I am Dwaine Looby from a tiny Island in the Caribbean called Antigua a part of the Nation of Antigua and Barbuda. I am happy to be a Local guide Level 10, starting this great Journey since July of 2017. My country is not as completely mapped as others so most of the places I wanted to add as locations to my Google Photos online album (I am an avid photographer and IT Guy) were not mapped. I looked on Google Maps for the places (starting with my Local Church) and I noticed also that many “non-tourist” POI’s were not mapped as well. I estimated that at the rate of addition of these Sites it may take an inordinately long time for them to appear on Google Maps. That led me to the Idea of adding them myself…. This is My Most Viewed Photo
My Love for travelling and photography has been the main attractive features of Google Maps for me. Prior to being a Local Guide I was travelling regionally for Work (IT at the Government Tax Office). I love to say that I consume travelling by taking lots (even excessive to some) of photos in order to “re-visit” the places that I traveled to. Sharing Photo/Albums on Picasa Web Album (I loved the free part of it) was a natural progression because of the share (pun intended) volume of photos. Picasa weaned me on to Google Photos, when they were ceasing operations and I now wanted to add the locations of some of the photos and this information was not available so enter Google Maps followed by the life Changing Local Guide Program……
The Local Guide program has meant a Lot to me since it gave me an outlet to share my pictures, helped me to be a better photographer and I dare say a better writer. Through this program I am able to help others find places that were not even mapped by adding them and also providing useful edits to POI. Grouping various Points of Interest (POI) into lists and writing informative and helpful reviews also helps to promote my Country.
My personal goals were shaped by the whole “Gamification” in the LG program since I wanted that next level whilst trying to get that new badge. I wanted the Master Photographer badge badly so I met the requirements and the same goes for the other badges. I am now aiming for the Master Director badge and focusing more on Videos. ?