Ernestas Povilenas – Copenhagen
One of our star Lokafyers in the city of Copenhagen, Povilenas moved from London to Copenhagen to study architecture. It’s now been six years since and he says, “I feel like I know the city in and out in such a short time.” Povilenas has been a Lokafyer for a year and a half and says, “It’s like renting a friend to show you around.” He has organized both regular tours and personal tours. A freelance architecture by profession, Povilenas is a marathon runner, a swimmer, art enthusiast and loves kayaking. He hopes that someday he can organize running tours for travelers. He says, “I travel to meet new people and get out of my comfort zone. When you travel you learn something new about yourself and other cultures.” To be able to share this knowledge with people is one of the reasons he became a Lokafyer. Next, on Povilenas’ top travel destinations are Namibia, Siberia, and Paris. His advice to travelers traveling to Copenhagen, “Travel to relax, learn about the city and explore its charming culture. This city is an embodiment of coziness and calmness, which is all you need to relax and chill.”
Marta Santamaria – Copenhagen
Another great Lokafyer in Copenhagen, Martha Santamaria has been in the city for five years. She moved from Madrid for her husband and worked as a teacher. For Marta, Copenhagen is the perfect blend of harmony, tradition, and modernity. “It is a small, safe, cozy city that has managed to blend the old and the new, all the while working on its sustainability,” she says. A people’s person by nature, Martha has been working with Lokafy for over a year now and says, “I love working with people and learning about new cultures and languages. Everything new fascinates me.” In her spare time, Martha loves to read, watch movies, travel and do body flow – a combination of Pilates, Yoga, and Tai chi. When asked where she would like to travel to next, she laughs and says, “I think right now I would want to split myself in half and travel to Holland and Spain at the same time, to visit my son and my family. Her one advice for travelers heading to Copenhagen, “If you’re living in a hotel in the city center, explore the city by foot. It’s the best way to get around after the city’s love for cycling and the famous canal tours.”
Luis Duarte – Cape Town
One of our best Lokafyers in Cape Town, Luis Duarte moved from Costa Rica to Cape Town to expand his horizons. Working as a Spanish Teacher by profession, Duarte has been working with the tourism industry for the past 10 years. “I came to Cape Town because I felt like a shark in a small aquarium back home, I wanted to learn more and grow,” he says. Apart from working with Lokafy, Duarte is also a certified mountain guide, divemaster and Kayak guide. A nature lover and a people person, Duarte loves to share his knowledge with others and enjoys learning about new cultures. Being a Lokafyer he can do what he loves and get paid for it. “I get to work on my hobbies and my passions as my full-time job, I am doing what I love.” He loves meeting new people and interacting with different cultures. “Travel for me is a representation of an opportunity to accomplish more and overcome your limits,” says Duarte. Next on his travel list is the Lofoten Island in Norway to learn the language of the city. Duarte’s advice to anyone traveling to Cape Town is to not trust the online weather forecast. “We can have all four seasons in one day, the weather is very unpredictable,” he says. “Cape Town is a beautiful city, but when you’re there always be aware of your surroundings as well.”
Dieter Heiser – Cape Town
Originally from Oranjemund Namibia, Dieter moved to Cape Town in 1984 for better employment opportunities. “For me, Cape Town is a compilation of places, vibes, views, and scents that altogether make me love the city so very much,” he says. Apart from tour guiding, Dieter enjoys exploring the city in his spare time and hiking. He has been working as a professional mountain guide for over 30 years. He also loves photography, enjoys wine tasting, and learning about new food culture and cooking. Dieter has been a Lokafyer for over a year and this allows him to combine his passion for travel and adventure with work. “I am passionate about my city and my work and Lokafy gives me a chance to share my love for this city with other people,” he says. For Dieter travel opens the door of opportunity to explore and experience a new culture, meet different people and embark on a new adventure. Next, on his list, Dieter would love to explore Namibia when he gets the chance to. Dieter’s one advice to travelers traveling to Cape own is, “Use a local guide for an orientation of the city - Saves you time and get to visit places you would not think of on your own.”
Eshan Arif – Hong Kong
One of our star Lokafyers in Hong Kong, for Eshan, the city is more than just home. Having lived here for over 17 years, his family moved to Hong Kong from India when he was four years old. With a vibe that is more international than any other Asian country, the city has something to offer for everybody. “Being around an atmosphere where you can meet someone from a country you’ve never been to is amazing, Hong Kong always surprises you,” says Eshan. An entrepreneurial investor by profession, Eshan works as a consultant or beverage companies in Hong Kong. He also runs an Air B&B experience that primarily hosts drinking tours. Learning about different types of alcohol is one of his passions and he is currently learning all there is know about Whisky. Eventually, he plans on distilling his own gin. Travel for Eshan means going to new cities, experiencing the local food culture and local bar vibes, and taking in the architecture of the city. “Travel is the freedom to experience things you’ve never before experienced. The exposure and experience give you a different perspective when you come back home,” he says. Next on Eshan’s travel bucket list is a trip to Canada. If there’s one thing that brings the people of Hong Kong together, it’s the food and drinking culture. The people love to show their hospitality by excessively feeding their guests as a sign of welcome or symbol of love to show that they care. “It’s an Asian thing to do,” says Eshan. “Never leave your chopsticks in your bowl after eating, lay it flat beside on the table, it isn’t manners to do so,” he advised.
Carly Hong Kong – Hong Kong
Born and raised in Hong Kong, Carly has been working with Lokafy from the beginning of this year and has already proven to be one of our best Lokafyers! Apart from Lokafy, Carly works with American Express and is also a part-time English Grammar teacher for kids. Carly has also lived in the UK for five years while she completed high school and university there. Hong Kong for Carly is more than just home. “It is more than just a city, it is a kind of life that cannot be exported to or found in any part of the world,” says Carly. Describing herself as a friendly, outgoing and enthusiastic person, Carly loves to host people whenever she has the chance to do so. She also enjoys exploring different entertainment events in the city including music concerts, talk shows, comedy shows, etc. When she has some time to spare, she enjoys a game of tennis with her friends. Travel for Carly means experiencing another person’s life in that place. “It’s all about the experience and the new learning when you’re in someone else’s city,” she says. New York City is the next destination on Carly’s bucket list. Her one advice to anyone traveling to Hong Kong, “As soon as you land at the airport get yourself an octopus card.” This is like a debit card that can be topped up and is used in all public transport systems, restaurants, and shopping centers.
Patricia Boggio - London
One of our super talented Lokafyers in the city. Patricia has been a part of the Lokafy family since 2018. After living in London for over nine years, for Patricia, London is a sea of experiences. “There are just too many options to chose from and you can never get tired,” she says. Before moving to London, Patricia lived in Brazil and Edinburgh and moved to London for two years initially to improve her English and find a job. Somewhere during this journey, she fell in love, met her husband and stayed back in the city for him. Patricia has been working with the tourism industry for quite some time now. She works with different travel agencies on a contract basis as it is more flexible, and she has time for herself as well. She organizes tours in Spanish and Italian and organizes museum and gallery tours of London. “I try to be a friend for the travelers and show them what they want,” says Patricia. Her ideal way of relaxing is to read, visit exhibitions, explore art galleries, do yoga and pet sitting. Describing herself as a happy and outgoing personality, Patricia says that she is an extremely flexible soul who is always patient and understanding of the other person and does not hesitate to try new things and explore different kinds of work. As a regular traveler, Patricia says, “The best thing to do is to travel because there is so much to learn and explore - I would rather spend on travel than on anything else.” For Patricia, travel opens the mind to new people, cultures and so much more. “It means everything to me,” she says. Next on her travel wish list is to explore the continent of Asia, specifically, Malaysia and Thailand. She would also like to visit Africa at some point. Her one advice to people visiting the home of Big Ben is to buy a travel card which is valid for a day at a mere cost of 12 pounds. This allows the traveler to take the bus or underground transit for as many times as you want in 24 hours. “It makes the commute easier and connects you across the city using public transport,” says Patricia.
Dorothea Ebner-Muller – London
Having moved from Austria to London, Dorothea is one of our strongest Lokafyers in London. She has been living in the city for around three and a half years now and loves how London is such a diverse city in terms of the people, way of living, culture and even the atmosphere. “I love the open-mindedness of the people and having people of all age groups everywhere. This shows tolerance and I think this is what unites the city,” says Dorothea. A teacher by profession for little children, Dorothea has been in the tour guiding biz for a few years now. Apart from this, she spends her spare time exploring trails, hiking, walking, reading, watching art, and experimenting with handcraft. Describing herself as someone who is dynamic, energetic and open-minded, and interested in people, she says, “I can have my focus set on a destination while walking, but if I see something that I really like, I can easily be distracted.” Travel for Dorothea is like medicine for the heart and treatment for the soul. “Learning and exploring about new cultures is a good feeling for my heart,” she says. When asked where she would travel to next, she laughs and says, “Somewhere where the temperature is more stable and warmer please!” Dorothea says to anyone visiting London, “Spend enough time in the city when you are here – it is a vast city and every time you visit whether it is once, twice or thrice, you will always have a different feeling.”
Enjoyed this article?
