Before my first solo trip, I remember reading travel novels like Wild and Eat, Pray, Love. I read countless female travel blogs for inspiration. Solo female travelers like Amanda, The Pineapple Backpacker, are the reason I took my first one-way flight to Lima, Peru in 2014.
Amanda is an adventurous travel blogger who runs The Pineapple Backpacker blog. She enjoys budget, adventure, and sustainable travel, as well as off the beaten path destinations! Currently, she is a full-time nanny for two small kids and completing her TEFL certification to prepare for her next big adventure.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda and asked her how exactly she got started, how she affords to travel, what inspires her, where in the world are her favorite travel destinations, and more!
Hi Amanda! Can you tell us a little more about yourself?
Hey! I’m an adventure enthusiast from Canada who loves to explore new and unseen places! I keep a small travel blog and Instagram to keep up with my travels (mostly to let my mom know I’m alright). I love to go all season hiking and camping as well as any outdoor activities, from dogsledding to SUPing, I’ve done it all.
By day, I masquerade as a nanny/intern/pole dancer (part-time).
Amanda’s Story
Before traveling the world, what did you do?
My whole life I’ve kind of been an odd job Jill. I’ve worked at a pet rescue, Walmart and as a barista (whatever pays the bills!)
I finished my Early Childhood Education diploma in 2013, and proceeded to work as a RECE in a daycare (infants and toddlers) for two looooong years before I realized it wasn’t for me.
You’ve been traveling for FOUR years, that is incredible. What was the turning point in your life that made you quit your job to travel?
The turning point I guess was waking up and dreading the thought of going to work. I was only 22, had just gotten started in a career I wasn’t sure I even liked and the 9-5 was making me complain like my mom did after 20 years of housekeeping.
Can you imagine waking up one day thinking you’ve wasted your whole life working in a career you hated, just because that’s what everyone else is doing?
That thought sparked a fire that eventually caused me to quit my job and move to Ireland to be an au pair.
What was your first travel experience? How did you save for it?
My first ever travel experience was when my boyfriend (at the time) and I went to his home country, Turkey, for a month.
We didn’t have much money growing up, so we never went on a proper vacation. I was 18 and not only going on my first actual vacation but I was also traveling out of Canada for the first time. It was amazing!
I saved by working at Walmart during my last year of highschool. Brutal but ultimately worth it!
How do you afford to travel?
To give you the cliff notes I work multiple jobs that equate to 55 hours a week (sometimes more). Right now those jobs are nannying, interning, babysitting, dog walking, coat check clerk and house-keeping.
Related article: How In The Hell Do I Afford To Travel So Much?
I love your blog, The Pineapple Backpacker! Can you tell us more about it?
Thank you! I started it back in May of 2017, but I didn’t start regularly posting until the fall of that year. I started it because I genuinely loved helping people and giving advice on places I’ve been, and I figured I could write a small article and send a link to anyone who was wondering, instead of repeating the same advice! Haha
The name came from my dear Jansport backpack that I used during my travels. It’s stood by me through thick and thin that year (and every year since).
I read a lot of articles on choosing the right blog name and a lot said don’t pick names using buzz words “blonde, nomad, wanderlust, etc”) so I eventually gave up and picked The Pineapple Backpacker.
Budget Travel
You were an Au Pair in Ireland, can you tell us what that experience was like?
It was a unique experience to say the least! This was my first time living with a family since I was 17 and I didn’t quite like how the mom was always concerned with where I was (although I totally get it).
The kids were a bit wild but then again what kids aren’t? I ended up loving them anyways and the job was pretty simple.
I grew close with them and they treated me like family! I was invited to their aunt’s wedding and their grandfather would come by to have tea with me!
Related article: How To Become An Au Pair
What other forms of free travel do you recommend for solo female travelers?
Despite people being appalled, I’m a huge advocate for couch surfing! I’ve done it in 3 countries now, all solo and never had an issue. I was able to meet amazing locals who opened their homes and schedule for me! More often than not they would show me around the city and cook for me!
My first CS experience, my host gave me my own private bathroom with an ensuite washroom! Talk about luxury travel on a dime!
Related article: The Ultimate Guide to Couchsurfing like a Pro
What is your favorite country/city and why?
This is always such a hard one because every place presents new experiences and opportunities! The city that always comes to mind was Istanbul because the food was completely out of this world! If you haven’t tried Turkish food, you need to get on that ASAP.
My favourite country would have to be Nepal because of the culture and warm hearted people. Despite the dust and total chaos I immediately felt right at home.
Related article: What I Actually Packed For Everest Base Camp
What has been one life-changing experience during your travels?
I had two simultaneous thoughts as I was gazing up at the Himalayas on my Everest Base Camp trek.
- How truly insignificant we are compared to the vastness of earth and space, yet how significant we are to have made such an impact on this planet despite being here for 1/10th of a second.
- What small amount of time we’ve been given to see and experience the beauty on our planet! And how much of that time I’ve already wasted.
Truly life changing!
Future Plans + Advice for Others
What’s next on your adventure list?
In February I’m headed back to Nepal! I’m going to do the Annapurna circuit! We are making a stop in Mumbai, India and I’ll also be stopping in Hong Kong again on my way home!
The pull of Nepal is strong! It’s going to be one of two countries I’ve visited twice.
What are some tips you would give to women who want to quit their job and travel, but aren’t quite sure where to start?
I would say do your research and talk to people who are already in jobs that you think you would like to do. The best way to fully understand and comprehend a job is to speak to someone who’s currently doing it!
For example: I got off easy with au pairing because childcare was already my job but I had friends who saw it as an easy way to travel (for free) and dove in head first before they realized they don’t actually like kids.
Also, once you know what you want, don’t let anyone deter you or try to change your mind! Including yourself!!
Related articles: How To Travel the World for Free in 2020
What country, city, or experience should we put on our bucket list?
I feel like everyone should experience Galway and the rest of Ireland! Most people skip it when they go to Europe or worse they only go to Dublin!
True Irish language, culture, food and hospitality lies in the west not to mention 50 shades of green as far as the eye can see and great craic all around 😉
(Craic, pronounced crack, is the Gaelic word for fun)
Related article: Top 7 Things To Do in Galway
Any last bits of wisdom?
For anyone out there thinking of travel, don’t let money, career, family or time hold you back!
Think about what kind of memories you want to make and what kind of stories you want to tell when you’re old and if you aren’t currently doing that, go out and live that life!
Want to follow along with Amanda, The Pineapple Backpacker’s travels? Follow her on Instagram @thepineapplebackpacker and subscribe to her blog thepineapplebackpacker.com!
Special thanks to Amanda– thank you for your time and inspiration! It’s women like you who make me feel less lonely in the world. I hope your story is read by women who may need a little push or inspiration. <3
Thanks for reading xoxo
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