Any super tips for a year long round the world trip?

Spider_Baby

Hi,
I'm just wondering if anyone has any super tips for a years travelling. Was there any items that you would totally recommend bringing? (So far I've been told duct tape!?), anything you would defo bring next after learning the hard way? Tips on packing light even?
Basically any tips that would help.

Cheiftan

speakers for the mp3 player , dam good 1st aid kit , slophadine:D , those sealable zip lock bags with a one way vent on top you know the compressable types, a good waterproof case for the camera you can get them in great outdoors , Teva sandles ,
combat shorts are a must for days when your on the move , the more pockets the better.
microfibre towel , do a google search for these and buy online , far far cheaper than in shops , and despite what people say they are the biz , better than hauling a normal towel everywhere.
A good sturdy A4 folder for keeping travel doc's in .
One of those clothes line with suction pads at either end.
Packing light , well its up to you and depends on where your going , if Asia is on your mind just pack a bag with essential toiletries and one change of clothes, everything you need clothes wise you can buy when you get there, a few people told me this and like the fool I am I did'nt listen when i went and ended up dumping most of me things i brought from home to make space in the rucksac.
A good quality rucksac is a must , no matter how expensive you think it is now you'll be glad you spent the money , make sure and get it fitted properly where ever you buy it. I found they are better value in the UK than here.
Finally a could'nt give a dam attitude to time and money helps bigtime;)

Spider_Baby

Thanks loads for all that Chieftan.
Some of the places I'm visiting are South Africa, South America, Oz, NZ, and Asia.
I wont be taking your advice on buying clothes in Asia though...being a female thats just under 6ft means its hard to get clothes long enough over there. I learnt that the hard way last time!

What are those sandals you mentioned?

Also I'm heading off in 2 weeks so dont have time to purchase things off the net unfortunately. Any advice on the cheapest shops in Dublin?
Or can i pick some of that stuff up on the way?

Afuera

I wouldn't go anywhere without tea tree oil and tiger balm. You can pick up tea tree oil in Boots and it's a concentrated natural antiseptic (great for bites, scratches, mouth sores, etc). Tiger balm is used for muscle pains which you'll get to know very well after busing around South America. It's also used as a general cure all for everything from colds to flatulance (according to the box mine came with in Thailand)!!!!

Cheiftan

Tea tree oil and tiger balm can both be got in Thailand all over the place and tiger balm is the cure all it claims to be !! If you want you can buy in boots at vastly inflated prices:mad:
Buy the microfibre towel on line cos you'll have loads of time , Teva ( its a brand) sandles are a step up from flip flops , they are basically chunky sandles with straps.
Cheapest shops in Dublin.....no such thing!!
Try Great outdoors Chatam street i think , also Mary street
oh yeah make sure you get your self a maglight , swiss army knife ( make sure it has a corkscrew, no point otherwise:D ) and when your in town go into Carrolls gift shop and spend €20 or so on tacky keyrings and stickers with leprechauns and Guinness etc on them , great for giving to people you will meet along the way that will help you out, might sound naff now but believe me it works.

nimble75

Spider_Baby wrote:

Hi,
I'm just wondering if anyone has any super tips for a years travelling. Was there any items that you would totally recommend bringing? (So far I've been told duct tape!?), anything you would defo bring next after learning the hard way? Tips on packing light even?
Basically any tips that would help.

Si Phan Don (Don Det island specifically) in Laos, the most amazing and beautiful place I've ever been.

Cheiftan

Nimble , could'nt agree with you more , Spider baby you HAVE to visit this place, words don't do it justice.

bringitdown

Pack v. light, buy cheap clothes on your way, get a comfartable rucksack.

Spider_Baby

Cheiftan wrote:

Nimble , could'nt agree with you more , Spider baby you HAVE to visit this place, words don't do it justice.

Where abouts in Laos is it?
I was in Laos before...but never saw this place
We were in Luang Probang for a week and then Vientianne for a few days...but never heard anyone mention it
Don't think I'll be going to Laos at all this time.

nimble75

Spider_Baby wrote:

Where abouts in Laos is it?
I was in Laos before...but never saw this place
We were in Luang Probang for a week and then Vientianne for a few days...but never heard anyone mention it
Don't think I'll be going to Laos at all this time.

One of the reason's it's so great is that it has few backpackers, only the really cool ones. It's "Four Thousand Islands" in English, in the south, look on your Laos map and follow the Mekong south till you see all of the wee islands in the south....that's it..and it's amazing!

Cheiftan

It has dolphins as well:cool:

Spider_Baby

Cheiftan wrote:

Tea tree oil and tiger balm can both be got in Thailand all over the place and tiger balm is the cure all it claims to be !! If you want you can buy in boots at vastly inflated prices:mad:
Buy the microfibre towel on line cos you'll have loads of time , Teva ( its a brand) sandles are a step up from flip flops , they are basically chunky sandles with straps.
Cheapest shops in Dublin.....no such thing!!
Try Great outdoors Chatam street i think , also Mary street
oh yeah make sure you get your self a maglight , swiss army knife ( make sure it has a corkscrew, no point otherwise:D ) and when your in town go into Carrolls gift shop and spend €20 or so on tacky keyrings and stickers with leprechauns and Guinness etc on them , great for giving to people you will meet along the way that will help you out, might sound naff now but believe me it works.

Can you recommend any websites for buying good quality microfibre towels (really large bath-towel size), and other bits and pieces...for cheaper than in the shops?
Thanks

PunyHuman

earplugs

rabbitinlights

mozzie net.

LeNNoX

Spider_Baby,

The prices are very similar in all shops for microfibre towels but The lowe Alpine shop in temple bar is the cheapest by about €2 - I bought one there last week for €32.50 (extra large).

I'm in the same boat as yourself - heading off in 4 wks (South America, NZ, OZ, Aisa). Have been buying stuff over the last few months.
Bought a very small vango travel pillow for €6, figured it would come in handy for long flights /bus journeys etc.
http://www.foxsoutdoor.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1270&osCsid=df6d7a8fe08f7fa44608adcb320...

All the shops in dublin are pretty much a rip off, if you have time buy over the net. If not, find someone who's a memember of an Irish Mountaineering Club & borrow their membership card, they get 10% discount. That's what I did.

Lennox

Saintly

nimble75 wrote:

One of the reason's it's so great is that it has few backpackers, only the really cool ones.

Ah, that old backpacker snobbery!! Travel anywhere you like and you will find them, the lofty 'real traveller' type who takes great delight in dismissing just about everyone else's itinerary. Until he/she meets backpackers as equally cool as him/herself and then they create a cool backpacker gang. Phrases such as 'off the beaten track', 'haven't lived till you've seen...' 'i hate damn tourists', 'there's no way I would go there, it's way too commercial' etc etc etc feature regularly. It's the backpacker version of 'my car is bigger than yours'

Anyhow, if you're packing a bag, my advice is keep it light. Personally, I think the Great Outdoors and the like are a complete rip off. Just get the basics and pick what you need up as you travel. In South America, a friend came equipped with all the camping gear, mag lights, just about everything you'd want. We picked stuff up, as needed for a fraction of the cost and found that some of the local stuff was more useful. Bring a good book. It's handy while you're waiting about for buses and the like ...

Saintly

rabbitinlights

Saintly wrote:

Ah, that old backpacker snobbery!! Travel anywhere you like and you will find them, the lofty 'real traveller' type who takes great delight in dismissing just about everyone else's itinerary. Until he/she meets backpackers as equally cool as him/herself and then they create a cool backpacker gang. Phrases such as 'off the beaten track', 'haven't lived till you've seen...' 'i hate damn tourists', 'there's no way I would go there, it's way too commercial' etc etc etc feature regularly. It's the backpacker version of 'my car is bigger than yours'

Thats soooo true! Travel for yourself and not to impress other people.

Good Books are a lifesaver, I would recommend one of those head torch thingys, they are great for reading and keeping your hands free while walking or doing stuff at night.

Linoge

Saintly wrote:

Ah, that old backpacker snobbery!! Travel anywhere you like and you will find them, the lofty 'real traveller' type who takes great delight in dismissing just about everyone else's itinerary. Until he/she meets backpackers as equally cool as him/herself and then they create a cool backpacker gang. Phrases such as 'off the beaten track', 'haven't lived till you've seen...' 'i hate damn tourists', 'there's no way I would go there, it's way too commercial' etc etc etc feature regularly. It's the backpacker version of 'my car is bigger than yours'

LAWL!:)

Saintly wrote:

Anyhow, if you're packing a bag, my advice is keep it light. Personally, I think the Great Outdoors and the like are a complete rip off. Just get the basics and pick what you need up as you travel. In South America, a friend came equipped with all the camping gear, mag lights, just about everything you'd want. We picked stuff up, as needed for a fraction of the cost and found that some of the local stuff was more useful. Bring a good book. It's handy while you're waiting about for buses and the like ...

Saintly

Can you elaborate on what stuff in particular that you picked up? Did it include a microfibre towel and maglite or what did you buy? What about clothes? Are they cheap in South America?

Spider_Baby

I'm home...and Cheiftan you were right...of all the advice given here the mp3 speakers was theeeee one! Couldn't have survived without them!

I did however survive without duct tape surprisingly, go me

Glowing

The one necessity for me was a silk sleeping bag liner - invaluable!! They're light as a feather, you can wash and dry them in 5 mins (honestly), they never smell, will protect you from bed bugs and mozzies, are breathable so you never get sweaty in them, and they can be quite insulating on cool nights.

You might think they're expensive (40 euro-ish), but I used it most nights during my trip - especially when the hostel sheets might be a bit manky.

Edit: 2nd tip - DO NOT bring jeans!!!

lady_j

Glowing wrote:

The one necessity for me was a silk sleeping bag liner - invaluable!! They're light as a feather, you can wash and dry them in 5 mins (honestly), they never smell, will protect you from bed bugs and mozzies, are breathable so you never get sweaty in them, and they can be quite insulating on cool nights.

You might think they're expensive (40 euro-ish), but I used it most nights during my trip - especially when the hostel sheets might be a bit manky.

you can get them much cheaper online...http://www.jagbags.co.nz/
they deliver worldwide. Theres also a shop on ebay that sends them from thailand works out about €15...

Board-in-work

When I was travelling in Asia last year, I was moving around so much that the exchange rates for currency started to get a bit confusing. Got totally ripped off in Bali. Everyone seemed to be trying it on. I was trying to convert to US dollars, or Euros or Sterling all around Asia. Calculator on my phone invariably always out of battery!! Swore I would take a small pocket calculator (solar) next time to use around the markets etc. Handy for calculating exchange rates, and you can also put in a figure and point to it when you are trying to haggle with someone with limited english. Found the Indonesians the worst for trying to rip me off.

If you're bringing a digital camera, take photo's of your travel insurance docs, and passport.

Plastic sack (orange survival bag) or a bin bag - keep stuff waterproof when trekking or jumping off of boats.

Diocalm !! in case you get the runs !!

Meathlass

For South America, an alarm clock, ear plugs, mozzie repellant, calamine lotion for when you get bitten by the mozzies, maglite, padlocks for hostel lockers, When you're out there pick up a blanket for the buses or you will freeze. They have really embraced the concept of air conditioning on South American buses!

Pyjamarama

Spider_Baby wrote: »

I'm home...and Cheiftan you were right...of all the advice given here the mp3 speakers was theeeee one! Couldn't have survived without them!

I did however survive without duct tape surprisingly, go me

So any other advice Spider Baby? Heading off in 3 months and this thread has made me realise I should probably get more organised.
My ipod just broke too, grr! And I was just going to buy speakers for it, I know I won't be able to live without it

Woofer

Any recommendation on what type/brand of speakers to buy?? Im heading off soon and bringing my i-pod. to be honest i was planning on not bringing speakers, thought it was an unnecessary luxury but now i think i want to based on the advice on this forum! Are they not too delciate and chunky for backpacking?

Any other advice on that extra battery pack thing you can buy for the i-pod? anyone used one - worth bringing ?? (have movies on my ipod to watch on long bus journeys).

How easy was it to find a place to charge up your ipod etc

Im going to S.America, Oz, NZ and SE Asia.

Spider_Baby

I bought cheap-ass speakers in Thailand for €6...(saw them later that day for €5 though, grrr ). They lasted me the whole trip without getting broken. Pain in the bum buying batteries for it all the time though. (It did come with a power supply plug thing but it blew up the first time I used it, dodgy!).
Dont bother getting dear ones or delicate ones. Just bring ones that you wont be too upset about if they break So glad I had them. Great to blast some music when getting ready for a night out, or to relieve the boredom if you are in a quiet hostel etc


Hmmm...any other advice...
I wouldnt bother bringing a sleeping bag or mossie net at all. I found that anywhere you need a mossie net they were usually supplied. Or if you do need one buy a cheap one there and then get rid of it again before moving on. No point carrying it around for the year.

Leave that chunky jumper* etc that you are so fond of at home. You'll end up chucking out clothes all the time as you move from cold to hot countries. We bought cheap things as we needed them, like we bought warm jackets in China as it was f-f-f-freezing there, and then gave them to the staff in the hostel before we jetted off to warmer climates

Bring a pack of playing cards!

I didnt bother with those silly wallet belt things either, you know the stupid things you wear round your waste.

If I think of anything else I'll let you know!

Spider_Baby

Oh, dont pack any clothes that you dont wear here already, you wont wear them abroad either. Anything that you have thats a "hmmm I dont wear that really, but I might wear it in Asia" item just leave it behind. They'll be the first thing to go when your rucksack creeps up to 20 kilos!!!

eoghan h

How much did the trip cost??? and if you don't mind me asking..what age are you??

I'm planning on doing a trip like that at some stage...just not sure when! I'm 17 now so i gotta start saving!

Woofer

my trip costing 2.5k,just for the flights

Pyjamarama

Mine cost 2,200 from Trailfinders. Think most covering 3 continents are around that much.

Would have gone last year but I always overestimated the amount it's possible to save without going insane! Start saving early if you aren't getting a loan!

bringitdown

On trip costs, I saved E300 on a trailfinders / USIT price by shopping around.

Between kayak.com, orbitz, and so on there is usually a bargain to be had.

In the end the ticket issuer was Northwest Airlines from the states, the same route with Qantas/OneWorld was more expensive.

Also for some hops in SE Asia - look at the local Ryanairs - Airasia.com, SilkAir (Singaporean Airlines) etc etc.