a life that feels fully lived, one journey at a time.
Trim, Ireland
Athens, Greece ♡
Seward, AK
My Story
I created Chasing Jay as a space for travel, reflection, curiosity, and the kind of experiences that make life feel bigger than your daily routine.
This isn’t just a travel blog about checking destinations off a list. It’s about the feeling of standing somewhere new and realizing you’re growing too.
You’ll find all sorts of things here—guides to help you plan your trip, ideas for what to do when you get there, and tips to make your travels easier. I also like to share my thoughts on life and how to balance work and play. Sometimes I travel with my kids, sometimes I go alone, and sometimes I just need to get away from it all and remember who I am outside of work, schedules, and responsibilities.
Why I Travel
“The best trips have a way of changing your perspective and staying with you long after you’ve returned home.”
I’m a lifelong learner, and travel opens the door to knowledge that can’t be found in books or documentaries. I’m drawn to places with personality—cities you can wander for hours, beautiful architecture, quiet cafés, dramatic landscapes, and destinations that feel lived in instead of manufactured for tourists. I love meaningful travel experiences that leave room for spontaneity, conversation, and perspective. And when I return home, I bring back lessons and viewpoints that others may never learn without my stories.
around the world →
Phuket, Thailand
Galápagos Islands
Scotland
Nairobi, Kenya
New Zealand
Favorite Places
North America
Seward, Alaska
Nature at its best, and the bacon fried rice is unforgettable.
Central America
Costa Rica
Jungles, beaches, and the pure life. Feels like home away from home.
South America
Galápagos Islands
Once in a lifetime experience, even with the food poisoning.
Europe
Scotland
Dramatic landscapes, castles, and a magical feeling that stays with you.
Asia
Singapore
A forward-thinking, efficient society with history and diverse communities.
Africa
Nairobi
A city where I felt like I belonged.
Oceania
South Island, NZ
Dramatic landscapes, gorgeous lakes, and waterfalls that leave you speechless.
Caribbean
La Romana, DR
Beautiful, unhurried beaches with a local feel and fewer crowds.
Get to Know Me
the things that matter (and don’t)
“Travel isn’t just about the places you go. It’s also about how it affects you as a person.”
— Jay, Chasing Jay
From the Archive
Explore All Posts →
Destinations
Phuket Thailand Travel Guide for Solo Female Travelers
Phuket was the last stop on a trip that had already taken me through Bangkok, Singapore, and Cambodia.
Reflections
From the Reflections Archive
Short meditations on faith, healing, and what it means to keep going — offered openly in case they help.
Journal
From the Journal
The thoughts I couldn’t keep to myself anymore. Personal reflections written somewhere between heartbreak, healing, and hope.