Most common questions new backpackers seem to ask for the best way to travel. Reef Lodge Backpackers Townsville

 The 6 most common things you probably need to know before you go backpacking!

On their first trip out many backpackers have common questions and seem to revolve around the same basic topics. You will have many more questions and the answers are probably staring you in the face or you will find on your travels through self-discovery or the next person you’re chatting to on your travels.

I am certainly not going to bore you with great detail but this should give an idea of what to do.

1. Traveling Solo what’s it like and is it better than traveling with others.

While traveling with someone certainly gives you someone to bounce ideas off and work the next big idea, when traveling by yourself the idea of going into the unknown without any one to fall back on and take on new adventures can seem daunting. Travel with others feels safer and more inviting. Solo travel has its fair share of inner hurdles but can be a great way to meet more people and even do exactly what you want to without anyone to blame but yourself. If you feel anxious about solo travel, do a couple of short trips and then meet up with friend, this will give you a chance to get into the zone.

On the other hand traveling with friends does have its advantages as you get to share an experience and if things don’t go to plan you have others around for support.

My advice! Try both!

“Not all those who wander are lost.”  J.R.R. Tolkien

2. How Can I Save and budget money so you can stay Longer?

As a backpacker you should be familiar with backpacking hostels and these are great places to save money. They are generally reasonably cheap and often prices depend on the amount of people you want to share with (Do I take the 10 bed dorm or the luxury of a 2 bed dorm) and the place you’re in. “NEW YEARS EVE” Kings cross Sydney or in Townsville. Sydney you will be spending $100+ for that bed and in Townsville probably about $24.

So think about where you want to be and the amount of time you expect to be at this location so you don’t blow you budget. At the same time remember you just traveled on a plane for 2 days to get here on the other side of the world so when an opportunity come you may want to take it ion. But it always come back to your budget.  Sydney for 2 days @ $100 then Townsville for a day $23 and camping on magnetic Island for $8.

Other things can be as simple as “do I go to the shop to buy food and cook, or do I just go to a café or restaurant.” Sometime it is simply cheaper to eat out. The $8 or $10 pub meal special compared to the $15 you just spent on groceries at the supermarket to then go and cook and then wonder why you just made so much. The other factor you should look at is the amount of time you are going to be in the area. 1 day or a week. Again one good shopping spree will get you through the week for food. But be careful on the amount you buy and don’t go food shopping when you are hungry. (Proven fact) Shop when the store opens or when it is about to close as they will be discounting to get rid of their sale and old stock.

At the Reef Lodge Backpackers we have so much food wasted in our kitchen which proves this fact. Today I eat $25 STEAK, tomorrow I have a packet of 2 minute noodles and a carrot for $2. Average price for the 2 days is $13-50.

There are other factors I see these days, as time has passed I see more and more people using cards to pay for everything. Just remember that every time you are doing that you will get charged from the bank. Also, more often than not the businesses you are dealing with will charge you an amount. Make a budget for your day and pay cash. If nothing more you will save a couple of dollars a day and on a 6 to 12 month holiday that will add up to quite a few beds, side trips you could have had, romantic dinner with that special friend you found during your travels.

Don’t get drunk every night. You can do that back home where it’s cheaper and it’s not costing you for a late check-out the next morning. Sure have a few drinks, enjoy yourself, but remember that $20 you took out for a couple of ales has just turned out to be your next three days budget. So many times I have heard how a backpacker who has tried to haggle me for a $1 or $2 discount then goes out and pisses $100 to $200 away on a boozy night out with no memory of the nights beginning, 2 day hang over and the following wise words of knowledge. “Can’t remember a thing so it must have been a good night out!!”  Whaahhhh

This is the same guy that bitched about having to pay $23 for the cheapest room I had, asking for a discount. He didn't get a discount ;-)

Look at budget flights. Look at where you are going and look for the cheapest options to get there. It may be cheaper to look at indirect flight as a cheaper option than a direct flight. Also it may give opportunity to see a place or country you didn’t think about. These often become a pleasant surprise because of the lack of expectation. Weigh up the extra cost of the accommodation over the more expensive flight. This idea can work both ways.

Also, what is better, stop overnight in Townsville or stay for 3 days. Personally I hate to travel to a place for 1 day. It will takes you from ½ a day to a couple of days to get pretty much anywhere in the world. Remember the time it takes you to pack up today and get to the the next place you are staying is dead time.

For example: Often I see people pack up here to go to the Magnetic Island stay one night and come back the next morning. “WHAT DID YOU SEE?” You left here at 10am took the ferry to the island at 10-20 am 25minute ferry ride wait for the bus 15minutes another 15 minutes to get the hostel you’re staying at, check in, find your room, unpack and another 45minutes and its about 2 hours later. Then you will do the same thing on the way back. Wasted 4 hours! Check out time is 10am and what to do with your bags. A better choice may simply to stay at the Reef Lodge Backpackers in Townsville and go over to Magnetic island for the day. Leave at say 7am with no bags, jump on the bus and cruise around the island all day, check out the sights, go koala spotting at “The Forts Walk”, go for a snorkel in Horseshoe bay, bush walk around the island, sun-bake and catch the ferry back at 10pm, after a dinner at one of the little restaurants and cafés on the island.

Quote” Don’t miss a chance of life time because you’re tighter than a fishes ass with your money. Cause let’s face it all fish’s assholes are water tight”  :oDeanN-H

3. Where and what should you see or visit.

One thing I find is that an awful lot of people plan a holiday down to the time they will have dinner and the time they need to be in bed to catch the bus the next morning. When you limit yourself to this point you may very well miss out on life’s little pleasures that just spring up. When we went to Vietnam we simply planed our trip and the first 2 night accommodation and filled in the time till we left the country. One day we hired 3 pushbike and a guide for about $60 and half a day we road pushbike around the farming communities of Ho Chi Min city, saw matches being made for the Australian market in the back yard of a farmer. Manufacturing of “Sickles for export and domestic sale on a back yard forge. Rice being sown, fields being ploughed by an Ox and rice being harvested, rice being planted. As well as cooking pots being made on a peddle powered potter’s wheel making 1meter pots. Drank tea in some funny little café for the locals and met some of the locals and got to pat the Ox.

Thing is if you lock everything in you may not be able to change your plans due to losing your money. It’s not always about the destination you think you want but the memory’s you make  on the way from point A to B. Not to mention the couple of side trips you take on your way.

Quote “The most important reason for going from one place to another is to see what's in between.”  Norton Juster.

5. Travel Insurance? Insure or not to insure?

In all honestly insurance is an evil fact of travel but at the end of the day it’s up to you. I do not travel outside Australia without it. I have seen too many people have accidents and end up at the doctors only to have to pay very high doctor bills and on occasion end up in hospital. Medical bills overseas is always expensive and can ruin your holiday. Sadly, we have had backpackers end up in hospital after falling while at the water falls breaking arms and legs and staying in Townsville for 3 weeks waiting for the all clear to move on. This is a tremendous cost of hospital and doctor bills. On another occasion we have had the tragic death of a girl killed in a car accident and the families have had to organize for transport of the body back home, again at great expense. The other two were in hospital for nearly a month and a half.

On a lighter note we have had people lose ALL their stuff. (Not from the Reef Lodge but in transit) Money, I.D. Cash, Travelers cheques, Passports, Camera, Phone, laptop all the expensive stuff. Not to mention cloths and backpack.

So the answer to this is simple question just ask yourself the question how will you cope in this situation and would the few hundred dollars it cost you make you feel more at ease while traveling.

Quote “I called an insurance company to get a quote. They gave me one of Oscar Wilde’s best.” Jarod Kintz

5. Language Barriers? How am I going to communicate?

These days it’s not such a big deal, with mobile apps and translator’s language has become much less an obstacle. Although English is still considered and fairly well placed to be called the most universal language in the world. So if you are reading this without the use of a translator you have little to worry about. On that note it doesn’t take much to learn a few phrases and term to help you get by. "Please" and "thank you" will nearly always get you out of trouble as well a big smile will always help. Use the universal language of a smile and most people will try and help you. Language will be a big problem the more you go off the beaten track. Most Airport,s hotels, restaurants and tourist spots usually will speak some English and you will get by. Just remember the smile and you should be fine.

Quote “Universally a brief smile and a nod will get you out of most problem situations, just remember to stop smiling, move on and not look like you’ve escaped a mental asylum.” ;oDeanN-H

6. What sort of backpack should I get?

Or should you get a suitcase. In all my travels I look at taking the absolute least amount of stuff that I can. This would include a small carry on case or small backpack and a small knapsack. I can assure you when your packing for the first time you will get by and deal with having probably 1/3 of what you think you need. The more you take the more you have to carry. Also the gear you are wearing at home when you leave Heathrow airport London, mid-September is going to be unused till you get home if you’re traveling to Australia.

As for type of packs, there are packs made for men and woman and the amount you would like to spend will probably dictate to time it will last before you need a new one. Comfort and fit are big factors. Packs that hug the hips will generally cause you less back problems as the pack weight will be on your hips not your upper back and shoulders. @25 kg it doesn’t feel too bad for quick walk around the living room. Try a hike for a couple of kilometers / mile and see how it feels. Quality is a factor, so look for brands with good ratings (check reviews on line) and don’t go for the cheap no name brand out of china.

Also as a foot note. When you start your travels find something that sticks out like the balls on Marley bull. I travel with a large / long bright red Christmas ribbon and tie it around the top of my backpack and I can see it as soon as it come out on the carousel.

Quote “Did you ever notice that the first piece of luggage on the carousel never belongs to anyone?” Erma Bombeck