Welcome to Backpacker’s Boutique. Every Sunday, this spot will feature a new travel blogger. Some weeks it will be a really fun interview about packing, fashion, and fitness so you can snoop inside their bags & lives a little bit and other weeks it’ll be a detailed luxury guide to a city the featured blogger/expat knows very well. I’m looking for more participants, so e-mail me if you’d like to be featured.

An interview with packing tips from the Traveloguer

Tell us a little about about who you are, what your blog is called, and where you’re traveling now.

Hi! I’m Christine, and I blog at The Traveloguer. I’m actually home in Dublin at the moment after three and a half years of travelling. 

Do you use a backpack or rolley suitcase for long-term travel?

I use a backpack for long-term travel, even though I’m not a fan of carrying it! A few years ago, I backpacked with a Berghaus wheeled backpack, which wasn’t great. I thought it would make things really easy, but it was more awkward than a regular backpack. At the moment, I use aTrespass Scope 65L and it’s much lighter, side loading, yet still fits all my stuff in it.

What shoes are your every day walking around, sightseeing shoes? And how many pairs of shoes do you pack for a long-term backpacking trip?

I tend to pretty much live in flip-flops when I’m travelling. I find that I can walk around in them all day and have no problems. I usually pack about three cheap pairs and wear them till they break. I travel with one pair of sandals, and I find that the extra straps on them make them ideal for rougher terrain. I didn’t pack any other shoes when I was in Asia this year. The only time I regretted it was when we were hiking on Komodo Island and the long grass made me a little nervous!

When you’re pigging out trying new foods, other than typical walking & sightseeing in towns- what do you do to keep away the love-handles?

Hmmm, not a lot! When I travel in Asia I tend to lose a little weight, due to all the sweating, walking and the few bouts of Delhi Belly! When I was living in Auckland I saw the love handles kicking in, so I used to take really long walks around the city. It’s a really hilly place so it worked as a workout, and I loved discovering the city that way. I’m also a fan of yoga, I love that you can do it anywhere.

When you’re traveling, do you pick up beauty & shower products while you go or are there products you can’t live without- what are they?

 I pick up shower stuff and deodorant etc when I’m on the road, it’s so much cheaper, unless you’re in Australia or New Zealand, but even then, it’s not really worth the packing space they take up. I bring my own make up and moisturizer though, and some nail varnish!

For those who think living out of a backpack is impossible, what tips do you have for saving space or what things have you learned you actually don’t need to pack?

Well, I’m not exactly the best at packing light, but I’d recommend that you leave space in your bag. I know it’s so hard but once you’re travelling you’re going to find lots of great clothes that you want to buy.

I put all my underwear, bikinis and tops in plastic bags, this makes it easier to find things, and you can really squash things into the bags, which saves space.

I’ve learned that you don’t need as much as you think! I always wind up with certain items that I never wear.

A scarf is the one backpacking essential you can’t go wrong with. I’d say leave the jeans at home, and go for leggings instead- they’re smaller, they are ideal for buses and plane journeys and they can be dressed up with a nice top and accessories. This time, I packed a pair of jeggings and I’d recommend them if you’re going somewhere that’s not that warm. They’re so much lighter than jeans but they look pretty much the same!

The Hippie in Heels has to ask, would you ever pack heels on a backpacking trip?

I don’t think so, the space and weight factor would rule them out for me, but a pair of heels can really make you feel like less of a dirty backpacker when you’re going somewhere nice.

When you’re living somewhere long term, you can always pick up a pair.

What type of outfit do you take in case of a night out clubbing or going to a fancy bar/hotel?

A light dress. It won’t take up any space and you don’t have to worry about putting an outfit together. Pair it with nice sandals and earrings and you’re all set!

What is the one material thing you miss most from home while you’re roughin’ it abroad?

After a while, I really miss my bed, and my espresso fix!

Airport style: love looking LA paparazzi ready or could care less? Do you pack “plane” or “relaxing” clothes for a long-term backpacking trip or would it take up too much space?

I like to look tidy when in an airport, at least at the start of a trip! My go to outfit is leggings, a long top, a cardigan and scarf. These items don’t take up a lot of space so it’s great. For long haul flights I bring a change of top so I can feel slightly fresh when I land!

And for the girls, what are your absolute favorite make up products you take with you on a trip?

 Eyeliner and mascara. I can’t wear much else in the heat.

Do you have a special skin care routine on the road to prevent breakouts from the stress, sweat, and humidity? 

Unfortunately not! A face wash is great for getting rid of the grime and making you feel fresh, and face wipes are perfect for freshening up.

What does your most worn, daily outfit look like while you’re traveling?

Jean shorts and a tank top. Baggy pants are my guilty pleasure though, they’re just so comfortable and are grand for countries where you need to cover up. You do look like a cliché, but hey, it’s worth it for me!

Tell us the ONE thing you pack for a long backpacking trip & would never leave behind. 

Only one?! My camera, I’d cry if I didn’t have it with me at all times! 

You can only pick one: iPod or Kindle? 

Really tough question! I’d have to pick a Kindle because my reading addiction is pretty bad! 

Thank you for interviewing on Hippie in Heels, before you go can you tell readers that may be on the fence about taking a trip why YOU think they should go for it!

You should always go for it if you have the chance to travel. It’s literally the best thing you can do! It’s the only thing you spend money on that makes you richer and the world is so big and life is too short, so don’t delay- get your travel on this second! 

Christine is the editor of The Traveloguer a travel blog of a girl with itchy feet and a lust for wander. A journalist and photographer, Christine lives for travel, especially travel on a small budget, and is a raging food pornographer. She shares tips, photography and travel disaster stories on The Traveloguer. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Google plus.

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