Melissa Ann Maida

By: Melissa Ann Maida June 11, 2018

The Art of Travel Hacking

Travel hacking is finding ways to support a travel lifestyle without being independently wealthy (as I am not). It took a lot of research and travel experience to understand how to travel hack successfully. I wrote the following article to help people better understand how I’m doing what I’m doing, financially, and to help other travelers travel hack! Oh, and so I’m more prepared the next time someone straight up asks me “how much money do you have?”

By: Melissa Ann Maida June 7, 2018

Visit Elephant Nature Park!

In present day Thailand, the use of elephants in street begging and logging has been banned, but riding elephants still happens all over Thailand, legally. If you take nothing else away from this post, just remember this: DO NOT EVER RIDE AN ELEPHANT OR USE AN ELEPHANT FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT. EVER. PERIOD.

By: Melissa Ann Maida May 23, 2018

So… Let me tell you about Singapore!

Getting to Singapore from Bangkok was a blur. Transportation to and from the airport, as well as my flight, were quick and smooth. That, mixed with being deliriously tired from staying up late and waking up early, made me feel like I’d been teleported into an alternate universe.

By: Melissa Ann Maida May 20, 2018

A Lesson on Pre-Booking

Singapore hadn’t even been on my radar, but it didn’t take me long to get excited about it! Before I left the states we researched activities, pre-booked flights, accommodations and even arranged for my friend to come back to Thailand with me after Singapore. While making these plans I had no idea what a lesson they would teach me about pre-booking.

By: Melissa Ann Maida May 3, 2018

Haircuts in Chinatown

As soon as the group at The Oasis Hostel in Chinatown found out I was a hairstylist, several haircut requests were made- I really wasn’t expecting that. I mean, I know I’m good at what I do, but they had just met me, they had no reason to trust me.

By: Melissa Ann Maida May 1, 2018

Songkran PART TWO: Chinatown Redemption

I came barreling into The Oasis Hostel in Chinatown, dripping sweat. I didn’t expect anyone to be there because I’d received an email saying the front desk would be closed from 12pm to 4pm, for a Songkran celebration. It must not be noon yet? I thought, when about ten people greeted me upon arrival.

By: Melissa Ann Maida May 1, 2018

Songkran PART ONE: It Was Fun! … Until It Wasn’t …

First things first, Songkran, is the Thai New Year. The official date is April 13th but it is celebrated from April 12th to April 15th with a nation wide water fight! Yes, a multiple day…

By: Melissa Ann Maida April 29, 2018

Khao San Road: Chance Encounters

Poof! There they were! All of us started laughing at the unlikeliness, “Ok guys, it’s meant to be, lets grab a drink!” At that point we all knew we had no other choice. We headed down Khao San Road, pumped for our serendipitous night ahead.

By: Melissa Ann Maida April 23, 2018

Calm Among Chaos: Laksameenarai Guest House

I caught myself wondering if I had an obligation to participate in the Khao San Road shenanigans? Khao San Road is one of the craziest party streets in the world and I was spending my nights napping, writing and eating street food… SOBER. But I was honestly enjoying being calm among the chaos. I reminded myself that the whole reason I was traveling was to live life on my own terms and vowed to keep doing just that… My party time would come.

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About Me

My name is Melissa. I am a nomad. I prefer the mountains over the beach ... Until I'm back at the beach and am reminded of how glorious sunrise yoga beside the ocean is! My hair is always a different color, I'm usually wearing a bandanna on my head, no make-up, mismatched clothes and a beat up pair of Birks. Everything I own fits in a backpack. But this hasn't always been my life... In 2014 my dad passed away, I opened a salon, my sister got married and I called off my wedding. Everything started to change. In the midst of all the chaos, I turned to the internet looking for a blog or a book by someone who'd had a similar experience. I desperately wanted to know there was someone out there who survived what I was going through- and maybe get some tips on how they did it? After incessant searching, I found a few fluff pieces but nothing that was exceptionally raw or honest. In that moment I told myself- "If I ever get to the other side of this, I'm going to write my story down to help the next person who finds herself here"... Well, I'm on the other side and am writing down my story...