Hear stories from visiting Nubia, the slums of Nairobi, rural villages in Zambia & going volcano-boarding in Nicaragua. Darren Chew (“Chew”) joins Matt and starts off talking about his Jamaican and Chinese heritage and shares the story of how his parents met in Jamaica and immigrated to New York. He then talks about his experience growing up in New York with mixed cultural heritage, traveling back to Jamaica to visit family, and the pivotal role of basketball in his life. Chew explains how he started traveling the world to visit former basketball teammates in Europe and then reflects on his first impression of the continent of Africa. He tells travel stories from Kenya, Zambia, Senegal, Egypt, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and explains why Rio is his favorite city in the world. Chew reflects on visiting Nubia, gives a preview of his upcoming talk at Black Travel Summit in Brazil, and ends with a unexpected story of cultural immersion in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
362: Stories of Traveling Across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean as a Jamaican-Chinese New Yorker with Darren Chew
Episode Summary
Get The Maverick Show's
Monday Minute Newsletter
Get 3 recs from Matt for travel, culture & living beyond borders you can read in 60 seconds a week.
About the Guest

Darren Chew
Darren Chew (“Chew”) is the co-founder of ChewsToExplore, a platform dedicated to showing travelers how to see the world and save a dollar. He and his wife have traveled to over 60 countries by using points, miles, travel deals, and smart planning, and now teach others how to have unforgettable experiences without overspending. Their YouTube channel has nearly 100,000 subscribers and almost 10 million views. He’s partnered with brands ranging from Priceline to Wyndham Hotels to the tourism board of Puerto Rico.
What You'll Learn
- Life Lessons from spending time in Kenyan slums and rural Zambian villages
- Why not to take a 3rd class long-distance train in Egypt
- Why Rio is Chew’s favorite city in the World
Links From the Episode
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you click through any links and make a purchase, you should assume that Maverick will receive financial compensation (at no additional cost to you). We greatly appreciate you using our affiliate links because it helps to support the show and cover production costs of the podcast.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAVERICK SHOW’S MONDAY MINUTE EMAIL NEWSLETTER
CONTACT AND FOLLOW CHEW
FOLLOW THE MAVERICK SHOW AND DM MATT
OTHER MAVERICK SHOW PODCAST GUESTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- 46: Agnes Nyamwange
- 152: Martinique Lewis
- 248: Simone Vincenzi
- 249: Simone Vincenzi
- 289: Anita Moreau
- 295: Romie Robertson
LOCATIONS WHERE THE INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE
- Matt: Asheville, North Carolina
- Chew: Long Island, New York
OTHER PLACES IN AFRICA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
APP MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
AIRLINE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
NBA BASKETBALL TEAM CHEW PICKS TO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP
CARIBBEAN PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- St Elizabeth, Jamaica
CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
DNA TESTING COMPANIES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
EVENTS IN GHANA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN BRAZIL MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN EGYPT MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACE IN GUATEMALA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
PLACES IN KENYA MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
POPULAR AFRICAN SITES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
JAMAICAN RUM COMPANY MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
OTHER PLACES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Time Stamped Show Notes
**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.
[1:21] Introducing Chew
[2:34] Chew’s Parents Meeting in Jamaica and Immigrating to the US
[5:43] Growing up in NYC with Mixed Chinese and Jamaican Heritage
[7:11] Going Back to Jamaica as a Kid
[8:39] Chew’s Connection with his Chinese Heritage
[9:55] The Role of Basketball in Chew’s Life
[13:36] Traveling the World to Visit Former Basketball Teammates
[15:42] Stories from Kenya
[20:19] Stories from Zambia
[22:09] Stories from Senegal
[24:39] Stories from Egypt
[29:46] Reflections on Visiting Nubia
[32:41] Afrobeats and West African Dancehall Music
[37:08] Central America: Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador
[41:04] Black Travel Summit
[42:33] Why Rio de Janeiro is Chew’s Favorite City
[49:17] St. Vincent and the Grenadines