During the past few months
I have spent quite a bit of time as backpacker tourist / traveller / nomad and
I am of the opinion that my experiences along the way can now be transcreated into
a couple of amazingly relevant, priceless travel tips. Completely free for you,
the reader. Feel free to compensate me for these later.
Tip 1: A backpack of more
than 15 kg is heavy. Seriously.
Tip 2: Make sure that
everything, repeat, e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g, fits in that backpack. Yes, the hand
bag as well. This to prevent leaving one of your bags behind somewhere. And to
prevent you from looking seriously ridiculous with all those bags hanging off you.
Tip 3: Make sure you have
a smaller bag in your backpack. One that can function as hand bag, beach bag, day-trip
bag...
Tip 4: Pack a rope of a
couple of meters long. Comes in handy when you want to tie something (to the steering
wheel of your motorbike). Also handy as washing line, handy when one of your
backpack zips break...
Tip 5: A packet of washing
powder is always useful for a quick hand wash. Although, your shower gel can be used
for that as well. Just in case.
Tip 6: Always carry some
passport photos with you. Sometimes you need them to get into a country and not
having one can be very irritating. Read: expensive – when you need to have new
ones taken.
Tip 7: A knife is always
practical. For self-defence (never needed it for that), but especially for
peeling/cutting fruit, for cutting a wire, for prying something open... Make
sure it’s the foldable kind (not my favourite, I prefer my fingers to stay attached to
my hand) or that it has a protective cover (my preference) so that your clothes
don’t get sliced in your backpack. Of course, you can always make your own
cover out of sturdy cardboard, (from a packet of biscuits or something).
Tip 8: Drawing money costs
money. Make sure you know how much you draw and use the cheapest card. (Banks
all over the world charge money for you to get your own money!).
Tip 9: Multiple bank cards
come in handy when one of them gets stolen (never happened to me), blocked by
your bank (inform them beforehand that the Nigerian transactions are yours :-)), or refused by an ATM or an overly motivated
bank employee.
Tip 10: Matches are
indispensible.
Tip 11: Make copies of
your passport and immunisation cards... and email them to yourself. The
embassy will thank you for it when you arrive without any papers.
Tip 12: Buy a local
sim-card with a bit of airtime. In an emergency situation or when a friend
can’t find the bar, you will be thankful that you can communicate.
Tip 13: A few elastic
bands. To put your hair up, to keep that pocket-knife cover together, to close
a plastic bag....
Tip 14: Plastic bags: for
your dirty laundry (or your clean laundry – depending on which is more prevalent
in your backpack), for your leaking shower gel bottle, to locate something
easily, to put away your dirty shoes....
Tip 15: A poncho/raincoat
(or a huge plastic bag).
Tip 16: A sarong (a huge
piece of cotton fabric). This can serve as bath towel, bed sheet, rug, beach
towel, scarf, picnic blanket or bag for your dirty laundry. Double benefit –
dries quickly.
Tip 17: Oh yes, some
clothes. The locals will thank you for not walking around naked!
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Take a look at www.AboutfoodAndflings.blogspot.com for more pictures and recipes!
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