Around the world with only a backpack
Oct 16th, 2011, 11:23 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Around the world with only a backpack
in a couple of months or less, I'm going to leave everything that I've know and everything that I own in order to start traveling around the world with only a backpack full or survival equipment. Hopefully working small temporary jobs here and there and doing lots of camping.
Has anyone heard of people doing this? What do you think? You can also follow me on my blog about my upcoming adventure at http://roamingross.blogspot.com
~Roaming Ross
Has anyone heard of people doing this? What do you think? You can also follow me on my blog about my upcoming adventure at http://roamingross.blogspot.com
~Roaming Ross
Oct 16th, 2011, 11:47 AM
#2
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Several years ago I did such a trip, was on the road for 6 months. It sounds like yours may be longer but however long you plan to travel I recommend it. The photo in my profile was taken on that trip, in Istanbul.
My first time RTW was going east, starting in Europe and continuing through the northern hemisphere to China and home. Technically speaking I guess 1 stop, in Java, was southern hemisphere but you get the drift. And now, if I can just get this house sold, I plan to do it again going west, to China first.
The one thing I'll do differently is plan less. I won't buy my transportation in advance except the first leg and play it more by ear. I want this time to stay as long as I'm happy in a place, not leave when my onward ticket tells me I must. I did change things on the previous trip but I'll do it even more free form this time out.
You're going to have a fine adventure!
My first time RTW was going east, starting in Europe and continuing through the northern hemisphere to China and home. Technically speaking I guess 1 stop, in Java, was southern hemisphere but you get the drift. And now, if I can just get this house sold, I plan to do it again going west, to China first.
The one thing I'll do differently is plan less. I won't buy my transportation in advance except the first leg and play it more by ear. I want this time to stay as long as I'm happy in a place, not leave when my onward ticket tells me I must. I did change things on the previous trip but I'll do it even more free form this time out.
You're going to have a fine adventure!
Oct 16th, 2011, 03:46 PM
#3
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
www.bootsnall.com good site for you
do careful safety/entry research newbies get scammed a lot
travel.state.gov entry safety columbusdirect.com insurance
Illegal to work does not pay squat earn good money here save
Actually contribute to the economy rather than take jobs
away from locals who desparately need them.. camping
super risky in dodgy areas hostelbookers.com better all over
Good luck you will need it unless you research/plan more.
do careful safety/entry research newbies get scammed a lot
travel.state.gov entry safety columbusdirect.com insurance
Illegal to work does not pay squat earn good money here save
Actually contribute to the economy rather than take jobs
away from locals who desparately need them.. camping
super risky in dodgy areas hostelbookers.com better all over
Good luck you will need it unless you research/plan more.
Oct 16th, 2011, 03:55 PM
#4
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 12,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Forgot also
weather2travel.com Climate guides important also
head warm places unlike China North in winter...
Avoid monsoon areas like keralahouseboat.org in summer
kohtao.com is a perfect place first lotusresort.com $14/nt
fly into BKK to start for me in the past...
weather2travel.com Climate guides important also
head warm places unlike China North in winter...
Avoid monsoon areas like keralahouseboat.org in summer
kohtao.com is a perfect place first lotusresort.com $14/nt
fly into BKK to start for me in the past...
Oct 18th, 2011, 02:55 AM
#5
Someone just went round the world with only a Scott e Vest for luggage. I've been round three times with a backpack. People do it all the time. You'll find loads of them on Lonely Planet's thorntree, and quite a few on Twitter.
Not sure what the " survival " equipment is supposed to be for. Are you going to the Arctic? Of course, this is probably just an ad for the website...
Not sure what the " survival " equipment is supposed to be for. Are you going to the Arctic? Of course, this is probably just an ad for the website...
Oct 18th, 2011, 01:10 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The "survival" equipment is basically camping equipment. I don't know if I will be going to the Artic any time soon.
Thanks for the advice,qwovadis. I plan on getting work visas when needed. I have been out of the country before, Ireland, England, Scotland,Cozumel, and Curacao, of course this will definitely be different.
I'm just going to take my time, get a feel for everything, I'm sure all my present intentions and presumptions will be changed, but thats just fine. I'll learn to adapt and overcome.
Thanks again for the advice!
Thanks for the advice,qwovadis. I plan on getting work visas when needed. I have been out of the country before, Ireland, England, Scotland,Cozumel, and Curacao, of course this will definitely be different.
I'm just going to take my time, get a feel for everything, I'm sure all my present intentions and presumptions will be changed, but thats just fine. I'll learn to adapt and overcome.
Thanks again for the advice!
Oct 18th, 2011, 02:33 PM
#8
I question the idea of toting a bunch of camping equipment. As thursdaysd asks above, where are you headed? I don't think your average backpacker going round the world does it with a bunch of camping equipment. Sure everyone's different but I think staying in hostels, homestays, etc. are much more common. Not to mention a lot lighter than hauling equipment around the world with you.
Have you read Lonely Planet The Thorn Tree forum? Rough Guides and other backpacker guidebooks?
Have you read Lonely Planet The Thorn Tree forum? Rough Guides and other backpacker guidebooks?
Oct 18th, 2011, 02:43 PM
#9
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think it's true that it may not pay to haul camping equipment around the world. A better plan, if you need rock-bottom accommodation costs is to alternate hostels and inexpensive guesthouses with free homestays that are available through websites like Hospitality Club http://www.hospitalityclub.org/ and Couch Surfing http://www.couchsurfing.org/. I've stayed with Hospitality Club members on several continents and have had some terrific experiences. I recommend it instead of camping.
Oct 18th, 2011, 02:47 PM
#10
I've met a number of long term travelers. I've read blogs and trip reports by others. I've been one. They don't lug a bunch of " survival" aka campIng gear around with them. Maybe a lightweight sleeping bag and a pad, but even that's not that common.
If you're climbing mountains, you need survival gear. If you're trekking across Alaska. If you're biking across Central Asia. For your average round the world trip, no.
Have you read Hasbrouck's "Practical Nomad"? Checked into couchsurfing? Read the Lonely Planwt and Rough Guide first timer books? Seems to me you need to rethink this. And if you rock up with a bunch of camping gear and no visible means of support you're not even going to get into your first country.
If you're climbing mountains, you need survival gear. If you're trekking across Alaska. If you're biking across Central Asia. For your average round the world trip, no.
Have you read Hasbrouck's "Practical Nomad"? Checked into couchsurfing? Read the Lonely Planwt and Rough Guide first timer books? Seems to me you need to rethink this. And if you rock up with a bunch of camping gear and no visible means of support you're not even going to get into your first country.
Oct 19th, 2011, 12:32 PM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,042
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For inspiration read "A Vagabond Journey Around the World" by Harry Franck to see what it was like a century ago. See bike trips around the world at www.crazyguyonabike.com
Nov 6th, 2011, 07:15 AM
#14
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ross,
Absolutely, people do this all the time. You're getting some valuable feedback, right here. I once left home (NYC area) and did exactly that for almost 3 years. I worked everywhere: USA,(All kinds of stuff) New Zealand,(Picked apples on the South Island) Australia, (Carpentry & concrete work) South Africa (worked as a "fix it man" in a camp)....
I even worked in a Rufugee camp in northern Thailand...
[BTW: I was told at the American Embassy in Bangkok, that I couldn't be hired "in Thailand". But my 3 days of persistance paid off....] You do not need a lot of "camping gear". A sleeping bag and hostels work fine in most areas. I did, however, buy a cheap Dome-tent up in Alaska. All the small towns around the Kenai-penusula hire workers for the Salmon industry during the summer---; and they provide areas for the workers to pitch their tents. AND it's warm there during the summer---Mosquitos are the problem; not the cold. My 3 rules: Work hard, Be friendly w/ everyone BUT trust sparingly, And stay away from drugs and people who use them. #4 would be: Travel light....Cheers!
Absolutely, people do this all the time. You're getting some valuable feedback, right here. I once left home (NYC area) and did exactly that for almost 3 years. I worked everywhere: USA,(All kinds of stuff) New Zealand,(Picked apples on the South Island) Australia, (Carpentry & concrete work) South Africa (worked as a "fix it man" in a camp)....
I even worked in a Rufugee camp in northern Thailand...
[BTW: I was told at the American Embassy in Bangkok, that I couldn't be hired "in Thailand". But my 3 days of persistance paid off....] You do not need a lot of "camping gear". A sleeping bag and hostels work fine in most areas. I did, however, buy a cheap Dome-tent up in Alaska. All the small towns around the Kenai-penusula hire workers for the Salmon industry during the summer---; and they provide areas for the workers to pitch their tents. AND it's warm there during the summer---Mosquitos are the problem; not the cold. My 3 rules: Work hard, Be friendly w/ everyone BUT trust sparingly, And stay away from drugs and people who use them. #4 would be: Travel light....Cheers!
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
luv2globetrot
Asia
4
May 29th, 2010 04:18 PM
