Going for backpack traveling....

In my younger days I was a budget minded backpacker. Nowadays I am an independent traveler. I bought a cheap backpack when I was 18 years old. It didn't last all that long. Then I bought my second backpack and that traveled with me around the world and carried many more trips. If going on trains having a thin backpack is better for walking to a seat. I used to stay in friendly backpacker hostels and youth hostels. These days I travel with my disabled toddler son and baby daughter so we stay in guest houses that are locally owned. Good luck with planning your trip around Asia. In one month you could see three cities, two country areas, two beaches and three historical sites perhaps. I suggest a backpacker style travel guide book like South East Asia on a Shoe String.

Wow, we're also backpacking through Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore next year, but we haven't planned the details yet. I believe that it is the best way to travel because you get to experience the normal, everyday lives of the people of a particular country. Besides, you get to interact with the locals more, and go to the places you want to go. In guided tours, they bring you to tourist spots and most of who you see are tourists as well. Of course it is also by far the cheapest way. There are a lot of blogs about these kinds of trips, try googling them (or myLot search). It will help you a lot in planning.

I did some backpack traveling many years ago and it was a great experience! I did not only see the country (New Zealand), but met very friendly and helpful people on the way! But those were other times and I often wonder what it would be like to do it now, as the world is not what it used to be anymore.

Hi,last year I had a backpack travel for one month.Maybe here are some suggestions for you..A good route is very important,ang before you move to the next destination,make sure that you know where you can get a bus,where you can get some food..Then you must be perpared very well,from clothes to all kinds of outfits.. If you don't want to prepare for the trevel,,then you'd better take enough money with you...Money is always a good hep..And take good care of yourself ..Good luck.

yspmyl that sounds like a wonderful idea. I hope that you have lots of fun and get it organized the way you want it. I would love to try this. I wish you the best of luck and lots of good times. Please do be careful on your ventures though!

Hi, I do heard lot of my friends are going for backpackaging,but I myself never try it before and I am not a risk taker,so backpacking may not that suitable for me. I love travelling,but to those countries that I never been before, I prefer to join tour ,at least I won't be lost in those countries.

I am so glad you have asked this question as I am hoping to go backpacking next year if I have saved enough money. So hopefully I will pick up some tips aswell. One tip I have been given is if you are worried about sleeping on other people's pillows (like in hostels) then take a pillow case with you and you can put that over any pillow or if there isnt a pillow you can put some clothes in it to create a pillow. And take a small first aid kit, you never know when you may have a small accident. Also make sure that you find out what injections you may need before you go. Try to plan for clothes that can be worn in most weathers, so instead of taking really thick jumpers that will take up loads of room in your backpack, take thinner clothes that can add layers to keep you warm, or worn on its own when it is warmer. Ask locals where they like to eat as like anywhere else they will more likely eat in cheaper places instead of the more expensive restuarants that most tourists eat in. Hope you have a great time!

If I could and if I had time, I would actually go and travel alone or with some. Travelling and seeing the world would be so nice and having new experiences would be so awesome. It would actually be a breathe of fresh air for me, since I am in the hospital for most of the time. Hopefully this dream will come true some day.

Backpack traveling is a very adventure, economic but risky traveling method. If I am not mistaken, you shall be robbed anytime. Traveling is part of my interest too. I have not experience with backpack traveling before. May I know about your suggestion to prevent being robbed in backpack traveling?

Hi there yspmyl, Wow! So you're going on a journey to other places. I understand you go by land on foot or on any conveyance suitable to the local terrain. Take extra care to scout the area first, troubles may lie ahead to ambush you and spoil the fun. The first thing to consider is not to get lost and waste precious time. It is most embarrassing to ask the locals for direction, you can almost hear the snickers as soon as your back is turned. My advice is to pack a Global Positioning System (I recommend Garmin Rino 130). It can come with a built in map of the place where you're at. If you abhor electronics, pack a waterproof map, magnetic compass, a good mechanical watch (I recommend Seiko 5) and a sextant to chart your position. If you cannot do it alone, better go with the crowd and follow them anywhere. It is more fun to be sharing the trails with a lot of people. It has lesser adventure though. Next is the food. Don't carry more than your body weight. Try out the local cuisine. For extreme cases, condition your stomach to survive off the land. This is the ultimate challenge: to complete the journey and coming out healthier with lesser costs on food. On the bag should go extra clothing suitable to the local climate, sunglasses, hat, flashlight, lighter, Swiss knife, medicine, etc. If you have some self-defense and evasion gadgets/tactics, bring them. You never expect to met a big snake, a tiger, a black bear or their human counterparts but it is better to go prepared for such eventualities. If possible, don't bring a lot of cash around. Stick to a debit/credit card for emergency purchases. I have trekked a lot of mountain trails, sailed some seas and I found those things the most basic in order to accomplish the greatest experience of all time. I am tied to my workdesk nowadays. I wish I could go out again and feel the great outdoors too. Well, it's just a wish anyway...