Hitchhiking alone across Iran at 19
I'm Marsha Jean
A 20-something from Hong Kong,
who has been traveling and working solo around the world since I was 18,
to over 60 countries.
I'm not your typical backpacker,
I do real - off the beaten-path, shoe-string budget travel.
There's nothing I'm more passionate about - raw experiences and adventures. Camping alone in the wild, meeting people from all corners of the world. I try my hardest to be as sustainable and ethical as possible. Nothing staged for the gram or Youtube. No people were exploited for "Nat Geo worthy" shots.
Here are some of the few adventures I have gone on:
Rented a donkey and trekked for 19 days through Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor, at 21.
One of the most remote places on earth - with no postal service, cell signal nor internet. (Summer 2018)
The Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan - aka the roof of the world, where one of the world's most remote nomadic communities live.
Hitchhiked alone from Iran to France (through Iraqi Kurdistan), at 19-20.
With no plan in mind, I just went with the flow.
(except the road between Istanbul and the Greek border... because Turkey deported me lol)
Hitchhiked over 15,000+km, including in Afghanistan, Pakistan etc.
Hitchhiking in Afghanistan.
Spontaneously bought a bike and cycled alone across Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Northern Pakistan)
Began with very little experience cycling
The Pamir Highway is second highest road in the world! Ventured off-road via Zurkul lake and Wakhan Valley, all along the border with Afghanistan. At one point had no fresh water sources for 3 days. (summer 2018)
A selfie from camping alone in the mountains of Pakistan
Stayed with locals in places such as Kandahar (former “capital” of the Taliban), and Iranian Baluchistan (where many governments consider one of the most “dangerous” places in the world)
The adventures may sound absolutely nuts, but they really aren't. The world is nothing like what you think. My own experiences, break all the stereotypes and misconceptions popular media propagates. The world is a much warmer and kinder place than what society wants us to believe. (Disclaimer: My experiences are not traveling advice!)
I take my time - 6 months in Pakistan, 7 weeks in Afghanistan, 10 months in Australia is my speed.
How I afford to travel: When I was 18-21, I have done all kinds of odd jobs and volunteering work. They included hospitality work in a private casino, scuba diving shop, café, restaurant, teaching yoga in a hostel, and permaculture farming. I now earn a full living through travel photography, writing, and investments.
Most of my days on the road were spent living with local families. I use sites such as bewelcome.org, trustroots.org, worldpackers.com, and workaway.info. When I traveled through Asia and the Middle East, I either camped or stayed in local homes. In 900 days of traveling, I spent less than 100 days in hostels/ guesthouses. (Always give back by bringing an adequate amount of food and gifts for your hosts!)
Cholistan desert, Pakistan 2019
How did it all start?
At 18, I left my abusive home and bought a one-way ticket to Australia. I wanted to spend all the money I had, and commit suicide.
Throwing myself into the real world broke all the beliefs my parents and society had put in me. I simply stopped living in other people's fears.
I hope to change your perspective on the world. I can show you the lesser-known side. Venturing out into the world as a girl alone isn't as hard as you think. Most of the world is abundant in kindness and generosity. More importantly, girls, we are much more capable than we are taught to believe.
Read: Q&A (How do I make money?)
Discount code: Get 10$ off on Worldpackers
After achieving my dream of traveling the world, I am now based in London since 2022 to pursue my passion for screenwriting and film directing.
Want to hear more about my stories such as celebrating the Yazidi new year in Lalish, experiencing the insanity of the annual fire balloon festival in Burma, or living with a nomad family in Morocco in traditional cave homes?