The First-time Traveller
So, you're thinking about or planning on taking a trip to a faraway place? You've heard all about how cool it is to hike the Himalayas or to climb volcanoes, and you've seen The Beach. You really have no idea what's waiting for you - but your excitement is building. I know how you feel; I was in a similar position back in 1984, when I started travelling.
Let's talk about some of the stuff you'll need and some of the situations you'll end up in. We'll talk about some other things as well, but let's start with why we do this in the first place.
Why do we go travelling?
To get a change of scenery. To meet people. To learn more about other cultures. To get away from the stuff we're used to. To learn more about ourselves. Etc., etc. - add your own.
These are great reasons, and when we are travelling it's good to remind ourselves why we're doing this. Sooner or later you may find yourself in a nowhere town, making an unexpected overnight stay because your bus has broken down or the train hasn't come. Don't stress on it: this is travel.
One of the reasons that we love to travel is the unknown, and part of that is that everything is not guaranteed. So relax; you're not at work - enjoy it.
When to travel?
Travel because it calls you. If the idea of travelling through a foreign land in the spirit of adventure makes your heart beat faster, then you're ready. If you're doing it to impress someone else - that is, so you "can say you did it" - then forget it. That's the worst reason to do anything.
For me the beginning of a trip is one of the most exciting moments in life. Imagine, boarding a plane in England with an open-return ticket and a money belt full of traveller's checks; it makes me feel like a gambler who has just stepped up to the craps table and is about to roll the dice. Anything is possible, and I'm going to have an adventure no matter what!
Who do you travel with?
In my experience, two is the optimum number for a trip. Over the years I have found that there always seems to be two jobs going, or two beds available or two travellers of the opposite sex nearby! When you travel in pairs you have a buddy to share those magical moments with, such as sunrise on the top of a volcano. Just as importantly, you also have someone to cheer you up, when faced with that 10-hour delay in India.
A pair is able to make a decision and go for it so much easier than three. With three you're now a "group," and people will treat you like a group instead of individually, instead of Sean & Chris, or Mary & Kim. Two people will get into more good situations than three, and I would not want to consider a long trip with four.
In choosing who to go with, obviously money is a big factor. If you have to talk somebody into going, you're maybe asking for trouble later. Also, your "best friend" may not make the best traveller. Generally, someone who is honest, somewhat reliable and relaxed will be a good travelling partner.
If the time has come and you can't find a suitable person to accompany you, don't worry. The biggest myth of travel is that it's a "lonely planet." When I travel I meet more friendly people than when I'm at home, especially when I travel alone! So I would definitely consider solo travel worthwhile.
You also want to get and keep straight your personal situation with your travelling partner if you happen to be of different sexes. If you start a year-long trip and one person fancies the other, trouble may be around the corner if that person later develops a romance with someone else. Another situation to avoid is three buddies and a girlfriend: the one buddy will be emotionally pulled in all directions, the two other guys versus the girl.
What do you need?
The three things you need to travel are: money, passport, ticket.
These items are your crown jewels. Keep them in your money belt at all times. Sleep with the money belt under your pillow, or with it on. When you take a shower, use a safety pin to fasten the belt to your towel. Keep your other valuables, e.g. camera, with you at all times, or put them in the hotel safe. If you plan to let other people, that is tourists or locals, in your room overnight make sure you put your money belt and valuables in the hotel safe before they arrive.
How do you carry them?
Money
Okay, money first. Seeing as how money is the most valuable thing you will be taking with you, it is really important to protect it at all costs.
My suggestion is that you take traveller's checks, preferably American Express. Traveller's checks come with a receipt, so if you lose them you go to the nearest office and they will refund them (unlike cash). If you are travelling with a friend, swap your receipts so that if one of you loses everything, you will still be able to get a refund. You will need a police report, but once you have it you're fine.
I like Amex because they have offices in many countries of the world. In many places, such as the Philippines, the only place that you can rely on is American Express. On several occasions I've needed money to be sent to me, and you can do this easily and affordably through the Amex office. When you pick up your money you can get it in either US dollars, local currency or traveller's checks.
Carrying an Amex card is also a good idea, in case you happen to run out of cash and need a ticket home (something that has happened to me on more than one occasion). One exception to this is Europe, where they will skin you if you attempt to use traveller's checks. In Europe they have EuroCard or Visa.
The most widely accepted currency in the world is U.S. dollars. Try cashing anything else in Bali on a Sunday - no way! The most easily exchanged bill is $100. The world loves these. I've even cashed them at a shack in the Himalayas! My advice would be to carry three US$100 bills in your money belt, just in case.
Local Money
When you arrive in a new place, cash up to about US$50 worth of local money. Put half of it in your money belt and the rest in your pocket; that way you will have enough local cash handy and never have to reach into your money belt in public.
If you are changing money with anyone other than a bank, ALWAYS count your money straightaway, and in front of the person who has given it to you. There are a dozen ways to work a sleight-of-hand trick, and tourists are the best targets. In India, carpet shops often offer a better rate than the bank, but you have to be aware.
Passport
Before you leave home, make sure your passport is valid for several years. If not, apply for a new one. Keep this in your money belt at all times. As long as you can help it, do not let other people hang onto your passport.
Ticket
Your ticket should allow you flexibility with time. I once got a return ticket from London to Bombay that was good for a year, which meant I could come back straightaway, or anytime during the year.
Round-the-world (RTW) tickets are a popular and affordable way to cover a lot of turf. These tickets start at about US$1,500 and are good for a year. What generally happens is two airlines each cover half of the globe, for example Cathay Pacific and United.
Some of these tickets insist you book the dates in advance; however, some let you leave them open. You usually get get one free "change" per stop. There is a basic traveller's trail leading around the world, and when this coincides with busy travel hubs, the prices will come down. For example, the cheapest RTW ticket might go something like this: Los Angeles - Honolulu - Fiji - Sydney - Bangkok - Nepal - London - New York - Los Angeles.
If that's your cuppa tea, you're set. Remember that you can arrange other things, such as flying into Sydney but flying out of Perth, giving you the opportunity of discovering Aussie culture (has it been discovered yet?).
The more "equator hopping" you do, the more the price goes up. If you want to go a route like this: London - Rio de Janeiro - Los Angeles - Anchorage - Sydney - Beijing - Bali - Moscow - Johannesburg - London, then make sure Daddy is paying!
What gear to take?
You know, it's funny: it takes me longer to pack for a week in Santa Barbara than for a year-long trip around the world.
In Santa Barbara I want to have a choice of clothes to wear that match. For world travel I want a few clothes that will cover me in most eventualities. I also want to be mobile, and that means going light. Ever seen those European backpackers with a pack that starts below their knees and finishes above their head? No thanks! That's too much like hard work.
A wise man once said, "Before you go on a trip, decide how much money you want to take and how much gear. Just before you leave, double the money and halve the gear."
I'll tell ya, that's pretty accurate. Remember, everything you take on "Day 1," you will be lugging on "Day Last." If you need to buy some underwear or a couple of t-shirts, guess what? They actually have them in other countries!
What gear would I take?
On a world trip that could include mountains, jungles, cities and deserts, I would try to cover myself as much as possible. Here's some of my choices:
Backpack: I prefer a simple pack, sans 75 pockets and straps. I take a medium-sized pack to allow for important items, but one that doesn't encourage me to be a "pack-rat." I've used a Lowe Alpine pack for a long time; The North Face is another excellent brand, and so is Dana Design.
Sleeping Mat: I've used a "Ridge Rest" for over a decade, on four continents, and have been really impressed. It weighs several ounces and is durable.
Sleeping Bag: For over a decade I've used a North Face extra-long. I use a hollow-fill bag which, while heavier than a down bag, has one important advantage: it will retain heat while wet. If you're camping out without a tent and the morning dew soaks your bag, this will be a factor. Don't buy the warmest bag on the market, because if it's only 15°C, you'll be sweating. Get one rated at 0°C or maybe -5°C if you plan on colder climates. Mountain Hardware has a good assortment of bags with different grades of hollow-fill. They also have mosquito hoods, for those annoying moments when the bugs come out.
Boots: A sturdy pair of boots is something that you will come to appreciate when far from home. My boots are made by Rockport and are very comfortable, as well as waterproof. When I worked on a farm in Australia and suffered in soaking wet boots every day, I learned the importance of waterproofing.
Sandals: Yeah, the Romans had it right! Sandals are the way to go in hot climates. When your feet can breathe you feel a whole lot better. You also save the bother of dealing with smelly socks. I've used my sandals in Hong Kong, Alaska and Nepal. When you want to wade across a river, boots ain't the ticket, let me tell ya. I prefer Teva as I feel they make a quality sandal. They have three straps that can be adjusted to fit any foot.
Fleece: For those cold mornings you should definately bring at least one warm item, even if you're only going to Bali. I carry a Patagonia fleece sweater as it is sturdy, warm and light.
Wet-Weather Gear: It might be sunny when you wake up, but two hours later when you're hitch-hiking at the side of the road things may change. It's important to keep your torso dry as much as possible. I carry a Gore-Tex jacket made by Berghaus. I've used this extensively on four continents, and it has performed well. Other brands which I like are The North Face and Spray Way.
Other Items I Take
* 3 pairs of underwear.
* 3 pairs of socks
* 3 t-shirts
* Hat (your choice)
* Long-sleeve t-shirt
* 1 pair jeans
* 1 pair cotton pants
* Swiss Army knife
* Metal water bottle
* Collapsible water bottle (large)
* Swimming gear
* Shorts
* Tensile tarp (made by Mountain Hardware)
* Neck warmer
* 1 small towel
* Toilet gear (including sun screen and condoms)
I put all my gear inside two large plastic bin liners inside my pack. A wet night in Denali National Park four years ago taught me to start doing this.
Special Items
"Travel Box": I have 2 mess tins (9x5-inch aluminum tins) that fit inside each other to form a box. When camping I use these for cooking or as a container for food. I also use them to carry an assortment of handy items, such as:
* Folding knife
* Sharpening stone
* Flexible steel saw
* Cigarette lighter
* Spoon
* Maglite
* Pencil
* 10 yards fishing line and fish hooks
* Fire-starting tablets
* Candle
* Space blanket
I am amazed at how often I am reaching into this box for something. It may even help to save my life someday.
Do you have to bring everything I've mentioned? Certainly not. Do bring a water bottle, a hat and a knife though.
What about cameras and journals?
You know, there are good reasons to take a nice camera along on a trip, including being able to get great shots of spectacular places and record those unforgettable moments. However, there are also some good reasons not to bring expensive gear with you:
* They cost a lot to start with. That money could be better spent.
* The expensive camera or other item could be damaged.
* The expensive camera or other item could be lost.
* The expensive camera or other item could be stolen.
* They have to be lugged about.
* You constantly have to worry about this stuff.
Get the message? In my experience the folks who are the least stressed are the ones with the lightest packs and the fewest valuables. If you want to keep a journal on paper, that is up to you. Many people enjoy doing this while travelling.
Finally, a wise man and good friend of mine once said, "Travelling is about having an adventure. Imagine climbing into a river and holding onto the bank while the water flows past. You may be in the river, but you will only go somewhere when you let go of the bank."
It's time to get your backpack on and let go!
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