79-year-old Luisa Yu is a resident of Miami who has fulfilled her lifelong dream of traveling the world. Having made it to 193 countries, her travels ended in Serbia this year. Born in the Philippines, she started her journey as an exchange student in St. Louis and then moved to Miami, where she has lived for over 50 years.
Her passion for travel began when she was in her early 20s, exploring the United States, visiting almost 45 states. She met countless people from different parts of the world, who affectionately referred to her as “Mama”, due to her age.
Throughout the years, friends she made while traveling suggested Serbia as the last country on her list, where they planned to throw a party for her and as she exited the airport, many were clapping and cheering for her.
When asked, Yu said that it’s difficult for her to choose a favorite country, she can say Italy, the Philippines, and Thailand are some of her favorites. She offered advice to potential travelers, saying, “Don’t be afraid, just go. Don’t wait for anybody, because if you wait, it will never happen.” In 2022, she won two awards for her travels, and as she approaches 80, she feels content and grateful for all she has achieved in life.