Last month, I had the opportunity to shoot my first travel hosting bid! Yes, I had my very own cameraman and even a director. The following Puerto Rico travel video was made for a competition that will hopefully send me around the world for 6 months btw, taking you to the most exciting places on my biggest, baddest travel bucket list! 😀
Puerto Rico: The Land of a Thousand Blessings
Liked it? Then VOTE FOR ME here! All you have to do is go to that page, then click on the social media icons beside my Puerto Rico travel video there. Share that entry page on Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Google+ and even Pinterest!
The Making of: more work than you think!
Remember that old MTV series “Making the Video”? I loved going behind the scenes of my favorite music videos, learning about special effects, how storylines are written, and how hard the artists actually work for what comes to be a mere 3-5 min. video clip.
That being said: how long you think it took us to shoot the previous 3-minute Puerto Rico travel video? C’mon, take a wild guess!

Luquillo Beach, Puerto Rico by Ard Hesselink
More than 20 hours!
We worked for 14 continuous hours the first day of shooting, visiting over a dozen locations (scattered throughout the island!), taking video clips, stills, and different commentary. Then, on the second day, we worked a couple more hours to capture a glimpse of the nightlife.
But of course, with only 3 mins. to work with, a lot of good material had to be sacrificed…which makes me sad! All in all though, a great learning experience.
While filming was hard work, I had a blast. I honestly wouldn’t mind working more than 14 continuous hours on a single day, all while travel hosting! It didn’t feel like work. It felt like a great adventure, road tripping all over Puerto Rico 😀
You’re so alive, and so natural doing what you do, I wish you the best. God bless you!
Hi Maria,
This is superb post, I really like & enjoy your this post. Do you know I never been in puerto rico but after reading you this post, I really wish to be there, Infact I am plaing to make a trip of puerto rico 🙂
Great video Maria! You should keep cranking those out. I say you just pick up and start traveling around the world. Worry about the money later! (I know that’s easy for me to say, it’s not me picking up and starting from scratch).
Good luck!
thank you! Unfortunately, due to lingering debt, I am unable to set off indefinitely (for the time being). This is why I’m focusing/working so hard on getting rid of it! After that, the sky’s the limit 😉
As of travel videos, I plan on going out and exploring more of my beautiful Puerto Rico starting this month! Not sure whether my friend will have the time for beautiful editing, but you guys will definitely see my face and other beautiful corners of my island for sure 😉
Me gusto mucho tu video, súper te falto San Juan que lo estan poniendo bien bonito, pero en fin, te ves muy natural y muy bonita. Exito y que ganes…
graciasss 😀
Good luck! I hope you win. We stayed by Luquillo Beach when we visited PR. Your shoot there and and at the kioskas bring back fond memories. We loved El Yunque, too. I can’t wait to see what you’ll show us around the world when you win (which you should).
Thank you!
And yay Luquillo! Can’t wait to go back myself next month 😀 so happy to see that you went there! Not that many tourists go (yet!).
Well done Maria!
You are so radiant & beautiful and funny too.
I agree with Andi, you are made for tv mami!
You have convinced me of visiting Puerto Rico and hope to go soon.
Boriiiiiiiiiiiiiiicua
Best of luck with the contest!
Un *abrazote*
Karlita xoxo
Thank you so much honey! *Hugs*
YOU WERE MADE FOR TV!!!!!
Well thank you! 😀 I hope I get my own travel show soon 😉
Those two beautiful pictures are a wonderful preview to your video. You did a great job on your video, Maria! Totally made me wish I was going back to PR and brought back some special El Yunque memories. Just voted – good luck with the contest!
gracias 🙂 you should definitely come back! We miss you 😉
Hi Maria, that’s a cool video. You’re very natural in front of the camera. Good luck with your bid and I hope you win.
thank you Marisol! This is my life dream 😀
seems like a very nice job. I would not midn doing that for a living. Good luck to you.
it definitely is! It’s what I hope to do for the rest of my life, so fingers crossed 🙂
Beautiful photos 🙂
I’m so entranced by the pelican, that I just had to congratulate you on that shot before I’ve even looked at the video!
thank you Vera! But I actually found that shot on Flickr Commons 😉
It’s great that video, and you are very fresh and natural in front of the cameras. I was a TV producer before kids and giving you a big thumbs up.
wow Sydney, that is such the compliment! Thank you so much, I’m blushing..
Maria your video is excellent and my sister and I truly enjoyed it! Your energy is so palpable and contagious. And all that hair – love it! Good luck with the contest.
I saw your vote on twitter Antoinette, thank you so much! I’m glad you guys enjoyed the video 🙂
That Pelican Shot is superb. I bet the making of the video was fun! Good Luck.
It certainly was. And isn’t that pelican shot amazing?! I found it on Flickr Commons and had to share it over here!
You’re such a natural in front of the camera! Whether you win BBB or not, you should definitely do more travel videos! 🙂
Thank you, Tawny! Did you vote? I would greatly appreciate if you guys helped me out! Would mean the world to me 🙂
Me encanta el video, chica!! ya voté.. mucho éxito!!
y roca taina= el mejor chinchorro de luquillo! me encantan los piononos de alli!! que bonito mi pais adoptado 🙂
awwwwww gracias! 😀
y…piononos…mmmmmmmmmm..