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A normal girl living her biggest, messiest dreams.

Get to know me

As seen on

These are my unfiltered adventures, musings and stories.
I talk about birds, coffee and overcoming personal fears too much.

60
ish countries
7
continents
10
odd years
Find me on or or I'll email you!

My recent adventures

Just because we can, does it mean we should?

The ethics of traveling during COVID19 by the travel queen herself

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A solo off-the-grid escape to the Banks Peninsula

A lot of sheep and a sky full of stars – what more could you ask for?

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The what-ifs and might-have-beens: on choosing the right path

Spoiler alert – there’s no such thing as the “right” way

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More adventures from the blog

My favorite stories

All the mean, nasty and godawful hateful things people say to me online

Guys, why do people troll on the internet? Why are blogger hate comments ...
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Solo and single in the most romantic place in the world

How glossy and polished is the travel industry today? Well, I suppose it's ...
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A broken robot: the face of a burnout

My whole life I’ve always been told that my face reads like an ...
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More inspirational stories

Where I screwed up big time

That one time I crashed a scooter in Bali

A week ago I found myself upside down in a ditch full of ...
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Getting Naked in Istanbul

**Warning this post borders on the TMI, but I thought it was too ...
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This might be my funniest story of all time

Guys, the funniest thing happened to me the other day. Now, I know I ...
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More confessions
World Map
Roads through Iceland
Iceland
New Zealand Road Trip Part 1
New Zealand Road Trip Part 2
Australia
Spain
Canada
Finland

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Join me on Instagram @YoungAdventuress

youngadventuress

American in New Zealand. Cynical but kind. Nature frother & #birdnerd. Friend of kākāpō and the girl with the whales 🐳 it’s all on my blog ⬇️

Liz Carlson☀️Young Adventuress
I’m so curious, what are you guys reading these I’m so curious, what are you guys reading these days? Here’s a little glimpse of my office bookshelves. In many ways, reading is as essential to me as eating. If I don’t have a book open by my bed, I don’t think I could even fall asleep at night. No matter how busy I get, I always make time for a good book (or three). I’m one of those weirdos who can read multiple books at a time, though usually of completely different genres. These days my mind is so wrapped up with projects, I’m looking for some engrossing books that don’t require huge concentration and can transport me immediately (slowly puts back the Luminaries away again for the 5th time). Have any suggestions? In the meantime here are some amazing books I’ve been plowing through over the past month or so, in no particular order: . 1. Spying on Whales by Nick Pyenson 🐳 2. Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard of @patagonia 🏄‍♂️ 3. Norma People by Sally Rooney ❤️ 4. Wild Interiors by @hiltoncarter 🌴 5. Untamed by @glennondoyle 🐯 6. This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein 🌍 7. Māori Peoples of New Zealand 🌿 8. Me and White Supremacy by @laylafsaad 🤯 9. The Book of Longings by @suemonkkidd 📚 10. The Happiness of Pursuit by @193countries ✈️
It’s not too many places in the world that can b It’s not too many places in the world that can boast a plethora of Pacific islands in their backyard, only a flight away. I wonder which islands will eventually make up the travel bubble that’s on everyone’s mind here in New Zealand. What do you think? . Once it becomes safe for us to begin moving around internationally, I reckon I’ll still be sticking close to home in New Zealand. Earlier this year, I was looking at finally planning a trip to Tahiti with @giuliosturla as a reward for some big milestones in my life and in my businesses. A week holiday in a tropical place with clear blue water is just what we need after the wildest year. Waiting makes the reward all the sweeter I reckon! . If you could go anywhere, where would you go? Spill! . @southerncrosstravelinsurancenz #SCTI #dreamyouradventure
Who’s joining me next weekend for our next Basec Who’s joining me next weekend for our next Basecamp - an exclusive live digital event to help you supercharge your way to social media success with @thetravelbootcamp ❤️ . This is the second Basecamp we’re putting on with @laurenepbath @georgiarickard and @therichcoach where we spill all of the insider tips and industry secrets to growing a following, establishing an online brand, and building real influence. . We’ve been building this for years, and inspiring and helping people achieve their goals is what we’re all about. If you’re afraid COVID19 has stolen your chance of building a life of freedom and travel, you couldn’t be more wrong. It’s actually never been a better time to grow your following and brand in order to get ahead. Can’t wait to share more with you guys this weekend. Tickets are still on sale now with @thetravelbootcamp - see you there! . #digitalbasecamp #travelbootcamp #thetravelbootcamp
I’m officially a permanent resident of New Zeala I’m officially a permanent resident of New Zealand! There’s no getting rid of me now, suckers! 🤪🤪 . After 7 years of living in and loving the Land of the Long White Cloud, my heart is filled with joy to finally be a permanent resident. It means so much to me, and the burden of uncertainty of being an expat here is already lifted. Thank you so much, New Zealand. . Sometimes I wonder if people are destined to belong to a place that’s not where they’re born. Even since I was little I had a wildness about me, an urge to roam and explore beyond what I knew. A black sheep, in many ways I never felt like I belonged in the US. Something intangible called me. No matter where I journeyed, my heart was also searching for a home too. It was only when I finally stepped foot in New Zealand that my soul sighed in relief - yes, this is home. . What an honor! Thank you to NZ immigration for agreeing with my heart and soul and welcoming me here. I promise I will always do all I can to help, work, invest, grow, and above all, care for a place that means so much to me. Ngā mihi nui ❤️ . #nzmustdo #newzealand #expat
Kia pai tou tatou Matariki 💫 Happy Matariki (Ma Kia pai tou tatou Matariki 💫 Happy Matariki (Māori New Year) ⭐️ @giuliosturla and I are headed down to Rakiura (Stewart Island) this weekend to celebrate with some of the @eat.newzealand team like @thefoodfarmnz and @gravityfishingnz - I haven’t been back since I found my beaching pilot whales. I’m excited yet emotional to return to a place imprinted on my heart ❤️ . Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars also known as the Pleiades. It rises in midwinter and for many, it heralds the start of a new year. Matariki literally means the ‘eyes of god’ (mata ariki) or ‘little eyes’ (mata riki). According to some of the stories, when Ranginui (the sky father) and Papatūānuku (the earth mother) were separated by their children, the god of the winds, Tāwhirimātea, became so angry that he tore out his eyes and threw them into the heavens, and the 9 stars we can see in the Matariki cluster are his eyes. . Stars are incredibly important in Māori culture. Tohunga kōkōrangi (expert astronomers) used stars and star clusters such as Matariki to help them navigate great distances across the Pacific, including arriving to New Zealand. Fingers crossed for fine weather this weekend for some stargazing with some incredible humans in an incredible place! . #matariki #nzmustdo #newzealand #stewartisland #rakiura #canopycamping
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Who is Young Adventuress?

Hi, I'm Liz, and I got my first taste for traveling when I was 16 years old. On my own, 12 years and 50 something countries later, my wanderlust has only grown and the list of countries I want to visit longer. After living in Spain for the past few years and returning home for a stint, I then quit my job and moved to New Zealand and I've been here ever since. Follow my misadventures as I wander, eat, and photograph my way around the world

Get Inspired

  • How traveling with a food allergy inspired me to change the world
  • What NOT to do when you’re dumped on vacation
  • A solo off-the-grid escape to the Banks Peninsula
  • How French is Getting me through Le Lockdown

Featured Stories

  • My big issue with fear and travel
  • The best hate I got in 2015
  • The Story of the Kākāpō + Giveaway
  • Why Experience Still Matters

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