Australian Time Out #3: Organised Chaos

Digg this page | Save This Page | Stumble It!

3: Organised Chaos

Just came back from a great holiday in Spain - I was lucky to be invited to Dan's Erasmus year reunion. Eleven of us stayed in a huge villa, five bedrooms, four bathrooms, two lounges, two kitchens and a pool! And it was surprisingly cheap too.

Now that I'm back to reality, I only have three weeks to get everything organised. I've never backpacked before, so we've asked as many people as possible for their ideas and tips.

'If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel'

So a wise man said, and I decided to take his advice. Check out the insurance tips featured on BootsnAll as a start.

• Decide what you want from your travel insurance. Do you want any 'dangerous' activities covered? Do you need baggage cover? These options will increase your premium.
  

  
  

• Search the Internet for 'backpacker insurance' or 'gapyear insurance' and get a few quotes. Always compare the quotes with the respective policy conditions.
  

  
  

• Always read the policy documents before you sign anything. Don't accept anything that seems unreasonable. And if you aren't sure if you fulfill the medical requirements, speak to someone in the company. And make sure it covers people from your county of residence.
  

  
  

• Still can't make up your mind? Ask around. I posted some queries on the BootsnAll and Thorn Tree boards, which I found really helpful. Make sure that you mention which country you are a resident of and how long you are going for.
  

I eventually settled on the British Mountaineering Council, because it had been recommended to me and it had the best cover for the best price! You will need to become a member first but it isn't expensive.

I love my Backpack

Like I mentioned before, I have never backpacked in my life so I had no idea where to begin. As we will be working for six months and then travelling around (but nothing strenuous), we wanted something that would suit both.

We decided on a travelpack, which has a detachable 'daypack' on the front and can be used as a holdall as the straps can be zipped away. Clothes are packed flat almost like a suitcase, sparing your smart work suits and shirts from being completely squashed.

Whilst travelling, your travelpack can be put in the hold and the daypack used as hand luggage - including your wash bag, towel and change of underwear. The daypack can be used as a makeshift safe for your valuables if you don't trust the accommodation you are staying in - separate it from the travelpack, padlock it and keep it with you wherever you go.

Being an incredibly short female I was slightly nervous about getting a HUGE backpack that would weigh me down and cause me to hobble around like an old lady. Well we are in luck girls, as there are plenty of packs out there in a special women's size. I treated myself to a Macpac 'Orient Express', well worth the price.

Packing Bits and Pieces


Again this has been put together with the help of some more knowledgeable friends:

• Get yourself a lightweight compact sleeping bag that folds down as small as possible.
  
• A sleeping sheet can come in handy too - a lot of hostels won't let you stay if you don't use one, and it can be used as sleeping bag lining for extra warmth.
  
• A pack towel is a super absorbent, fast drying compact towel. Normal towels have a habit of getting smelly if they haven't dried out properly! Clip the pack towel to your backpack if it needs an airing.
  
• A money belt - say no more.
  
• Travel alarm clock so that you don't miss an early morning interview.
  
• Padlocks for your backpack.
  
• Concentrated travel wash
  
• A suit or smart trousers and shirts - no one will give you an office job otherwise.
  

Paperwork

Yawn...

Before you go, bring as much proof of identity as possible. Bring your birth certificate, driver's licence and anything else you think could be helpful.

A good CV, job references and evidence of qualifications are really helpful and can give you an edge over any other job applicants. Save your CV on your web-based email account and bring tons of hard copies.

Write down all important details, such as your embassy address in Australia, serial number of tickets, travellers' cheques and valuables, all emergency contact numbers (such as health insurance, credit card and travellers' cheque company), the hostel address and number you are planning to stay in. Send it to your web-based email account and to a friend or a relative to keep.

And finally, photocopy each item mentioned in this section twice, keep one in your daypack and one in your backpack.

And that's it (I think) - please let me know if I've forgotten anything. If you want to ask any questions, don't hesitate to email. Better get back to packing up!




Digg this page | Save This Page | Stumble It!