Well... I'm gonna emphasize about how to start your own "Backpacking" trip...
“If you dont know where you are going, any road will lead you there” – unknown
As a proud Malaysian, we actually have one of the best places to see and visit in the world. Do you know that Malaysia is the 4th country that traveler come to visit each year... well, thats what i heard on the news few month ago as I was passing by through some good old Mamak stall in Kuala Lumpur...
Most of Malaysian they didn't even relies how cheap to travel on backpack.. Take this on my Borneo trip for example:
- Stayed in B&B (bed and breakfast) in Kuching for Rm 12.00 a night including breakfast
- Stayed in Kota Kinabalu for Rm38.00 per night including breakfast
- Stayed in Sepilok for Rm28.00 per night
"Its not expensive ayy... but in order to do that, you'll need some knowledge, thats what im here to give you a few tips"
For the start I want to share some of the information how to get you started with good old fashion "by experiences"
Planning Your Travel
It has been said that when vagabonding, the best way to break travel plans is to make them in the first place! This is true, because you will most likely meet people along the way or see things that make you want to change your itinerary entirely.
Try not to make the mistake of setting a time line and instead focus on a loose plan to help you get the most out of your trip. It is worth researching things like festivals, wet seasons, etc so that you will have some idea of what to expect and where.
Where to start planning??
The only 2 things that you have to know for sure to begin your trip is what country you want to start with and when you want to go. Everything else for planning travel is a bonus.
When you are choosing your destinations, keep these things in mind:
- Seasonal Weather – Many tropical areas can have months of continuous rain. It will be hard to get a tan or enjoy any diving if you visit during the wet seasons, although accommodation prices will be rock bottom and there will be few tourists. Most people plan their travel around the wet seasons.
- Budget considerations – You will get way more bang for your buck in developing regions like Southeast Asia or South America as opposed to Australia, North America, or Europe
- Time of year – Other than weather considerations, you may want to plan your travel around things like huge festivals and crowded tourists seasons.
- Language – Don’t let the local language, no matter how difficult, be a deterrent to visiting somewhere. English, of varying quality, is spoken almost everywhere that there are tourists. Do not worry about studying too much before the trip, you will learn it exponentially faster once you arrive.
Guide books....
"well.. personally, ive been using the Lonely Planet guide book where i bought in MPH One Utama Shopping Complex"
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Once you have an idea of where you want to start your journey, go buy only the guidebook for your first destination. Books are too heavy and expensive to carry more than one destination’s worth. Besides, you can trade with other travelers that have just come from your next country or buy them locally.
- Lonely Planet is the most popular guidebook for budget travelers – love it or hate it.
- If you buy one of the gigantic consolidated versions like “Southeast Asia on a Shoestring”, feel free to tear out countries that you do not plan to visit. This will conserve precious space and weight in your backpack. Save the pages and staple them together for later just in case!
- Do not get guide Book-itus when planning a travel. It is a useful guide, but do not make it your new Bible. Believe it or not, but there are places to eat, stay, and visit that are NOT covered in the guide books. In fact, you can almost count on the top several places listed for accommodations to be full during the busy seasons.
- Watch out for the “Lonely Planet effect“. The LP effect can also be applied to other popular guidebooks. It is a theory that suggests too many backpackers are using the guidebook, so all the places listed with excellent reviews near the top of each section become saturated with traffic.
Traveling with someone or alone...
" i personally prefer to travel alone, if you are scared about getting lost or harm.. find a partner and it will be like THE AMAZING RACE" lolz....
- You will need to decide from the start if you are going to travel alone or with a friend. Needless to say, this will radically change the overall experience of your trip. Many first time backpackers, especially women, feel more comfortable if they have a familiar face from home tagging along. Read about traveling alone.
Here are a handful of things to think about for planning a travel:
- Local customs – learn how not to offend someone accidentally. Offenses differ between Buddhists, Muslims, etc
- Consider booking your very first night at your first destination. You will probably be exhausted after the flight and it provides a good peace of mind knowing that the first night is taken care of. Only book 1 night, then shop around in the morning for something better/cheaper.
BE A WANDERER!
If you have less time abroad, then plan more, otherwise try to resist the urge to over plan. When travel planning, it is always best just to stay flexible, keep your eyes and mind open for new experiences and opportunities, and let the road take you where it takes you.
sources:
www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia
"more how to "travel it your way" with the funny traveler soon... Watch out!"
Funny guy...
Black Bear
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