Ok, I got back to Australia early in December and I did promise that I would head away again and keep travelling, and yet I haven't left!
I had a few things I wanted to do in my life, travel was clearly one of them. Another dream I was harbouring for quite a while was to have some self sufficient Permaculture lifestyle, one day in the future, but it wasn't something I wouldn't want to do alone. And so, being that I was still single, I figured I would keep travelling, as I find it pretty good to do alone.
So, what happened? I came back to Australia, and got stuck in the flood cleanup (which I finally expect to finish this week), and I met a man who seems, so far, to tick all the right boxes for me. The floods might have been a lucky event for us because they made me stay around long enough to get to know him.
Of course it's early days now, so who knows.... but for now I am staying in Australia.
If people are interested I will keep writing about my travel adventures... I have plenty more!
Oh, and those nasty things I wrote about Peruvian men.... well this one seems different!
Monday 28 February 2011
Monday 21 February 2011
Backpacker Pack List continued, again!
Ok, continuing on with what to take backpacking...
Towel
I really don't like travel towels and prefer to travel with an old worn cotton towel. But I did wish I had a little towel for my feet and and Croc sandals.
Toiletries
I have travelled with people who travel with a tremendous lot of bathroom products, but I've got no intention of being a beauty queen, and so I just keep things pretty basic. Here's one thing that you can learn.... it seems that, in my experience, toilet paper is available in most parts of the world. Yes, you might need to carry a roll, but no, you won't need to bring it from home!
Regarding shampoo, if you can get to a Lush shop you can get a shampoo bar, other shops might sell them too leave a comment if you know of places). Used correctly (not much is needed each time) a bar will last for ages. I wash my hair about twice a week and I made one bar last a whole year. I kept it in a sock made of the same stuff as what winter tights (ladies) are made from, and I kept regular soap in the other sock of the pair. These socks kept the bars together, and kept the space taken up in my toiletries bag to a minimum.
I discovered that a good comb was sufficient enough, and I didn't need to carry a hairbrush. You will probably want a moisturiser. In Peru I discovered buying individual satchels of Ponds moisturiser was cheaper than buying a tub, and the satchels were more convenient.
To shave, look for shaving oil, a little bottle lasts a long time.
Nappy pins are essential.... daily to hang a wet facecloth to dry, and you are bound to find other uses.
Important! Toiletry bags are much better if they have a strong, large hook to hang them with. If it doesn't you might have to sit your bag on a wet bench.
Finally, GIRLS ONLY, a menstrual cup (see http://menstrualcups.org/ to find out more) works wonders at home and whilst travelling. They are easy to use, just take a bottle of clean water with you to the toilet when it's time to deal with it. When you have a menstrual cup you won't have to search for pads or tampons ever again.
Miscellaneous Travel Essentials
A swim shirt! Australians call them 'Rashies'. They protect your skin from the sun, especially whilst swimming (because a regular shirt doesn't perform as well when wet). These are great, especially if you are travelling alone and not comfortable the stares of locals or wanting to ask any Tom to rub suncream on your back.
A hat - preferably a broad brim hat that you can fold or stuff into your bag.
Suncream
Sunglasses.
A first aid kit. From the travel doctor.
Pen, notebook.
Well, that, I think, covers it!
Towel
I really don't like travel towels and prefer to travel with an old worn cotton towel. But I did wish I had a little towel for my feet and and Croc sandals.
A friend had this little towel-in-pouch. I wished I had one.
Toiletries
I have travelled with people who travel with a tremendous lot of bathroom products, but I've got no intention of being a beauty queen, and so I just keep things pretty basic. Here's one thing that you can learn.... it seems that, in my experience, toilet paper is available in most parts of the world. Yes, you might need to carry a roll, but no, you won't need to bring it from home!
Regarding shampoo, if you can get to a Lush shop you can get a shampoo bar, other shops might sell them too leave a comment if you know of places). Used correctly (not much is needed each time) a bar will last for ages. I wash my hair about twice a week and I made one bar last a whole year. I kept it in a sock made of the same stuff as what winter tights (ladies) are made from, and I kept regular soap in the other sock of the pair. These socks kept the bars together, and kept the space taken up in my toiletries bag to a minimum.
I discovered that a good comb was sufficient enough, and I didn't need to carry a hairbrush. You will probably want a moisturiser. In Peru I discovered buying individual satchels of Ponds moisturiser was cheaper than buying a tub, and the satchels were more convenient.
To shave, look for shaving oil, a little bottle lasts a long time.
Nappy pins are essential.... daily to hang a wet facecloth to dry, and you are bound to find other uses.
Important! Toiletry bags are much better if they have a strong, large hook to hang them with. If it doesn't you might have to sit your bag on a wet bench.
Finally, GIRLS ONLY, a menstrual cup (see http://menstrualcups.org/ to find out more) works wonders at home and whilst travelling. They are easy to use, just take a bottle of clean water with you to the toilet when it's time to deal with it. When you have a menstrual cup you won't have to search for pads or tampons ever again.
Miscellaneous Travel Essentials
A swim shirt! Australians call them 'Rashies'. They protect your skin from the sun, especially whilst swimming (because a regular shirt doesn't perform as well when wet). These are great, especially if you are travelling alone and not comfortable the stares of locals or wanting to ask any Tom to rub suncream on your back.
A hat - preferably a broad brim hat that you can fold or stuff into your bag.
Suncream
Sunglasses.
A first aid kit. From the travel doctor.
Pen, notebook.
Well, that, I think, covers it!
Sunday 13 February 2011
Backpacker Pack List continued
On Rain protection
If you are going to take a rain coat, then get a good one. It should be some breathable waterproof material, and will probably cost you a couple of hundred dollars (in Australia). I say 'if' because I wish, in hindsight I had travelled with a durable poncho instead of my raincoat.... such a poncho would be longer, could cover my pack/packs as well, and would keep me drier if I had to sit in the rain (like when I had to sit unprotected on a little boat on a lake in Argentina). You can get ponchos of reasonable quality. Check the length before you go, as a petite person like myself probably would need to get one shortened.
A good poncho could also be used to sit on or as a make shift fly (tent). Disposable Ponchos aren't good for anything other than an emergency.
If you are a city traveller an umbrella might be suitable, but they aren't good for hiking, so an umbrella is not on my packing list.
If you are going to take a rain coat, then get a good one. It should be some breathable waterproof material, and will probably cost you a couple of hundred dollars (in Australia). I say 'if' because I wish, in hindsight I had travelled with a durable poncho instead of my raincoat.... such a poncho would be longer, could cover my pack/packs as well, and would keep me drier if I had to sit in the rain (like when I had to sit unprotected on a little boat on a lake in Argentina). You can get ponchos of reasonable quality. Check the length before you go, as a petite person like myself probably would need to get one shortened.
A good poncho could also be used to sit on or as a make shift fly (tent). Disposable Ponchos aren't good for anything other than an emergency.
If you are a city traveller an umbrella might be suitable, but they aren't good for hiking, so an umbrella is not on my packing list.
On socks
Really, there is no point buying an expensive pair of hiking boots, if you are going to put regular cheap socks under them. Good socks will keep your feet drier, and this will help stop you from getting blisters. They will also help keep your feet at a better temperature.
On shoes
Now that I have discovered my Croc sandals I could successfully travel with just 2 pairs of shoes.... My hiking boots and my Croc sandals.
Good hiking boots are a must if you intend to go hiking and they will help you carry your pack without damaging your body as much as you will by carry a pack whilst wearing thongs (this being Australian English for Flip-flops, not skimpy underwear!). I recommend waterproof breathable ones, but try for something not too heavy as then you will feel better about wearing them for everyday use.
I love hiking sandals too, but since dislocating my toe I recommend you look seriously at the ones with covered toes.
My Crocs! (pictured) I can wear these in the shower to protect my feet from foot fungus in travellers showers, then wipe them dry and wear them sightseeing or to a bar (yep, I think they look good enough). And if I want to dance in them (serious salsa I mean) I put some silver shiny tape on the bottom of them (to give me less traction and more spin), and tie them on with cute ribbon across the top.
Now that I have discovered my Croc sandals I could successfully travel with just 2 pairs of shoes.... My hiking boots and my Croc sandals.
Good hiking boots are a must if you intend to go hiking and they will help you carry your pack without damaging your body as much as you will by carry a pack whilst wearing thongs (this being Australian English for Flip-flops, not skimpy underwear!). I recommend waterproof breathable ones, but try for something not too heavy as then you will feel better about wearing them for everyday use.
I love hiking sandals too, but since dislocating my toe I recommend you look seriously at the ones with covered toes.
My Crocs! (pictured) I can wear these in the shower to protect my feet from foot fungus in travellers showers, then wipe them dry and wear them sightseeing or to a bar (yep, I think they look good enough). And if I want to dance in them (serious salsa I mean) I put some silver shiny tape on the bottom of them (to give me less traction and more spin), and tie them on with cute ribbon across the top.
On taking a sleep sheet and/or sleeping bag
Lots of people ask whether they should take a sleeping bag, and that depends on the type of trip you'll be doing. But, in a year of backpacking (10.5 months South America, 1.5 months USA), I only actually needed it on one 2 night tour, and I could have hired one on that occasion, so it is the one item that I carried for the whole year but should have left at home.
On the other hand, I do recommend that, if you are travelling in cheap hotels/hostels/homestays, you take a sleep sheet. Sleep sheets are special sack style sheets, they are generally available in cotton or silk. Silk takes up less space but is hotter, cotton takes up more space but is cooler. I found years ago that the single silk sleep sheet is too cramped for me (and I am petite), so this time I travelled with a double silk sleep sheet, and found it worked well for me. I have also met people who had bought a length of interesting fabric somewhere and were using it as a sheet. Later it would be sewn into something and larger people were able to use theirs as a wrap/sarong.
On Toiletries
Oh, there is so much more to write! I'll cover this one later, and more...
Tuesday 8 February 2011
Backpackers Pack list
Lots of people ask me for handy hints on what to take or not to take on a large trip. I travel fairly lightly (it could be lighter), I have travelled a lot, and I have worked in a travel goods shop selling all those expensive travel items (see below) that may or may not be worth buying... so I might be a good person to ask.
As a general rule, you can travel with 2 sets of clothes, one for today while the other is being washed. I admit I travel with about 3.5 sets. If you get efficient with your laundering* and you'll get one set washed and dried each time you settle in for the night.
For a woman, I would say that a set of clothes, to keep you versatile in a variety of climates, is:- a tank top, a T-shirt, a long sleeved shirt, bra, shorts, and long trousers. You will need twice as many (4 sets) of socks, and panties. Real panties (Briefs), obviously, will take up more space than G-Strings (thongs), but they'll also keep your trousers fresher longer. Also in clothing you will need a sweater and jacket, and a hat.
Men could probably pack a similar bunch of stuff, but without any bras!
On expensive travel goods stuff
Expensive travel items usually take up less space and will wash and dry really well overnight. The synthetic fabric of them also usually gets smelly faster. If I'm not doing anything too strenuous then I can usually wear a cotton shirt for 2 days before laundering it. But a synthetic travel shirt will only last me a day.
So, for me, I would actually take a mix of speciality travel clothes and normal clothes.... for hiking I like an old** worn long sleeved cotton work-shirt, but I like to team it with some speciality travel trousers. Not all travel clothing is the same. If you buy cheap you might find yourself hotter when the weather is hot and colder when the weather is cold. You might also find yourself smellier! I love the superfine merino wool products, but the ones made in China aren't as good. Find Australian or New Zealand made brands and I think you will smell less and be more comfortable. Be warned! Check the label! Although a brand was once manufactured in NZ, it might now be manufactured in China, and the quality hasn't remained the same. In travel trousers I will give a special mention to New Zealand brand Earth Sea Sky, their travel trousers are fantastic, and I admit I haven't tried much else of theirs.
I haven't finished writing about what to take, so I will continue with another post soon. If you have any questions, please use my comments field to ask them.
Efficient Laundering
*Efficient laundering means washing your clothes as best you can, wringing them out really, really well, and then wrapping them in your towel and wringing them inside your towel before hanging them out to dry
**The old ones seem to dry faster and be more comfy.
As a general rule, you can travel with 2 sets of clothes, one for today while the other is being washed. I admit I travel with about 3.5 sets. If you get efficient with your laundering* and you'll get one set washed and dried each time you settle in for the night.
For a woman, I would say that a set of clothes, to keep you versatile in a variety of climates, is:- a tank top, a T-shirt, a long sleeved shirt, bra, shorts, and long trousers. You will need twice as many (4 sets) of socks, and panties. Real panties (Briefs), obviously, will take up more space than G-Strings (thongs), but they'll also keep your trousers fresher longer. Also in clothing you will need a sweater and jacket, and a hat.
Men could probably pack a similar bunch of stuff, but without any bras!
On expensive travel goods stuff
Expensive travel items usually take up less space and will wash and dry really well overnight. The synthetic fabric of them also usually gets smelly faster. If I'm not doing anything too strenuous then I can usually wear a cotton shirt for 2 days before laundering it. But a synthetic travel shirt will only last me a day.
So, for me, I would actually take a mix of speciality travel clothes and normal clothes.... for hiking I like an old** worn long sleeved cotton work-shirt, but I like to team it with some speciality travel trousers. Not all travel clothing is the same. If you buy cheap you might find yourself hotter when the weather is hot and colder when the weather is cold. You might also find yourself smellier! I love the superfine merino wool products, but the ones made in China aren't as good. Find Australian or New Zealand made brands and I think you will smell less and be more comfortable. Be warned! Check the label! Although a brand was once manufactured in NZ, it might now be manufactured in China, and the quality hasn't remained the same. In travel trousers I will give a special mention to New Zealand brand Earth Sea Sky, their travel trousers are fantastic, and I admit I haven't tried much else of theirs.
I haven't finished writing about what to take, so I will continue with another post soon. If you have any questions, please use my comments field to ask them.
Efficient Laundering
*Efficient laundering means washing your clothes as best you can, wringing them out really, really well, and then wrapping them in your towel and wringing them inside your towel before hanging them out to dry
**The old ones seem to dry faster and be more comfy.
Friday 4 February 2011
Another disaster hits Queensland
This hit of cyclone Yasi in North Queensland is shocking! We haven't had time to recover from the flooding yet, and now this has hit us. The state's resources are really being stretched.
I am actually still in Queensland, in Brisbane. I came down a few weeks ago to push the mud out of a commercial shed that my mother owns (it is due to be tenanted as soon as it is operational), but have ended up staying to continue with the work that needs to be done.
Being that tradespeople are in short supply at the moment and that I have the experience of having painted a few houses, I am now painting the office part of these sheds. It's a rather big job, but I am pleased with the progress.
What I will do after this I still don't know, but I think I will stay around for a while. I'll tell you all why one day soon.
I am actually still in Queensland, in Brisbane. I came down a few weeks ago to push the mud out of a commercial shed that my mother owns (it is due to be tenanted as soon as it is operational), but have ended up staying to continue with the work that needs to be done.
Being that tradespeople are in short supply at the moment and that I have the experience of having painted a few houses, I am now painting the office part of these sheds. It's a rather big job, but I am pleased with the progress.
What I will do after this I still don't know, but I think I will stay around for a while. I'll tell you all why one day soon.
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