Nan with a Backpack

Nan with a Backpack "Backpacks, adventures, and streets that smell stronger than morning coffee. Always one step at a time, always honest." Hi, I'm Sonja.

I was born in Southampton, England, and I’m a mum of 3 and a proud nan to 6 little adventurers. In 2022, I made the biggest leap of my life, I sold everything I owned, including my hairdressing business, packed a backpack, and set off to see the world. Now based in Siem Reap, Cambodia, I continue to explore new places, like my recent 10-day adventure in India, learning, laughing, and discovering a

long the way. Backpacks, adventures, and streets that smell stronger than morning coffee. Always one step at a time, always honest.

Fabulous evening with wonderful friends in woolston Southampton
06/06/2026

Fabulous evening with wonderful friends in woolston Southampton

06/06/2026

The Khmer alphabet — 33 consonants and completely unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Cambodia never stops surprising me.

Do you speak another language? Or ever tried to learn one? Tell me below 👇🇰🇭

Not feeling my best today, cough, exhaustion, the whole “too many time zones and too many temperature changes” experienc...
05/06/2026

Not feeling my best today, cough, exhaustion, the whole “too many time zones and too many temperature changes” experience catching up with me. But I dragged myself out for a short walk in the New Forest anyway.

Cold. Blustery. The kind of breeze that goes right through you. 🥶

And still absolutely stunning. The UK countryside really doesn’t mess about, does it. 🌿

Sometimes the best medicine is just putting one foot in front of the other. 🥴🥰😫

នឹកប្រទេសកម្ពុជា 🥰🇰🇭🫶🏼 see you in a few weeks ❤️
04/06/2026

នឹកប្រទេសកម្ពុជា 🥰🇰🇭🫶🏼 see you in a few weeks ❤️

3 years ago I was in Vietnam 🇻🇳 just about to do the Ha Hiang loop. It was a truly amazing experience I will remember fo...
03/06/2026

3 years ago I was in Vietnam 🇻🇳 just about to do the Ha Hiang loop. It was a truly amazing experience I will remember for the rest of my life.
What has been one of the most memorable trips you have done?

I really miss the stunning sunsets in Cambodia. What country have you visited with the best sunrise or sunset 🥰
02/06/2026

I really miss the stunning sunsets in Cambodia.
What country have you visited with the best sunrise or sunset 🥰

Leaving Essex means leaving behind something no adventure can replace. The feeling of a small hand in mine. A cuddle fro...
01/06/2026

Leaving Essex means leaving behind something no adventure can replace. The feeling of a small hand in mine. A cuddle from a grandchild who doesn’t let go straight away.

It’s such a small thing. And it’s everything.

I won’t see them again now until next year. So I’m holding onto every single second. ❤️

My local pub on a sunny afternoon 🥃 Last days in Essex before heading south.
31/05/2026

My local pub on a sunny afternoon 🥃
Last days in Essex before heading south.

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