Meet Amanda from My Backpacker Life
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Today I’m happy to share that I’m featuring Amanda from My Backpacker Life!
Hi! I’m Amanda and I’m originally from Sweden, but in 2018 I quit my job to travel the world full-time. I write about my adventures on My Backpacker Life, where I share my favourite destinations around the world and my best travel hacks that have helped me being able to travel for such a long time!
How long have you been blogging for? Why’d you decide to start a travel blog?
I started my blog in 2018 when I left Sweden with my backpack without a return ticket.
My plan? Go travelling for years, starting in Canada.
That was all I knew when I left home, so I started my travel blog to inspire anyone who dreams of doing the same thing even though they’re not rich or have won the lottery – it is possible in other ways!
Do you have any tips for new travel bloggers/Aspiring travel bloggers?
Write and share your stories because you think it’s fun. That’s why I started blogging, and that’s why I’m still doing it 2 years later!
What’s one thing you wish you knew before you started traveling?
Don’t worry too much before and during your trip – things almost always have a way of working out.
Travelling long-term isn’t always as joyful and glamorous as it often might look on Instagram, but the struggles are somewhat part of the experience as well.
Why do you love to travel?
I love exploring new places and getting to know new cultures. That’s why I prefer slow travel and often stay with locals, it’s a whole other experience than just staying for a few days in a city and visiting the tourist attractions!
Another reason why I love to travel is that there are so many different ways to do it in.
After having crossed Canada by train, I wanted something different – so I bought a car, did a minivan camper conversion, and lived in it. The possibilities are endless!
What’s your best and worst travel experience?
I’ve experienced a lot since I left home, but I must say seeing animals in the wild, without going on a tour or anything like that, has been such an amazing experience for me.
Seeing bears in Canada, koalas in Australia, and penguins in New Zealand, just to mention some of them, was amazing every time.
If I have to choose just one bad experience, it’ll probably be when there were cockroaches in the beds at a hostel in Sydney… Let’s not dig deeper into that!
Do you prefer solo travel or traveling with other people? Why?
I like to mix it up since it’s nice to have someone to share experiences with. However, if I had to choose, I’d say I prefer to travel solo – I love the freedom that comes with it.
What’s your favorite place you’ve ever been to? Why?
I’ve been to so many amazing places around the world, but New Zealand will always be like a second home to me. I’ve been there twice, and I’m sure I’ll return one day.
It has everything: Beautiful beaches, amazing hikes, cute animals, friendly people – and sometimes it even feels like you’re in a hobbit movie!
What’s your biggest travel tip?
I often get questions about how I can afford to travel for several years. One of my best money-saving tips is to book accommodation where you can cook your own meals.
If you reduce the times you eat out to just a few times a week instead of 2-3 meals every day, you will save a lot of money just by that simple trick!
Is there one specific thing you like to do, see, or buy in every place that you visit?
I love exploring hidden gems. It doesn’t matter what it is, it could be a secret waterfall, a peaceful hike, or a local restaurant. Just something away from the big crowds!
Is there one particular food that you’ve tried while traveling that you loved? What food was it and why do you love it so much?
Having poutine in Québec will always be a favourite food experience for me.
Fries, cheese curds, and gravy – you might not believe me, but it’s delicious!
Quick questions
Plane or train? Train
Hotel or hostel? Hostel
City or nature? Nature
Popular site or off the beaten path? Off the beaten path
Suitcase or backpack? Backpack
Fast travel or slow travel? Slow travel
Professional camera or phone photography? Phone
Warm or cold weather? Warm
Interested in following Amanda from My Backpacker Life elsewhere? Be sure to follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!
All photos used throughout this post are taken by Amanda from My Backpacker Life.
