Confessions of a Backpacker: I’m in Love

I’ve based myself in New Zealand for the past 22 months – give or take, that’s about 660 days. The time just slips away. They say that happens the older you get, and while I don’t doubt this is true, I’m confident the happier you are someplace and the more content you are with your [...]

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Update, Looking Back, and Living and Working in New Zealand

If you told me in November of 2009 when I moved to New Zealand that I would still be here 18 months later, I’d tell you that you were mad. It’s certainly not how I envisioned things going; yet, as I’ve learned in the last year - things don’t always go as planned. A mate [...]

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The New Face of Backpackingmatt.com

2011 is going to be a banner year here at Backpackingmatt.com. As I explained in my January Update, I have a number of exciting initiatives planned in the coming months. Each of these will ultimately result in a travel blog that is more beneficial to you – the budget conscious traveler or backpacker. I’ve spent [...]

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January Update, Links, & The Next Step

As I write this monthly update, I’m on a US Airways flight from DFW – LAX (with a surprising amount of leg room). My 2011 is off to a fantastic start. Fantastic, yet certainly chaotic. I’ve been balancing trips around the US to visit friends and family, with the day-to-day responsibilities of running a travel [...]

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December Update, Links, & Your Chance to Win $250

I have just lived a month of my life that I’ll remember forever. My experience backpacking in Thailand was absolutely fantastic – though drastically different than I expected. I left beautiful Queenstown, New Zealand, hoping to ‘get away from it all;’ I wanted a place to clear my head, focus on Backpackingmatt.com, and determine what [...]

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November Update, Links, & An Epic Trip to the Airport

I’m writing this November update on an AirAsia flight from Denpasar, Bali, to Bangkok; I’m covered in sand, my face is gray with road grime, but I’m unbelievably happy to be here, as three hours ago I was almost certain I wouldn’t be sitting where I am now. I woke up just before sunrise this [...]

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Update, Links, and The Next Step

Spring has finally arrived in Queenstown. The days are getting longer, warmer, and it’s becoming very obvious that this would be an excellent place to spend the summer. Gone are the days of winter sports and I’ve been busy working with NZbyBike developing the preeminent marketing website for cycle tourism in New Zealand. Two weeks [...]

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September Update & Links

Posts similar to this one are a rarity on Backpackingmatt. I don’t typically feel inclined to bring updates about my personal life to this blog, however I do feel an update of some sort is in order – and we’ll focus on the positives. I know it’s cliche, but it’s shocking how time flies – [...]

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An Update & Travel Question

I rarely  bring specifics of my personal life into this blog. I’d prefer you visit Backpackingmatt for destination specific travel content, backpacking advice, and travel reviews. However, this glimpse into my life at the moment ends with a question I hope you can help me answer. I imagine we all struggle with this as backpackers, [...]

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