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| Roman Forum in Roma |
In 2011 I had the time of my life, I packed up my bag put my courageous face on and ventured on my first adventure out of New Zealand.
With three months traveling around Europe/UK I quickly learnt ways to keep myself healthy and happy on the road. I have created a wee list of tips and tricks that I learnt in no particular order:
1. Favourite jeans. Trust me, you will miss them if you don't. Cool article on non-jean washing here.
2. Hair straightener. Having a bit of luxury when you have curly wild hair is so so nice. I ended up buying one over there and ditching it over there.
3. Take black lace up boots - doubles as hiking shoes, tourist wandering shoes and going out 'grunge look' towning shoes. Get the inside zip up ones so its easier to chuck shoe on and go.
4. Drink yoghurt drinks if you are a 'have a yoghurt everyday' type of girl. Keeps your stomach regular because you are eating 'not normal' everyday!
5. Buy Body Shop Tea Tree Exfoliating Pads - Cut them in half to make them last longer. They are great to quickly clean away the grime of travel and city pollution before you crawl into bed after a long day site seeing or travelling. You can use them on your face and feet! They are OK to take on planes as they are not liquid. So refreshing.
6. Cable ties. Really great way of securing bags to beds, or 'padlocking' your suitcases when going through airport customs. You will need scissors to cut them off at the other end!
7. Smartphone. The iPhone was my friend the whole time I backpacked. It was on me at all times so I felt a bit more safer. Wifi was your friend and communicator. I booked hostels, emailed, kept up with the news and created a 'Family' Facebook group.
8. Ditch the fanny pack. No one uses it and its a damn nuisance if you need something from it. Leave all small black shoulder bag that you have on your person at all times (even in the shower and sleeping). I kept my phone, money, itinerary and map of where I was with one hand firmly grasping it at all time. Note: Get one that has zips to get into it, make it look inconspicuous. If you look at pretty much all my travel photos, you will see it!
9. I brought my brother a Swiss Army Knife when I was in Switzerland. Lo and behold it was one of the most useful tools I had with me. Simply the scissors and knife came in handy! Remember to NOT carry it on the plane. Put it in your hold suitcase or get a cheap one while traveling and ditch it or pass it onto another traveller.
10. Do not be influenced by others buying a heap of souvenirs. They get very annoying in your luggage. Get small momentos for your closest family and friends. People understand when you don't have much money and spare room in your luggage! Plus you dont spend so much time in souveneer shops so you have more time to experience the place you are in.
11. Get a bag that has wheels and back straps. I think they are called hybrid bags. When you need to go big distances its actually easier to wheel it. However when you need to go up stairs (at most hostels and in the tube) or cobblestones, just whip out those straps and walk up/down them with ease. Good for the weaker armed gals... like myself...
12. Plaster a smile on your face, give the language a go, and have fun. There will be times of loneliness and home wanting.. but push through. Have a cup of tea, try contact your folks for a chat. Carry on.
13. Budget in buying fresh water bottles every few days. Recycle instead of bin of course ! Trust me.. its easier than washing your drink bottle in the hostel kitchen, laundry or hotel sink.
14. If taking part in the group tours like Top Deck or Contiki, make sure that you know not all meals and food is included. In fact a majority isn't. Budget this in and you can buy muesli bars, snacks and bread to get you through. Every time you hop on the bus for a long time just know you will most likely buy snacks at the stops (My weakness were Pringles... they were in every country without fail!).
15. Take a pashmina scarf. It can be a scarf, wrap, sarong, umbrella, blanket or something to lie on the grass with. So so useful and always looks pretty. Brightens up your day!
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| Loved my scarf! |
16. If you have allergies (like I had hay hayfever), take your medication like antihistamines just in case. So important to feel your best and travelling through many countries with different climates/environments and some dusty lodgings... it will help you stay on top of your game!
Anything I have missed? Would love to hear more tips :)
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| I loved my long skirt too. Rolled it up and it squeezed down into nothing. In Scotland above |
