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At Ker & Downey, we believe that people matter. It’s the people who make up this incredible company who work to make your journey truly memorable. Over the course of the next year, we’ll be introducing you to the people that make up Ker & Downey. You can also read more about us here.

Michelle was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, moved to the United States in 1994 and joined the Ker & Downey team in 2004. She served in the US Army Reserve as a Broadcaster and spent time in Iraq on Deployment where she met her husband, with whom she now shares two children. Michelle specializes in journeys to Africa and South America and with Ker & Downey, has sailed the Nile River, walked with elephants in South Africa and Botswana, been on safari in the Masai Mara, visited Petra at night, ridden camels in Dubai, hiked in Patagonia, sailed the Amazon River, and visited Machu Picchu.

michelle
Favorite place you’ve traveled: It’s so hard to narrow it down! Probably Torres del Paine in Patagonia Chile. It’s majestic, awe inspiring, and beautiful.

Favorite city and why: Jaipur, India. I loved the colors, historical architecture, Mughal influences, and palaces.

What is the best thing about traveling: Immersing myself in the culture, learning the language, talking to locals and tasting the food.

Travel accessory you can’t live without? Canon camera and Pashmina shawl

Favorite plane ride activity: First Class on Emirates – you can’t argue with a shower at 40,000 feet in the sky!

Top of my travel bucket list: Thailand and Bali

Two weeks + and unlimited budget, where are you going? New Zealand with my husband and kids – both North and South Island. Hiking, skiing, fishing, farming, eating, and drinking with some wonderful Maori culture thrown in.

Beach or mountains: Both – Cape Town

cape town
How do you take your coffee? Lots of creamer, preferably something chocolaty

If they could bottle your personality what would the label read? Fire and spice and sweet and nice.

My theme song is: At the moment Mickey Mouse Club – my toddler has taken over my iTunes!!

Any pets? 2 rescue dogs – Lief, a 9 year old chocolate lab, and Bella, an Australian Sheepdog-Staffordshire Bull Terrier-Chihuahua mix

If I were a super hero, I would be: Jean Grey from X-Men

Two things I can’t live without are: Chocolate and pickles

It’s Sunday morning at 10 a.m. If I’m not sleeping, I’m: Making brunch for my family

My favorite physical activity is: Yoga

One thing I love that everyone else dislikes is: Marmite

The first thing I do when I wake up is: Change my babies’ diaper

One thing people are surprised to find out about me is: I served in the US Army Reserves

The last concert I went to was: Pickin’ on the Porch at MB Roland distillery in Guthrie KY

My favorite TV show to watch as a kid was: My Little Pony

If I could instantly learn a new language, I would learn: Spanish

walkway in patagonia chile
Guilty TV pleasure: Witches of East End

On my nightstand: How Toddler’s Thrive by Tovah P. Klein, PhD, The No Cry Potty Training Solution by Elizabeth Pantley, and Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer

Life mantra: “Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming, Just keep swimming!” – Dori from Finding Nemo 

Favorite quote: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

Check back next week to learn more about another Ker & Downey team member! Stay up to date on all of Ker & Downey’s online content by “liking” our Facebook page.

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