On February 29, 2012, I canceled all my job interviews and bought a one-way ticket to Thailand instead. On April 23 I turned 26, moved out of my San Francisco apartment, and flew to Bangkok with some savings, no itinerary, and no plan. This blog follows what I’ve been doing since then. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push([‘_setAccount’, ‘UA-31567886-1’]); _gaq.push([‘_trackPageview’]); (function() { var ga = document.createElement(‘script’); ga.type = ‘text/javascript’; ga.async = true; ga.src = (‘https:’ == document.location.protocol ? ‘https://ssl’ : ‘http://www’) + ‘.google-analytics.com/ga.js’; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Tumblr (3.0; @lauriewashere)http://lauriewashere.com/<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0U-gOMBeTCY?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>I spent 5 weeks exploring New Zealand’s South Island, during which I drove 3400 incredibly scenic kilometres.  Here are a few of them.</p> <p>The drives in New Zealand are some of the best in the world.  I’m going to come back some day and do it on a motorcycle.</p> <p>Music: Raphael Saadiq</p>http://lauriewashere.com/post/50177339699http://lauriewashere.com/post/50177339699Sat, 11 May 2013 10:01:15 -0700videoraphael saadiqdrivingcarsnew zealandsouth islandqueenstownroad tripcarsubarucampingbackpackingtraveltravellingmusiclandscapesmt cookDisclaimer: this is a little-known beach in a highly-touristed country.  I apologize in advance for...http://lauriewashere.com/post/49930397020http://lauriewashere.com/post/49930397020Wed, 08 May 2013 05:51:00 -0700whararikiwharariki beachnew zealandsealsdesolateparadisebeachestravelbackpackingkiwiadventuretravelervacationedge of the worldsunsetbeautifulbirdskiwisarches<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/94a3eec5e562a606a83cd159d0d138d8/tumblr_mmdq7hxa3X1r8cjvko1_r1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Mount Doom from the <em>Lord of the Rings</em> movies.  In real life this active volcano is known by the significantly less catchy name of Mount Ngauruhoe.  </p> <p>This is the view of it from the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the best single day hike in New Zealand and one of the best in the world.</p>http://lauriewashere.com/post/49773383415http://lauriewashere.com/post/49773383415Mon, 06 May 2013 06:45:00 -0700new zealandtraveltravellinghikingmt doomlord of the ringslotrtongarirobackpackingalpinepanoramicviewlandscapemountainvolcanoI fell in love with Melbourne in 2008, pretty much from the day I set foot there, when I started a...http://lauriewashere.com/post/49206783169http://lauriewashere.com/post/49206783169Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:56:00 -0700sydneymelbourneaustraliatraveltravelingbackpackingbackpackerozkangarooscitiesuniversity of melbourneartstreet artnewzealandhipstersanfranciscoHappy birthday to me! I just turned 27, which means I’ve been traveling for a year now.  I left...http://lauriewashere.com/post/48608933506http://lauriewashere.com/post/48608933506Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:50:20 -0700travelnew zealandbirthdayswineemobackpackingbathroomspinot grisselfietravelingdrunkfabulousfriendsold ladysan franciscopartyMy time in New Zealand has been characterized by a lack of preparation, research, and planning....http://lauriewashere.com/post/48547808556http://lauriewashere.com/post/48547808556Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:33:00 -0700foxglaciernew zealandwest coasthikingtravelclimbingicerock climbingcampingadventurebackpackingtravelingdiamondsfranz josef<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/bd5f34726bc01609805abd6829dbca4b/tumblr_mlaj90koRj1r8cjvko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>View from the luge above Queenstown, New Zealand, aka “the adventure capital of the world.”</p>http://lauriewashere.com/post/48031563925http://lauriewashere.com/post/48031563925Mon, 15 Apr 2013 02:48:00 -0700queenstownotagonewzealandadventuretravelviewstravelingbackpackingkiwinzvacationselfielookoutluge<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/7bd1bda5d3ae97d35cbd3ada992cde26/tumblr_ml56jqZDe01r8cjvko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>This morning at Milford Sound, New Zealand.</p> <p>I arrived yesterday and it was storming hard, but I trusted the weather forecast and booked a cruise for the next day anyway.  It turned out to be a pretty good call -  this is one of the wettest regions in the world, and you couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather.</p>http://lauriewashere.com/post/47776491613http://lauriewashere.com/post/47776491613Fri, 12 Apr 2013 05:26:00 -0700milford soundboatingcruisetraveltravelingbackpackingphotographylandscapemountainspeaksnew zealandfiordlandreflectionsbackpackersvacationperfect<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/ecf4d7a279a7024101f6b314514eb7d4/tumblr_mkvjthP4nK1r8cjvko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Hooker Valley trek in the Mt. Cook National Park, New Zealand.</p>http://lauriewashere.com/post/47349579046http://lauriewashere.com/post/47349579046Sun, 07 Apr 2013 00:36:53 -0700hikingtraveltravelingnew zealandmountainslandscapegorgeoussnowlakesmt cookparkscampingbackpackingphotography<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/7eb05526add29a7eeacda97ad730e5e5/tumblr_mks7jxr6jN1r8cjvko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>This isn’t a flattering photo of me, but I really like it. I’ve been sleeping in my car for a week, in essentially the same single cold-weather outfit I have. In this photo I’m waiting for the yellow-eyed penguins to waddle up onshore on the beach.</p> <p>I’ve been going to sleep in clothes that ostensibly aren’t for daytime consumption, and then without fail around 5am I’ll wake up freezing cold and don the single hoodie and jacket I have, adding my fingerless gloves and a beanie. Then at 9am I’ll wake up still chilly, make myself get going outside of the warm nest I’ve established by then, crawl up to the front seat (the hatchback can’t be opened from the inside), and move on to my next destination.<br/><br/>So effectively, when I roll up to wherever it is I’m going, I’m wearing the same things I slept in, not taking much care to disguise the fact, and ruddy-faced from the cold. It is a credit to either New Zealanders’ acceptance of diversity or lack of style, that I am not called out on a regular basis. But I’m not, so I keep going. I check into hostels when I feel I need a hot shower, or when I want to charge my devices in a place other than McDonald’s. (and a shoutout to McDonald’s for keeping it real).<br/><br/>There are times when I’ve lived the party life, tried to keep wardrobes that would support my lifestyle, even in those last few weeks in Australia. But for now that time is over, and I’ve switched gears. Not only do I not care if I wear the exact same outfit 4 days (and nights) in a row, I don’t care if you know either. I’m here to explore and learn and adventure, not to pick up.<br/><br/>And ultimately, I feel like that is what this photo represents. It’s not a glamour shot, it’s not for a postcard, but I’m happy and I’m energized and exploring a new part of the world. This is it, and this is good.</p>http://lauriewashere.com/post/47186800224http://lauriewashere.com/post/47186800224Fri, 05 Apr 2013 05:19:00 -0700penguinspenguinaustralianewzealandtraveltravelingbackersbackpackinghomelesshitchikingbackpackersnzhobostylefashionpartyqueenSo when people learned I was buying a car to travel around New Zealand in, many first reactions were...http://lauriewashere.com/post/47011278508http://lauriewashere.com/post/47011278508Wed, 03 Apr 2013 01:55:00 -0700buying a cartraveltravelingbackpackingbackpackersused carsgumtreebargainsnew zealandcampingbuying a used carmillionairesmoneyrack city<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/bb45f53e214d15858c0491591a8cb870/tumblr_mkmg7qoxQN1r8cjvko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Today I hiked in the rain to Lake Tasman, full of floating icebergs from the adjacent Tasman Glacier.  Plus a perfect rainbow because apparently New Zealand doesn’t know how to do anything less than spectacular.</p>http://lauriewashere.com/post/46926029957http://lauriewashere.com/post/46926029957Tue, 02 Apr 2013 02:40:00 -0700new zealandhikingcampingglacierlake tasmanmt cooktasman glaciertrampingrainbowrainbowsnztraveltravelingbackpackingadventuregorgeousEver come to a crossroads in your life and were unsure how to proceed?  For me, a pint of beer on an...http://lauriewashere.com/post/46799059065http://lauriewashere.com/post/46799059065Sun, 31 Mar 2013 16:27:00 -0700traveltravelingsubaruroad tripnew zealandnzbackpackingbuying a carchristchurchbeerdrunkcampingakaroa<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/8fafee08eabd30e0280b3ffa358a5037/tumblr_mkf2curx9z1r8cjvko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Day 1 of my New Zealand roadtrip in the car I just bought, this is the farm I ended up staying the night on.</p>http://lauriewashere.com/post/46582320380http://lauriewashere.com/post/46582320380Fri, 29 Mar 2013 02:58:05 -0700<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/0e9f3bdeb176488617e40570d7be1ea9/tumblr_mk36cq9N741r8cjvko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>“WE KANG-GET ENOUGH OF ELLEN!!” homemade shirts for Ellen’s visit to Sydney. Hope we get on the show!! </p> <p><strong>Update</strong>: we got great seats, and it was super fun!</p>http://lauriewashere.com/post/46027858999http://lauriewashere.com/post/46027858999Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:53:00 -0700summeraustraliaelleninsydneyvegemitewinningellensydneyaussieThe work I currently do while traveling is online community management - basically making sure that...http://lauriewashere.com/post/45344876152http://lauriewashere.com/post/45344876152Thu, 14 Mar 2013 07:44:00 -0700travelcommunity managementbackpackingonline community managementpoliticstravelinggettingajobjob hunting<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/f6cc2b637bd1f07b9ea32e53d3f3ec58/tumblr_mjfvt7LBZz1r8cjvko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>P is for Paradise…<br/><br/></p>http://lauriewashere.com/post/45014109710http://lauriewashere.com/post/45014109710Sun, 10 Mar 2013 03:00:00 -0700australiatravelvacationroadtripsecretbraziliansjervisbaycrystalclearsydneyparadiseserendipitywinningbeachnsw<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/000d85be90b5a3e9f3a0806295ac14a5/tumblr_mja9p8xEt31r8cjvko1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Hyams Beach, NSW.  Home of the whitest sand in the world (it’s official) and some of the clearest, bluest water you’ll find anywhere.</p>http://lauriewashere.com/post/44775311155http://lauriewashere.com/post/44775311155Thu, 07 Mar 2013 01:15:08 -0800hyams beachsydneyaustralianswtravelbeachbackpackingparadisephotographysailboattravelingbluewhite sandWell, that was a fun summer. After 2&#160;1/2 months living in Melbourne, I&#8217;ve started moving...http://lauriewashere.com/post/43887306100http://lauriewashere.com/post/43887306100Sun, 24 Feb 2013 04:42:00 -0800sydneyaustraliabackpackingtraveltravelingcountry australiamelbournebbqstrainstravelerbackpackerthe good lifetravel blogI always love it when readers of this blog submit your own travel questions; any help I can offer in...http://lauriewashere.com/post/41997124205http://lauriewashere.com/post/41997124205Thu, 31 Jan 2013 19:40:00 -0800traveladviceadventurethailandmalaysiavietnamcambodiascamsbuseshostelsperthaustraliabangkokperhentian islandswikitravelbackpackingtraveling