My Travel Backpack

I guess many would consider my packing style to be minimal, though I don’t really think of it that way myself because I carry all the things that I need.

Packing Style

When I travel, I like to pack with the mindset that I want to be able to carry all my stuff anywhere without it being a burden.

In other words, if I land in a new city and I need to walk 20 kilometers across a city, I want to be able to do it with everything I own. So when I pack I keep this in mind and only carry an amount of stuff that won’t hold me down.

I’m not a real minimalist.

Sure I’ve seen videos about those extreme, minimalist travelers that claim they own just 10 items, but fail to mention that when they arrive anywhere, they must purchase a bar of soap or a new tube of toothpaste.

While I like to go light, I am also frugal with my things. If I happen to have a free bar of soap from a guest house, I will carry it along with me and use it until it’s all gone.

Packing light, not buying many things along the way, and not wasting things is an effective strategy for saving money to travel.

My New Camera Bag

Backpack

Right now, I’m using a midsize REI Lookout 40 backpack. Though the description claims it to be a daypack, I think it’s just about perfect as a long term pack.

It’s not too big, yet it’s just slightly bigger than a normal school backpack. It allows me to slip in my computer, and fill the rest of the bag up with clothes and toiletries.

I also carry a Lowepro Passport Sling bag for my camera. I really like this bag because it fits my DSLR nicely and there’s also space for things like a bottle of water for a day out.

Another reason I really like it is because it is plain, and doesn’t look too much like a traditional camera bag.

A few of my clothes

Clothes

I really don’t like shopping and I try to avoid buying clothes as much as possible, so luckily I’m not one of those people who accumulates a giant wardrobe when traveling. I normally won’t buy a new shirt until my previous one is about to fall apart.

Here are the clothes I carry:

• 4 shirts
• 2 shorts (1 cargo shorts, 1 sports shorts)
• 1 pair of pants
• 3 pairs of underwear
• 2 pairs of socks (though I try to avoid wearing shoes as much as possible)
• 1 rain jacket

Of course depending on weather conditions, this can always change. In order to carry just a small amount of clothes, I wash them quite frequently in the sink of wherever I’m staying.

If it’s warm, I exclusively wear sandals (flip flops) though I do have a pair of Salomon XT Wings for hiking and other outdoor adventures.

My toiletries kit

Toiletries

I tend to live and travel rather maintenance free. I carry virtually nothing apart from a toothbrush, toothpaste, nail clippers, sun lotion, and a few normal toiletry odds and ends (like Tylenol). I also carry a small microfiber towel.

All my toiletries fit into a small, 2″ x 6″ little bag.

DSLR Camera

Electronics

Being a travel blogger, writer, and attempting to survive by means of the internet, there are a few gadgets that I carry around with me when I travel.

• Macbook Pro: About 1.5 years ago I made the upgrade from a small netbook computer to a 13-inch MacBook Pro. As I spend a lot of time on the computer writing, editing photos and cutting videos, it was a real beneficial upgrade. Though I find the computer to be a little heavy, it’s worth the lugging around! When buying a travel laptop you need to think about what you’ll be using it for and how much you’ll be using it.
• Canon 550D: For a while I traveled with only a small point and shoot camera, and for most purposes it was perfect. However, my lust for photography and attempting to share higher quality photos justified my purchase of a DSLR Canon 550D full size camera. It’s much heavier and bulkier than a point and shoot, but the photo quality can’t be beat. It also shoot great HD videos.
• Small Unlocked Phone: I don’t have any sort of fancy phone, just a cheap unlocked phone strictly for making calls, not for doing e-mail or tweeting.

Other Stuff

Note on Packing

What a lot of travelers don’t realize is that almost everything one could possibly need (as long as it’s not too personal or specialized) can be purchased in other countries around the world.

If the exact same thing can’t be bought, there’s often a substitute that may even work better, or cost less than buying it at home (we are all humans around the world and we all have some of the same wants / needs).

For instance, when I was in Egypt, I needed eye drops and when I went into the pharmacy, a bottle cost me about $0.50. That’s much cheaper than they’d be in the United States.

Final Thought

Everyone packs differently, and all of us have our own unique comforts when we travel.

When you pack for a trip, make sure you have enough to be comfortable with, but don’t overdo it so your things hold you back or tie you down.

When you start worrying about your stuff, it’s time to analyze and scale down!

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Flying over the South Pacific on Air Tahiti Nui

Fact: In 2011, a paltry 30% of Americans have passports. By comparison, that’s half the percentage of our friendly neighbor to the North, Canada.

If I can inspire one person without a passport to at least apply for one, with a vision of traveling overseas within the next 10 years, then I’d consider the last 5 years of blogging on Go Backpacking a success.

To make the process as easy as possible for you, Go Backpacking has partnered with VisaHQ*, a leading Washington, DC-based company offering online passport and travel visa services to Americans.

While I happened to live in a DC suburb, and could visit any number of Foreign Embassies in person to apply for visas before my ’round the world trip, most Americans don’t have that luxury.

And that’s where VisaHQ enters the picture.

At its most basic, the process involves:

1. Filling out an online application
2. Mailing your supporting documents
3. Receiving your passport and visa(s) back in the mail

Online Passport Services

• Applying for a new passport
• Renewing a passport
• Adding extra pages
• Getting a 2nd passport
• Replacing a lost/stolen passport
• Name changes

Travel Visas

If you’ve already got your passport, then you may want to check out the travel visa services.

This is especially important for travelers planning to visit multiple countries during the same trip, or countries which have strict entry requirements.

VisaHQ provides clear, concise information about entry requirements for countries around the world. And they offer this visa support for Americans, as well as Canadians, and UK citizens.

I’ve already begun using them as my primary resource for countries here in South America.

To see how easy it is, go to the Travel Guides section on Go Backpacking, and look down and to the right for the VisaHQ widget.

Enter your Citizenship and Destination Country, then click “Check Requirements” to see whether a Tourist Visa is required. If no visa is required, you’ll see the button turn green. If a travel visa is required, as is the case for me with Bolivia, you’ll see the button turn red.

Click the red button, and you’ll be transferred to a page outlining the country’s requirements (for example, go here to see Bolivia’s entry requirements).

In addition to the visa requirements, you’ll also see the type of visa offered (single entry, multiple entry), maximum validity, processing time, and cost.

Benefits of Using VisaHQ

• Save time and money - let VisaHQ facilitate the processes. For new passports, pay $44.95 + regular government fees, and you’ll receive your new passort in 8-14 business days.
• Easy access to customer service - contact VisaHQ with questions or concerns via their online chat option, toll-free number, or email address.

To kick off our new partnership, you can save 10% off any passport services by using the code “GoPassportHQ” during the application / order process now through October 22, 2011.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I’ll get you the answer(s) as soon as possible.
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*As an affiliate of VisaHQ, Go Backpacking will receive a small commission for any passport or visa services purchased through our site. 

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My cabin in the Estrella del Mar

Lauren, one of my 20-something cruisemates in the Galapagos, mentioned she had trouble finding a packing list online before the trip. While I found quite a few through Google, I wanted to add my own 2-cents.

For backpackers, the packing list for the Galapagos Islands will vary little from what you typically carry. And whether you plan to do land-based trips, or live on a yacht for a week, the items you’ll carry are the same.

For those travelers who are not used to packing light, a cruise-based trip is a good time to start. Pictured above is my double cabin on the Estrella del Mar, a typical 1st Class motor yacht.

To the right you can catch a faint glimpse of the storage space for two people. Beyond these small closets, there’s little space aside from your bed to place belongings. If you’re aboard a Deluxe or Luxury yacht, of course you can expect to have a little more space.

Recommended Clothing

• Bathing suit(s) / board shorts
• Long (convertible) lightweight pants
• Several t-shirts, or tank tops for the ladies
• Long sleeve shirt for sun protection, and evenings
• Hoody, sweatshirt, or sweater for evenings (it can be especially chilly at night if you’re above deck and the boat is moving)
• Underwear (I recommend Ex Officio)
• Socks (I recommend SmartWool)
• Hat, scarf, bandanna, or any other form of sun protection
• Windbreaker

I wore almost the same clothes every day of my 8-day cruise.

During the day, it was board shorts and one of two t-shirts. At night, I changed into lightweight cargo pants, a cleaner (nights only) t-shirt, and my lightweight, Go Lite hoody.

Recommended Footwear

Regarding footwear, there are two types of landings you’ll make when visiting the islands from a boat: dry landings, and wet landings.

Dry landings are exactly that — you can expect to step off the panga (dingy) onto dry land, usually in the form of concrete steps, or a dock.

Wet landings occur when you disembark directly on a beach, and have to get your feet wet (no higher than your knees).

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The quirky Blue Footed Boobies are a beloved symbol of the Galapagos Islands.

Here’s a dirty little travel secret: you can show up at almost any popular tourist activity in the world and save serious cash by booking your trip at the last minute.

Whether it’s hiring a Nepali guide and porter for a trek to Everest Base Camp, or going on safari in Africa, rare will be the occasion you can’t get started within a few days of arrival.

To exemplify this rule, I’m going to share with you how to book a last minute cruise to the Galapagos Islands based on my recent experience.

Before I dive in, a disclaimer.

Results will vary greatly due to a large list of variables, from the time of year to tourism trends, and the degree of desperation a boat owner demonstrates at any given time to fill remaining beds before a cruise departs.

When to Go

Due to their proximity to the Equator, the weather on the Galapagos Islands remains fairly constant, which makes it a great year-round destination, however there are still a few factors to keep in mind when deciding when to go.

Water Temperatures

While the air temperatures may remain relatively constant, there is a hot and a cold season based on the ocean currents.

Warm Wet Season = Late December to June

Cold Dry Season = Late June to December

If you plan to go diving, or take advantage of snorkeling opportunities (as almost everyone does), you may prefer to time your cruise for the warm water season.

During the cold water season, you can still get in the water, however you’ll probably be more comfortable if you rent a wetsuit from your boat, or bring your own.

Go here for an excellent chart of average monthly air and water temperatures, rainfall, and hours of sunshine per day.

Peak Tourism

The high season for tourism is June to August, which is due to the Summer holiday season in North America and Europe.

Expect cruise rates to be higher during this time, and you may need a little extra time to book a spot on your preferred boat.

Migratory Patterns

Some species of wildlife are only present on and around the islands at certain times of year due to their natural migrations.

If you have your heart set on seeing whales off the coast of Isabella Island, or a certain type of bird, do your research in advance. For example, the large waved albatross will not be seen from December to mid-March.

Backpackers crossing the main street in Punta Ayora.

Where to Book Your Tour

There are 3 main cities where travelers are best off shopping around for, and booking, their last minute cruise to the Galapagos Islands.

Quito

The Mariscal neighborhood around Plaza Foch in Quito has a high density of hostels, hotels, restaurants, bars, and tour agencies.

You can easily walk out of your hostel and spend a few hours walking around, collecting quotes from various offices so you can make an informed decision.

While booking from Quito may be the easiest option, it’s not necessarily going to offer you the best deals.

Punta Ayora, Santa Cruz Island

If you’re serious about saving a few hundred dollars off the price of a cruise, you can arrange your own flight(s) to Punta Ayora on Santa Cruz Island, and then shop around for very last minute cruises.

The longer you can afford to wait before a cruise departs, the more likely you are to get a bargain basement price. Just don’t sit on a quote you like too long, because someone else can put down a deposit at any time and you’ll either have to wait longer, or go with an otherwise 2nd or 3rd choice instead.

For example, one Australian couple I know flew to Punta Ayora, and booked their 8-day cruise from there. On their boat, they learned everyone had paid a different rate, from $800 – $1,200. Unfortunately, I don’t know which class of boat they used, however based on the price it was either Economy/Tourist Class, or more likely, a 1st Class motor yacht.

Punta Ayora is a very small town, and not particularly picturesque, however there are a bunch of inexpensive day trips you can make, such as visiting the Darwin Research Center or Tortuga Bay, to kill time before your cruise departs. Be forewarned, these two popular spots may also show up on cruise itineraries as well.

There are several decent Internet cafes in town. Rooms can be had for $20/night, and if you avoid tourist restaurants and eat with the locals, you can get by on $5/meal.

Guayaquil

Located on the coast, Guayaquil is Ecuador’s largest city, and considered quite a bit more dangerous than Quito.

There’s no central tourist area to compare with Mariscal in Quito, so shopping around at different agencies to compare costs isn’t as easy.

While you may save $40 on your airfare to/from the islands by flying out of Guayaquil, it’s the least attractive location from which to book your last minute cruise, let alone kill time before flying to the Islands.

Length of Cruises

Most (non-diving) cruises are sold as either 5 days, or 8 days.

The last day of the cruise is a short one, so you’re better off thinking of them as 4 and 7 day cruises. To go a step further, the first day is only a 1/2 day, so choosing a 5-day cruise equates to 3 full days, while an 8-day cruise equates to 6 full days.

A cruise around the Galapagos Islands is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most travelers, so I highly recommend the 8-day cruise to make the most of your experience.

The more walks you go on, the more snorkeling you do, the greater your chances of seeing all the fascinating wildlife on offer.

Another option is to take the 5-day cruise, and tack on some extra time at the end to explore independently, or do some SCUBA diving through another company.

Estrella del Mar - a typical 1st class motor yacht.

Types of Ships

The biggest variable in determining how much you pay for a last minute cruise to the Galapagos Islands will be the class of boat you choose.

Finding out what others paid for their cruises is meaningless unless you also ask which boat they took.

In addition to the class of boat, which equates to the comfort level and quality of service, there are 3 main styles: sailboat, motor yacht, and catamaran.

Sailboats are mostly for show, and are often powered by their motors more than the wind. Motor yachts are the most common boat.  And modern catamarans offer increased stability for those who are prone to sea-sickness.

The most popular options for budget travelers are the Economy and 1st Class motor yachts.

Economy / Tourist Class – Least Expensive

The economy class boats offer the Galapagos experience for those with the least money to spend.

Comfort, quality of food, and itineraries are all sacrificed to some degree when you choose these options. Slower boats, such as the old sail boats, will not have itineraries that are as varied as the faster boats. These boats carry 12 – 16 passengers.

Examples of Economy boats

1st Class – Most Popular

Within the category of 1st Class are a wide variety of yachts, therefore some websites and travel agencies break them out into lower, middle, and higher levels to further delineate the quality of service, and thereby justify the pricing.

From a marketing standpoint, this makes sense — getting on a “1st Class” boat sounds a lot better to customers than an “Economy” one!

The good news is even the lower level 1st Class yachts are sufficient (if not quite enjoyable) in terms of comfort, food, and quality of service by the crew.

For example, I experienced both the Eden, and Estrella del Mar, and can say while each had it’s own pro’s and con’s, they both met, if not exceeded, my expectations.

Common features included:

• nice interior design
• comfortable cabins and bathrooms
• good air-conditioning
• great and varied food
• friendly staff

These boats carry 12 – 16 passengers.

Examples of Low End 1st Class Yachts and costlier High End 1st Class Yachts

Queen Beatriz - a typical Deluxe catamaran (this one is chartered by GAP Adventures).

Deluxe / Luxury Class

If you can afford to splash out on your Galapagos cruise, then check out the Deluxe or Luxury options.

These yachts and catamarans offer the highest quality service, and the best educated naturalists (who will also speak the best English). And if you’re looking for a jacuzzi on deck, these are the boats for you.

Examples of Luxury Yachts and Catamarans

National Geographic's Endeavour

Cruise Ships

Larger ships, such as the National Geographic Endeavour, offer another level of luxury and stability the smaller boats can’t compete with. Larger boats also mean larger numbers of passengers, which may be the preference of some visitors to the Islands.

Examples of Cruise Ships

When you’re shopping around, I recommend getting quotes for the full spectrum of boats available.

Don’t be scared away by rates you see published online.

Remember, you’ve got the advantage of booking last minute, at potentially great savings! You may be able to get a great, last minute deal on a a Deluxe catamaran for the price of a typical 1st Class boat.

Every evening, our Galapagos guide Felipe would brief us on the following day's itinerary.

Itineraries

When I was getting quotes for cruises, I found the faster, more expensive yachts often have itineraries focused on simply encircling Isabella Island, the largest island on the Western side of the Galapagos archipelago.

The coldest water passes along the western coast of the island, which means it’s good for whale watching, and there’s also the chance to see dolphins, in addition to much of the same wildlife you can see on the smaller islands.

However, even some of the smaller, 1st Class boats have amazing itineraries.

I initially chose the Eden, for example, because it was one of the few boats to visit the small, northern island of Genovesa on an 8-day cruise. It’s a very out of the way island that’s home to the world’s largest colony of Red Footed Boobies, among many other birds.

Unfortunately, that yacht has a mechanical problem the 1st day, and we missed out on Genovesa as it wasn’t on our new boat’s, Estrella del Mar’s, itinerary.

As a result of that experience, we learned that it takes a minimum 8 days for the park services to approve changes to cruise itineraries, so in other words, if something goes wrong, there’s little chance you’re boat will be able to make up for it on another day.

All the itineraries will assure you plenty of amazing wildlife viewing opportunities, so if they make you dizzy looking at and comparing them all, don’t worry too much about it.

The itinerary of any given boat is a bigger factor if you’re dead set on seeing certain types of birds or wildlife, such as the whales which are only around Isabella Island, and the Red Footed Boobies on Genovesa.

My Favorite Island

Of my 8-day itinerary, the single best day was spent on Espanola Island, where we had the chance to swim/snorkel with wild sea lions, see red and green “Christmas” Marine Iguanas, Blue Footed Boobies, Galapagos Hawks, Frigate Birds, and the Waved Albatross.

The airport runway on Santa Cruz Island.

Related Expenses

The cost of the boat may be the largest single expense if you want to experience the Galapagos by boat, however there are a host of other expenses to budget for as well.

Luckily, these are all well known and easy to account for.

Required

• $430 – Roundtrip Airfare to/from Islands (this is slightly less in the Low Tourist season, or if you out of Guayaquil vs. Quito). I was informed you can try and book the airfare yourself, and note you’re an Ecuadorian to get about a 50% lower rate, however if they call you out on this at the airport, you’ll be required to pay the difference on the spot.
• $100 – Park entrance fee (paid on arrival at the airport)
• $10 – Airport fee (paid at the airport from which you depart the mainland)

Optional

• $100+ Tip for the guide and boat crew. Rule of thumb is to tip at least $10 per day, split between the guide and boat crew. At the end of your cruise, you’ll receive two envelopes for divvying up the cash. Tip more if you had a great time!
• $30 – Wetsuit rental for a week. Necessary during the cold water season, and a good idea any time if you’re prone to sunburn. The boats carry a range of full and half-length sizes to rent.
• $30 – Snorkel rental for a week. On nicer boats, this fee is included in the overall cost of the cruise, so make sure you find out when you’re getting quotes. Or bring your own.
• Bar Tab – On lower level 1st Class yachts, the beers were $2.50, and cocktails $4 – $5.
• Souvenirs – You’ll have a few chances to do souvenir shopping in towns like Punta Ayora, on Santa Cruz Island.

How to Pay

Ecuador is very much a cash-based economy, so unless you want to pay high fees to pay for your trip with credit, expect that you’ll need to make a few large withdrawals from the local ATM’s. The good news is the official currency is the US Dollar.

I booked my trip through Sangay Tours, which was recommended to me by Uncornered Market, and I’m happy to recommend as well.

They charge a 10% fee for using credit cards, and a 4% fee for using PayPal.  If you have a debit card that charges a lesser foreign transaction fee, such as 1% with E*Trade Checking, then it’ll make sense to take money out via ATM and pay in cash.

Depending on your daily withdrawal limit, this may require multiple trips to the ATM and travel office, which is another reason to book your trip in Quito or Punta Ayora.

There should be no fee for paying the airline ticket via credit or debit card.

Preparing to board the Eden our 1st day.

The Cost of My 8-Day, Last Minute Cruise to the Galapagos Islands

As soon as I’d announced my pending cruise to the Galapagos Islands, I started getting questions about how much the trip cost me, both from those who were planning to go, as well as those who’d been.

I confirmed my spot on the cruise 4 days before it departed. Here’s an itemized list of ALL my expenses associated with the trip:

• $1,550 – 8-day cruise on a (lower level) 1st Class motor yacht. First night spent on Eden, with the remaining 6 on Estrella del Mar. Rate includes transport between the airport and yacht on Galapagos, snorkel equipment, 7 night on-board accommodation, and 3 meals a day. Paid in cash.
• $428.60 – Roundtrip airfare from Quito to Santa Cruz Island via TAME Airlines. Paid on debit card.
• $10 – Quito airport departure / park-related fee. Paid in cash.
• $100 - Galapagos Park fee. Paid in cash.
• $30 – Wetsuit rental for week. Paid in cash 1st day on the boat.
• $3 - Souvenir stone carved turtle.
• $21 – Drinks and ice cream in a few towns we visited.
• $9 – Yacht bar tab (I was so tired from the day’s activities, I didn’t drink much alcohol).
• $110 - Tips for guide and yacht staff. Paid in cash.

Did I forget anything? If you’ve been to the Galapagos, share your money-saving tips in the Comments.

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Hanging out on Moorea, a small island west of Tahiti.

My Mom took more than a few solo trips in her twenties, before meeting my Dad. One such trip was to Australia, by way of Fiji. A black wooden spear, and a picture of a traditionally dressed Fijian man, were two of her souvenirs that adorned our house when I was growing up.

When it came time to plan my own visit to New Zealand and Australia, as part of my trip around the world, I came very close to booking a direct flight over the entire South Pacific.

I naively assumed the cost of Fiji holidays, or touching down on any island nation, would be too high — they were the domain of the rich and famous, not budget travelers.

Luckily, I came to my senses, thinking how much of a waste it’d be to fly over the entire Pacific Ocean and not stop on at least one remote island paradise.

Upon doing further research, I discovered there were two popular destinations for backpackers on ’round the world trips: Tahiti (French Polynesia) and Fiji.

Luxury bungalows in French Polynesia.

Tahiti & French Polynesia

Tahiti. The name of French Polynesia’s most populated island just sounded exotic. And when it comes to making travel decisions, sometimes that’s all I need. But it also sounded expensive.

To find out if I could afford a brief stop in French Polynesia en route to New Zealand, I searched the BootsnAll message boards. A few travelers had taken the time to share their experiences, including the cost of staying at a campground called Chez Nelson on the island of Moorea, a one hour ferry ride west of Tahiti.

About $20 per night afforded a roof over your head in a small (and I mean closet-sized) room. But that was enough for me to consider the option further.

Next, I looked up flights, and found that it would actually be about $100 cheaper to fly to New Zealand on Air Tahiti Nui, including a stopover in French Polynesia, then if I were to fly straight to Auckland on Air New Zealand. After giving it a lot of consideration, I booked the Air Tahiti flight, with a 5-night stopover in the middle of the South Pacific.

During my stay, I couchsurfed with a French doctor, watched the sun set from a black sand beach, partied under the crystal clear stars, and snorkeled with sharks.

While I didn’t go on any organized adventure tours, I did help my new doctor friend drive his Volkswagen down a steep and treacherous mountain, at night, in the rain. I was so anxious, I had images of plunging off the mountain into the abyss below. Thankfully, it was an automatic.

I averaged $66 per day, which ironically, was 33% less than I’d end up spending per day in New Zealand and Australia. In retrospect, travel in the South Pacific had the potential to be much cheaper than I ever imagined. And I wish I’d given myself more time there.

An island in Fiji. (Photo: Christian Haugen)

Fiji

Fiji was far and away the more popular destination for backpackers when I was researching where to go. And I still believe that’s the case today.

The cost of traveling there is less, and there are plenty of Fiji holiday packages available to suit anyone’s needs. Both Fiji and Tahiti are popular diving destinations, and I know Nomadic Matt, for one, learned to dive in Fiji a year or two ago with Gary Arndt of Everything-Everywhere.com.

Given my Mom had been to Fiji in her youth, the idea of visiting it as well held an added appeal. Combined with the lower costs, I was tempted. Ultimately, I decided to go with Tahiti and French Polynesia because it seemed like fewer backpackers were going there.

But I don’t think you can go wrong when it comes to picking island destinations in the South Pacific.

The only mistake you can make when planning a trip around the world is to pass over an entire ocean and not make the effort to touch down at lease once.

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This was a sponsored post, which enables me to continue bringing you entertaining travel stories and practical travel tips from around the world.

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My capsule at the Ace Inn Shinjuku.

The capsule hotels in Tokyo are yet another example of the Japanese attitude toward efficient use of space.

Capsule hotels offer guests a very small space to sleep at night, along with the use of common bathrooms. The big hotels integrate onsens as well.

They are budget friendly by Tokyo standards, and if you’re wondering why a resident might subject himself to such a tight space, consider that it’s the perfect solution for workers who might get drunk at a happy hour and not be in a position to return home for the night.

After my less-than-ideal experience at a Japanese onsen in Kyoto, I decided not to go to a big capsule hotel. The reviews I read online made them seem less than desirable, though I suspect part of that had to do with the culture shock foreigners faced when experiencing their first onsen.

A room devoted to sleeping capsules.

Instead, I chose the Ace Inn Shinjuku, which had a whole floor devoted to glorified bunk beds encased in wood paneling, with privacy curtains and external desks.

It was actually rather fun to spend the night there, mostly because I had wi-fi access and could camp out in my little space and not be bothered by whoever else was in the room. It reminded me of the sleepovers I’d had as a kid, where we’d build forts out of couch cushions, blankets, and whatever else we could get our hands on.

The cost was $50 per night. For $10 less per night, I’d stayed at a Lonely Planet recommended boutique hotel in the capital of Laos. But this is Tokyo, where cheap hostel dorm beds start at $40 per night, so I chalked the difference up to a little privacy for my final night in Japan.

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Travellerspoint has a ton of cheap accommodation options in Tokyo, including the Ace Inn Shinjuku.

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A few of my fellow bloggers have recently written about overcoming one’s fear of travel, so I thought it an apropos time to share my experiences through 34 years, and 34 countries.

Let’s go back in time to the very beginning…

Waiting to get a bed at Bob's Youth Hostel in Amsterdam.

1998 – Backpacking in Europe

It wasn’t even my idea at the time. Three of my best friends and college roommates were going to spend two months in Europe after graduation. I started to feel like the odd man out, and decided I wanted to go too.

Fear of Travel #1 – Telling My Parents

The biggest fear with this trip was breaking the news to my parents that their newly minted college graduate of a son was about to run around Europe with his friends instead of look for a job.

I knew this was an age old tradition, and hoped my Mom would appreciate where I was coming from as she’d traveled a fair bit in her 20′s as well.  I broke the news to them, and while I can’t recall the details, it all worked out fine.

Within a few month of returning home, I started working at a company I’d continue to be with for the next 3 1/2 years.

Fear of Travel #2 – Traveling Solo

While I was having the time of my life visiting the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, and sipping red wine in Venice, my friends were talking of home within the first 7 days.  I could hardly believe it. Two of them missed their girlfriends, and one was worried about money.

Neither was an issue for me, so I resolved to continue traveling as planned for the full 7 weeks.  Until then we’d been together almost 24/7, but it was clear we had different priorities.  I would suggest the Medici Palace in Florence, and my friends preferred to read in the hostel.

Our time together gave me a chance to learn the backpacking ropes, and when it came time to say goodbye, I remained in Florence as everyone else started to make their way back to Paris for flights home. Standing in the hostel dorm room, I was alone for only a few minutes before I remember striking up a conversation with another traveler about punk music. And then before I knew it, I was out to dinner with a huge group of backpackers from the hostel.

And ever since then, I’ve known traveling solo doesn’t have to mean you do everything by yourself (actually, it’s quite the opposite).

In 2008, I finally made it to Egypt, 7 years after I initially planned to go.

2001 – Egypt and the 9/11 Attacks

I’d been working hard, but not earning a lot at that first job. Travel took a back seat to buying a shiny new Volkswagen Jetta. Before I knew it, I was in my mid 20′s without another international trip (beyond a snowboarding vacation in British Colombia).  Through the internet, I booked a cheap package trip to Egypt for early October 2011.

Fear of Travel #3 – Terrorism and Civil Unrest

Then the 9/11 attacks happened. I had to decide if I should continue on my trip to the Middle East, or cancel. I knew at the time to cancel out of fear alone would be silly. I knew it.  But with daily images on the news of the Twin Towers burning, and my parents advising against it, I cancelled anyways.

The decision was aided by the fact that Delta cancelled their service to Cairo, at least for a short time, and therefore I got a full refund on the airfare. I lost a few hundred dollars after cancelling the tour. Trip cancellation coverage, such as you get with Good2Go might’ve prevented that too.

What bothered me for years to follow was the knowledge that I let my fears govern my behavior. It’s a slippery slope once you start allowing that to happen, and I’ve tried hard not to let it happen since.

The small but comfortable hotel room where I spent 10 days in bed.

2007 – Around the World Trip

In my mid twenties I decided to make up for lost time with an epic, 12+ month trip around the world.

Fear of Travel #4 – I’ll Run Out of Money Before My Trip is Over

I spent 5 1/2 years paying off credit card debts and saving enough money to the point where I felt I could last 12 months or more, without having to work overseas.

Ultimately, there’s no way around the fear that you’ll run out of money too soon. You have to set a savings goal based on your best estimations and online research, and then go when you reach it. Otherwise, it’s too easy to keep saving, and never actually do the difficult things required to take off on a long term trip (tell your family, quit your job, sell/store your stuff).

As it turned out, I had enough money to travel for 15 months through 21 countries. I didn’t get to go everywhere I wanted, but show me a traveler who ever does.

Fear of Travel #5 – Rare Tropical Diseases & Falling Ill on the Road

I’m a recovering hypochondriac. I use to (and still sometimes do) blow symptoms out of proportion, and as a result, get myself worked up over nothing.

Planning a trip to exotic locations around the world, from the comfort of home, makes this all the more easy to do. Who hasn’t read the story of the guy who contracted weird tropical worms while living in the jungles of Borneo? Fear of illness or injury is one fear I know many others share as well.

During my trip around the world, I had the occasional cold or aches and pains from a trek, but luckily, serious health issues were not a problem. The exception was my stay on Phuket, which was meant to only last a few days, but turned into a two-week ordeal.

The short version is I had a medium strength headache and fever, and after numerous trips to pharmacies and doctors, never really knew the cause. Some kind of infection. Meanwhile I was bedridden with what I can best describe as an extreme case of lethargy. I simply had no energy. Toward the end, I started to suspect mononucleosis, and considered flying halfway around the world to be back home in the US until I felt better.

But I was stubborn. I got a second opinion from a different doctor who spoke better English. Within a few days of his treatment (which involved a shot of cortisone to my behind), I was on the move again.

It was one of the scariest moments of my trip, being alone and bedridden, wondering what was wrong with me. In the end, I’m proud I didn’t let my fear drive me to do something extreme, like booking a flight home (which is not to say that under different circumstances, that wouldn’t have been the prudent course of action, and potentially covered by one’s international travel insurance).

Paragliding in the mountains above Medellin, Colombia

2009 – Travel and Living in Colombia

I received more than a few cocaine and kidnapping jokes when I shared my plans to visit Colombia with friends and family. I’d wanted to go since talking to a Swiss backpacker in Costa Rica way back in 2005. He said it was safe (at least as safe as any other Latin country) and beautiful.

I wanted to go because nobody else was talking about it, let alone thinking of the country as a “must see” destination in South America.

Fear of Travel #6 – Going Off the Beaten Track

Admittedly, I was a bit apprehensive about traveling to cities I’d only heard of in the context of car bombings and Hollywood movies about narco-trafficking, but I purposefully wanted to face that fear head on.

In early 2009, I touched down in Bogota, and took a taxi from the airport to a university student’s apartment where I’d be couchsurfing my first week. Walking into her apartment, I immediately saw The Simpsons on TV, and the two girls using their laptops with Wi-Fi internet. My too-embarrassing-to-mention stereotypes of life in Colombia shattered in an instant.

And when I got to Medellin, it was all over for me. The city was one of the most beautiful I’d seen in all my travels, the climate was perfect, and the streets were full of the life. I pushed through my fear, and the fears of many others on my behalf, and found them to be paper thin.

Now in my thirties and looking back, I’ve learned pushing through one’s fear of travel is like exercising a muscle.

The more you do it, the stronger you become.

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Streets of Manila, Philippines

The cost of travel in the Philippines is relatively cheap, with average South East Asian prices. The most expensive part about traveling to the Philippines is the initial flight to get there, given its location, a chain of islands off the coast of the Asian subcontinent.

If you plan on visiting many destinations throughout the Philippines, fees can add up due to island hopping and plane flights. If you wish to stay put and not try to hop around to too many islands, the price of daily living can be very affordable.

The Philippines uses the Philippine Peso: 1 USD = 43.40 Philippine Pesos (PHP)

Accommodation

To be honest, I couchsurfed and stayed at local Filipino homes for the majority of my 2 month stay in the Philippines. That being said, there are plenty of options.

• Dorm Beds: If you aim to save money, search for dorm beds which can be found from $2 – $5 (not always available)
• Private Double Rooms:  More common than dorm beds are private rooms with a few beds in them; lowest private double rooms go for $5 – $10
• Step Up (Mid-Range): $15 – $30 will get you a nice hotel room
• I stayed in small guest houses and bungalows in Banaue, Batad, and Mayoyao rice terraces for 200 – 300 PHP ($4.64 – $6.96) per night by myself
• I splurged for a very nice guest house dorm bed in Sagada and paid 250 PHP ($5.80) per night

Accommodation can get more expensive on islands popular with tourists, like Boracay.

Seafood Dampa in Manila

Food

There are plenty of street snacks and edibles that are super cheap.  However, most meals, which include rice and side dishes run from about 50 – 150 PHP ($1.16 – $3.48) on the street.

• Manila street dining – Jolly Jeep street food: 50 – 150 PHP ($1.16 – $3.48)
• Meals at fast food chains: 100 – 200 PHP ($2.32 – $4.64)
• Sitting down for nicer meals at restaurants can cost anywhere from 200 – 600 PHP ($4.64 – $13.92) per meal.  I splurged on a wonderful Korean meat barbecue dinner that came out to be 500 PHP ($11.60) per person after we were all overly stuffed.
• Giant seafood extravaganza known as seafood dampa (order fresh seafood and they cook it right then and there): about 300 PHP ($6.96) per person

Nightlife / Drinking

As the home of San Miguel beer, the Philippines (just like Vietnam) has some super cheap beer.

• Beers from convenience stores / local bars: 20 – 40 PHP ($0.46 – $0.93)
• San Miguel beer from bars: 30 – 50 PHP ($0.70 – $1.16), often a deal of 6 for 200 PHP ($4.64)
• Tanduay is the most common local liquor: 1 liter for 50 – 100 PHP ($1.16 – $2.32)
• Drinks at fancier clubs and bars: 100 – 200 PHP ($2.32 – $4.64)
• Some nicer nightclubs charge a cover: 200 – 500 PHP ($4.64 – $11.60)

Jeepney in the Philippines

Transportation

Within Manila

• Metro: 10 – 15 PHP ($0.23 – $0.35) per ride
• Bus: 10 – 20 PHP ($0.23 – $0.46) per ride
• Jeepneys: Usually 7 – 10 PHP ($0.16 – $0.46) depending on where you are going
• Taxi: 30 PHP ($0.70) start up fare and then increases from there.  Make sure to confirm the driver uses the meter.
• Tricycle: Small motorcycle constructed vehicles that run around the neighborhoods of Manila and small towns, should cost 5 – 20 PHP ($0.12 – $0.46) depending on the distance.

Outside of Manila

• Flight: I took a very cheap one-way flight with Zest Airlines from Manila to the island of Palawan for 488 PHP ($11.33), coming back to Manila I purchased a flight 1 day ahead of departure for 1300 PHP ($30.17). Other airlines to check out for flights to other island are Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, or SE Air.
• Bus: A very decent overnight bus from Manila to a city called Naga City in the region of Bicol cost 850 PHP ($19.73). I also took an overnight bus from Manila to the rice terrace town of Banaue for 450 PHP ($10.44).
• 2 hour bus ride from Manila to Tagaytay to see the world’s smallest active volcano: 110 PHP ($2.55)
• 6 hour bus ride from Manila to Baguio City: 350 PHP ($8.12)

Sample Costs of Sites and Attractions

Manila

• Manila Ocean Park: 400 PHP ($9.28)
• Walking around old colonial town Intramuros: Free
• Fort Santiago: 75 PHP ($1.74)
• Ayala Museum: 350 PHP ($8.12)
• Night of Karaoke: 300 PHP ($6.96)

Coron Island, Palawan, Philippines

Outside of Manila

• Hot Spring in Bicol – 200 PHP ($4.64)
• All day and night personal guide hiking through the mountains of Ifugao region of the Philippines (I was by myself) – 350 PHP ($8.12)
• Guide for hiking through a cave in Sagada: 200 – 400 PHP ($4.64 – $9.28)  per person
• Round trip from Manila to the top of Mount Taal – the world’s smallest active volcano: around 700 PHP ($16.24)
• Renting a boat and crew to cruise around Coron island (above): 500 – 1000 PHP ($11.60 – $23.20) per person depending on how many people are with you

Traveling and attractions around the islands of the Philippines often cater towards groups and for this reason, it’s normally cheaper to have a few friends to split costs with.

When taking into account the cost of travel in the Philippines, don’t forget about the 750 PHP ($17.41) tax when leaving the country!

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Pre-trip Me

I never imagined that on my first backpacking trip, I would come face to face with ‘the uglies’.

While I’m not particularly vain, my beauty style is that of Audrey Hepburn, simple and classic. Traveling around the world for a year and living out of a backpack, I threw my beauty style out the window.

I cut my hair too short (I’m Colombian and have unruly hair), dyed my hair bleach blond (it turned orange first), and tortured my skin with my sporadic traveling routine.

Plus I was traveling with guys who could care less about their image. I found myself plagued with the dichotomy of not caring and feeling pretty. What I learned is that with a few adjustments, I can have the best of both two worlds.

It’s important to explore the clear and yet unclear difference between not caring and feeling beautiful on the road.

On the one side, the nomadic lifestyle lends itself to a carefree mentality about everything. That makes it easy to disregard taking care of yourself and your image.

At the core though, putting your best foot forward everyday helps you to stay centered and true to the person you were before you went on the backpacking adventure.

Case in Point

For some reason, I decided that having short hair would be so much easier to manage on the road. I went from long, voluptuous brown hair to a short boy cut. It also didn’t help meeting hairstylists in every hostel.

All of them wanted to ‘help’ me and my unruly hair. I let them cut, butcher and dye my hair all sorts of crazy colors. I used gel to keep it in control, bobby pins to style it and hats to hide the crazy volume.

After 6 months of this self-inflicted torture, I decided that I would never let another person touch my hair to ‘fix’ it. I look at the pictures from the first 6 months and can’t tell if I’m looking at an Einstein look alike sometimes. I hated taking pictures because my hair was so crazy. I learned that for me, my hair is the centerpiece of my persona.

When I travel now for extended periods, I take care of my hair and treat it with respect. My pictures are 10 times better because of the lessons I learned on my backpacking trip.

No matter how much maintenance you put into your beauty routine, everyone loves to feel confident with their own looks. The best way to think about staying beautiful while traveling is by knowing your three most important categories: skin, hair and style.

Remember that beauty extends beyond gender. These tips on how to stay beautiful while traveling are applicable to both men and women.

Skin

Late nights drinking, skimping on showers, sleeping in hostels, eating whatever you can. Sound familiar?

All these things compound and show up on your skin. Your skin may loose its natural glow; you may get acne; you may have dark undereye circles. Regardless of what manifests, treating your skin like a ragdoll is a surefire way to destroy your skin confidence.

These are some of the best ways to help your skin radiant on the road:

• Drink water. Think of your skin like a plant. Watering your plant will keep it growing and healthy.
• Wash your face at night. You may not think that you’re dirty, but your face is a dirt sponge. Our skin regenerates itself at night. If you feel too lazy to wash your face (it will happen), use baby wipes.
• If you start to break out, resist the urge to play with it. Your face is not a science experiment. Let the break out take its course.
• Wear sunscreen. This applies to your face and your body. Your older self will be eternally grateful if you protect it.

Hair

Learn from my experience. Don’t let random people tell you about your hair!

Here are some tricks of the trade:

• Bobby pins, gel, mousse, hats, bandanas. All these tools will help keep your hair looking nice and well groomed.
• Dry shampoo or baby powder are your best friends. If you don’t have enough time to wash your hair, both of these are lifesavers. They soak up the oil in your hair so it doesn’t look dirty.
• The upkeep of experimenting is difficult while backpacking. Traveling opens up your eyes to new hairdos. The temptation to try one of them is huge. Just remember that because you’re traveling, you won’t be able to maintain the style like you would at home. Experiment wisely.

Style

Your style is representative of you. It’s easy to forget that while you’re traveling. It’s as if your style mindset shifts from being authentic to being practical. The great news is that you can marry the two.

Here are some tips to keep your style rocking:

• Wear things that make you feel confident. You will radiate with confidence if you take care of yourself. You’re clothes are a tangible indication of how you feel.
• Try a ‘practical with accessories’ style. There are some cases where you have to wear certain clothes that won’t necessarily be flattering or your signature pieces. In that instance, add one piece of clothing or accessory that demonstrates your authentic style. That is your reminder of confidence.

Beauty is a way of thinking. While these tips and tools are superficial, remember that your beauty will always start on the inside.

It’s also important to embrace your ‘uglies’ as well. Sometimes you won’t be able to help how you look because of your circumstances. That’s ok. What matters is how you present yourself to yourself everyday.

So go ahead…impress that person in the mirror.

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Indonesian Ruphiah

Indonesia is a huge country that is made up of a massive archipelago of over 17,000 islands. Each island offers an incredible natural environment and a diversity of cultures, traditions and ethnic groups.

In a country where you are able to relax on pristine islands, see Orangutans in the wild, climb volcanoes, and visit ancient historical sites, the cost of travel in Indonesia ensures it will continue to be a good deal for budget travelers.

Indonesia uses the Rupiah (IDR) currency – $1 = 8,710 IDR

Accommodation

Accommodation in general is quite affordable, if not outright cheap! Hostels are set up more as guest houses, it’s often easier to find double rooms than dorm beds. Some double rooms come en-suite, while other have communal bathroom facilities. Guest houses in the major cities or tourist areas, like Jakarta or Bali, have inflated room prices but prices are still decent.

As an example, along with a friend, I paid 50,000 IDR ($5.74), 25,000 ($2.87) each for a double room in the city of Medan, Sumatra, but on the beautiful shores of Lake Toba we only paid 30,000 IDR ($3.44) for a double room. At first thought, it almost seemed outrageous when the cheapest guest house we could find in Jakarta was 70,000 IDR ($8.04) per night, but then I realized it wasn’t too much when split by two. Accommodation prices in Bali or the popular tourist oriented islands of Indonesia are generally slightly more pricey.

A step above the cheapest rooms, that come with air condition can cost around 100,000 – 150,000 IDR ($11.48 – $17.22) per night for two.

Nasi Campur

Food

Street food in Indonesia is a great value. Simple single plate meals or noodles cost anywhere from 5,000 – 15,000 IDR ($0.57 – $1.72), while a giant plate of food with all kinds of assorted side dishes (nasi campur) costs 15,000 – 20,000 IDR ($1.72 – $2.30). Eating street style fulfilling meals like entire grilled fish and fancier dishes can cost in the range of 25,000 – 35,000 IDR ($2.87 – $4) per person.

Indonesian sit-down restaurants are priced in the 20,000 – 50,000 IDR ($2.30 – $5.74) realm.  If you eat at more Western style food chains or fancier restaurants, meals can cost 50,000 – 100,000 IDR ($5.74 – $11.48).

Large 1.5 liter bottle of water goes for 4000 – 5000 IDR ($.046 – $0.57).

Drinking / Going Out

In relation to cost of living and eating in Indonesia, drinking and going out is relatively expensive.

Local beer such as Bintang, at cheap convenience stores costs 10,000 – 15,000 IDR ($1.15 – $1.72). At bars or clubs, drinks can go for 20,000 – 50,000 IDR ($2.30 – $5.74). Some upper class or nightclubs that cater to tourists charge cover.

Suzuki SUV Bali, Indonesia

Transportation

Indonesia, as a chain of islands, sometimes presents a challenge when it comes to transportation. For getting from major island to island, there is a choice of ferry or flight. Indonesian style buses navigate the streets, but roads are often in poor conditions. Trying to get from Medan, Sumatra to Jakarta on the island of Java, there was a choice of bus and ferry combination, or taking a flight. The journey by road would have taken 4 days and the flight about 2 hours. With only a 1 month visa for Indonesia, I scooped up an Air Asia flight for 450,000 IDR ($51.66).

On the island of Java, the train is a great transportation option. Economy class overnight train from Jakarta to Yogyakarta cost me 110,000 IDR ($12.63). I also took the train from Yogyakarta to Surabaya for 65,000 IDR ($7.46).

If train is not available, bus is the only option left. I took a 12 hour, very nice bus from Cemoro Lawang (Mount Bromo) to Probolinggo, Java and across a ferry to Denpasar, Bali at the cost of 165,000 IDR ($18.94).

Within cities, there is the possibility of taking local buses, tuk tuks, rickshaws, or renting your own motorcycle or car. At Lake Toba, I rented a motorcycle for a day for about 60,000 IDR ($6.89) including petrol. In Bali, a few friends and I rented a micro Suzuki SUV that cost 200,000 IDR ($22.96) for 24 hours. It can be worth it to be able to go anywhere on your own time.

Mount Bromo, Java, Indonesia

Sample Cost of Indonesian Attractions

Sumatra
2 Day All-Inclusive Orangutan Trek in Bukit Lawang – $85 – One of the reasons this attraction is so expensive is due to the high fees that the national park charges for tourists.

Java
Jakarta National Monument Entrance – 7000 IDR ($0.80)
Indonesia National Museum – 2000 IDR ($0.23)
Borobudur Temple Entrance – $15 ( (half price for students)
Prambanan Temple Entrance – $13 (half price for students)
Mt. Bromo Park Entrance – 25,000 IDR ($2.87)

Bali
Tanah Lot Temple – 12,000 IDR ($1.38)
Mt. Batur – 6000 IDR ($0.69)
Elephant Temple – 7000 IDR ($0.80)

Upon leaving Indonesia, there is a departure tax of 150,000 IDR ($17.22).

For my total month of traveling in Indonesia, I spent a total of about $18 USD per day.

This included a plane flight, quite a lot of transportation, a lot of food, and all the attractions I wanted to see including the expensive Orangutan trek. I did save a bit of money by not drinking often and by couchsurfing for free about 1/3 of the time.

If you stay at accommodation with air condition and party many nights, the cost of traveling in Indonesia might hover from $25 – $30 per day. If you go super tight on the budget, you can get by in Indonesia for even $15 per day.

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Are you planning a globetrotting trip around the world and having trouble figuring out the visa requirements for each country?

Instead of scouring the web for each country’s immigration policies, you can now pick up all the information you need in The Visa Book by Christine Gilbert.

Christine from Almost Fearless has been jet-setting for long enough to understand the pains of acquiring visas and she’s taken responsibility for saving backpackers around the world from the same tedious process.

Her new eBook titled The Visa Book is an ebook all about visas. It won’t tell you where to dine or go skydiving, but it will tell you an Argentina visa will cost a U.S. citizen $140 (among many more details).

Quick Facts

• 253 pages long
• Instant PDF download
• Covers over 200 countries and territories
• Only for US citizens (although there may be Australian and European versions in the future)
• Updated editions will be released annually
• Does not cover long term residency visas, work visas or education visas (in other words, this is for tourist visas only)
• Cost is $10

What I Love

• Accuracy: The eBook gives in depth reviews of each country’s visa policies and then follows up with external links to official web sites to prove the information is accurate.
• Format: There isn’t much to navigate in the eBook; you just scroll down a list to the country you are interested in and click it if you want to see the full profile.
• Community Input: Each country profile has a link asking the readers if they have a unique experience in that country. I’m assuming this will be gathered and used for keeping the information up to date.
• Price: While you wasted hours of time searching for visa policies you probably skipped a meal and saved $10. Use that money to buy the underpriced Visa Book.

What I Would Like to See

• Tips: It would be nice to have 1-3 bullet point tips relating to customs policies in each country.
• Page Format: I prefer an eBook where the entire page can fit on one screen without zooming out too much. For eBooks this usually requires using a horizontal page layout.
• Country selection: Not sure how it would be done in an eBook, but it would be useful if the reader could select the countries they were visiting and just those pages would be shown.

Who The Visa Book is for: If you are planning a trip, vacation, gap year, or even a walkabout to more than one country, this is for you. It doesn’t matter what type of traveler you are, experienced or not, it will be $10 well spent.

Who it is not for: Your sibling who has never, and will never, leave the country.

If you like international travel, check out The Visa Book.

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Quick Synopsis: Nomadic Matt reveals how cheap and easy it is to travel the world. If you are looking for some tips on cutting travel costs, the “How to Travel the World on 50 Dollars a Day” eBook is perfect for you.  Continue reading for my full review.

Matt Kepnes, more commonly known as Nomadic Matt, has set out to show us how he can survive on an average of $50 per day while traveling the world. The book breaks down what it costs to stay at home for a year and how it is cheaper to take a gap year hopping all over the globe. With only $50 a day he shows you how to eat, sleep, sightsee, and travel.

The new eBook dives deep into pre-trip planning strategies then guides you through several regions of the world and what type of finances are required to travel in each one. Matt thoroughly analyzes Eastern and Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, U.S.A., South America, Southeast Asia, and then briefly touches and the remaining regions of the world.

Matt’s goal was to show how an average traveler can reduce their expenses to an average of $50 per day and his detailed financial analysis successfully proves his theory.

Details

• 113 pages of number crunching travel budget planning
• Hundreds of financial travel tips
• 14 world regions analyzed
• Pre-travel, during travel, and miscellaneous strategies for cutting costs
• $1,000 worth of coupons included

What I love about it

• Straightforward: Matt doesn’t beat around the bush in this eBook, he clearly lays out what it takes to travel the world on $50/day.
• Easy to follow: None of his tips for cutting the daily budget are difficult to follow. Neither the seasoned backpacker nor first time trekker will struggle applying the techniques.
• Coupons: Matt went above and beyond when getting some reputable travel companies to give his readers a discount. Highlights include hostel chains and even a Eurail discount.
• Pre-trip planning: Many travel guides only dabble in pre-trip suggestions but Matt devoted 30 pages to it. It isn’t about planning where to go and what to see but rather what you can do before your trip to cut your daily trip expenses.
• Insight into Matt’s life: Matt is a pro when it comes to traveling on a dime and the book reveals to us exactly how he does it. You might not follow it all to the tee, but just applying a couple of Matt’s strategies will save you thousands of dollars on your next trip.

A few critiques

• Length: Although the eBook is fairly short and Matt probably had to cut a ton of content out to shorten it, I think it could have been edited down one more time to make it even more concise and jam-packed.
• Audience: Matt’s techniques are usually geared towards long term backpackers and a few more tips could have been focused on the 1-3 week traveler.
• Generic tips: While there are many great tips, several of the tips for cutting costs are fairly generic such as using trains, couchsurfing, and volunteering with the Peace Corps (extremely long term tip).

Who should buy this eBook?

This book is a great read for people looking to take their first extended vacation (longer than one week) and don’t know where to start when it comes to budgeting. It will also be extremely helpful for backpackers looking to venture out and travel to some new regions around the world because Matt breaks down what it takes to see places like Southeast Asia and Easter Europe.

Who this book is not for

If you consider yourself a travel ninja, already have earned a few free flights using airline rewards programs, and know how to survive on ramen noodles, this book is not for you. There may be a few tidbits of info that is helpful but overall you probably already know how to travel the world on $50 per day.

Pick up your copy for only $14 at NomadicMatt.com

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The following is a guest post by Monica Stott. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

A Malaysian Airlines jumbo jet.

I love travelling. I love meeting new people, seeing new places and exploring new cultures. The bad thing about travelling is…well, the travelling part.

I’ve had more than my fair share of 12-hour, 24-hour and even 36-hour journeys.

They are usually a mixture of buses, coaches, ferries, trains, taxis and planes, and every time I pick up a few extra tips to make it slightly more bearable.  What follows are my tips for how to survive a long journey.

1. Make Friends With Your Fellow Passengers

If there’s anything that makes time go faster, it’s chatting with fellow travellers and swapping travel tales and tips. Or even better, find a local who can offer some local advice.

2. Sit At the Front

I still have a teenage instinct that kicks in whenever I get on a bus and it pulls me towards the back seat like a magnet. The ‘cool kids’ may have sat on the back seat in school, but during a long journey you’re much better off at the front.

There’s nearly always more leg room, there’s less chance you’ll get travel sick, you get a better view and you’ll be first off the bus and first in the queue for the toilet.

Check out Seat Guru for the best seat on a plane.

3. Entertainment Options

Having a laptop expands your options massively. As long as you have a decent battery life you can watch movies and play games (with headphones!) for more than half your journey. If you don’t have a laptop, stick to a good old fashioned book, crosswords, puzzles, papers, magazines.

A pack of cards can keep you entertained for hours and will also attract other travellers (see point 1). If you’re the trusting type, swap iPods with other travellers for some new tunes.

And I don’t care how old you are, Eye Spy never fails to entertain for at least half an hour. You can play this with anyone of any age and it can be a fun way to learn the language.

4. Be Productive

A long journey can often feel like a waste of a day unless you use your time wisely and do some of those tasks you’ve been putting off.

Write some postcards or letters, learn some local phrases, organise your photos and delete the rubbish ones, write in your journal and if you write a blog, take the chance to write some posts in advance.

You can also grab a guidebook and plan what you want to do in your new destination.

An overnight train through Vietnam.

5. Buy an Inflatable Cushion

If you plan to catch up on some sleep during the journey, a cushion is a must, not only for comfort but to avoid your head resting on the random person next to you.

Those U-shaped cushions are great to stop your head lolling around like a puppet, but I prefer a rectangular one as they double up as a bum cushion during those long journeys on bumpy roads!

6. Take a Jumper or Sarong

If it’s hot outside, you may be lucky enough to have an air-conditioned vehicle in which case it can get chilly after a few hours. If not, you can roll it up and use it as a cushion.

7. Take Healthy Snacks

You’ll obviously want a goodie bag full of snacks for your trip, but try to avoid sweet or salty snacks. They may be tasty and convenient but they’ll leave you dehydrated and a sugar rush is the last thing you need whilst in a cramped space.

Dried fruit, fresh fruit and water are your best bets.

8. Exercise

Yes, do those exercises they always tell you to do on an airplane and take a little walk as often as possible. You’ll avoid DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and it’ll perk you up a little bit.

9. Safety

Keep your valuables close and beware that theft on buses is common. If your bag is small enough, use it as a pillow while you sleep and keep your passport and money in a money belt around your waist.

10. Take Baby Wipes

Whenever I pull out a pack of baby wipes, I always end up handing them out to all the other travellers on the bus. They’ll quickly freshen you up and make you feel a bit more human.

And if all else fails…take a few sleeping tablets and you’ll be there before you know it!

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About the Author: Monica Stott caught the travel bug when she was just 10 years old and is currently on a 2 year trip around the world. You can read her tales at: TotalTravelBug.com or on Twitter @TotalTravelBug.

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Hanoi, Vietnam

It’s a city that will entice your every sense, overwhelm you with amusing and interesting sites, and stuff you with an array of fabulous cuisine.  Hanoi, Vietnam is a place that includes a wealth of entertainment and luckily, most things are quite affordable from the perspective of a traveler’s budget.  Based on my experience, here is the cost of travel in Vietnam.

Accommodation

The span of accommodation options is close to limitless in Hanoi.  Many people choose to stay somewhere within the Old Quarter portion of the city, close to many famous sites and also jammed with traffic, people, and street food.  There are no shortage of hotels, guest houses, and hostels in the Old Quarter.

As with much of Asia, guest houses are usually arranged in double rooms, making it most affordable to have a partner to room up with.  Cheapest room with two beds in Hanoi costs about $6 – $10 per night. Dorm beds can be found for around $5 per night. If you step the budget up a bit you can find very decent rooms with air conditioning (for the summer) for around $12 – $15 per night for two.  One more baby step up the budget and you are staying in near luxury hotels for $20 per night.

Street Food in Hanoi

Food

Those who derive infinite excitement from food (like myself), will be thrilled with the supply and cost of Hanoi street food options.  Most street stall meals average 15,000 – 40,000 Vietnamese Dong (VND) ($1-$2) per dish, though portions aren’t overly large.  If you are a big eater, you might need 2 or 3 meals from the street in order to begin to fill up, but that still might only cost $2-$3.

For Vietnamese sit-down restaurants (off the street side) except to pay anywhere from $3 – $8 per person.  One night in Hanoi I engorged at one of the fancier and popular Italian restaurants in town and spent a total of 150,000 VND ($8 bucks or so).

One of the pleasures of visiting Vietnam is being able to take advantage of their incredible coffee.  A standard cup of coffee at any normal coffee shop costs much less than $1 and is traditionally served with a pot of tea as well!

Big bottle of water – 10,000 VND ($0.48)

Beer Ha Noi

Drinking Alcohol

Those who enjoy beer, will rejoice in Vietnam for a number of reasons.

• The price for a single bottle / can of beer is about 12,000 – 20,000 VND ($0.50 – $1)
• Draft beer by the cup is super cheap – possible 2000 – 4000 VND ($0.10 – $0.20) per cup
• Locals enjoy drinking on the side of the streets of Hanoi and will frequently invite you for a few drinks with them – free of charge.
• Drinking at bars / clubs may cost anywhere from 20,000 – 50,000 for a drink.  Some clubs charge cover on certain nights.

Transportation

Taxi’s in Hanoi are notorious for ripping customers off and giving threats in an effort to get more money; everyone seems to have a story.  When I was in Hanoi, I actually totally avoided taxi’s.  Buses are extremely affordable at 3000 VND ($0.14) per ride and they go around the entire city.

For those that choose to join Hanoi’s motorcycle madness, motorbikes can be rented for about $5 per day.

For traveling throughout the country of Vietnam, buses usually cost about $1.50 per hour, depending on where you are headed.  Ex: 10 hour bus ride = $15.  It’s a popular option to travel by train in Vietnam.  Hanoi to the town of Hue (central Vietnam) costs around 450,000 VND ($22).

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

Sites and Attractions

• Famous Water Puppet Show – 60,000 VND ($2.87)
• Ho Chi Minh Masoleum – Free
• Ho Chi Minh Museum – 15,000 VND ($0.72)
• Temple of Literature – 10,000 VND ($0.48)
• Ngoc Son Temple – 10,000 VND ($0.48)
• Museum of Fine Art – 20,000 VND ($0.96)
• Long Bien Market – Free

Halong Bay – It will seem like everyone in Hanoi will attempt to sell you a tour of Halong Bay.  There are so many tour agencies, and I don’t’ think anyone knows exactly how the complex outsourcing system really works.  It’s often easiest to just see what your hotel/guest house offers and pay a tiny commission for them to book it for you.  The most popular Halong Bay trip is all-inclusive for 2 days, 1 night and costs usually around $30 – $40 per person, however there are all sorts of ranges in price.

From a travelers standpoint, spending some time in Hanoi or the rest of Vietnam is quite affordable.  After visiting a few of the attractions the city has to offer, be sure to just relax and enjoy the bustle of the city by sitting on the street and sipping coffee and tea (or beer) like the locals!

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About the Career Break Secrets Video Travel Guide Series

Jeff Jung takes off around the world to find the most interesting and thorough ways to escape from a corporate office back home and delve into another place and culture.

Taking a career break is an important step in most people’s lives and they usually are a bit confused deciding where to go and what to do. Jeff comes to the rescue by producing a video travel guide series that thoroughly covers several different career break destinations and options.

A career break is not spent poolside with a margarita in hand, that is a seven day vacation in Cabo. A true career break involves diving deep into a culture by doing things such as learning the local language, volunteering, taking traditional cooking lessons, or even trekking across a country on foot.

Jeff turns our career break dreams into reality by showing us what is out there and how to do it.  Continue reading for my full review.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EhNLuiS6Ss

Video Travel Guide Cost

• Individual country pass – 4 Episodes (includes 2 bonus episodes): $17.99
• Season pass – 5 countries with 4 episodes each: $49.99

Video Travel Guide Series Review

As an avid backpacker always looking for new adventures, the video travel guide series is a great value. If you are planning to spend a minimum of 3-4 weeks in one country then the country pass will provide adventurous and interesting ideas for what to do while you are away. Instead of backpacking 4 countries in 4 weeks, you would want to spend the entire time gaining a deeper knowledge of one country.

Jeff touches on what is important to the culture of each place and how a career breaker can experience it by getting their hands dirty. The in-depth interviews with actual people you and I can meet (opposed to as-seen-on-TV celebrities) during our travels is invaluable. Not every episode will fit within your lifestyle and career break goals, but the few gems of video and information will make you want to jump on a plain in a heartbeat.

The video travel guide series is great at showing you a side of a country you might not have known was there and you will get fired up to go experience what you just saw on a short 25 minute HD clip. Whether you are a wineaux wanting to taste your way around the world or would rather fight off the blisters from a 100 km trek, there is something for everyone in the video travel guide series.

Things I Liked

• Top Secrets: 5 Career Break Secrets “Top Secrets” wrap up each episode and give you some insight that is hard to find if you were to try and search it out on your own.
• Personal interviews: Real people, real interviews, and real authentic cultural experiences with the locals are what give these short films credibility.
• Extensive coverage of each topic: Each episode is focused on one specific adventure which gives Jeff more time to dive deeper into the subject. No more Lonely Planet single paragraph suggestions, this is a 25 minute video of how to make the most of your trip.
• Simple: There are no fancy ploys to suck you into taking a career break. The videos give you a simple tour of what it’s like to experience the culture with the locals and in ways you might not have thought of before.
• HD Quality: Watching the videos on your computer and on your iPod work and look great. The HD video helps transport you to the destination for a great 25 minute experience.

Some Constructive Criticism

• Filming techniques: As the video series went on, the quality improved and small errors like a shaky camera or poor camera angles were not as noticeable. Another round of video editing will help keep the viewers attention on all of the good quality content.
• Budget: For backpackers, the budget is a main concern. It would be great to see some more advice and tips on how to budget for these different trips and how to do them on the cheap to assist us low budget globetrotters.
• More service provider choices: Although it was great to see in depth interviews and information about what are probably fantastic service providers, each video guide only introduced us to one provider. Every traveler is slightly different and no service provider is one size fits all so it would be great to see some additional options at the end of the show. Simply adding a few links at the end would be a great reference for people to compare services or tours.

Visit Career Break Secrets for more information and to get your career break started right away.

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The following is a guest post by Monica Stott. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Money belts continue to be a smart way to safeguard cash, ATM cards and important documents.

I recently had a 20 hour bus and boat journey through Indonesia. I arrived at my destination feeling groggy and tired and … very light. Suspiciously light. My heart dropped while anger fired up inside me as I checked my half empty bag, the bag that I’d clutched protectively to my chest like it was a small child through the whole journey.

Both my camera and my iPod were gone. I was angry that someone had stolen them from under my nose but I was mostly confused. When and how had someone managed to get inside my bag and how could I have been so stupid not to notice!?

After hours of angry ranting, I finally listened to my fellow travellers and found that almost everyone had had a similar experience at some point during their travels.

I found that most people had their belongings stolen from their small daypacks whilst on buses and boats and together we thought of a list of things we’d do differently to avoid ever being robbed again.

Here are my top 9 tips to avoid theft while backpacking:

1. Have backpack security. Anything from small padlocks, combination locks or full wire meshing will keep a thief away. Even if it is just for show, it will make a thief think twice. I even think that a plastic raincover can help, but at the end of the day, nothing can keep a thief with a sharp knife out of your bag, which leads me to my second point….
2. Don’t have anything worth robbing. This isn’t always possible, especially as most people like to travel with a laptop and camera, but its the only way to be 100% sure you won’t have anything stolen. I always travel with an old, worthless mobile phone, a small and relatively inexpensive netbook (leave the Mac Air at home!) and I leave all my jewelery at home.
3. Don’t keep anything of any value in your main backpack or suitcase. Your main bag can be out of your sight for hours at a time and this is a perfect time for thieves. This tip seems so obvious, but time and time again, I have met travellers who have had things stolen from their main bag while it was stored under a bus or on a boat. [Editor's Note: I met a young couple who had stuff stolen from their bag while atop a bus riding from India to Pokhara, Nepal. Remember, in countries such as those it's commonplace for people to ride atop buses, so you're better off keeping your valuables in your daypack where you can at least try to keep an eye on them.]
4. Keep anything valuable in a small bag. I’d like to emphasize that this should be a small bag so you can literally take it everywhere with you. You should be able to carry this into a tiny toilet cubicle or whilst climbing up the side of a swaying ship. And most importantly, you should be able to take it everywhere without looking suspicious and make people wonder why you won’t let it out of your sight.
5. Keep passports, money and bank cards in a money belt around your waist. It is virtually impossible for a pickpocket to reach this, especially without you noticing.
6. Carry as little cash as possible. You often get charged for using cash machines abroad so it’s tempting to to withdraw as much as you can in one go to avoid the fee. I still think that it’s better the get charged $2 for every small withdrawal than to withdraw $200 at once and have it all stolen.
7. Use your online banking. Avoid having a lot of money in your current account. If your card is stolen, someone could quickly access all your cash. It is best to keep the bulk of your money it in your savings account, which can’t be accessed with your ATM card, and then transfer a small amount over every week or two.
8. Don’t be flashy. It is inevitable that you will have some valuables on you at some point so hide them away as best as possible. Use small, discreet black headphones and keep your MP3 player in your pocket. I also have a small, cheap camera that I take on nights out or to crowded places where a big camera would be inappropriate.
9. Always use the safe. If there isn’t a safe in your hostel or hotel room, there should be one available at reception. If you’re leaving money, place it in a sealed envelope with your name and the exact amount written on the outside.

The most important point is to not forget the 9 points before this! It’s easy to become more relaxed, particularly if you spend months traveling and don’t have any trouble. It’s a horrible thing to say, but don’t trust people you don’t know and be aware that it can be your fellow travelers who have their hands in your pockets.

Safety shouldn’t be something you have to constantly worry about while travelling, so make sure these 9 tips become second nature and they’ll go a long way to ensuring a hassle free trip. Be prepared for the worst and have photocopies of your tickets and passport saved in your email accounts, and backup your photos on a photo sharing website.

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About the Author: Monica Stott caught the travel bug when she was just 10 years old and is currently on a 2 year trip around the world. You can read her tales at: The Travel Hack or on Twitter @TheTravelHack.

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The following is a guest post by Suzanne K Nance, the first American woman to complete the Adventurer Grand Slam. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Lhotse, which is connected to Mt. Everest, is the 4th highest mountain on Earth (8,516m).

This week as I was trying to catch up on Facebook, I noticed a climber friend of mine reaching out for advice on what to pack on an expedition to Everest.  Of course I had to put in my two cents, and then followed along as others added more advice.  This dialogue caused me to reflect upon my own experience on the mountain.

I found myself asking, “What is really needed for Everest?”

Any high altitude mountain climb is an endeavor that is both physically and mentally demanding.  It requires top physical fitness, mental fortitude and patience, with both a strong sense of teamwork and independence. Climbing is indiscriminate of gender. Both success and failure happen no matter who you are.

It’s more imperative to know how to use the tools of the “trade”, and know how to get by with the bare essentials than it is so much a matter of what you have tossed into your bag.  Don’t get me wrong, what you pack is important, but what you have within yourself is really the key.  The question you really need to ask is, “Are you prepared?”

Here are 5 tips for the making of a fantastic expedition:

1.  Be Physically Prepared

Regardless of your height, weight, or gender, you will be required to carry the same load and face the same obstacles as all other members of your team.  Contrary to what you may think, pack weight is not determined by your height and weight. Rather, it is in discriminatory.  You must take this into consideration when preparing for your climb.

Not only do you need to train with enough weight in your backpack to account for your personal gear, you need to add an extra 10-15 lbs of ‘lee weight.’  It is good practice to add more weight to what you consider to be your top load: being physically at your best is the only factor of the climb within your control.

The mountain is going to do what the mountain is going to do.  There may be bad weather, hot weather, avalanches, or difficult terrain and the climber must account for all of these factors in training.  If you are at your peak physical condition, there will be no question of preparedness should an adverse situation arise.

Gear required for a high altitude climb

2.  Be Mentally Prepared

Just suck it up! It’s going to be hard, and no one likes a whiner.  You just have to remember it’s okay that it’s hard and you’re going to have to deal with it.  I like to remind myself of the first time I was in the Himalayas attempting to climb Cho-Oyu.  My team was making the ascent to Camp II around 23,000 feet and it was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life, to date.

I had to climb the face of a section of the mountain with a frozen ascender (jumar). The teeth of the jumar were iced up and would not grip the rope; therefore, it was useless to me.  Consequently, I had to climb the face by wrapping the rope around my arm several times, painfully, pulling myself upward, while slamming my climbing boots and crampons into the wall to hold me in place.  Over 8 hours later, I finally reached home sweet home for the night, a tent at Camp II.  Thankfully, after a bad night’s sleep at high altitude, my team retreated back down to ABC (advanced base camp), still sitting at over 18,000 feet.

Later that day, I made a call home to my family in the States, giving them an update and progress report.  I recanted my success thus far, however, when I finally got to speak with my daughter, I broke down into tears. I told her how difficult the climb had been and how tough the expedition was.  She was so sweet and supportive.  She said. “Mommy, you can come home.  You know we love you even if you don’t make the summit.”

I was shocked.  I instantly reported back to her.  “Come home?  I don’t want to come home.  I’m just telling you how hard it was.”

3.  Have a Good Sense of Humor

Be able to laugh at yourself and at the present situation.  It’s not about you, so just take you out of it.  It’s all about the experience and the fun you’re having.  I have been snowed in, buried in, frozen in, and guarded in, yet I have never lost my sense of humor.  On the contrary, it’s what keeps the whole expedition enjoyable for me.

On Antarctica we were triumphantly, the first expedition of the season, unfortunately, that only equated into unpredictable temperatures with unstable weather. It so happened a late season weather system came through the middle of our expedition, exposing my team and me to -40 F in our tents.  The extreme temperature caught me off guard and it resulted in a frostbit nose, not to mention shivering constantly for two days.

The first morning after the temperatures dipped, I woke up in my sleeping bag, screaming in pain.  The tip of my nose was out of the sleeping bag while I slept and therefore got frostbit.  Instead of reaching for my medical kit, I reached for my camera and instantly started taking pictures of my tent mate and friend.

Her night sleep caused condensation to form into long icicles right above her face.  They dangled just above her nose forming exquisite crystal formations, not to mention, that the site was hysterically funny.  I shot away, only thinking of the story it would tell later on after the expedition, and completely forgot about my own pain and injury.

4.  Know Your Strengths

I can carry and pull anything, so I like to think of myself as a small powerhouse.  A close friend of mine, who is also a guide, likes to think of himself as a mule.  It’s important to use whatever it takes to visualize your strengths.

On the other side of the coin, I know I am not very speedy at climbing steep inclines when I have an extremely heavy pack.  Perhaps it’s because my legs aren’t as long as my teammates, or maybe it’s due to the weight ratio of my pack to my body weight that plays a key role, and literally weighs me down.  I really haven’t analyzed it in great detail. All I know is that I lose distance with regard to my teammates when I am climbing a steep incline while carrying a heavy pack.

However, being able to recognize my weakness is a strength.  I know I need to make up the time and distance on other portions of the climb and I know I’m a beast when it comes to descending. Loose hips and knees, the effect of gravity, or maybe just because it’s fun usually creates an advantage for me when compared to other climbers. I can usually make up lost distance on the downhill portion.

All packed up and ready to go!

5.  Practice, Practice, Practice

Climbing big mountains isn’t child’s play; therefore you had better bring along confidence, experience and skill.  If you happen to be a woman, you need to practice a few things (tasks) in which specialized equipment is required.  When roped up to a climbing harness on the side of a mountain to a team of two to three other climbers, going to the bathroom seems like a horrific proposition.

It’s a much wiser idea to practice these skills while in the privacy of one’s own home, than to try to figure things out while out on a rope.  (Personally, I don’t know any woman climber who has not had a least one casualty while perfecting this technique, no matter how seasoned she may be.  I think it must be a right of passage.)

Climbing ropes, climbing harnesses, and extra clothing are extremely burdensome.  For that reason, mastering the use of all equipment is essential for a climb.  While artfully managing a climbing rope is a learned skill, personalizing a climbing harness lends itself to efficiency and security. Exposing yourself to extreme weather conditions prior to your climb not only introduces you to the elements you will encounter, but gives you a sense of spatial orientation and proprioception in all those layers of clothing. Preparing yourself by practicing before an expedition for as many possible conditions that you may encounter will only increase your statistics for success.

When compiling a packing list, toothbrush and deodorant are immaterial. What is most important is the mental, physical and spiritual training that you have done prior to your departure.  These are the essential items you must bring.

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The following is a guest post by Ben Manning. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Raft houses at Ratchaprapa Dam Khao Sok, Thailand

However you look at it, money is the principle enabler of your travel. Even travelling on the tightest of shoestrings requires money (food, shelter and water at the very least; see Maslow’s hierarchy of needs) – the absolutely key thing is to manage it proactively and control it…and not bury your head in the sand (as you lay on the beach with another beer).

Some basic practices can save you a lot of money and can even supplement your funds to make your travel go on as long as possible – the principle of preserve and supplement. Here are 7 simple tips to help you raise funds for your round the world travel!

1. Saving

Before you go, the key aim from the first brain wave to go, is to save your cash. This is key: preserve. Identify where you spend the most money and remove everything you can live without. Do this methodically and comprehensively (i.e. go through every item on your bank statement and determine if you really needed to spend that money). For instance, I was able to remove hundreds per month by removing: gym membership (and running outside instead), taking taxis, eating out, drinking in bars, DVD purchases, closing magazine subscriptions, etc.

Aligned to eliminating spending is the measured cut down of activities you deem impossible to cut out: make an effort to reduce these. For instance, burning less petrol by using the car less, reducing home bills, buying cheaper lunches, drinking less alcohol…

2. Sell your stuff

Force yourself to sort through your belongings and ask yourself the question: will I be disappointed if this item isn’t here when I return in 12 months? It’s surprising: all the things you thought were your essential items really aren’t…and this is an opportunity to finance your trip by selling your excess belongings.

One-off larger items can be sold via Ebay or a local listings website….smaller collections of things can be sold via car boot sales and the like. An added benefit is you won’t need to store all that junk now you’ve cleared it away and raise cash in the process.

3. Interest free credit cards

There are many tempting offers available on new credit cards – depending on how you intend to finance your travel (i.e. with existing debt facilities) taking out a new credit card where 0% interest is on offer can save you significantly.

For instance, I took out a new card with 6 month interest free instead of using an existing facility, which I have subsequently used to purchase the travel tickets and travel insurance – meaning over the 6 months it costs me nothing but saves hundreds.

Note: after 6 months you need to remember to pay off the card to avoid high interest rates.

4. Cashback credit cards

Coupled with interest free offers, gaining cashback on spending you know you have to make (for tickets, travel insurance, travel equipment etc) is a great way to gain cash for things you were definitely going to purchase anyway.

On my travel I generated over £100 ($162) of cashback from purchases that I was making anyway: it wasn’t extra cost to me, just a nice kick-back for the spend I made.

Fruit market in Thong Sala Koh Phangan, Thailand

5. Cashback on online purchases

Cashback from credit cards is good, depending on the amount you spend and any enticing starting offers you get (such as 5% cashback up to £2000/$3,242) but the cashback you can gain from dedicated websites will usually supersede what the credit cards can offer.

(Of course, use both together for optimal benefit: use a cashback credit card to purchase goods via a cashback website and you will gain from both systems as they aren’t connected and so you can’t get penalised: the credit card provider is paying for their cashback while the cashback website is paid for by the actual retailer you purchase from.)

So when you go travelling you know you’ll need a rucksack, insurance, towel, MP3 player etc — buy it online and get it cheaper than the High Street….plus gain significant cashback of hundreds and hundreds….for kit you needed anyway.

6. Website monetization

Running a travel blog is a nice way to keep in touch with folks at home with photos, videos and more. It can also help to raise you significant money if monetised effectively. There are many approaches required to effectively achieve significant earnings….but these are the basics: produce compelling content that many people are interested in, understand the basics of traffic procurement via SEO and social media and understand how to ‘commercialise’ your site.

Harnessing this combination will earn much, much more than you think. Indeed many people are able to finance their travel through this single income stream. There is much written about how to do this, including Dave’s Travel Blog Success course.

7. Organisation and preparation

This is one of the easiest to do…and one of the easiest to get wrong. When you go travelling you need to tie off your loose ends, close down subscriptions, time your account terminations to ensure you save the very most and get as much rebate and refund as possible.

For instance, some of things I had to time carefully before my trip were: car insurance, car tax, home insurance, mobile phone contract, gym membership, Spotify, and magazine subscriptions.

Being smart and proactive with your planning really can add up to save you a lot of cash. It also gives you peace of mind that you’re organised and prepared (which is worth a lot in itself). Of course, once you’re on the road it’s a whole new world of money management, but that’s for another article!

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About the Author: Ben is currently on a round the world trip through Asia and Australasia.  Read more travel advice and Ben’s travel experiences at roundtheworldtraveler.com.

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Snapshot of my travel costs. (Click image to see full size spreadsheet.)

About two years ago, I published the Cost of a Trip Around the World based on my experience traveling for 15 months through over 20 countries.

I kept meticulous records of my expenses not because I was trying to stick to a budget, but out of a curiosity for what I was actually spending.  I was also intent on sharing the results with readers as I traveled, so they could have an idea of how much money to save if they were planning to visit similar places.

This summary of my expenses continues to be Go Backpacking’s most popular post in terms of raw traffic month to month, so I know plenty of people are looking at it.  And I still receive the occasional comments, which have echoed a common theme — that my spending was surprisingly high.

@adventurerob said “I’m surprised you clocked up such a cost in Thailand though, I found it a lot cheaper then $55 a day.”

Friedel of Travelingtwo.com wrote “this strikes me as so expensive”

Mic asked “u think u could spare some extra money. because i think for ex. 45 € for india per day is a loooot. dont u think?”

Magda wondered “I would love to know what Dave did do go through $51 a day in India”

Roeyurboat commented “Between $35,000 and $40,000 for 15 months of travel is hardly even close to a “backpacker’s budget” $54/day in Nepal? $51/day in India and similar rates for Thailand and Indonesia. Dave must have been enjoying some very high end accomodations to average those rates in those countries.”

Txrizzle recently shared “My opinion is that the spending listed above is much to excessive. One could take that same $30,000 and spend 3 years traveling the world. $50+ in Thailand? That’s intense.”

And last week Andyl added “I agree with many here, I don’t know how you managed to spend $63 a day in cambodia but that’s nowhere near “between backpacker/flashpacker” That’s living 30 times costlier than the average citizen…”

Instead of continuing to respond on a comment by comment basis, I’d prefer to address this line of questioning as a whole.

First, this post was a summary of my daily averages per country, and if they seem extravagant for places such as Thailand or India, I believe it’s due to my accounting method, not my actual standard of living.

Approaching Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

The most I spent on a night’s accommodation?  $40 for a private room at a boutique hotel in the capital of Laos, and that was after 8 months of staying in hostel droms, cheap guest houses, and bungalows.  In fact, for anyone who took the time to look at my detailed spreadsheet which I link to at the bottom of the post, they’d see I spent an average of $9 per night in accommodation over 253 days in Asia.

My average daily spending numbers are inflated because of the “miscellaneous” category which was a catchall for stuff like souvenirs, cost to ship souvenirs home, new clothes, guidebooks, and internet cafes (which I used for 2+ hours per day uploading photos and managing this blog).  Those costs are too subjective, too different for every backpacker, and thus skewed the non-negotiable categories that matter most — visas, food, shelter, and sightseeing.

When I share my expenses for the recent Japan trip next month, I’ll aim to present a more accurate cost of daily travel.

Backpacking is an attitude toward travel, not about one’s age or spending habits.  If you travel with a backpack, you’re a backpacker.  I don’t care if you drop your head at night on a fluffly down pillow and fresh linens at a 5-star forest lodge in Rwanda, eat at a restaurant frequented by heads of state in Delhi, or try and swallow undercooked intestines in a Colombian pueblo.

A backpack symbolizes two things to me, wanderlust and independence.  Sure, you can have both with the wheeled-suitcases, but try jumping off a Thai longboat on a beach carrying one of those suckers.  Or gliding between the aisles of gift shops as you do a little last minute shopping on your way out of a country.  The ability to do both remains the reason I continue to travel with a backpack.

In Japan earlier this month, food quickly became my primary focus given the cold Winter temperatures and lack of flowers in the gardens.  What I saved on accommodations, I spent on food (and then some).

My approach toward travel continues to evolve with age.  At 34, I can still sleep stacked like a sardine in a 10-bed Kyoto dorm, however I also want to know what it’s like to eat in a Michelin-starred restaurant.

And as long as I’m carrying that backpack, I’m going to share my experiences on this blog.

Your turn. What does being a backpacker mean to you?

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Doorstop alarm and phrasebook

The following is a guest post by Emily Gerson. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Let’s face it: Women have to be more cautious than men while on the road. It hurts to admit it, but we are inherently more physically vulnerable than our male counterparts.

These 10 travel safety items for women will help give you peace of mind and protect you as you explore the world.

1. Doorstopper alarm

Some women feel vulnerable staying in a hotel room alone, especially if they get stuck in a room on the first floor.

Buy a doorstopper alarm and push the bottom of it under your door from the inside. If anyone tries to open the door while you’re in the room, a loud alarm will sound. The wedge-shaped stopper will also jam the door, preventing the intruder from opening it.

2. Personal alarm or whistle

Walking in a dark alley or street alone at night isn’t wise, but sometimes it’s inevitable.

Carry a personal alarm that goes around your neck or on a keychain, or wear a small whistle under your shirt. This allows you to easily make noise and indicate that you need help should someone unsavory approach you or try to hurt you.

3. Small flashlight

Carrying a small flashlight is also a must when walking alone at night. Besides helping light your way, it should also make criminals less inclined to take advantage of you. There are many bright flashlights that can attach to your keychain or bag. A few manufacturers make combination personal alarm/flashlights.

4. Portable hotel door & drawer travel lock (example)

This portable lock allows you to add extra protection to your hotel room door at night. You can also use it to lock a drawer inside the hotel room for your valuables when you’re staying somewhere without a safe.

We all like to think that our belongings are safe in our hotel rooms, but I’ve heard countless stories from friends about money, jewelry, cameras, and other belongings being taken from suitcases. Lock it up and take the key with you while you go out.

5. Fake wedding ring

If you have a nice wedding or engagement ring, leave it at home when you travel so it doesn’t risk getting lost or stolen. But whether you’re married or not, you should travel with a plain fake wedding band.

It’s said that women are less likely to be harassed if it appears that they’re married, as it usually implies that there is a man nearby. It also allows you to easily make the excuse that you need to leave somewhere because your husband is waiting or around the corner. Stop by a Target or Claire’s Jewelers to get a cheap fashion ring that could look like a wedding band.

6. Bra stash (example)

Money belts can be easily spotted on women who wear form-fitting clothing. Wear a bra stash instead, which is a small pouch that goes in the middle of your bra between the ladies. It allows you to unassumingly carry money, credit cards, a hotel room key, and any other small valuables.

7. Travel dictionary

It’s very important that you have the ability to communicate with locals who can help you in an emergency. While it’s vital to memorize key phrases such as “help me” and “leave me alone,” it’s also a smart move to keep a foreign dictionary in your travel bag for easy reference for more complex important phrases.

8. Pacsafe Backpack & Bag Protector

It’s frightening how easily someone can snatch a bag from you while on a train or subway, or even for someone to pickpocket you from your backpack.

The Pacsafe bag is covered in a mesh cages that makes it impossible for someone to get into any of the bag’s pockets. It also has cables that allow you to securely lock it to a pole, perfect for if you’re on a train alone and want to doze off–it prevents someone from running off with it.

9. First aid kid

This one’s a no-brainer, but every woman should have a small first-aid kit in her backpack. Tote along some Neosporin, bandages, anti-histamine, aspirin, antiseptic, etc. You can buy small pre-assembled kits or put together your own.

10. Anti-theft messenger bag (example)

Purses are easy pickpocket targets; their straps are easy to cut quickly, and we often carry them in a way that someone could reach in from behind to grab something. Backpacks are even easier to get into if someone is walking behind you—they can just unzip a pocket.

Invest in a travel messenger bag that’s front-facing and has cut-proof straps for while you’re out and about during the day. Some travel messenger bags also have locking zippers.

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About the Author: Emily Starbuck Gerson is a 20-something professional writer and editor based in Austin, Texas. She’s a travel junkie who runs the blog Maiden Voyage in her spare time. You can find her on Twitter at @TheMaidenVoyage.

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You can view a range of women specific rucksacks for travelling from the indietravelgear online store.

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The following is a guest post by Amanda Williams. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Very rarely do you look at the itinerary of a budget traveler or backpacker and see a tropical, Pacific island listed there.

Why? Well, it probably has something to do with the cost, both of getting to said island, and then actually staying on it. If the phrase “paradise” shows up, most likely so will the dollar signs.

Sailboats silhouetted in a Waikiki sunset. (Photo by: gavdana)

But that doesn’t mean a budget traveler cannot afford the tropics. In fact, even such popular (and pricey) destinations like Hawaii can be done on a budget if you do your homework and plan ahead.

I’ve been preparing for a week-long trip to Oahu for months, and have come up with a pretty solid plan on how to stick to my budget, yet still experience as much of Hawaii as possible.

Here’s what I’ve learned about planning for Hawaii on a budget, and specifically Oahu:

The blue waters of Hawaii, as see from the air. (Photo by: The Daily Ornellas)

Get a Deal on Airfare

If you’re like me and heading to Hawaii from the East Coast, airfare is going to cost a pretty big chunk of change. Even flying from the West Coast isn’t cheap. The key here is to start keeping an eye on flights early on a variety of airlines and booking sites. Using a site like Bing Travel that has a fare predictor is helpful, because it can predict when the prices are likely to be going up or down.

I kept an eye on Bing for weeks before I booked my flight, and eventually picked up a round-trip ticket from Pittsburgh to Honolulu for $650, tax and flight insurance inclusive. The trade-off was extra layovers, but that’s a compromise I was willing to make.

A view of the city of Honolulu. (Photo by: Irargerich)

Have a Home Base

While island-hopping in Hawaii probably sounds appealing, it makes much more sense financially to pick one island and stick to it. Airfares from one island to another aren’t cheap — for example, going just from Oahu to Kona on the Big island can set you back $150. Plus, exploring just one island means you can devote more time to it and travel a bit slower.

If you decide to go this one-island-only route, I suggest Oahu, home to the state capital, Honolulu. Yes, Honolulu is probably the most touristed city in Hawaii. But it is also the largest city in the state, meaning there’s the most opportunity here to find ways to save money.

The road to Hana, on the island of Maui. (Photo by: the_tahoe_guy)

Don’t Rent a Car

Oahu — and Honolulu especially — has what I’m told is a pretty reliable transportation system called The Bus. You can go basically anywhere by bus for $2.50 one-way. Or, if you’re planning to stick around for a few days, purchase a 4-day pass for $25, which gets you unlimited rides on any regular and express buses. This, I think, is definitely the way to go. It will save you money on rental car fees, gas (which is expensive in Hawaii), and you’ll even do your part to help the environment.

Plumerias and a coffee mug. (Photo by: elisfanclub)

Stay in Hostels

Yes, Oahu DOES have hostels! Many Honolulu hostels are clustered around Waikiki Beach, which means they are close to restaurants and nightlife, as well as transportation and that inviting Pacific water. In fact, as long as you’re willing to sacrifice the room service and book a bed in a dorm room, you can get the same views and service in a hostel for just a fraction of the price you’d pay at the big Waikiki resorts and hotels.

Promising-looking Waikiki hostels include:

• Polynesian Hostel Beach Club — Beds start at $26 in the 6-person dorms; semi-private and private rooms also available, with a studio costing $75. Perks include free wi-fi; free snorkels, masks and beach gear; and surfboard and bike rentals for an extra charge.
• Waikiki Beachside Hostel — Beds as low as $13 for a co-ed shared large dorm right now with a special deal; normal rates average $29 per bed in the dorms. Semi-private rooms also available. Perks include free wi-fi; surfboard and moped rental (extra charge); and discounted tours.
• Hostelling International Waikiki — Beds starting at $25 per night for members ($28 for non-members); private rooms available for $58 for members ($64 for non-members). Perks include close proximity to the beach, as well as free boogie boards and sports equipment.

Staying in a hostel will not only save you a lot of money (even the private rooms are less than half what you’d pay at a nearby hotel), but you’ll also have the opportunity to meet a lot of other travelers from all over the world.

The idyllic Hawaiian beach, on Oahu. (Photo by: mandolin davis)

Get Some Sun

Sitting on the beach, soaking up some sun and people-watching won’t cost you a thing. Many hostels even provide free beach equipment like beach mats, boogie boards and snorkeling gear that you can take advantage of. On the weekend, check out Sunset on the Beach at Waikiki, where a free movie is shown on a giant 30-foot screen and local bands perform before the sun goes down.

And, if the crowds at Waikiki aren’t to your liking, simply hop a bus and head off to any one of Oahu’s other beautiful beaches. Head to Hanauma Bay for some of the best snorkeling in Hawaii, or check out Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay and Banzai Pipeline on Oahu’s North Shore for some of the best surfing in the world. If you’re on Oahu during the late fall/early winter months, you could probably spend days just watching surfers tackle 30-foot swells at North Shore.

The USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. (Photo by: jebvision)

Know About Free and Cheap Things to Do

Sure, you can pay $80 to attend a kitschy luau or take a bus tour around the island. But there are plenty of other things going on all across Oahu that you can do for free, or for very little cost.

For example, consider:

• First Friday in Honolulu — On the first Friday of every month, crowds gather in Chinatown for free art exhibits, entertainment and restaurant specials.
• Free lessons — If you do want to see some hulu or learn some moves yourself, consider checking out the Royal Hawaiian shopping center in downtown Honolulu. On weekdays, they offer free hula lessons, lei-making classes, and even ukulele lessons. At 6 p.m. every weeknight, there’s a free hula show.
• Pearl Harbor — It’s hard for me to imagine visiting Honolulu without making the trip to visit Pearl Harbor, where the U.S. was attacked by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. It’s easy to get to by bus, and there’s a lot worth seeing. The USS Arizona Memorial and Museum are free of charge, as are the Bowfin Park Outdoor Exhibits and Submarine Memorial. Touring the USS Bowfin Submarine costs $10, and touring the USS Missouri Battleship will set you back $20. You can tack on the Pacific Aviation Museum for another $20. Don’t bother paying for a guided tour, however. You can go it on your own, or rent audio tours for a few dollars.
• Hiking Diamond Head — If you’re the outdoors type, hiking up this extinct volcanic crater should probably end up on your list. You can take a bus to Diamond Head, and pay $1 to do the hike. It’s a moderately difficult hike, but you’ll be rewarded at the top with panoramic views of Honolulu.
• The Dole Plantation — Ever wondered what a pineapple plantation looks like? Well you can visit one in Wahiawa. Admission to the grounds is free, but one of the main attractions here is the Pineapple Garden maze. Try your luck in it for $6.
• Iolani Palace — Built in 1882, this palace in downtown Honolulu used to be the official residence of Hawaii’s monarchy. Take a self-led audio tour for $12.
• Whale watching — During the winter months, whales are aplenty in Hawaii’s waters. And, while some operations will charge $100 or more for a sightseeing/whale watching tour, you can go for as low as $30 on the Star of Honolulu, a 4-story cruise ship, if you book an early-morning tour.

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There are, of course, many other ways to save money in Hawaii. Eating at local restaurants instead of chains, cooking your own meals, ignoring the kitschy souvenirs, or finding a friend to stay with will also help you keep your expenses in check.

But, the moral of the story here is that anyone can afford Hawaii if they plan for it — even the budget travelers of the world.

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About the Author: Amanda is a 20-something college grad with a journalism degree under her belt, which she plans to use to rid the world of bad grammar and “there, their, they’re” confusion. After studying abroad in New Zealand, Amanda has decided she’d love to move there one day so she can wear jandals, eat hokey pokey ice cream, and continue pretending she understands the rules of rugby.

When not working or blogging, Amanda can usually be found dreaming of her next travel adventure, wherever that may be. Follow her at A Dangerous Business, on Twitter @DangerousBiz or on Facebook.

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All the stuff going in my backpack (does not include clothes I'll be wearing, phone, watch and camera).

For my first big adventure of 2011, I’m taking a 12-day Winter trip to Japan.

I have two personal goals in mind, packing light and sticking to a budget.

First, and foremost, I want to travel light.  Really light.  My packing list is almost finalized, and it’s by far the smallest amount of stuff I’ve taken on an international trip.  I’ve always thought of myself as being on the lighter side of the packing spectrum, however I’ve been noticing the minimalist travel bloggers around the interwebs, and it has inspired me to challenge myself, at least for this trip.

To recap a few advantages to the “less is more” philosophy as it relates to international travel:

• No need to check your backpack on flights.
• Less physical stress from carrying the backpack.
• Your backpack takes up less space on trains and buses.
• If couchsurfing, your stuff won’t unintentionally take over your hosts home (especially important in Japan where apartments are small).
• It’s easier to account for your belongings.

Here’s a breakdown of my ultralight packing list for Japan:

• 20-year old LL Bean backpack
• HP laptop w/AC cord
• 500 GB external hard drive (photo storage)
• Blackberry Curve cell phone
• Canon S90 camera w/soft case and battery charger
• 16 GB SanDisk SD card
• 2 GB SD card (back up)
• Flip UltraHD video camera
• Amazon Kindle w/leather case
• Creative Style 8 GB mp3 player w/earphones
• Casio Pathfinder watch
• Petzl Zipka LED headlamp
• 2 different types of USB cords
• GoLite jacket
• GoLite hoody
• Black cardigan sweater
• Mountain Hardwear short sleeve shirt
• REI long sleeve shirt
• Zombie Fest t-shirt
• Volcom board shorts
• 2 pairs of boxers (testing out a pair from Exofficio)
• 2 pairs of SmartWool socks
• Merrell sneakers
• Beanie hat
• Oakley sunglasses
• Custom earplugs
• Money belt w/passport, Japan Railpass, cash, business cards
• 2 Sea to Summit dry sacks
• MSR Packtowl
• 2000 Lonely Planet Japan (borrowed from a friend), and pen for scribbling
• Trial size toiletries in 1-liter ziploc bag (not pictured)

Originally the board shorts were for the spas, but I was recently told the guys go “au natural.”  I’m going to bring them anyways as they’re lightweight.  Even though it’s Winter, I’m counting on several layers to keep me warm versus a heavy jacket.  I hope I don’t regret that once I land in Tokyo!

As much as I’d like to leave the giant paperback guidebook at home, flipping pages still seems faster and easier than navigating an ebook.

If you’ve used a Lonely Planet guidebook on Kindle, please leave a comment with your thoughts.

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The following is a guest post by Marcello Arrambide. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Argentina is a country that is blessed with everything a country could ask for.  The vast country has waterfalls & rainforests to the north, desert and mountains to the west, seashores & animals to the east, as well as glaciers and mountains to the south.

If you have the time, you could see all of Argentina in one full month, 30-34 days to be exact.  This itinerary doesn’t include the off the beaten track cities of Cordoba and Rosario, but with careful planning, you could see all the cities in 30-35 days (including travel time). What follows are my tips for how to see Argentina in 30 days.

Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires – 5 days

This cosmopolitan city has everything that you could ask for from the culture and the arts, a bustling nightlife, and enough European charm to steal the heart of a Frenchmen.

The itinerary below provides a balance of everything there is to do in Buenos Aires.  If you have a preference to experience the culture, or even party your vacation away, you could do just that.

• 1 day: Lo Boca, San Telmo, Puerto Madero
• 1 day: Architecture Viewing/Shopping – Ave 5 De Mayo & Ave Alvear
• 1 day: Recoleta & Palermo – Museums & Shopping
• 1 day: El Tigre
• 1 day: Night & Recovery

Iguazu Falls

Iguazu – 3-4 days

One of the natural wonders of the world, this is an absolute must when traveling through South America, much less Argentina.

The Iguazu Falls could easily be considered one of the top Argentina tourist attractions. While most people spend their time on the Argentine side of the falls the Brazilian side is just as beautiful.Getting a Brazilian visa is not as hard as you would think, and most travelers only spend time on the Argentina side.

If you choose not to get a visa, cut the trip to 3 days.  You only need one full day to see the Argentina side.  That could be a combination of two half days or one full day.  Plan for 1-2 days of travel in and out & Iguazu city.  The helicopter ride from the Brazilian side is extremely impressive, and highly recommended.

• 1 day: Argentina side
• 1 day: Brazil side
• 1-2 days: Travel time

Salta – 6-7 days

This is Argentina’s version of the American Southwest.  If there was ever a place to be a victim of culture shock, it will be here.  You can travel to small towns where the Inca Empire used to be and get a completely different view of Argentina.

• 1-2 days: Travel in and out of city & viewing city
• 2 days (North):  Tilcara, Humahuaca, Salt Flats, Rock of 7 colors (add 1 day for Jujuy)
• 1 day (South): Cachi
• 1 day (South): Cafayate

Cordoba – 2 -3 days (optional)

The second largest city in Argentina is home to a variety of things to see.  A German town near the city that hosts the second largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany and also a museum dedicated to Che Guevera.

Who wouldn’t love to get to know one of the most controversial men of the twentieth century?

• 1 day: Cordoba city
• 1 day: German village/Che Guevera
• 1 day: Travel in and out of city

Rosario – 1.5 days (optional)

The third largest city in Argentina boasts a unique river cruise to see parts of Argentina that they don’t show you online or in guide books.  Great for walking around and getting to know the history of the country with the flag monument.

• 1 day: River Cruise, city sightseeing
• .5–1 day: Travel in and out of city

Mar de Plata – 3 days

This is where locals go for vacation — it is one of the top tourist destinations for Argentineans.  A great beach town to wind down and relax while you recharge your batteries.

• 1 day: Travel in and out
• 1-2 days:  Exploring city (recharge)

Puerto Madryn – 4 days

The animal lovers paradise; interact with Penguins, dive with sea lions, whales, and even getting inches from Elephant Seals.

• 1 day: Punta Tombo & Punta Ninfas – Penguins & Elephant Seals
• 1 day: Peninsula Valdez – Sea lions, penguins, coast sightseeing, bird watching
• 1 day: Punta Piramides, Puerto Madryn sightseeing, diving sea lions
• 1 day: Trelew Dinosaur Museum and in and out of city

Ushuaia

Ushuaia- 4 days

The self proclaimed southernmost city in the world is picturesque, laid back, and chock full of tourist attractions.  Also the gateway to Antarctica if you want to take the trip of a lifetime.

• 1 day: Tour of bay, museums, and city
• 1 day: Glacier climbing & Tierra del Fuego National Park
• 1 day: Lakes country tour & end of world train – not recommended
• 1 day: Travel time

El Calafate – 3 days

Home to one of the only growing glaciers in the world, many tourist will even be able to see chunks of icebergs break off into the water.  This unique event should be added to everyone’s bucket list.

• 1 day: Cruise to glacier & city
• 1 day: Hiking & outdoor time
• 1 day: Travel time

Bariloche

Bariloche –  4 days

The Argentine version of Switzerland; snow capped mountains, delicious chocolates, and great adventures for the whole family.

• 1 day: Lakes Cruise & Town
• 1 day: Tronador Glacier
• 1 day: Misc Sites, Surrounding Areas, and Museums
• 1 day: Traveling in and out

Mendoza – 3 – 4 days

The Napa & Sonoma Valley of Argentina provides great opportunities to taste some of the best wines of South America amongst endless fields of grapes.  The highest peak in the Andes Mountains also provides great opportunities for climbing and hiking.

• 1 day: Wine Tour
• 1 day: Town & Museums
• 1 day: Hiking & Outdoor Activities
• 1 day: Travel in and out

You can see the entire country in less time depending on your travel plans and what you prefer to do.  You can save time and money by taking overnight buses to some cities that are 7-12 hours away from each other.

Also be aware that hostel prices are extremely high compared to other cities when traveling to Patagonia.  When in Ushuaia, don’t forget to get information about traveling to Antarctica as this is the gateway to the great continent.

Been to Argentina?  Leave a comment and let us know if you’d make any changes to Marcello’s itinerary.

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About the Author: Marcello Arrambide has been traveling all his life and has lived in over 6 countries around the world.  He currently living in South America where he shares tips and stories about his travels on http://www.wanderingtrader.com.  You can also find him on Twitter: @wanderingtradr

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The following is a guest post by Amiee Maxwell. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Use a Gorillapod for stability.

I am not as concerned with theft as I am with losing my digital camera to the elements. I’ve gone through three point-and-shoot digital cameras in the last three years and I have vowed to make my new Canon PowerShot last at least two.

I was absolutely heartbroken when my first digital camera died after some sand got into the lens at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I had dreamed about hiking into the Grand Canyon since I was a little kid and I sadly have no photos at the bottom of the canyon. My last camera only made it a few months; it met its end when drink powder ripped open in my bag during my first ultramarathon.

The road can be pretty tough on cameras so here are 7 highly effective ways to protect your camera while traveling:

1. Utilize the Camera Strap

So this is pretty much Photography 101, but always use your wrist or neck strap to secure your digital camera. I often remove the strap because it can blow in front of the lens and get in the way of my shot, but it wouldn’t if I had the strap wrapped around my wrist like it is suppose to be. Straps keep you from dropping your camera off the side of the boat or off the cliff.

2. Invest in a Crushproof Case

If I had only discovered Pelican cases and Otter boxes years ago, I wouldn’t have gone through so many cameras. These cases are crushproof, dustproof, and water-resistant. I love being able to toss my camera in my backpack and not have to worry about it getting crushed or scratched. The only thing is they won’t protect your camera out of the case.

3. Choose a Tough Camera To Begin With

Some cameras are just tougher than others. The Olympus Stylus Tough series cameras are waterproof, freezeproof, shockproof, and crushproof. These cameras are built with the adventure traveler in mind and can withstand whatever abuse you toss at it.

4. Don’t Forget the Floating Camera Strap

Just because you got yourself a nifty waterproof camera doesn’t mean that it will float if you drop it in the water. Get yourself a floating strap so in case you do drop it in the water it won’t sink and be lost forever.

5. Opt For a Waterproof Case

If you’re not in the market for a new waterproof camera, you can waterproof your existing camera with a relatively inexpensive case. The Aquapac Compact Camera Case turns any digital camera (up to 8 inches in diameter) into an underwater camera. Waterproof to a depth of 15 feet, the Aquapac’s ultra-clear lens lets you take great underwater shots right through the case.

6. Get Yourself a Gorillapod

Have you ever tried to use a rock ledge or a signpost as a tripod, just to have a gust of wind blow up and toss your camera to the ground? Try a Gorillapod instead. These flexible tripods weigh less than 2 ounces and literally monkey its way around an object to help you safely get the perfect shot.

7. Don’t Skimp on Insurance

If you’re hard on electronics, I highly recommend purchasing warranty or accident protection plans for your camera. Many plans will protect your camera 100% from mechanical failures as well as falls and water damage.

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About the Author: Amiee Maxwell writes about travel and outdoor gear at Travel Gear Blog, part of the BootsnAll network. You can follow her on Twitter @AmieeMaxwell and @TravelGearBlog.

[Photos courtesy of Heather Busby and Mr. T in DC]

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The following is a guest post by Shawn Stafford. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

We all have a tendency to be very passionate when we latch on to an idea. So I know those of us who should really have a sober think about our efforts are probably the exact people who will definitely not do so. Step outside your enthusiasm for a minute though and be certain that your intentions are being served as best they could.

Whether you’re considering volunteering as part of an upcoming trip, or maybe you’re a seasoned volunteer, there’s a few things you should consider. These are not items for or against volunteering outside of your home country. More accurately, they are considerations regarding the effectiveness and direction of your efforts. You are volunteering to be effective, right?

Here are a couple of examples to help get you in that big picture frame of mind when you’re considering whether to donate your time to a cause.

Creating Dependencies

Let me tell you a story of a real problem we faced in post-earthquake Haiti. Thousands and thousands of Haitians were (are) living in IDP camps after the big Jan 12th, 2010 earthquake. In disasters IDP means Internally Displaced People and is used to differentiate them from international refugee camps.

In the case of Haiti the average IDP camp is a huge area of tarps, sheet metal, salvage and far too many families all crammed together in an open space such as a farmers field or a park. Not a place anyone would willingly reside.

Anyways, a few months after the earthquake a lot of volunteer groups were heavily focused on helping families move out of these camps and back onto their own property. Everyone naturally working under the assumption that camp residents would be keen to move away. However, the actual situation that unfolded is that the families would not go.

They loved the idea of leaving the camp, but weren’t willing to go without the handouts of food, clothes, etc that other volunteer groups were making in the camp. If these families went home they would miss out on the handouts, and so these well meaning handout organizations were creating a huge dependency on living in horrible squalor.

Consider then on top of all this the cholera epidemic that Haiti is now seeing and how IDP camps have zero sanitation. How many families are living in potentially deadly filth so they can get their handouts? I bring this up as something to consider because it’s often very hard to see the knock off effects beyond the obvious initial benefits of a good act.

Tiny Roadside IDP Camp - Haiti 2010

Time and Money

They say that math never lies, and in this situation that is pretty much true. Do some math on your potential volunteer plan and see if you’re really being effective with your help.

For example, if you buy a new pair of boots, a sun hat and a case of bug spray, plus pay for an international flight in order to help an organization, are you providing more value than the sum of your expenses? Would the organization have been better served by receiving the money you spent? Now add the value in time and materials of any training and housing you will receive, plus the proverbial free t-shirt. You see where I’m going here. By the time you actually get your butt to an international volunteering situation you’ve spent a noteworthy amount of time and money (same thing).

Maybe you should have donated that money instead? Sure you wouldn’t feel awesome, but this isn’t about you, is it? If you’re going to use up the money to volunteer, be certain that you are effective enough to be worth it.

Skills vs Jobs

A popular point of contention with international volunteers is the “foreigner saving the day” syndrome. What can you and your friends do that someone local to the issue can not? Are you providing training and absent skills, or are you just doing what a local would do if they had been given the chance. This one is often related to the time and money consideration also. Why should you pay hundreds in airfare, etc to go milk seals for a week, or whatever it is you want to do, when your expenses could otherwise employ a local for a year to do the same job?

Look for aspects of your plan that involve training or enabling people to help themselves. You know the saying, “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, but teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime.”

So go teach that unemployed local dude how to milk seals so that he can then make a living, that he previously wasn’t able to, as opposed to milking seals for a week then leaving. Perhaps I should have used a different hypothetical cause? You get the idea.

Conclusion

The point I’m trying to beat to death here is that I encourage you to be able to honestly list the value you are adding. Don’t generalize or gloss things over because you’re caught up in the romanticism of helping.

That said, I definitely encourage you to volunteer. As all voluntourists should do, I also encourage you to stay involved in a sense afterward. Tell folks about how and why you volunteered, and be around for your co-volunteers to commiserate with.

There are honestly very few things in this world as rewarding and satisfying as being directly involved in a meaningful project purely for the sake of doing the right thing. The world doesn’t have nearly enough volunteers, so we should ensure that the few we do have are effective.

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About the Author: Shawn Stafford is an attractive crime fighter, and part-time nomadic freelance writer, whose other articles can be found on his subtly classy yet mediocre website, Rerunaround. You can also stalk Shawn on twitter: @shawnosaurus

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The box reads, “For wherever the road takes you.” Perfect, I thought, as I opened it, put on the new Seregenti Siena glasses, and hopped into my packed car.

For those of you that were unaware, I just returned from a solo 6-week cross-country road trip. I drove through 32 states, stopped in 25 cities, and not surprisingly, had an absolutely phenomenal time. But those stories are for another day.

Today, it’s all about the shades. Right before I left, I received the sunglasses I described above along with a pair of Bolle Dash sunglasses for review. Both are lightweight, durable, and quite attractive. I wore the Seregenti Sienas while driving and was blown away by the quality.

As their catalog describes, all of the sunglasses in their new Sergenti line boast photochromatic, Spectral Control, and polarization technology which makes driving in direct sunlight a breeze. Not to mention that with this line’s particular flex metal design, I often forgot I was wearing anything at all.

Next I tried the sportier Bolle Dashes, of which I’d reserved for the many hikes I took throughout the beautiful American terrain. With it’s sleek and modern design, this model is certainly made for the stylish adventure-seeker.

Technologically, they offer moisture-absorbing Thermogrip temple tips and nose pads, b20.3 polycarbonate lenses for “category-leading visual clarity”, and a Carbo Glass industrial strength coating to protect against scratches.

If they sound amazing, they truly are. My only complaint is the lens size although I’m convinced that has to do with the generational trend of Hollywood mega-shades.

Bolle Dash sunglasses

All in all I think that these sunglasses are a good investment for the everyday traveler. They’re very comfortable, appropriately priced for their high quality, and stylish (a forgotten detail common amongst the most lightweight packers). The Siena sunglasses retail for between $200 and $260, depending on the style, and can be purchased online at Serengeti Eyewear. The Dash sunglasses retail for $110 and are available at Bolle.com. Drive on.

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The following is a guest post by Deborah O’Kane.  If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Having read Viv McCarthy’s post on the benefits of overland tours versus independent backpacking in Africa, I am inspired to add my two kwacha’s worth to the debate.

I appreciate there’s no simple answer to the question of what’s “best”, and in my experience there’s a place for both options, though personally I’d err heavily on the side of independent traveling. But only if you’re resourceful, adaptable and have a few dollars at your disposal for the inevitable dramas you’ll encounter. If you do, I guarantee you life-enhancing, deeply moving and unforgettable experiences and encounters.

My husband and I quit our jobs in early 2007 and flew to Johannesburg. We visited Durban, Swaziland and then Baz-bussed around the coast. Our travels started in earnest with a 12-hour bus trip from Cape Town to Keetmanshoop in Namibia.

Carrying a tent, sleeping bag and cooking kit in our backpacks we spent the next couple of months wandering in a haphazard way towards Nairobi, and our date with a Nomad trip to Rwanda and the mountain gorillas.

Mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda.

Between times we had many campsite encounters with overland travelers. Seeing them often coincided with that sinking feeling as a dozen or more 20-somethings arrived in an enormous truck, music blaring, generally taking over the campsite and destroying any sense of intimacy with the local landscape, animals or the people.

We’d read en route of people who’d abandoned their pre-paid trip after a few weeks, desperate to get away from irritating fellow passengers and the booze-driven itineraries, or wanting a slower and more genuine “Africa” experience.

We chatted with a few of these young overlanders, most of whom expressed amazement or even disbelief at our own plans. They were generally pleasant young people, often bold on the surface but actually completely freaked out at the idea of being left to their own devices in this most mysterious continent.

Having done their obligatory six weeks volunteering in some orphanage or school, they were now using their parents’ credit cards to nip round a few African highlights to add to their brag card when they eventually returned to England, Germany, Australia or the US to pick up university studies.

Unloading tomatoes from the Ilala, Lake Malawi's 60-year-old ferry

Naturally these encounters made us nervous about what our own overland experience would be like.

We’d booked an organized tour for this portion of our six-month Africa sojourn for a few reasons. While I love my husband to bits, after three months in a tent with each other we figured we could probably both do with some other company for a bit; getting permits to visit the mountain gorillas seemed like a hit and miss business and this way we’d be assured of getting to see them; it would feel like a “holiday” within the trip – a couple of weeks when we wouldn’t have to make lots of decisions but could just sit back and enjoy the ride.

And so it was. We were fortunate that our eight companions were like-minded souls, or like-minded enough anyway.

We had a lot of fun, saw parts of Uganda and Rwanda that we probably wouldn’t have otherwise visited, and yes, got to see the wonderful gorillas. Our leaders were local Kenyans, kindly and caring, and the truck was a comfortable way to travel through challenging mountain and jungle roads.

We couldn’t help but notice how much trickier borders become with a truckful of foreigners to get across. We were used to walking freely from one country to another. But, whatever happened, it wasn’t our problem and we learned to take a back seat, leaving anxious frontier discussions and decisions on routes to others.

Waiting for the bus with the locals, north of Nairobi.

However, these two weeks were a mere blip on the months of unfettered travel we otherwise enjoyed.

How to put a price on arriving at a Botswana campsite after 12 hours of traveling from the Caprivi Strip – via ferry, taxi, the back of a ute and finally a bus – and to be upgraded from a tent site to a bungalow by the friendly owner who obviously took pity on our disheveled state?

Or the time an elegant African man politely wished us goodbye after sharing our bus for eight hours in self-contained silence, before returning to show off his twin babies to us through the bus windows.

Or spending a couple of hours near the Eritrean border amusing local Ethiopian boys with my digital camera, waiting for Max to emerge from the men-only monastery of Debre Damo.

Or sleeping alone under the stars (and the sand!) at the pyramids of Meroe in Sudan, before hitching back to Khartoum with a local truck driver.

Everyone dresses in their best white robes for Sunday church services in Ethiopia.

Our own unique experiences of Africa were deeper, more meaningful and memorable because they were ours, and ours alone. No-one else could write the story of our trip. Working out a route, negotiating rides, waiting for hours at the side of the road with the locals for a bus that never comes, and then moving to Plan B as night falls doesn’t just make for a good yarn. It grows you in a way that being driven to a campsite just won’t.

Use the tours if you want, just make sure it’s on your own terms.

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About the Author: Deborah O’Kane has 25 years of backpacking under her (money) belt. Six months in Africa has been her longest stint on the road, and was the first step in a mid-life relocation from New Zealand to the UK. She now lives in London from where she visits Europe frequently, and runs a blog BasedinLondon. Follow her on Twitter @debokane.

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” Sea to Summit” was founded by several mountain climbing enthusiasts who loved to travel light with as little as possible. They provide innovative gear for every type of traveler, from the urban day-tripper to the backpacker taking a gap year across the Americas.

Their latest designs feature their Ultra-Sil fabric that is extremely lightweight and durable, the perfect combo for demanding travelers. The TravellingLight series of products makes it possible to bring what you want without having to worry about your luggage and gear adding extra weight.

TravellingLight Sling Bag

The biggest surprise of the Sea To Summit Travelling Light gear offered up for review on Go Backpacking was the Ultra-Sil Sling Bag. It came packed down to the size of a cell phone and weighed only 64 grams. Then it was like opening a gift, all of a sudden the ball turned into a large bag complete with a shoulder sling and zipper.

I was skeptical at first, because nothing that lightweight is ever strong, and I highly doubted it would go back to its original tiny form. The Sling Bag proved me wrong on both accounts. I loaded it up at the farmer’s market and then easily put it back in the tiny ball-like form once I got home.

The shoulder strap was very comfortable, and although I’m not a huge supporter of man purses, or ” murses”, I felt the bag looked good hanging across my body (yes the shoulder strap is that long).

You can carry this thing anywhere you go, even attached to your key chain or easily stuffed in your backpack. The bag doesn’t require any more packing space and definitely doesn’t add any significant weight to your trip.

I may feel a little more like a soccer mom carrying it around, but when it comes to practicality and usability, this is my favorite item from the TravellingLight product line.

Best Uses: Traveling, grocery shopping, school books, laptop bag, sea shell searching (say that three times fast), etc.

Pros: Packability, Ultra-Sil strength and bar tacked stitching, lightweight, comfortable with a heavy load, long shoulder strap, zipper, stylish

Cons: None

Manufacturer’s Website

TravellingLight Toiletry Cell

It might be time to ditch those Ziploc freezer bags and convert over to an actual toiletry bag.

The TravellingLight Toiletry Cell can hold enough supplies for even the most hygienic folks. It has space to fit 7 liters of your bathroom essentials and gives you three zippered pockets on the inside to keep organized.

I haven’t been able to test this idea just yet, but I imagine the main benefit of the Ultra-Sil fabric on the toiletry cell is that it will keep fluids both out, and IN! Everyone has a bottle of shampoo explode at least once in their travels, and keeping it off of your clothes and backpack is a priority.

The bag has a padded, stand-up design and can open up all the way, giving you easy access to your supplies.

Since my personal bathroom kit is minimal, I was happy that the Toiletry Cell was easy to fold/roll to fit into tight spots in my luggage while remaining organized.

The Ziploc’s will be missed, but there is no going back after having tried this bag out a few times.

Best Uses: Loading up all the bathroom supplies you can imagine, short and long trips, lightweight travel, tight packing trips

Pros: Ultra-Sil is water-resistant keeping any spills on the inside, padded walls protect bag’s contents, stand-up design, durable YKK zipper, easy to pack

Cons: One more lengthwise divider through the middle would make organizing even easier

Manufacturer’s Website

TravellingLight Travel Wallet

Every traveler has multiple IDs, credit cards, insurance cards, confirmation letters, emergency contact lists, and a slew of other documents to keep track of while on the road. That is why every traveler also has a good travel wallet.

There are hundreds of wallets on the market, but not many can compare to the standards Sea to Summit has set with their TravellingLight Travel Wallet. With more than enough organization options on the interior, you can quickly access all of your important documents.

The external sleeve is great for your boarding pass or any document you need to frequently access, such as a local map when you’re lost and asking for directions.

Most importantly, Sea to Summit built a travel wallet with the durable and lightweight Ultra-Sil fabric that keeps water away from ruining your documents. To put the cherry on top of all the great features, they added a pen holder and a cool little zippered coin pouch on the inside of the wallet.

My old travel wallet is being given away as a gift because the TravellingLight wallet is perfect for my unorganized, rough, and clumsy travel personality.

Best Uses: Important document storage, all types of travel

Pros: Water-resistant, ultra-lightweight, durability, eight card slots, multiple organizing sleeves, fits in jacket or pants pocket

Cons: None

Manufacturer’s Website

TravellingLight See Pouch

Weighing in at only 37 grams, the medium (2 liters) See Pouch is perfect for organizing smaller items that can easily get lost in your big bags.

On my last international backpacking trip, there were numerous times where I had to dig to the bottom of a stuffed backpack to find a cell phone charger, Leatherman tool, headlamp, etc. The thought of organizing all my small gadgets into one easily accessible pouch never even occurred to me before my trip.

Now that I have the See Pouch, the benefits are already noticeable on short weekend trips and even around the house. For longer trips where you need to pack light and concise, do not leave without at least the medium See Pouch to save you time and sanity.

Best Uses: Long backpacking trips, short weekend vacations, keeping organized at home

Pros: Extremely lightweight, easy to pack, stand up design when full, water-resistant and durable Ultra-Sil fabric

Cons: New version with mesh fabric is not as see-through as would have liked

Manufacturers Website

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The following is a guest post by Lis Sowerbutts.  If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

I used to backpack because the only other options – i.e. organized tours – I couldn’t afford. Also because I wanted to spend months overseas – not weeks (or days). My only option was independent travel – the stuff that backpackers do.

But now, as I get ready to hit the road again – I consider – why don’t I just organize a river cruise in Europe, a nice resort in southern Thailand and have done with it?

Because I don’t have to. You see I’m not too old to backpack.

The author, with friend, Hue, Vietnam

I’m not too old to carry a small pack (I could in fact carry a large one – but I’m too lazy). I am old enough to know that this gives me the freedom to hop on and off buses, boats, tuk-tuk’s, motorbikes and airplanes without needing porters or luggage trolleys.

I don’t want to miss out on the randomness of arriving at a Thai Island and then figuring out where to stay. I know I may hate the place that others loved and find the beach that I looked forward too washed away by last week’s storm. Or I may fall in love with the cut price cocktails late at night and the breakfast bakery and fail to make the 10am boat (every day, for a week). But that’s OK cause I don’t have any reservations to miss.

I can still get travel insurance – well for most of my body anyways (they haven’t covered the knees since the Himalayan incident ). I don’t need oxygen or an extra bag to carry my medications. If I get too hot, too cold, bitten by insects and even bounced off the back of a motorbike – it won’t kill me.

Climbing Mt Kosciusko, NSW, Australia

I know how to recognize a scam from several paces, and I know never to leave my pack several paces away from my body. I know my new found friend wants to sell me something – but sometimes its fun to find out what.

I can afford to backpack – because I don’t have to. I can afford the comfortable 4-star hotel for a few nights stop-over when I will be jet-lagged and on the way home. If I get sick I will check into a nice place with large beds, functioning air con and room service.

I know if the taxi driver won’t bargain with me I can walk away. I know how not to get myself stranded in a remote location with a taxi driver who wants to up the price.

I know that I will have a better time traveling in a random manner. Choosing when to go and when to stay. I know I won’t miss the Louvre because on the day the tour group was organized to go there I had to replace a stolen passport.

Elephant washing in front of the Grand Palace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

I know that if I get sick I can stop and get well. I know that getting ill hardly ever lasts for more than a day or two and then I can just pick up my itinerary where I left off with it.

I know that a backpacker, or as they are called now, flashpackers, has the ultimate freedom. We can chose to tour or not tour, to stay or go, to spend more money or less.

I know that I can travel for several months for the same price that most people my age would spend on 3 weeks travel. And have a better time. And see more than they will ever see.

So when are we too old to backpack? When we can’t handle uncertainty, change, different food and unusual hotels. When we need to know what the day will bring, and when we will have lunch. When we are worried about mixing with people who don’t look like us, don’t speak English and will probably stare at our odd, pale skin.

I have friends who were too old to backpack at 20, and one who was still traveling independently in her 80s. Backpacking is a state of mind – and has nothing at all to do with age.

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About the Author: This is a guest post by Lis Sowerbutts who is suddenly closer to 50 than 20 but still hasn’t figured out what she’s going to do when she grows up. Lis writes about independent travel at her site for the older backpacker: midlifetravel.com. Lis has been traveling independently for the last 25 years.

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The following is a guest post by Viv McCarthy of Acacia Africa.  If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read our submission guidelines.

Lion Walk Antelope Park (Rediscover Zimbabwe small group safari)

Do overlanders and backpackers have anything in common?

Unfortunately, there’s no straight answer to the question, and the majority of independent travelers could be forgiven for thinking that tour based ” adventurism” is just way too contrived. After all, it’s the spontaneity of solo wandering that really does it for the singleton heading off on the road alone.  Then again, when you have Africa at your feet, that ” on a whim” notion becomes part and parcel of the whole travel experience, however you decide to dig it. And most people, whether tour leaders or tour buddies have learnt to deal with (and enjoyed) the well, unexpected!

But more to the point, why should you hop on a truck with 24 other continent curious safari goers, especially if you’re a one of a kind nomad?  Before you draw a line through the idea completely, here are some bona fide reasons for biting the bullet and overlanding in Africa.

Friendships

Want to hook up out on the road?  Alex Garland’s novel might have faded into the ether over the years, but we’ve all happened upon those unfortunate urban-travel myths. Switch your guard off over a few Tusker beers in Nairobi, and your seemingly rational choice of travel companion could be a thorn in your side only a few days into your backpacking mission. Of course, if you’re in need of a hasty escape route you can always throw the odd white lie into the equation. Feigning illness, visa irregularities or a death in the family have always been popular options, but why bother when trucking across the continent could make the whole post solo journey much less painless?

On an organized trip you’ll be interacting with a range of adventurers (and more importantly ” travel buddy” watching).  Put simply, there’s just no comparison between overlanding and those brief hostel compatibility checks, and after two weeks or more, you’ll know if you’re going to be compadres on the continent or just plain destined for disaster after the expedition is out.

Cause for celebration - reaching the Tropic of Capricorn in Namibia

Logistical Support

Africa Virgins!, Whether it’s down to safety or general awareness, breaching out into the unknown with little more than a guidebook and a confident ” I’ve done this before” mentality, is not an assurance that all will be alright on the trip. We travel because we want to step into the undiscovered, and not because we feel comfortable having crossed a few destinations off our list.

Africa has the ability to leave even the most cultured of travelers fumbling at the first location, and while a five to eight week overland itinerary might sound suffocating to the established backpacker, there are some handy bite-size jaunts on offer. Short and sweet options of fewer than two weeks won’t be too invasive when it comes to your personal travel time, and you’ll have more common sense when it comes to going it alone.

Career gapper envy? As your departure date nears, your rat race friends will no doubt be salivating over your adventurous plans. But sadly, there are two sides to every story, and that once in a lifetime solo jaunt can take its toll on even the most ardent of explorers. Yes, for every burn out career victim there’s likely to be a nomad in similar dire straits, so if you’re in it for the long haul, an overlanding break is a great opportunity to sit back and enjoy the ride sans the logistics!

Go Off the Beaten Track

Trailblazers Unite!  Some parts of Africa are still relatively undiscovered, and Zimbabwe is certainly one of the hot spots for the David Livingstone-esque junkie.  For obvious reasons, it’s not on everyone’s hit list, but if you’re a modern day explorer, now is the time to hit the trail.  Those crowd free game drives in the Hwange National Park won’t be on offer for long, and there’s just something about traveling through a country that hasn’t hit the mainstream.

Of course, jumping in all gung-ho isn’t a no-no, but a registered tour operator will be constantly monitoring the situation on the ground, peace of mind for anyone choosing to wander through more avant-garde Africa.

According to the blogging community, voluntourism has retained its status, as the major buzzword in travel.  Trawl the net and you’ll find a never-ending list of non-profit organizations willing you to pitch in, closely followed by a multitude of principled adventurers with an even longer list of reasons to give back.  Not wanting to burst your ethical bubble, but no one individual is the same, and it might be better to get your feet wet on a short stint before going the whole hog. A brief voluntour experience on an overland expedition could give you some welcome insight on what to expect when signing up to similar projects, and a well-rounded appreciation of what’s required before making a more serious commitment.

So backpackers, don’t throw the towel in when it comes to booking a tour, as an organized itinerary could expand your ” travel-psyche” in more ways than one!

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About the Author: Vivian McCarthy is the General Manager of Acacia Africa, a company that specializes in offering overland and small group safaris, adventure holidays, voluntours, city and beach breaks & tented lodge safaris.  He visits Africa once or twice a year and has a particular soft spot for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, because, he says, ” these places are less simply less predictable, and that’s part of the joy of traveling.”  Follow Acacia Africa on Twitter @AcaciaAfrica.

Photo Credit:  All photos courtesy of Acacia Africa.

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I have a secret I’ve been keeping for close to 8 months now.  And no, I’m not about to become a father!

This past February, I attended the New York Times Travel Show and won a drawing for a free trip to Tokyo, Japan.

Tokyo Tower from Mori. (Photo: Agustin Rafael Reyes)

The prize, courtesy of Japan’s tourism office, included round trip airfare on Continental Airlines, two nights hotel stay, a $150 train voucher, and oddly, a small (cheap) sculpture of a “lucky cat” which was mailed to my home.

I gave little consideration to visiting Japan on my trip around the world, writing it off as too expensive.  And while I enjoyed sushi and learning about Buddhism at the time, I have a deeper appreciation for both as a result of the last few years.

Also, in talking to other travelers who have either been to Japan, or speak of it as a dream destination with a sparkle in their eye, I’ve become a little more curious about what the country and culture has to offer.

Mt. Fuji is a short train ride from Tokyo, however I won't have the opportunity to climb as I will be visiting in Winter. (Photo: Emram Kassim)

Earlier this year, I considered taking the trip in late August or early September so I would be in a position (weather-wise) to climb Mt. Fuji, the highest peak in the country.  When my parent’s sold their house, my priority was a return to Colombia.

The hotel stay, which was only two nights, expired after 6 months, as did the train voucher.  The real prize, in the form of the round trip airfare, is valid for 12 months.  As my second stint in Colombia draws to a close in mid-December, I’m preparing to book my flights.

After celebrating New Year’s Eve in various foreign cities, such as Christchurch and Paris, I can’t resist the idea of celebrating in Tokyo.

Once the NYE partying dies down, I’d look forward to:

• exploring the food (sushi) and tea culture
• riding a bullet train
• visiting Mt. Fuji
• playing arcade games I don’t understand
• using a toilet equipped with heated seat and remote control
• buying some type of futuristic technology not yet available in the USA
• …and whatever else I can fit into two weeks

Have you been to Tokyo, or that region of Japan?

If yes, please share a few suggestions on what I should do there.  I’m giving myself about two weeks, excluding the transit days to/from Washington, DC.

This is by far the biggest prize I’ve ever won, so the next time you’re at a travel show, be sure to enter those drawings because people really do win them!

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Bulungula Lodge is situated amidst the rugged landscape of South Africa’s Wild Coast.

It was built adjacent a Xhosa village, with the villagers owning a 40% stake in the Lodge.  Guest accommodations are in the form of traditional African rondavels.  And a variety of eco-friendly facilities are employed to ensure minimal impact on the surrounding land and culture.

A short list of the these features highlight the owners’ considerations:

• Electricity used sparingly, sourced from solar panels
• Light is primarily from candles in the evening
• Composting toilets
• Paraffin wax “rocket” showers
• Rainwater collection

Bulungula Lodge isn’t easy to get to, but if you have the time, it’s worth a few nights in your South African itinerary to experience this one of a kind backpacker lodge.

As you get closer to Bulungula Lodge, paved roads turn to rock and mud, and eventually plain grass.

Bulungula Lodge is built with a low profile, and the guest accommodations are in the form of rondavels, the traditional Xhosa style 1-room homes.

The rondavels are made of mud blocks and thatched roofs. The interiors are brightly painted, and without electricity, candles are the only source of light at night.

Composting toilets require you pee in the front section of the toilet bow, while depositing the rest down the back side. After your done with #2, drop a few cups of the composting soil on top of your deposit.

In order to provide hot water showers, despite the lack of electricity, Bulungula Lodge provides paraffin wax "rocket" showers. Pour some of the melted wax in the teapot into the base of the black shower pipe, stick a few sheets of toilet paper into the wax, and then light it like a candle wick. Once the wax catches on fire, turn on the water, and the steam will heat it up.

A fire pit outside the lodge is the perfect place for a nighttime drum circle.

Inside Bulungula Lodge are comfortable common areas for hanging out and eating the communal meals, a library, bar, and kitchen.

Breakfast at Bulungula includes Xhosa-style bread made using solar power, eggs, and hearty slices of bacon.

Sunset view from Bulungula, taken after returning from an afternoon tour of the local Xhoxa village a short walk away.

Don't be surprised if you find a bunch of cows lounging around outside your rondavel. Just be sure to watch your step the next morning, as the cows may leave a few gifts behind.

If you don't have your own 4x4 transportation, it's best to arrange a pick-up and drop-off schedule with the Lodge. Expect a bumpy ride in the back of their 4x4.

Read more about my experiences traveling to Bulungula, experiencing the lodge, and going on the Xhosa village tour.

To learn more about the Lodge itself, check out their website.

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Want to get paid to travel?

Derek E. Baron from WanderingEarl.com has a new eBook, co-authored with Liz Aceves, about how to sail the world and be paid kick-ass money to do it!  Both have worked on a combined 12 different cruise ships and have laid out a step-by-step process for landing a job yourself with any of the major cruise lines.

This is a great eBook for anyone wanting to travel long term and fund their travels.  If you’re someone wanting to see the world on someone else’s dime, it’s even better.  I think the best idea out of this eBook for travel is that you could work on board a cruise ship for one contract (say 6 months), and save enough money to travel anywhere in the world for a long period of time once your done (which the authors have done numerous times).

If you earn $2,000-$2,500 USD per-month on board a ship and you don’t have many expenses at all (as cruise ships provide accommodation and food) then you would be able to save approximately $12,000-$15,000 in one contract. You’ll have enough to spend $65-$82 USD per-day (that is for 6 months) wherever you travel afterward.

Of course you could always make that money stretch longer… pretty tempting I think!

Get your copy for $37.00 USD

Give Me the Facts:

• 173-pages total
• Includes a Free Bonus copy of the Refuse the Rat Race Guide. 88 pages full of detailed information on how to take advantage of situations that can help you live, work and travel around the world. (limited time only)
• Email support from the writers if you have questions on applying for a cruise ship position
• 60 day, money back guarantee if not satisfied
• Cost: $37.00 USD

What I Liked:

• The Detail! Like I said before, this eBook is full of information and covers everything (seriously, I couldn’t find much lacking).  The sheer volume of pages indicate the amount of information and was glad that it was all useful and not just cannon fodder.
• Chapter Layout! It is laid out from start to finish in the order you would need to know the info for applying.  The quick access to information is easy because of the bar at the bottom that will allow you to hyper jump to each chapter.
• Simple & Easy! I mean for God’s sake they even included an example resume and cover sheet!  It practically spoon feeds you everything you need to know.
• Support!  If you’ve got questions or something wasn’t covered in your situation, you can email them for a quick response.
• Money Back Guarantee!  Maybe I’m just used to being a spoiled American but I LOVE it when someone offers this.  It tells me 2 things: 1) that no matter what, if I’m not satisfied I can always recoup my money and 2) that the author believes so strongly in his work that you know it has very good merit.  Customer Satisfaction is something to value!

What Was Missing or Lacking:

• Nada! I haven’t worked on a cruise ship before but after reading it I really couldn’t find anything to gripe about… and that says a lot coming from me.

Conclusion…

I was surprised at how much info was offered in this eBook.  It starts from “Introduction to Ship Life” and finishes with “Glossary of Ship Terms.”  What’s in between you ask… try everything!  Really, they cover how to write your resume, to job descriptions for all jobs offered on a cruise ship with approximate pay for those positions.

I thought the sweetest part of this eBook were the links to all the major cruise lines with an individual description on how to apply to each one.  It even has links to their job-posting forms or websites.

Overall it’s well written, informative and worth the value.  If you’re seriously looking at doing some future long term travel and don’t want to teach English in South Korea or do a work visa in Australia to fund a trip, then this eBook provides a great alternative.

Click here to buy this great eBook

Follow WanderingEarl:

• WanderingEarl.com Official Website
• WanderingEarl’s Twitter page
• Become a fan of his Facebook page

$$$ Win a Free Copy of this eBook $$$

For the loyal readers of GoBackpacking.com, Earl has given us a copy of this eBook to give away.  I’m a firm believer of always giving back to you (the reader) a little something extra and Earl was quite happy to provide us a copy.

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment below, answering:

“If you could take a cruise, where would you go and why.”

A winning comment will be picked by random from Random.org.  One entry per person.  Winner will be notified by email.  

The deadline for entering the contest is 9 PM (EST), Sunday, October 03, 2010

Update: And the winner is Matthew, who wrote “I would go on a cruise up the west coast to Alaska.”

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This is a guest post by Jasmine. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read more here.

This sign probably won't help you find your way (Port of Spain, Trinidad).

You’ve ventured out to explore your new city, and you have no clue where you are. You also happen to be in a region in which you stick out like a store thumb, and the stares you’re getting seem to intensify the situation.

Your map is in your bag – but do you really want to pull it out on that busy street corner or that dodgy neighborhood?

No, you don’t.

Here’s how to be lost without looking lost.

Don’t Look Up

While you’re lost, you begin to read the names of every single street and every single sign that you pass. A lot of these indicators will be above your line of sight, so your head resembles something like a pinball that has been shot furiously by the right flipper. Do you see the locals looking up, or looking around wildly? No. They are well aware of how tall their buildings are – looking up is a dead giveaway that you’re not from around here.

Ask. Rinse. Repeat.

It’s okay to ask for directions. The best way to do this covertly is to duck into a corner store, buy a pack of gum or a snack, and ask the cashier for help. If you confuse yourself again, do it again in another store. So you’re six packs of Trident richer – at least you made it back to your hostel! And your breath will be minty fresh. It’s a win/win.

My 8th cafe mocha of the day (Christchurch, New Zealand).

Hesitate And Perish

Have you ever sat in an outdoor cafe in a new city and watched its inhabitants walk by? Generally speaking, large city dwellers (that’s dwellers of large cities, not overweight city dwellers) tend to walk quickly and confidently. Even in smaller towns and coastal destinations, the people walk with a definitive purpose. They are going somewhere.

I, on the other hand, am rarely going somewhere. I like to wander, hence the name of my blog. One thing I don’t do, though, when I’m trying not to look lost, is hesitate. Your mind goes, “Wait, was it that street or the next one?” and your body makes this complete, dramatic, obvious stop. Next thing you know, all eyes are on you. Keep it moving until you figure out where the hell you’re at. Reducing your pace gives you some more time; just make sure it’s in line with the rhythm of the other people around you.

A great opportunity to hide a map (Sihanoukville, Cambodia).

The Clandestine Map Glance

You’re itching to have a look at the map in your bag, sure that you could find your present location on it. What I normally do is fold the map up in my purse so that only the part I need is showing. That way, I can easily open up my purse, acting as if I’m digging around for something else, when really I’m looking at my map. If the map is too big for that, I take a seat in a park or on a bench and try to hide the map from view by placing it in my notebook or another book I might be carrying. (Note: not a guidebook. Duh. Another dead giveaway).

No Backtracking

Strolling down the street in a general state of confusion, you reach the corner, and all of a sudden you realize this is not where you were trying to go. You do an abrupt about-face and retrace your steps. Now you’ve gotten the attention of everyone on the street: the two guys leaning against the wall talking, the woman chatting with a neighbor, and the motorcyclist parking his bike. To avoid this one, have a walk around the block. You’ll end up back where you started, and no one will be the wiser.

It’s okay to be lost. It’s an unavoidable part of travel. However, there are ways to be cool about it, and there are ways to look like a traveling freak show.

May all your wrong turns be stealthy!

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About the Author: Jasmine is a 20-something female traveling around the world solo. She is currently falling in love with Colombia, eating arepas, drinking tinto, and saying “chimba.” Catch up with her adventures at Jasmine Wanders Travel Blog and follow her on Twitter @jasminewanders.

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This bus has seen better days.

Traveling across a country via a bus can be a lot of fun, and can also be very painful. You can make or break a 12 hour bus ride by simply choosing the best seat. Everyone has their own preferences, but I will break down several factors to consider when boarding your next long distance bus ride.

These insider tips on how to choose the best seat on a bus are geared towards bus rides over 3 hours in length, and in Mexico, but can easily be applied to other countries.

Things to consider before strategically selecting a seat:

Bus Travel in Mexico

* Do the windows open and close?
* Are there blinds?
* Do the seats recline?
* Is there a bathroom on board?
* Are there movie screens and where are they located?
* Are there assigned seats?
* Is there air conditioning?

How to choose your seat on the bus?

• Aisle or Window Seat: Some people love the view, gazing out the window on a scenic mountain drive. Unfortunately, if someone sits down in the aisle seat next to you, every time you need to get up you will need to have them move. Your leg room is also limited in the window seat. In the aisle seat, you get the space but not the view. Access to the bathroom is easy, but you also get bumped by every person walking by. If you are a person who can stay seated for extended periods of time, and don’t mind limited space, the window seat is for you. For me, definitely the Aisle.
• View of Movie Screen: If you know there are TVs on board, be sure to pick a seat that has a direct view. Killing time has never been easier than watching three movies straight… in a different language.
• Distance to Restroom: You never want to be directly next to the restroom because of the foul smell, but being somewhat close can be helpful. If you know you will need to use it a few times during the ride, a front row seat isn’t great because you are bumping into people every time you need to run to the toilet. About 5-6 rows from the back works fine, reducing the smell but keeping you within moments reach.
• Electronic Seat Selection: If you can choose your seat ahead of time, choosing the aisle seat on a vacant row is the best bet. No one wants to have to squeeze pass a stranger to get to the window seat, leaving you with a good chance of having two seats to yourself. If its a full bus, your aisle seat may come in handy anyways if the person next to you is over sized.
• Time of Day: After making this mistake a couple times, I finally learned. Figure out where the sun is at during your passage! If you are hot already, the sun beating down on you will make the trip miserable. If you are heading north in the morning, sit on the left side of the bus. If you are heading south, sit on the right side. Remember, the sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
• Last Minute Adjustments: Is the bus looking like it will fill up? If not, jump over to a vacant row before someone else takes advantage of it. The worst that can happen is the person whose seat you stole jumps on board last minute and you head back to your own seat.

If I was boarding an 8-10 hour bus in the morning heading south that had TVs, AC, seat selection, and a bathroom, I would sit 5-6 rows from the back in a right hand side aisle seat… praying no one sits next to me. When the crying baby and Mom or sumo wrestler plops down next to you, at least you have the movies to stare at, right?

My long term bus experiences were mostly in Mexico and I would love to hear from you about how it differs around the world.

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Thinking about traveling or moving to a new country but not sure what to expect on prices for food, hotels and taxis? Have you ever wanted to know what a beer costs in your city compared to what it will cost on your next vacation destination?  Want a simple program that will do it all for you and show you these numbers?  Well then check out Numbeo.com!

Numbeo is a collection of Web pages containing numerical data, designed to enable anyone to contribute or modify content. Numbeo provides statistical analysis of collected data, calculates various indexes using aggregate data and periodically publishes analysis of collected data.  As of 18-Aug-2010 Numbeo database contains information for 774 cities from 3111 different contributors.

Numbeo is a free/user supported website that allows you to compare city costs from around the world in a fast and efficient way.  When I first glanced at this site I wasn’t impressed until I started playing around with it.  [Note: one can easily waste away a whole day looking things up on here!]

If your going to a new country and want to know how much a liter of gas is or what a Pepsi costs, then give it a try.  The side-by-side comparison of cities is a great visual way to know how much to save before your trip, and what the average costs will be when you go there.  I played around with it on a few countries that I know pretty well and the results were what I expected.  Although I found a few things that I disagreed on, overall it was pretty accurate.

If your city is not listed, you can submit information to start a listing for it.  Remember, the more people who update it,  the more accurate it will be.

Want to know some facts according to the site?

(all prices are listed in USD)

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Cheapest Place to Backpack in the World

Where is the cheapest place to backpack in the world? None other then Ahmedabad, India for as little as $17.00 per-day!  You might want to stay only a few days in Stavanger, Norway though because at $181.55 per-day your going to be broke in a month! [Prices take into account: the minimum price of 1 star and 2 star hotels, 1 meal in McDonald's or similar, 1 meal in inexpensive restaurants, 1 Coke or Pepsi, 1 water, 1 domestic beer and 4 one-way tickets in public transport.]

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Where to Find the Most Expensive McDonald’s Big Mac Meal

Did you know that the cheapest average Combo Meal at McDonald’s or Similar is in Kharkiv, Ukraine at only $2.00 but the highest is in Lausanne, Switzerland for $16.16!  Who knew a Big Mac was worth so much?

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Can Cigarettes Really Cost That Much in Australia?

Sydney, Australia has the highest priced Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) in the world at $18.50 but they only cost $0.50 in Karachi, Pakistan.  So no bumming a smoke from amigos in Oz my friends, because at almost a dollar a pop, it’s no “mi casa es su casa.”

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Best Place in The World For a Cheap Taxi

Taxis (5km within center) in Esfahan, Iran costs as little as $0.30, while the same ride in Gotheborg, Sweden averages around $40.45.  Translation: fuel is cheaper then water in Iran!

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Where to Get the Best Price For a Coca-Cola!

Thirsty?  A Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) in Manila, Philippines costs only pennies ($0.30) compared to the same drink in Copenhagen, Denmark which will set you back $4.31.  Note to self: when visiting Denmark, load up on Coca-Cola before departure and sell on the Black Market upon arrival.

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Cheapest Place in The World For an Apartment

Thinking about retiring somewhere?  Try an Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center of Vadodara, India for an average months rent of $30.01.  If you want to know where not to retire on a budget, then heads-up on the same size apartment in Monaco because at $2,564.00 per-month average for rent… you’re not going to be retired for very long, as you’ll need to pick-up a new job to cover costs!

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World’s Most Expensive Fuel Costs

Who needs fuel? For $0.04 you can get one liter of petrol in Caracas, Venezuela but in Istanbul, Turkey it will run you as high as $2.41 per-liter.  So on a side note: you can take a dip in a bathtub full of gasoline for a mere $5 in Caracas because when it’s that cheap, why not!

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Cheapest Place to Get a Movie Ticket

Ever see a movie in Tehran, Iran before because the cost for a Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat will set you back only $1.70 while in Vienna, Austria it can be as high as $25.64!  And they wonder why all the piracy websites are in Austria… people can’t afford the original stuff!

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Best Deal on a Loaf of Bread

In Algiers, Algeria the average costs of a loaf of fresh bread is only $0.13.  Want something a little more gourmet?  Then go to Pescara, Italy where a loaf of bread will break your wallet at $4.49.  There had better be some spaghetti in that bread for that much!

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Where to Get The Most Bang For Your US Dollar

If you go to Chennai, India you can get 89.05% more for your dollar then if you lived in New York City. That’s a lot of extra curry dishes you could eat!  Click here to see Local Purchasing Power. Likewise though, if you go to Geneva, Switzerland you will take a 38.75% hit compared to what you could have gotten in New York City.  So buy the Swiss Army Knife back home my friend and you will save.

Cost of Living Index (current: 18Aug10)

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This is a guest post by Phil Paoletta. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read more here.

I am a little over a month into my travels around West Africa and for the first time on this trip, I have experienced catastrophic, explosive diarrhea. This was inevitable – my eating habits have been reckless and I often purchase sachet water (” pure water” sold in 500ml bags for about 3 cents) that tastes like dirt.

This particular brand of diarrhea wakes you up in the middle of night and offers you a few seconds to find a toilet (or something toilet-like). If you make it to the toilet, you can find solace in that fact alone, because what happens while you are sitting on it is absolutely horrific. There is no relief, only terror, when pure fluid is coming out of your ass. When you stand up, vertigo takes hold and you have a splitting headache. You realize that along with your life-force in general, you’ve also just pooped out your cranial fluid. You stagger back to bed – anything else is impossible.

So what do you do about it?

First, be proactive, travelers diarrhea is avoidable. If it’s a fruit or vegetable, don’t eat it unless it’s cooked or you can peel it. Don’t eat foods that are lukewarm, especially meat and dairy. Drink bottled water or water that you purify. Avoid ice. Unless you’re in North America or Europe, steer clear of anything coming out of a well or a tap.

Many people will expand these guidelines in an attempt to preserve GI health. Even if you are exceptionally careful, however, you may still fall victim to traveler’s diarrhea and you should be prepared to deal with it.

Before you leave, go to a travel clinic for a consultation and create an arsenal of the following items:

Traveler's Diarrhea Arsenal

Oral rehydration salts, Travelers diarrhea can be miserable, but dehydration is really its only threat (unless you are seeing blood in your stool). You lose a lot of fluids when you have diarrhea and you can’t just replenish them by drinking water alone. Oral rehydration salts are typically a combination of sodium and potassium chloride (salts) with glucose (sugar), both ingredients being necessary to effectively absorb water. You can find them at travel clinics, pharmacies and most camping/outdoor recreation stores. If you run out of them on the road, try to find a Gatorade-like energy drink or powder. If you can’t find that, put a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of sugar into a glass of water.

Pepto-Bismol, Will not get rid of the diarrhea, but will ease stomach and intestinal discomfort.

Imodium AD, ” Controls the symptoms of diarrhea.” What they mean to say is that it temporarily holds the diarrhea in your body. In other words, the destructive bacteria is still in your gut wreaking havoc.

Antibiotic, Depending on where you’re going, you will most likely be prescribed Ciprofloxacin. It will be your most potent weapon. Cipro is an antibiotic (the same used to treat anthrax poisoning in fact) that is akin to an atomic bomb. It will destroy everything in your system, good (as in beneficial bacteria in your gut) and bad.

When traveler’s diarrhea strikes, follow these steps:

1) At the onset of diarrhea, look at your stool. If there is blood, get yourself to a clinic. If you can’t get to a clinic, start taking antibiotics immediately.

2) Take note of additional symptoms. I once had a brutal bout of diarrhea and it was accompanied by an atrocious fever. Turns out I had Malaria. If you have other symptoms (especially a fever), go to a clinic.

3) Begin rehydrating (with the rehydration salts) like its your job.

4) Try to avoid eating for one day. After a day, start eating BRAT foods (bananas, rice, apple sauce (unsweetened), plain toast).

5) The diarrhea may last several days. If possible, clear your schedule and just focus on rest, rehydration, and going to the bathroom.

6) Go to the bathroom as often as you need to do. Holding it in will only make the diarrhea last longer.

7) If you absolutely must do something absurd like take a 12-hour bus ride, bust out the Imodium and Pepto-Bismol. You must understand though, when you get off that bus, there will be hell to pay.

8) Did I mention rest and rehydrate?

9) If the diarrhea persists past two days without improving start taking the antibiotic.

10) If the diarrhea does not improve within a day of taking the antibiotic, go to a clinic.

Ideally, you will not encounter travelers diarrhea on your trip. Depending on where you are traveling, however, there is a good chance you will. These tips are designed to ease the misery and to restore your humanity as quickly as possible.

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About the Author: Phil Paoletta is taking a break from teaching middle school in Washington, DC. He is currently traveling West Africa indefinitely, collecting and making music along the way. You can follow along with him at http://philintheblank.net.

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This is a guest post by Honor Baldry. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read more here.

Teaching English in China (Photo: Rozel09)

Going traveling, backpacking whatever you want to call it, it is a rite of passage for young westerners hailing everywhere from LA to London. But is it really the best way to experience another culture, or do you just spend weeks flitting from place to place with little to show for it but snapshots and kitsch souvenirs?

If you really want to experience another culture, I reckon it’s time to ditch your backpack and grab your TEFL certificate.

Here’s why:

1. Spending time with people just like you? That ain’t experiencing another culture!

Ah, hostels, the spiritual home of the backpacker. Great for cheap accommodation, but is spending all your time with other backpackers who are just like you really making the most of your time abroad? Hell, you could have just stayed home!

Opt to teach abroad and your working life will be spent surrounded with locals, both students and other staff. Great for getting under the skin of the country’s culture.

2. You’ll be paid to be there.

Unless you’ve got a bulging bank balance, spending any length of time in a country is out of the reach of most travelers. That means quick hops here and there, only seeing the “˜don’t miss’ sights that guidebooks rave about. With TEFL, you’ll be getting paid to be in a country for anything from six to 12 months, which means you can experience everything a country has to offer (not just the selected extras) and not feel like you have to cram it into too short a time.

3. You’ll get to know the people whose country you’re visiting.

While it’s easy to pass through a country and have nothing more than a few brief exchanges with waiters and taxi drivers, teaching abroad forces you to get to know the people you’re teaching, working with and even living with. Sometimes cultural differences can be a bit of a challenge, but you didn’t fly half way around the world to have everything run like it does back home! Before you know it, you’ll be mastering local drinking games, cracking jokes with your boss and making friends with the old lady who lives in the apartment next to yours.

4. You’re already qualified to do it!

If you’re a native English speaker, you’re already qualified to teach English abroad. Yes, you might need to do a TEFL course in order to get your hands on the best jobs and not make a total mess of your time in the classroom, but you don’t need any previous teaching experience or the ability to speak another language.

5. Don’t just take snapshots, be in the picture yourself.

Go to any major tourist attraction and you’ll see backpackers snapping away, trying to peer into a totally alien culture. Want to know the best way to get to know the place you’re visiting? Stop hiding behind your camera and dive in feet first, get to know people and you’ll soon find that you’re not on the outside looking in, you’re in the picture yourself.

6. You’ll get the lowdown on the coolest stuff in town.

Have you ever read a guidebook for your hometown? Flick to the bar and restaurant section and I bet the cool bar you and your friends go to on a Friday night isn’t in there. By the time that book hit the shelves it was already out of date. That’s why working abroad is so great, because you’ll make friends with so many locals and long-term expats, you’ll know exactly where’s good to go on the weekend and it won’t be yet another dodgy tourist bar.

So, what do you say? Would you ditch your backpack and grab your TEFL certificate?

__________

About the Author: Honor Baldry works for TEFL course provider i-to-i. She ditched her backpack to teach English in China and reckons it’s the best way to travel. To find out how to start teaching abroad yourself, download a free copy of TEFL Uncovered: How to Teach Your Way Abroad with TEFL!

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This is a guest post by Olga Garcia. If you’d like to guest post on Go Backpacking, please read more here.

One of the most exciting parts of any trip is the packing. What do you wear? What shoes do you bring? Did you remember to pack socks? For short-term trips, what to pack is directly related to how many days you will be gone. For longer trips, like backpacking around the world, packing becomes more of an art.

There are dozens of lists like, What to Pack on Travel Independent, that help both men and women determine the essentials for a backpacking trip. All of their suggestions are practical and necessary, but they are missing the hidden essentials for women.

After wearing the same clothes for months, wearing flats so you can carry your backpack around and moving from one hostel to another, you start to feel like you are losing that spark of femininity that you had before you left. Don’t let that air of grace disappear.

The following 10 secret items to pack as a woman on your next trip are tried and true, straight from a female around-the-world backpacker. Learn why they are important to bring and where to get them.

1. Pair of black gaucho style pants

Why? The great thing about gaucho style pants is that they are versatile, comfortable, and can be dressed up or down. Another great benefit to this type of pant is the ability to layer with it. If you are traveling to somewhere cold first and then warm, you can wear the same pair of pants in both places by simply adding or removing a layer.

Where to buy? Try places like Bebe, Victoria’s Secret or Express. They may be a little more expensive, but the quality is better and therefore will last for your whole backpacking trip.

2. 1 pair of shoes that make you feel sexy

Why? When you are backpacking and making friends along the way, the inclination to go out is huge. If you only have practical shoes, than you are selling yourself short of feeling sexy. As women we know what flats, heels, boots, etc. make us feel beautiful. Pack just one of those so that when the opportunity arises, you are prepared to be a backpacking vixen.

Where to buy? In my experience, Nine West, Steve Madden and surprisingly Pay Less, have great shoes at affordable prices that are comfortable. Wedges are a great solution for a little bit of height coupled with cuteness that are pretty easy to walk in (especially if you are in a big city where everyone walks to go out, like Valencia).

3. 1 tank top & 1 tube top that have pizzazz

Why? The best thing about being a female backpacker is that our clothing is small and compact. When choosing your yearlong wardrobe, be sure to pack these two essential pieces. Try to choose tops that are relatively simple and yet have an extra something like subtle stripes, polka dots or lace. The reason for this is layering. You can transform 1 outfit into 3 by simply putting a cute top underneath it. Your wardrobe will feel like it lasts longer and you can spruce up any outfit to feel sexier.

Where to buy? No need to go expensive here. Try places like Forever 21, H&M, Target or Wet Seal to get inexpensive tops that will transform you.

4. Bare essential makeup (lipstick, mascara, powder, blush)

Why? You don’t have to bring the MAC makeup counter with you. Give yourself a treat every once and a while with a little makeup makeover. A little mascara and some lipstick et voilaa new you.

Where to buy? Rememberdon’t splurge on your makeup. Drug store brands like L’Oreal, Covergirl, Revlon, etc. will do the job well and won’t break your wallet. Besides if you loose something or it breaks, your loss is minor.

5. 1 headband & a set of bobby pins

Why? Remember to take care of your hair. Although not a top priority when thinking of what to pack, your hair is your signature when traveling. Both a headband and bobby pins can give you different looks without much effort.

Where to buy? Stick with buying hair accessories from drugstores. And throw in some extra hair ties. You never know when you might need one. A girl can never have enough hair ties!

6. 1 scarf

Why? Scarves are versatile. You can use them as an accessory, to pull your hair back or as a shawl of sorts. Try simple patterns or solid colors for a greater combination potential.

Where to buy? Try places like Forever 21, H&M, Target or Wet Seal.

7. 1 pair of leggings

Why? Two words here: layering & comfort. Leggings can help you create different outfits as well as keep you warm when an unexpected trip to somewhere cold comes along. Plus they are comfortable for hanging out at your hostel.

Where to buy? Brands like Poof and Free People have fabulous leggings that are super comfortable.

8. Jewelry (3 necklaces & 3 pairs of earrings)

Why? Don’t forget these! A pair of earrings will always rescue an outfit from blahdom. Jewelry can get heavy so make sure to choose your pieces wisely. Remember to only bring jewelry that you wouldn’t mind losing, just in case.

9. Emergency items: Sewing kit, Cramp medicine, Pimple cream

Why? These are your female staples. Trust me, you will thank yourself for bringing them along.

10. ” Homesick” Calling Card

Why? Using Skype and internet cafes are great, but what happens when you need to talk to one of your girlfriends right after you meet the man of your dreams and computers are no where to be found? There are plenty of places that still have pay phones and having a “˜homesick’ calling card for those kinds of gossipy emergencies will help you feel connected to home.

Do you have a secret item not listed?  Share it with us in the Comments!

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About the Author: Olga Garcia is a seasoned round-the-world backpacker and expat. Currently she is the Social Media Community Manager for Going Global, a leading provider of country-specific career and employment resources for individuals interested in working outside of their home country. She runs a blog called Goinglobal where she helps young people achieve their international dreams.

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One night I was listening to the Lost Girls speak about their travel experiences, and nearly 200 hours later I already had my own solo 6-week cross-country road trip planned. Well, for the most part.

In the past few weeks I’ve heard all of it, from the ” you’re absolutely insane!” to the ” I’m so jealous, you’re so brave.” I get it, to most people it does sound pretty daring, but to this well-traveled community, I’m sure it just sounds like another exciting set of plans.

Into the great wide open

Here are the tools that helped me come up with mine:

1. The Calendar. For some there may not be any time restraints. In my case, however, I have a tiny little thing known as a bank account that won’t keep me on the road forever. So, I glanced ahead at mid-October to my alma mater’s Homecoming weekend, made that the end date, and then worked my way back to the beginning of September.

2. The Atlas. I first narrowed down a little more than a baker’s dozen of cities that I wholeheartedly wanted to visit based on certain landmarks or loved one’s homes. Then, I went to the map, drew it out, and figured out the other 12 or so that I’d have to stop at for the sake of my sleep needs. I’ll have my Garmin with me and Google Maps certainly helped as well. I’ve also heard that some people may prefer to plan their entire routes along a highway, i.e. I-80 for the North, I-10 for the South, and I-80 for most of the states in between.

3. The Lodging. It’s entirely too early for me to truly set my places to stay in stone (besides the houses of friends or family) but I’ve already joined Couchsurfing to prepare for it. It’ll be my first experience with the international hospitality network and I couldn’t be more excited! Not only will it be economical, but it’ll also allow for more friendly interactions and new friends along the way. To address the other options, I simply cannot afford to stay in motels and I don’t have the nerve to camp by myself.

4. The Car. I probably should have made this the first on the planning checklist, right? Ha. Anyway, it is obviously essential to have a vehicle that is in tip-top shape and highly recommended to have one that gets good gas mileage. Luckily, I have both plus AAA. I don’t know if my parents would let me leave town without it. Renting a car and dropping it off at one end or the other is also a possibility for those over the age of 26.

5. The Sustenance. Since I will be the only passenger in that car of mine, I’ll want to pack some food and drinks in addition to bag of clothes and toiletries. I am a foodie, remember? I’m thinking bottled water, dry cereal, granola bars, chewing gum, and maybe even a small cooler to fill with fresh fruits and vegetables that I purchase along the way.

6. The Itinerary. I am all for leaving days up to serendipitous chance when I have the time to do so. On this trip, I am not spending more than 48 hours is any place other than Syracuse and San Francisco so I want to make sure that I make the most of my time in each one. Still, I am not making my lists too strict with only about one museum, two restaurants and possibly one more ” bonus” activity like hiking.

7. The Technology. My Macbook and iPhone will surely be joining me complete with a Free Wifi app and Gas Buddy home page. As for the GPS-factor, I’ve already mentioned my Garmin. And camera? Check. Although in all honesty, I’d love to get an SLR to really bring my amateur photography skills up to par with the American beauty I’ll surely be seeing.

There you have it: my amateur, un-tested, completely fool-proof-less planning tips. In my mind, there are only three true opportunities for this kind of adventure: post college, mid-life career change, and retirement. And since I’m only at square one, let’s hope that the number seven has some luck to it ;).

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Derek E. Baron from WanderingEarl.com has a new eBook about getting out there and seeing the world (in ways you never thought possible).  I have been a loyal reader of his site for some time now and jumped at a chance to read his new eBook and do a review of it.  Earl has a unique style of writing and I was happy to see it showcased in this eBook.  This eBook is like a memoir of his travels from the last 10+ years with detailed information on how you can do the same if you are willing.

Overview:

“Refuse the Rat Race Guide offers detailed information and useful tools that make it very easy for you to break free from a conventional life and begin traveling extensively, even if your bank account is not exactly overflowing with money. Whether you’re interested in backpacking through Asia, living in a Caribbean paradise, studying a language overseas, volunteering your time or just earning a good income in unique ways as you explore the world…”

Give Me the Facts:

• 88-page Refuse the Rat Race Guide full of detailed information on how to take advantage of situations that can help you break free quickly
• 12-page “Breakfree Blueprint” lays out a strategic plan for dealing with the challenges of re-inventing your life
• 26-pages of unique Bonus Reports
• Free Updates for 1 Full Year (sent via email)
• 30 day, money back guarantee if not satisfied
• Cost: $22.00 USD

.                Click here to view more details

What I Liked:

• Simple & Easy!  Earl (sorry his real name is Derek and his middle name is Ear but I’ll forever call him Earl) writes in a way that anyone can understand and appreciate.  When you read this eBook, it’s as if he’s in the room talking to you.
• Total Coverage!  He covers just about everything in this eBook.  From how to break the news to your family that you want to quit your comfy (but boring) job, to making money while traveling, to places that most people would have never of thought to visit or see.  It’s truly four eBooks in one!
• Motivation Factor!  After reading this eBook, I think one would be hard-pressed not to follow his advice. Maybe for some only a year, maybe for others a whole lifetime.  Either way, this eBook will have you pumped to go out there and see the world!
• Money Back Guarantee!  Maybe I’m just used to being a spoiled American but I LOVE it when someone offers this.  It tells me 2 things: 1) that no matter what, if I’m not satisfied I can always recoup my money and 2) that the author believes so strongly in his work that you know it has very good merit.  Customer Satisfaction is something to value!

What Was Missing or Lacking:

• Graphics. This eBook isn’t that stunning to look at (even though the info is exceptional).  More photos or graphics would have made a huge difference in appearance.
• The Bouncing Around Effect.  It goes from one chapter on how to make money as a casino employee to another about hikes around the world.  Both great chapters, but I wished the eBook would have been laid out better.  For example: Jobs & Money at the start of the eBook, then Inspiration & Travel Ideas later, would have made it easier to navigate the book.

Conclusion…

Overall, I loved this eBook!  What it did lack (which was little), it made up in many other ways.  I especially liked the chapters about creating money while on the road.  So many times people say this and then give generic ways of doing it, like “Write while you travel!” or “Sell your photos.”

Instead, Earl instead gives real world examples on how to create money and support yourself on the road, with detailed information straight from his personal experience of doing it all himself.  The chapters on how to make money in India through Bollywood, teaching English on your own with no experience, no start up capital or work visa required, to cruise ship jobs that pay and let you travel the world are worth every penny of this eBook.  If you make money from just one idea, then the book paid for itself 10x over.

If you’re the type who is looking for something different, thinking of taking a Gap Year or just want to see more of the world, then it’s a perfect fit.  This eBook isn’t for “Very experienced world-travelers, any person who is completely satisfied with their current situation, job and lifestyle, and anyone who is not interested in traveling or living overseas more than they are already are able to do.”

Click here to buy this great eBook

Follow WanderingEarl:

• WanderingEarl.com Official Website
• WanderingEarl’s Twitter page
• Become a fan of his Facebook page

$$$ Win a Free Copy of “Refuse the Rat Race” $$$

For the loyal readers of GoBackpacking.com, Earl has given us a copy of “Refuse the Rat Race” to give away.  I’m a firm believer of always giving back to you (the reader) a little something extra and Earl was quite happy to provide us a copy.

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment below on “If you could refuse the Rat Race, where would you go and why.”

A winning comment will be picked by random from Random.org.  One entry per person.  Winner will be notified by email.  

The deadline for entering the contest is 9 PM (EST), Sunday, July 11, 2010.

***  And the winner is Andi Perullo (aka GlobalButterfly) ***

Thanks to everyone who participated by leaving a comment below!

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This is a guest post by Marina Chernyak. If you’d like a guest post on Go Backpacking, please read more here.

Figuring out what to pack is hard enough for a backpacker and then comes the food problem. You always want to make sure you have enough to survive but, you don’t want to pack food items that are too heavy or hard to prepare.

Through my own hiking trips, I’ve found it fun to find your own food along the trail. Most often times you will come across berries, flowers, nuts, seeds, or roots that are edible. The only problem with finding food along the trail is that you have to know what you are doing! It can be very dangerous if you don’t have the proper knowledge.

Just in case, I decided to let you all in on my secret top three items food items I don’t go backpacking without. These items help to keep my pack light and and my wallet full.

1. Ramen noodles. I know that sounds crazy but they are easy to pack! Also it does not matter if they get broken up or moved around, they “˜ll always be tasty, light to pack, manageable, and easy to prepare! To make the meal even better, pack along a few dried veggies and have yourself a Top Ramen Vegetable soup! Yummy!
2. Energy Bars. As expected, these can be a quick fix when you’re hungry on the trail. They also come in a variety of brands, flavors, such as Activity, Meal replacement, Protein, and Endurance. The only down fall with energy bars is that they can be quite expensive. I have found this recipe helpful when preparing for a hiking trip.

Trail Bars (makes about 12)

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla or almond extract
• 1 cup granola
• 1/4 cup raisins, dried cranberries, or dried cherries
• ¼ cup other dried fruit (any will do but some may need to be cut into smaller pieces)
• 1/2 cup of your favorite nuts
• 1.69-oz. pkg. M&M’s

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter or oil an 8- x 8-inch square pan.
2. Combine Eggs, Sugar, and Vanilla and mix thoroughly before adding the rest of the ingredients.
3. Transfer ingredients to the pan and dispense evenly over the bottom. Press down firmly to make the top as flat as possible. Bake for 25 minutes. Cool and cut into bars or squares. Wrap them up and away you go!

3. Instant Carbs. Two other items that I love to bring along on my backpacking adventures are instant potatoes and instant rice. In the original packaging they can be big and bulky so I would advise you to pour them into a zip lock bag and write the instructions on it with a permanent marker. Just like Raman noodles, but more natural, they’re easy to pack along and only need water to be tasty. If you want to get creative though, try the recipes below:

Grandparent’s Rice Breakfast (serves one)

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup dried milk
• 1 1/6 cup instant rice
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon
• 4 tsp sugar

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in pan and bring to a boil with the amount of water indicated on rice package..

Garlic Mashed Potatoes (serves two)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup potato flakes (Butter Flavored is my favorite)
• 1/3 cup dried milk
• 1 TBS garlic salt

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together in a plastic bag.
2. Bring water to boil (amount according to package), dump in mixture in water and stir.

I hope you eat well and enjoy your many backpacking adventures this summer!

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About the Author:

Marina Chernyak is a travel lover and has made it through half of the Europe in last 3 years. Currently, she is managing her Venetian Masks Store at 1001venetianmasks.com

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Now that I’ve shared the big news that I’m heading back to Colombia at the end of June, it’s time to book the airfare.

I looked around on individual carriers’ sites, and again, found Kayak delivered reliable results.

For a 1-way ticket from New York City to Cartagena, it costs (tax included):

• $235 on Spirit Airlines (if I want to depart at 6:40 am)
• $267 on Spirit Airlines (if I want to depart in the evening, and spend a night in Fort Lauderdale airport)
• $472 on Delta Airlines (if I want to leave at 8 am)

As you can see, the difference between Spirit Air and Delta is $200+.  The choice would seem obvious, even with the $30 international checked baggage fee I’d pay with Spirit Airlines, right?

But there’s a twist.

There is a contract dispute happening right now with the Spirit Air pilots, and if it’s not resolved by June 12, they’re going on strike, which would leave me in limbo (camped out on my brother’s couch, to be specific). The news clips indicate the airline hopes to resolve the dispute before June 12, but of course they’d say that so as not to affect ticket sales.

So this is where you, dear readers, enter the picture.

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Traveling expenses can add up, especially when flying. Online payday loans could help you pay for your next trip to Colombia or anywhere else in the world.

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Medellin, Colombia

In a clear sign the American economy is improving, my parents found a buyer for their house.  It is a moment I’ve been contemplating since before I’d left for my trip around the world in late 2007.

What would I do if the option of living with them was suddenly off the table?

As much as they wanted to see me get another office job, I stubbornly stuck to a very narrow set of criteria (editorial work for travel websites, based in NYC or Washington, DC).  After 5 1/2 years of planning my great escape from the corporate world, and another 20 months of traveling and living abroad, the prospect of going back to cubicles, 3 weeks of vacation  per year, office politics, and waking up before 9 AM seemed ludicrous.

If you’re thinking “just grow up and get a job,” I understand.  I’ve been living an unconventional life for several years, and it’d be natural to suggest it’s just a phase or needs to come to a tidy conclusion.  But, this is where my stubbornness (or naivete) comes into play.

I believe I’ve reached the tipping point where I can support myself through a personal passion — travel blogging.  The only caveat is that I’m not yet able to do so while living in a major US city such as NYC or DC.  And maybe that’s a good thing, as it gives me the perfect opportunity to return to Colombia for the remainder of 2010.

The change in scenery will be bittersweet.  As much as I didn’t want to leave Medellin behind last year, I’ve since settled into daily routines, developed a yoga practice, made new friends, caught up with old ones, and been able to go on dates without a English-Spanish dictionary.  I will especially miss going out every weekend to my favorite club, The Salsa Room.

After the TBEX (travel blogger) conference June 26-27 in New York City, I’ll board a flight to Cartagena.  For the first few weeks of July, I’ll be soaking up the sun on the tropical beaches of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.  Then, I’ll head back to the mountains of Medellin to further grow Go Backpacking, Medellin Living, and Travel Blog Success.

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As I wrap up my senior year of college, the question, “What are you planning on doing after school?” has come up a lot. Every one seems to be wondering about my plan, from my professors to my parents friends, even the occasional nosy classmate every now and again. And the best part? I hardly have any idea.

What I do know is that I want to do something that will positively affect the world.

I’m not alone. According to the USA’s Corporation for National and Community Service, over 441,000 more young adults volunteered in 2008 than 2007, equating 8.2 million volunteers that were all younger than 24. That same year, they found that 26.4% of the adult population contributed 8 billion hours of volunteer service. Keep in mind, that these numbers only measure volunteering within the United States, so you can only imagine how much people can give!

For the travel-minded, becoming a global volunteer is a common consideration for all ages. The tough part then, is figuring how to volunteer abroad. With all of the gimmicks and contradicting advice articles, I wouldn’t begin to know where to start, and living in a foreign country making very little, if any, money is not something I would go into blind-sighted. If only there were to be an expert…

There is. Meet Kirsty, as quintessential of a travel and volunteer expert as there could be. Beginning in her home country of Canada, Kirsty has been traveling since 2002 and helping a cause while doing it. Last month she completed her 63-page ebook, The Underground Guide to International Volunteering.

It is both thorough and concise, the pages filled with information about motivations, challenges, volunteer types, volunteering opportunities, economic logistics, and legal practicalities. In her own words, the “ebook is aimed at introducing travellers to the wonders of volunteering abroad and to help them break away from the usual backpacker trail, get involved with local communities around the world and make a difference in people’s lives in a variety of ways.”

I, personally, could not get enough of her literary genuinity, honest opinions and kind cultural appreciation. Beyond that, she includes other blogging travel volunteers as resources with consideration and options for poor post-grads, retired do-gooders, unemployed humanitarians, and optimistic gap-year students.

No matter how committed you are to global volunteering, I suggest you take a glance at The Underground Guide to International Volunteering. If nothing else, you’ll simply “do good” by purchasing it: 50% of the $14 cost of each ebook goes to charity.

I may not know what I’m doing after school, but some day I will travel, volunteer, and make a difference. Hopefully more than once.

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