Feature: Essentials for your backpacking adventure
So you’re going off into the big wide world are you? How lucky you are. From the cosmopolitan feel of Australia to the Latino-infused flavours of South America, the modern travel scene is alive and kicking, and more and more people are heading out in droves to experience these fabulous places for themselves. Sure it’s daunting, and sure you might not know what to expect, but that’s part of the fun! With the world getting smaller and new airlines and travel companies making it easier to reach all four corners of the world, the options for travel are only limited by your imagination.
Backpacking is normally the obvious choice, as you can travel with ease from place to place without lugging around large amounts of baggage. If you don’t like a town you can move on, and if you make new friends you can stay with them. So with that in mind, you really don’t want to be carrying around excess expensive gear, or clothes you’re never going to wear. So, read on with our guide to what to pack to ensure you have all of those all important gap year essentials!
First things first
Although it might sound strange, it is possible to survive with only a handful of items in your bag. The happiest traveller is normally the person who can fit their bag under the seat of a bus. Although most places in the world are dangerous only if you want them to be, petty theft is the most common crime travellers will come across. So instead of splashing out on an 80 litre pack which has to be stowed away on top or underneath the moving vehicle, why not think of purchasing a smaller one to take on board with you Remember you are going to be living out of your bag so obviously need some essentials like toiletries, but do you really need to take 20 pairs of trousers or a mega-expensive camera?! Another factor to take into account is the type of backpack. Some open from the top while others have all-round zips where the entire contents is accessible upon opening. The former are good for really packing more in, but if you’re going to constantly be on the move, the latter could be a good choice - re-packing every day can get very tiresome!
Essentials
Depending on where you’re going, there’ll nearly always be a travel hub where you can stock up on medicine and other essentials like clothes. Bangkok, Manila, Panama City, Rio de Janeiro, Istanbul, Nairobi, and Mumbai - these skyscraper laden cities are perfect for getting back to civilization too! So instead of taking three packs of shampoo, take one, and buy another when you need it. When it comes to clothes, for colder climes you’ll obviously need a sweater or coat, but if heading to the tropics, take a handful of light, breathable clothes. In Asia laundry is very cheap so you don’t need much, but in other destinations take a bungee cord and sink plug for washing and drying your own. Although jeans are fashionable, they are heavy in warm climates and take up too much space in your pack. Another consideration is the religious beliefs and local customs of the destinations you plan to visit. It might be sensible to take clothes that allow you to cover up if you are planning to visit temples and other places of worship. For footwear, flip-flops and sandals are perfect, but pack a pair of shoes for trekking and border crossings. A lightweight trek towel is perfect and a small first-aid kit is brilliant for sorting out cuts and bruises.
Conveniences
An umbrella is better than a poncho for keeping out rain, so get a small one to stash away. Make sure you buy some earplugs! These indispensable items are amazing for drowning out noise in budget guesthouses and on long bus rides. Take a small LED torch for dark rural nights, a hat for keeping off the sun, sun-cream for hotter climes, and a sleeping bag liner or sleeping bag depending on the climate (many places on the road provide linen). A Swiss army knife is a great little device to have at hand. While many tropical guesthouses provide a mosquito net, it might be good to take one just in case (as well as malarial prophylactics for entering danger zones).
Electronics
Some parts of the world are more dangerous than others, but even so, sensible travellers are rarely the victims of violent crime. Obviously you’re going to want to take a few holiday snaps, and with loads of small digital cameras on the market nowadays, gone are the days of having to develop film on the road! While internet cafes are a cheap and fun way of keeping in touch with friends and storing pictures, small netbooks are becoming more popular on the travel scene. While these can be an expensive item to take away with you, there are plenty of inexpensive models available on the market and they are brilliant for storing pictures, using Skype to stay in touch, and watch movies when you feel a little homesick!
So there you have it - our guide to some obvious and some not so obvious essentials for a backpacking trip around the world.
