30 May The Wanderlust of.. Travel Writer Liss Connell
She caught our eye a while back when we saw her beautiful Instagram account @lifeintheslowlane. This Aussi girl inspired our travels to The Philippines and we fell in love with her beautiful bohemian caravan. She has been to most places we can only dream so be prepared to add a few places to your bucketlist after reading this. What is she up to now and does she still own that caravan? This is the Wanderlust of.. Liss Connell.
Who are you and what do you do?
I am Melissa Connell but friends call me Liss. I previously ran a tourism company but I am now in the start-up stages of creating Slow Travel Magazine www.slowtravelmagazine.com
How did traveling change you?
Travelling has taught me to appreciate folks from all walks of life. It has simultaneously taught me to appreciate life here in Australia and how important community and personal relationships are.
One of her most famous images from The Philippines, Photo @shotbygrace
Which country would you visit again and which one you rather not?
I recently visited Vanuatu and I fell in love with the people there. They are so well connected with the natural environment and the communities work well together. Places that I like to avoid are cities so not a specific country as such. Crowded places make me feel claustrophobic and anxious.
Sleeping in a real treehouse in Vanuatu @shotbygrace_
Which country has impressed you the most?
Vanuatu, for the reasons listed above. I also adore New Zealand. We’re so blessed that some of the most breathtaking scenery on earth is only a few hours flight away from us!
Liss releasing a turtle in Vanuatu
I think you just made us write Vanuatu on our bucketlist! Something else, do you still own that caravan?
Nope. I sold it a while ago. It’s important to recognise when to let go of things to allow room for the next dream to grow.
Could you tell us a little bit about your website, slow travel magazine?
These days the majority of travel companies and magazines advertise a certain style of travel which involves rushing from place to place to tick certain experiences off a list. Experiences that they tell you that you ‘must do’. A sense of discovery and spontaneity are taken away when you’re just following a list. Slow Travel is about connecting with your surroundings – having an open mind, chatting with locals, supporting locally made arts, crafts and foods. Supporting local economies. The Slow Travel philosophy encourages you to get to know an area well, in a way that is less stressful for you, more respectful of the locals and easier on the environment. I hope that Slow Travel Magazine can reach a wide audience and challenge the popular notions of modern day travel.
The caravan we so fell in love with. Shot by www.instagram.com/reneerae_
“I’ve long dreamt of spending a few months in Mexico, learning Spanish, surfing and eating tacos.- Liss Connell”
You really inspire people with your amazing photo and travels, do you realize this and do you feel a pressure?
Thank you, that’s kind of you to say. I have really enjoyed sharing my travels via social media but I’ve also realized that it can be very selfish. I would now like to move away from sharing my own personal travels and help to grow the community of Slow Travel.
Why do you think traveling is so important for us?
Humans are naturally curious and there’s a certain fulfillment that we get from exploring beyond our daily boundaries. Whilst travel can be fun and enriching, I think it’s very important to have a strong connection with community. Whether you have a home base or are part of a nomadic group, life is all about connecting with other people, learning and contributing.
Coron, Philippines Photo by @shotbygrace_
Something we always ask our travelers, name one song that would definitely be on your travel playlist
‘Pilrimage’ by Jess Ribeiro & The Bone Collectors. I also really love PJ Harvey’s album ‘Let England Shake’.
And last, what are your next travel plans?
I’ve long dreamt of spending a few months in Mexico, learning Spanish, surfing and eating tacos. But I’m just as happy to do a roadtrip up the coast here in Australia. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes from exploring your own backyard and it’s fun to just pack the car and go!
Bells Beach, Australia. Photo by @hireakombi
Liss on her selfmade swing. Photo by Grace Picot
Let’s be inspired and follow this girl. To find out more about her Slow Travel Magazine, check her new Instagram account.
[frontpage_news widget=”5252″ name=”The Wanderlust of..”]
Andrea
Posted at 07:54h, 31 MayWauw! Echt te gek