Superfluous things are:
Warm clothing, medicine, heavy boots, nice clothes and anything over 500
grams! Why? Because: When other people can live there, you can buy what you
need and then you can give it a poor, when you no longer need it. This
includes warm clothing, rainwear, medicine, life jacket, etc. It is also
easier to be picked up when hitchhiker and you are less interesting as a
mugging victim. I also do without shampoo, usually there is a blunted left
piece of soap or a spot of shampoo. If it is really difficult, can also be
used washing powder! The little light
luggage can be taken as hand luggage, so you and your luggage ends up in the
same airport - at the same time. On many occasions, I have changed money,
been on the toilet and had a cup of coffee, while others are still waiting
for their suitcase.
When you get to the cities, you do not take the first
and best hotel. When you leave a dubious hotel, to go out to eat, you do not
leave anything.
Important thins:
A plan of what you will see and how to get there. A small camera with good lens.
A waterproof ink and paper to take notes with. Experience says; if the holiday is
really rewarding, you can not remember where you woke up that morning!
Therefore, the notes, in combination with photos, are gold worth. It is better
to look worn out and poor, than checked. You get easier in contact with local,
you will not hassled nearly as much and the chances of assault will also be
smaller.
Back-up:
If you have the option; scan your vaccination and insurance papers, passports,
driving licenses, telephone numbers of family and friends, airline tickets,
travel plan and everything else you may need. If your luggage is lost or wet,
you only need a internet cafe to be up and running again. Upload it to a private
site that requires code or mail it to your selves. (This is my travelling
companion Jesper.s great idea).
Medicine:
I am not taking malaria pills, although I am in malarial
areas. Some pills have severe side effects, some cursed expensive, some you
have take for several months and common to them is that there is great
resistance. That means they give false security. I wear long sleeves /
pants, move me, keep close to others with more mosquito-thatch than me, and
avoid sitting out in the
mosquito-soup in the
evenings.
I have pain-killers and some "stop-pills" to the stomach, but fortunately
have never had use for them. I do not think you need more. Disposable
syringes arouse too much attention. If you're not well enough to get the
doctor to sterilize the syringe, would you find your own, and how many? The
local doctors / wizards can usually cure the local disease, appendicitis,
and we will not, do you?Vaccinations:
One should contact the official "institute of foreign diseases", to learn
what vaccinations are required and recommended. Your own doctor will
probably suggest some, but experience says they do not know what they are
talking about. When we have three going, the same place for the same period,
we are recommended three different combinations of vaccinations - very
reassuring!
Insurance :
Remember to have insurance in order, if you travel outside Europe.
Repatriation can be expensive! A while there is no reason to insure the 500
grams of baggage - save 25%.
Money:
Take plenty!, once you are there, it is annoying
not to be able to afford to see anything. Visa cards are generally the best,
combining with 10-15 $ 20 notes or some places €, sewn into your clothes, if
anything else fails. If you have a lot of cash: petty for the street trade, a
good bunch of hidden away for a robber, and the great pool at the bottom of the
bag with the dirty socks.
The necessary things:
A clock with alarm function, small compass, deodorant (roll-on),
toothbrush + paste, detergent, dry rope, nail cutting, ear-plugs, needle +
thread, ink, passport, visa card, camera, short (bathing) trousers, long
trousers, sandals, T-shirt, painkillers and diarrheal pills. In cold regions can
be added flees-jacket, socks and raincoat. Girls need to remember skip your
period or bring tampons enough, if they travel in the more interesting
countries.
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Booking:
Every time I set out on a journey, I check flight prices on the internet.
Experience has taught me there is really much to save by using an hours behind
the screen. Generally I like to pay a little extra to book directly with the
airline rather than through a suspect agent. Hostles/hotels/B&B i find as I get
there, which give a bigger freedom to improvise.
The flight:
On long day flights, I use an eye pads, so I can sleep from it all. It
prevent me from jetlag, and the time appears to go faster. I usually choose the
cheapest airline. The food and service is perhaps worse, but I don't feel I get
enough extra from the expensive companies . Amazingly, many times, we will good
to get extra legroom, simply asking for it by check.
A few black-listenings: Avianca Air, Charles
de Gaul Air Port, small kids and charter tourists, and especially: Jysk
Rejsebureau,
Lufthansa and
Nyhavn
Rejser.
Expedia: I have only unfortunate experience with Expedia. The hotels are
not where they should be (address, dot on the map and GPS leads to three
different places, nothing is right. Phone no works). They don't have a room for
me. The car agent is not represented in the country, and Expedia will not refund
rent and insurance. The car rental is not at the airport but US $ 25 away.
The food:
If you are fussy, you have to reconsider for a moment before back-packet
in poor or remote countries. Beware of the water and things have been washed in
it. Eat as far as possible, only food which have been cooked / fried, and
preferably while it is hot. I have a casual relation. I brushes my teeth in
local water and eat what I am presented, and has not yet had bad stomach. It
happened, I get for a day, when I get home. If you should get diarrheal, Coca
Cola one of the best treatments. Originally invented as a stomach medicine, cola
contain a perfect mixture of water, sugar and salts. Be sure to drink plenty of
fluids!
The locals:
People in the Far East, Mediterranean region and Latin America is
fantastic sweet and helpful. If you stand looking on a map, people stops and ask
what you're looking for. I have not seen near the same helpfulness and
friendliness in the Arab world, and it can also lack in the big cities.
Language:
I'm really good at Danish and it is often enough! Finger language and
gestures works in all languages, and a good laughter can get you out of many
problems. It is no problem to travel in countries where you don't share a single
word with the local. Things just take a bit longer, but they do anyway.
Criminality:
Personally, I have not been out for attacks, but my height, lack of
jewellery, luggage and my old clothes does not invite. It may also help that I
avoid tourist areas and big cities. Pay attention to the country's laws, there
are some curious laws around that can make you a criminal, without your
knowledge. Alcohol is not, for example, welcome in Muslim countries, take shoes
off at the visit to temples, wear long sleeves and trousers in churches,
mosques, temples and other shrines.
Behaviour follow ...
Pay attention to how the local conduct
themselves. You will not look like them, but try. Are they bright or dark
clothes, welcome at cops or ignore them. Can you touch the other and perhaps
kissing in public. There are many peculiar rules and customs in many countries
and it may well pay to get acquainted with them - and follow them!
Books:
There are unbelievably many books, but if you want to limit itself, the main Lonely Planet.
It gives a quick review of the country's geographical and political history, the
mention of most attractions, many maps, accommodation, bus and train schedules,
animals, plants, culture and useful tips. It should however be noted, some
guides are better than others! |
