United States content creator Nick Maddock’s video of his visit to Trinidad and Tobago, during the current state of emergency, is going viral for all the right reasons.
In it, Maddock—who has visited 118 countries—shows this country through his own lens rather than the negatives he has read.
“The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” Maddock said of the Instagram clip.
“I’ve received hundreds of messages and thousands of comments—99% of them incredibly kind. I’m not surprised, though: Trinidadians were warm and welcoming during my visit, and that generosity has continued online.”
Before travelling to Trinidad and Tobago, Maddock’s knowledge of this country was limited. And when he did a check of the US travel advisory, it strongly warned against travel here due to violent crime, gang activity and kidnapping risks.
“The Internet had me believing that Trinidad and Tobago was a war zone,” he said in an interview with the Express last week, just before he set off into the Suriname jungle.
“That gave me pause for a moment, but, honestly, I’ve seen similar warnings for places where I ended up having incredible experiences. I don’t take unnecessary risks, but I also don’t let fear dictate where I go. The best way to know a country is to experience it first-hand. Travel fills in the gaps between what we think we know and the reality on the ground,” he said.
For the week that he visited, Maddock, 32, spent most of his time exploring Port of Spain, but he also took a road trip to Maracas Bay.
“One of my favourite memories was climbing the radio tower just north of Port of Spain and taking in the breathtaking view of the entire island,” he recalled.
“That moment felt surreal—especially the juxtaposition of the beauty surrounding me and the thoughts of how the media has painted this country.”
Maddock’s journey began out of family obligation when his father died by suicide six years ago. One of his final wishes was to have his ashes spread across the world.
“Following his loss, I also continually asked myself if when I reach that same moment and I’m on my death bed, would I be happy with the life I’m living now? The answer was no, and I knew something had to change so that I’m smiling on the way out.
“I thought I’d be on this journey for a year or two, but I’ve fallen in love with the world, and I continue to do so more every day,” he said.
To sustain this new lifestyle of full-time travel, Maddock quit his job in finance, used his savings to keep him afloat for the first few years and now says that he is turning a corner and monetising his travels through sponsorships and affiliate marketing. He insists, though, that travelling cheap has afforded him the opportunity to travel to so many places for such a long time.
“I’m quite good at minimising the expenses of a trip through points and miles, staying with locals, and other means,” he said.
For his trip to T&T, Maddock connected with someone from a dating app who showed him around the country. Even though there were a few moments when he felt a bit cautious walking alone at night, he never felt unsafe or regret coming to this country.
“That’s something I’ve experienced in just about every major city in the world. Like anywhere else, being aware of your surroundings and making smart choices goes a long way. I’ve survived Afghanistan post-Taliban and Myanmar during a civil war, unscathed—I thought: I’ll be just fine in Trinidad,” he said.
Doubles a hit
When it came to local cuisine, Maddock didn’t hesitate to say that doubles were his favourite. However, he admitted that, at first glance, he wasn’t sure what to expect.
“They didn’t look great, but after trying one, I was hooked. I ended up eating doubles almost every morning. Absolutely delicious!” he said.
Maddock wants to return to T&T for Carnival to experience the festival that he’s heard about but never experienced: “Fingers crossed—my schedule is wide open during Carnival.”
What began as an adventure for the St Louis, Missouri, native has grown to something deeper—understanding cultures, breaking stereotypes, and connecting with people.
“Afghanistan was especially eye-opening—the kindness of the people was incredible, but it was heartbreaking to see the struggles women and girls are facing under the Taliban. It reminded me that politics and governments rarely reflect the true heart of a nation,” he said.
Even though his mother supports his world travels, Maddock said she still worries about him when he goes to high-risk countries.
“To be honest, sometimes I don’t tell her where I’m going until after I’ve safely returned. When I went to Afghanistan, I didn’t post or tell her anything until I was already back. It’s just easier that way. I’ve been a nomad for eight years. But I get back to Missouri to see my mom three to four times a year,” he added.
A dream come true
With more countries on his itinerary to visit in the coming months, Maddock said what he does is not for everyone.
“My life looks glamorous on social media, and for me, it is a dream come true. But most people need more balance and wouldn’t be happy travelling non-stop for years. In fact, they’d be miserable. For months I lived in a van without a toilet, and for years lived in one without a shower, using public spaces, lakes, and waterfalls.”
The road sometimes gets lonely for the solo traveller, who is a self-confessed extreme extrovert.
“It’s in the moments when I’m alone and there’s no one to distract me from my own thoughts, that I find the most clarity and have the biggest breakthroughs. My loneliest moments have shaped me into the person who I am today and I’m grateful for them.”
Maddock hopes to publish his memoir next year that will chronicle his travel journey. The first draft is already completed and the publishing process is long, but he can’t wait to share it with the world.
Even after visiting 118 countries, Maddock still has bucket-list destinations.
“Iran is at the top of my list. I think it’s one of the most misunderstood places in the world, and I’d love to experience its culture, history, and hospitality first-hand,” he said.
• You can follow Maddock’s journey on Instagram: @nickmaddockglobal
