Flashpacking Thailand

The better way to travel

19 days, 7 islands, 1 city – let the fun begin. 

When I went backpacking for the first time, my friends and family made fun of me saying “Meli do you even know what backpacking means? One pair of shoes, hostels, bunk beds etc.” Well it turned out I was the most relaxed backpacker ever – 8 kg luggage in my backpack for 2 months, almost no-make-up,  bunk beds, dorms, hammocks, bungalows with mouse, cockroaches – well spiders and iguanas were pretty normal. The fun thing it seemed I left my inner princess at home and went backpacking through Vietnam and Indonesia as a different Meli. Even one of my best friends I travelled with was surprised by my backpacking skills.

After my successful backpacking trip I knew I want to do this again. Since then I try to convince my boyfriend to travel with me that way once in his life. Although he is not the typical backpacker either I am sure he will love it. After discussing pros and cons and coming to a destination agreement, we finally booked our flight to Bangkok last months. Philippines, Cambodia or Sri Lanka made it to the top of my list but in the end we thought Thailand is a good mix and one of the easiest places for backpacking newbies. Although he was fine with the idea of travelling with a backpack we agreed not to sleep in hostels or dormitories. Honestly that’s totally fine for me. I was never amused to share a room with about 10 people – snoring, fucking and whatsoever. But I can play the cool kid who doesn’t care and he takes over the princess role.

Two years ago before the backpacking trip I lived in Shanghai for half a year and was inured about literally everything disgusting – accommodation, toilets, food, dirtiness and ill-kempt people. I think that’s why I was so relaxed. So I am actually very happy that he is the picky one and we are going to be flashpacker instead of backpacker #notsorry

Flashpacking= Whereas backpacking is traditionally associated with budget travel and destinations that are relatively cheap, flashpacking has an association of more disposable income while traveling and has been defined simply as backpacking with a bigger budget – or backpacking with style.

We fly out from Vienna via Dubai to Bangkok tonight. The only thing we booked is our first hotel in Bangkok - in the middle of Khao San Road. 

Thailand route 18 days:

Bangkok

Koh Tao

Ko Pha-Ngan

Koh Samui

Krabi

Railay Beach/Tonsai Beach

Maybe: Phi Phi Islands

Bangkok

See you in 3 weeks!

Summer OOTD

5 favorite summer fashion trends

Every week I favorite new fashion inspirations. There is nothing better than sleeping in with some new hot outfit ideas for the next girls night out. Sometimes I am so tired but so addicted scrolling down my Instagram feed that I catch myself falling asleep while my finger is still scrolling – well that’s not so bad – at least I fell asleep easily – the nightmare only comes in the morning when you realize that your sleepy finger liked pictures of EXs or haters.

Others Tinder or catch Pokémon’s until late at night and I look for outfit inspirations!

Right now my 5 favorite summer items are:

•    Chokers
•    Cropped shirts
•    Flash tattoos
•    Heeled platform sandals
•    High waist sweats/harem pants

Don’t judge me. I know I was laughing about all the young girls copying our beloved 90ies tattoo necklaces but they were my early love #sorrynotsorry and I couldn’t resist. Two weeks ago I made my own DIY choker. I cut off the end of a black tie and voilà I had my black choker – cheaper than ever. Because sometimes I crave new trends and the next week I can’t see them anymore. Same with tattoos, my Mum saw my flash tattoos and laughed at me “15 years ago your arms were full with comic figures, horses or Pokémon’s (thank god this was 15 years ago – today all the Poké Balls would have killed me) and now your arms shine gold and silver. Did you get them from a chewing gum vending machine too?“

One of my favorite looks this week covers all of my current fashion cravings. And to be honest it looks like a back to the future outfit. A modern 90ies trend in 2016! But to my defense it’s an easy and very comfy look. Sometimes fashion is complicated and sometimes not – this one is not! What’s better than comfortable shoes that make your legs long but don’t hurt? Pants that are your netflix&chill and party buddy? A good old flame of your youth around your neck? Some flashy good-feel tattoos? No, there is one complicated thing though – don’t forget to suck in your stomach – the annoying thing about cropped shirts. Sorry girls life ain’t easy…

10 pros of a mini-break

Short holidays vs. a long vaca?

Long holidays are soooo 2015! Pack and go!

A few weekends ago we went to Grado, a historic seaside town located on a lagoon island along Italy's north-east Adriatic coast. While young Austrians kept binge drinking in Lignano, we took the plunge and spend a romantic getaway in Friuli. It’s just nice to relax and to forget about everyday life even just for a few days.

Is it true that short breaks make people happier than long holidays? 

Psychologists have claimed that taking frequent short breaks are better for us. I started thinking about it…

Looking back to the amazing summer 2014 when I was backpacking around Southeast Asia makes me feel carefree and excited again. It was a great time. I was a student, finished my exchange semester in Shanghai, had my apartment in Salzburg and a year of college left. Knowing that I can travel for 2 months without worrying about anything important – well – besides deciding if we should stay partying at Gili Trawangan or going back to Bali for surf lessons – was the best feeling ever.

But as soon as I started working my travel preferences have changed. Weekend trips became more convenient. Here are 10 pros about taking several short trips during the year than one long summer holiday.

1. A quick recharge of batteries
2. A change of scene
3. No long work-handovers
4. An easy way to relief stress
5. Seeing more places – from city trips to wellness breaks
6. Spontaneous trips
7. No long-time planning
8. Avoiding leisure sickness
9. Setting short-term goals
10.  Spending less money

Me, my master thesis and I

Long time no see ... because of work, work, work ,work, work"

I remember the time when I got home from school and I was bored. Bored? What is that? Sometimes I miss those lazy days.

The last few weeks I focused on my master thesis and thank god finally, I see light at the end of the long-lived writing and researching phase.

You know you have studied hard, when Google ranks Google books or Springerlink to your favorite pages and Facebook backdrops on third place.

Do you know what I will love the most when I have finished my 170 sites scientific paper? Sure, I am happy that I can hack off a bold TO-DO in my list, but I am even more excited that I won’t hear this annoying question anymore:

“Ah and when will you finish your thesis?”

To the thousandth time: I do my best! I will write you a card when I am done! Happy? It’s not that I am 30 and have been studying my whole life.

Writing a master thesis is not an incredible successful thing – no not at all! It’s actually the opposite, which frustrates me even more.

Students study, research, read through tons of books, articles, spend months on one paper – most of the time just copy- or rewriting other scientists work and in the end? No one cares! Professors read if anything only half of it and that’s it. #studentproblems

The last few weeks the library was my second home, Matcha Latte my energy kick, SPSS my Facebook and more than 1000 advertisements in the Vogue my only reading.

I found out that pampering myself with a yummy breakfast bowl and a Matcha Latte is the best study motivation. 

Spring ski touring

(Foto credit: @Dan Tie)

White. Smooth. Awesome.

Welcome to the Winter Wonderland OSTTIROL – a few months too late – but whatever. After Christmas I went hiking on snowless slopes and now I look out of the window and get lost in the romantic white landscape and deep snow.

Sure, I would prefer nice warmer weather and early spring flowers to icy roads and freezing temperatures. But life isn’t a cakewalk. 

It turned out that this sudden winter revival is exactly what I needed. Honestly, sometimes I need a break from the hustle and bustle. A few hours without starring in my macbook. A moment without thinking about future life goals.

And where would that time-out be better than above the city? Beyond the piste – just snow, the mountain and amazing, endless views! Whether I am boarding or skitouring in smooth power, the calmness of winter is priceless and good for my mind and mood. Skitouring is the best way to enjoy winter at a slower peace – plus it is one of the best and most effective workouts. It's the ultimate cardio exercise, the number one calorie burner. Over all it provides a sensational endorphin high, and much more!

Sounds appealing, doesn’t it? No wonder why I am addicted to it! What are you waiting for? Take out your board or skis for the last time this season. Enjoy the sun, the perfect prepared slopes and great views! 

The feeling when you reached the top or the “Hütte”. When you look in the amazing wide mountain views and ski down the piste – epic! @Skiarea Zettersfeld + Hochstein Lienz