As promised in my post about homesickness and long-term travel, I wanted to publish a follow-up about the more practical side of my time on the road. I started out having no idea if I had packed the right things in my bag, worried about losing my passport (I tend to be slightly scatterbrained on the best of days) and curious if I’d last the full year around the world. 4 years later, I’m still moving – though I’m doing so quite a bit differently than when I first started out. I’m travelling much more slowly, opting to spend more time learning and eating. Where possible, I rent an apartment for a few months to really get a feel for the place and to get work done. Over the years, I’ve found myself disagreeing with my initial packing strategy and also learning a bunch of tips that I keep using as I go. I wanted to share those tips for world travel here.
For those who are just starting out or reading from home or mulling over what they too have picked up along the way, some practical tips from years of travelling around the world.
My world travel tips: I made mistakes so you don’t have to!
I revisit this post every year to see if I ought to modify but even in 2016, many months after the original was written, I agree with everything I’ve posted here. The biggest lesson is to remember that travel doesn’t fix your problems, but it does expose you to new solutions, to interesting challenges, and to so much more.
1. Being a solo traveler does not mean that you are lonely.
One of the most frequent questions I receive is “are you lonely travelling alone?” This is a natural assumption; before they visited, even my parents envisioned my sitting alone and singing myself to sleep. But when they met me in Bangkok, they quickly realized there was a vibrant community of journalists and writers and photographers and almost instantly, I had a group of friends. The nature of travel is that it intensifies human experiences, transcending social rules that would apply at home. So when I meet a great group of people we end up spending days talking, sharing meals and exploring – despite the fact that if this was New York and I said “hey, let’s share lunch, dinner and drinks for the next seven days straight“ I’d be deemed a stalker. Those rules don’t apply. Most people are open to meeting others and learning from them as they travel. With the exception of #12, below, I don’t ever feel lonely.
2. Be a travel parasite.
No, this does not mean mooching off friends or family. What it means is learning how to use guidebooks to your advantage. While they are useful to have for the history of a place or the basics in itinerary planning, I rarely look to guidebooks for the name of a hostel or restaurant. Instead, I look at their recommendations as things to piggyback on. Lonely Planet recommends a place as “Our Pick”? Great, I go there, and walk two doors down to stay nearby. Rough Guides says “this is the best restaurant in town”? Perfect! Almost every one of those recommendations will spawn another restaurant within walking distance, especially in less developed countries. Industrious entrepreneurs quickly learn that when these books recommend a place, they quickly get overcrowded and prices go up. The solution: they open a place right next door or nearby to handle the spillover. Without fail, those are the places that are cheaper, more delicious and not jaded. Being a parasite isn’t always a bad thing. (Having parasites? Not so much.)
3. There are things you should not leave home without.
Regardless of what climate I pack for, I’ve always got these five things in my bag: safety whistle, doorstop, headlamp, sleep sheet and sarong. I’ve got many other mainstays as well, but these four are there, for shorter trips or longer trips or anything in between.
Additional notes (Apr 6):
- Someone submitted this to MeFi (I’m a longtime reader, so that was exciting to see – *waves back*) with the question “I guess I must be inexperienced at travel but I don’t think I’ve ever found myself wishing I had a doorstop. Can someone tell me what this is about?”. The answer is that I’ve found it a comfort to have if I’m in a hostel room alone because it means you’ll usually hear the door fidgeting if someone is trying to open it while you are asleep. It’s not a failsafe prevention, of course, but it has come in handy and it gives me extra peace of mind when I go to bed.
- Another note to the MeFi thread asked about items like antibacterial gel or earplugs. Yes, of course I have those with me. I wanted to list some items that were less conventional but take up very little room. And yes, I probably am an overpacker, but at 5ft with a 54L pack, that can only mean so much :)
- To those curious about why I recommend a safety whistle, it isn’t to draw attention in uncomfortable situations (I’ve yet to use it in that way), but because it has come in handy while being chased by a group of monkeys or stranded in a boat in Myanmar. I devoted a post to it because I do think it’s great to have for general safety reasons (especially if you are hiking) but I thought it would be best illustrated with some of the ridiculous times I’ve had to use it on my trip.
4. Everything else you can buy.*
I didn’t believe it at first – “what if I forget to pack something!” But I’ve learned that most things can be bought abroad, from t-shirts to bras to new flip flops when a monkey throws yours over a cliff. Toiletries are a learning experience in and of themselves (trying to find non-whitening deodorant in Thailand? Not as easy as you might think) and often teach you a lot about a country in the process. I’ve posted a few packing lists from other bloggers on my world travel resources page and they are great at outlining what you need. But if you forget something, you can usually finagle a suitable replacement on the road.
*If you have prescription meds from home, these are something you might want to plan for during your travels. Also, your passport. Please don’t forget to pack your passport.
5. Food makes the world go round.
You may not be a chef or foodie or spice-obsessed individual, but you cannot deny that in most of the world, the nexus of culture, tradition and family is food. If you don’t want to learn about the history of how spices got there or spend your days stuffing your face with everything you can like I do, take a cooking class. See if you can learn how to cook with a local family. Go to the markets and watch how people eat, how they handle their foods or when their primary mealtimes occur. These rhythms are relevant to your travels because most places are so much more than a list of sights to see; most places tie their food to their communities, to their history. You’d be doing yourself a disservice if you missed out on it.
If you want a shorter cheat sheet, check out my “How to Eat Street Food Without Getting Sick” post. [/alert]
6. Your taxi driver knows where to eat breakfast more than you do.
Swap this out for tuk-tuk driver, songthaew driver or rickshaw driver, where appropriate. When I go to a new place, I find the eldest cab driver possible and ask him where he ate breakfast. Once he gets over his shock that this is what I want to know, he tends to break into a huge grin and start talking about food. Eventually, he takes me there. And the food is almost always delicious, fresh and somewhere I’d have never found without his help. Taxi drivers: more than just getting from A to B.
Update: There has been some pushback here, noting that taxis will often take you to a place where they receive commission. I have found this to be extremely untrue, relying throughout my travels on these taxi-sourced recommendations for eats, usually delivered with a big smile. If this fails, consider taxi drivers, then, to be an excellent marker of quick and delicious food. Example: a trip to Mui Ne revealed one of the best soups I’ve had in Vietnam, populated almost exclusively by taxi drivers.
7. Stop listening to people who tell you not to pack jeans.
Do you love your jeans? Great, put them in your backpack. I don’t care whether people tell you they won’t dry fast enough (this is a non-starter in warm climates) or that they take up too much room (oh HAI Lycra, how wonderfully compact you make my jeans!) or that they’re not malleable enough. I made the mistake of not packing jeans when I left in 2008 and they were the first thing I bought in South America. I’ve had a pair with me ever since. While my quick-dry pants are terrific for hiking, I personally don’t feel fashionable in them, and when I join expats or others for dinner somewhere, I want to feel like I fit in. I also want to feel like myself, and I do wear jeans quite a lot when I am back in North America. If you’re someone who hates jeans to begin with, this isn’t for you. But if you do enjoy wearing them, bring them along. You’ll be happier for it.
8. Oranges are the perfect public transportation snack.
I started bringing a bag of oranges with me for long bus rides, primarily because they quench thirst and smell delicious. I quickly learned that many Thai and Burmese busgoers sniff the peels to stave off nausea, and that kids love oranges. Really: kids LOVE oranges. So for those who want to bring something for the bus ride but rightfully worry about giving sweets to kids, oranges are your friend. You will win over the parents, make the kids happy, occupy your hours and eventually get fed by everyone on the bus. Trust me. You should always have a bag of oranges on hand, the smaller the orange the better.
If oranges aren’t present where you are, substitute a similar peelable fruit. In China, this was longan or lychees, in the Philippines it was lanzones. You get the idea.
9. Cough drops are to cab drivers what oranges are to kids on buses.
I stock up on cough drops before I need to get a cab because cabbies love cough drops. I have no scientific backing for my theory, but I can attest to the fact that in every cab I’ve taken, the driver is thrilled to take one from me. After the initial grumpiness, a cough drop is offered, a smile follows and suddenly we’re singing Journey at the top of our voices and playing air guitar. My cough drop offerings have resulted not just in impromptu karaoke but also a detour tour of the Corniche (Casablanca, where cabs are fixed fair), food (Thailand, of course, where everyone wants to feed you) and attending a wedding (Myanmar and Bali). Even when you don’t receive anything as grandiose as a wedding invite, it lightens the mood considerably and often surprises the cab driver; you’ll be guaranteed interesting conversation if the cabbie speaks English, a great icebreaker to learn the story of his life. Cough drops: making your taxi experiences better, one cabbie at a time.
10. Opening your eyes and mind to connecting with others matters more than getting “off the beaten path.”
I devoted a whole post to this but I want to reiterate it here because I think it’s one of the most important lessons I learned. Remaining open to meeting new people and learning from them goes farther than you think. You can get off the beaten path and have little visceral connection to the land or the people because you’ve insulated yourself in your thoughts to fixating on being different. Conversely, you can remain in one of the busiest places in town and still forge relationships with others and walk away with incredible stories and experiences. This is not a black and white issue: for those who do keep their minds open, getting off the beaten path is usually meaningful and wonderful because they’re piling on additional experiences to an already-open spirit. However the bottom line remains: it isn’t enough to go somewhere secret or dangerous or exciting. It’s important also to look beyond that and focus on the beauty of what you can learn from others as you go.
11. People are more alike than you think.
My preferred way of connecting to people is via food but regardless of your passions or interests, travelling will also open your eyes to the fact that we are all more alike than we think. Yes, there are cultural differences and traditions that differ – vastly – but the basics of human emotions and the kindness in a smile are omnipresent, and a beautiful reminder of our shared humanity. Be it the Laotian woman on my bus to Vientiane who only wanted to talk about how men in Thailand thought they were better than men in Laos, to the soldiers in the Philippines who wanted to know how we in Canada survived without growing our own rice, to the family in Bolivia who asked why tourists didn’t swaddle their babies on their back, Bolivian-style. Threads of common human queries – love, food, parenting, and many more – resurface again and again. Ask questions, encourage people to ask them of you. In the end, these knots of human connection are what makes the world go round.
12. The times when you are sick are the loneliest.
While I said above that I’m almost never lonely, the times when I am sick are the times when I would do anything to click my heels and be at my parents’ place, in bed. I might be 32 but when I’m somewhere foreign and in a cloud of lethargy and illness, I still want my step-father’s famous chicken soup. It’s tough to be hurt and far away from everything that is familiar. But it has made me more able to handle things that go wrong, and technology has enabled me to stay in contact with people (and/or get the “HOLY CRAP help what is this on my arm?” diagnoses from my stepsister, who is a doctor) even when I’m down.
13. Technology helps you meet people and connect others as you go, and keeps parents happy.
When I was in the Kuwait Airport, I tweeted that I had the hiccups during my 7-hour layover, resulting in some strange looks from other passengers. I had seen one, perhaps two, tourists in the prior hours and I thus stood out already. A few minutes after the tweet, a guy from Oregon came up and said “Hi, are you legalnomads?” He had searched Twitter for the airport code to see whether other travellers were tweeting nearby, saw me hiccuping compulsively in the corner and came over to introduce himself. I spent the remaining hours of my layover drinking coffee with his family and talking about social media. (In later years, this same guy popped up once again)
Technology makes it easy to meet people ahead of time, get suggestions and generally forge a dialogue before crossing paths. I’ve gotten restaurant tips, weather warnings and more via Twitter, and made some great friends in the process. When I first arrived to Bangkok in 2010 after my time in Myanmar, there were tweetups galore on the heels of TEDxBKK. In just a few days, I had a wonderful group of newfound friends who could tell me where to eat and what they loved about the city. Of course, in the absence of technology, the tried and true “talking to someone else in your hostel at breakfast” works just as fine as it always did.
Technology also helps keep my family updated. I use a Google Voice number, Skype and email to keep them all in the loop. I’ll send photos of the smaller things, the tidbits of quotidian life they’re missing out on. “This soup was amazing!” or “here’s my new room!” They are mostly appreciative but sometimes less so – the time I sent a photo of the squat toilet in Mongolia was the first time my mother emailed to say “we want you to share, but please not the toilets.” SPOILSPORT.
14. The anxiety and nervousness of newness never goes away.
I want to stress this point because understandably people think that when you do something enough it becomes second nature, an instinctive machination. This might be true for general skills but for travel, I’ve found the rule does not apply. When I go somewhere new, I still get anxious. Before I left for Morocco, I was worried about whether I would enjoy it, and whether I’d find it daunting. Having gotten very used to Asia, North Africa was as foreign to me as it would be to anyone else. It’s a fallacy that longer term travellers breeze through the world, comfortable anywhere. Part of what makes something like travel special is that it does push your comfort levels every time you step outside the familiar. In my case, even after 4 years, this hasn’t dissipated at all.
15. Packing does not get easier.
I wrote a piece on long term travel and the things it doesn’t fix. In it, I talked about how, 2.5 years into my travels, I still hated packing. It’s now 4 years into my travels. Guess what? I still hate packing.
16. Not planning too far ahead leaves you the flexibility to need to take the wonderful opportunities that come your way.
I get quite a few emails asking if I opted for a round-the-world ticket or whether I plan as I go. I’ve addressed this in the resources page but I want to reiterate it here because I think it’s important: don’t plan too far ahead. Over and above the undeniable fact that I thought I’d be back in North America by now (and not still travelling), so many of the places I loved beyond belief are the ones that weren’t even on my initial, vague itinerary. There’s nothing wrong with planning, or doing research, or even booking longer-haul flights if you have a set schedule to follow. But leave as much as you can to as-you-go travel. You’ll meet people who wax poetic about a specific destination and want to go there; you’ll decide you need – NEED! – to go to the Philippines with your brother because you’ve become fascinated by a small primate that you need to see in person; you will find yourself and your mind expanded by the sheer impossibility of everything being available to you, if only you could choose where to go first.
It is a scary thing, to leave it open to the whims of your brain as you travel, but a worthwhile one.
17. Portable chopsticks are your friend.
A slim, metal-tipped pair with carrying case is all you need. These are great for camping, for eating on the go and for the times that you’re at a street stall and while the food is fresh and turnover great, the cutlery less so. A great fix is to carry your own portable utensils, clean and tiny enough to fit in your bag.
18. Never skimp on your underwear. You do not want them falling apart as you travel.
This is one of the more practical on this list, but really, people please – do not be skimping on the underwear. Let alone the trials of finding underwear that fits when sizing might differ from home (and/or materials might be less … comfortable), this is a basic you don’t want to regret – you’ll be wearing them every day, and they’d better be enjoyable. It’s worth spending a little more so that they don’t fall apart in a laundry machine 3 months down the road.
19. Cockroaches are, in fact, as universal as you feared.
I don’t mind them very much – as I said in my WDS speech, my friend Shannon was on spider-killing duty, whereas I had the cockroaches all to my own. But they’re not endearing either, and they are everywhere. You get used to the scuttling, scurrying, clickety sounds of cockroaches roaming around because you have no real choice. The good news is that they rarely, if ever, bite.*
*Ok, sometimes in the Philippines they bite but you can just pretend I didn’t say anything…
20. It doesn’t feel like work when you are doing what you love.
There is so much talk about finding your passion and doing what you love in life. It’s a tough discussion to have, in part because for many parents and grandparents, it seems an incredibly narcissistic thing to do. For prior generations, doing what made you ‘happy’ wasn’t as mainstream of an option because you were too busy doing what you had to do in life, and supporting families or communities. Those obligations still exist, but within the framework of how we live now, the ability to shift toward happiness has become a more accepted path. I’ve been fortunate enough to have quit my job to travel thinking I’d be returning to the practice of law, only to find that I loved the travel more than I thought possible. And so I’ve tried to build a business and a brand around doing what I love. My worst case scenario? Going back to being a lawyer. As ‘worst cases’ go, it’s not the end of the world.
Despite spending more time at a computer than I anticipated, it doesn’t feel like work the way that lawyering felt like work. It’s great to build something where the foundation remains what you love to do.
21. Reverse culture shock doesn’t hit you less, you just get used to the feeling.
In my post about homesickness and long-term travel, I noted that the first time I went back to North America during this round-the-world-trip, I really felt the weight of the changes in me and the correlative dissociation with the place I used to call home. On later visits, I was able to see the reverse culture shock from a more objective place, knowing I would feel this way but being able to digest it more easily. However the underlying feeling – the shock to your system – doesn’t go away. It’s been comforting for me to know that other travellers feel this way too.
* * *
I know April 1 is April Fool’s Day for man, but for me the day has become a time for me to reflect on my travels. Though my family initially thought it might be a joke when I said I was leaving 1 April, they quickly realized I was actually just doing what I said I would do all along: see as much of the world as I could by living it. While my initial inspiration was a PBS documentary on the Trans-Siberian trains, what followed was a mixture of learning, fascinating connections with far-flung places (and the people in them) and of course, food.
So many years of travel! I feel grateful, and I am excited to see what comes next. For other annual roundups, see here.
Hard to believe.
-Jodi
Coughdrops? Interesting tip! I’m going to test it out one day and try to develop a theory! I agree – an open mind is key. Connecting with humanity is one of the reasons I love to travel
The cough drops is a great suggestion. I learned while living in Chile that cough drops are not just for coughs. They’re an every day kinda candy treat, with a bit of a kick. At first I thought it a bit strange, but soon joined the local crowd. It’s just like offering someone a piece of gum.
Recently back in the US after almost 15 years living abroad, I find that every once in a while I have the hankering for a menthol coughdrop.
On my list of vices, it’s one of the tamer varieties.
Fabulous list of suggestions!!
I tend to use them also as a reminder of travels past and as a comforting pick-me-up in the middle of the day. Glad tis not just me!
agreed! in Ecuador, too! there would always be a bowl of cough drops at the register (like mints in the US) to grab on your way out of the restaurant.
I found the ONLY coughdrop that works is Ricola (from Switzerland).
Truth. Those are the ones I use :)
Love love love this and specially nr 14. That is one thing i love about traveling.
I just wanted to say that this is turning into my favorite travel blog. This is the best “Travel Tips” article I’ve ever read. Why? Because it’s real! So many of these types of articles are all the same stuff just regurgitated to suit the author’s experiences.
I mean, cough drops for cabbies? Who knew!? And you’ve also convinced me to bring my jeans, since I pretty much live in jeans and a t-shirt. I’m starting my own travels in Australia in October and will hopefully have my website up and rolling in a couple months and you have been a great inspiration. Thanks Jodi!
Thank you Tim! Glad you feel that way. My aim was to post some of the tips that were quirky, or that I learned via mishaps or making mistakes. Best way to learn, of course! Hope you enjoy travels as well, and feel free to ask any questions. There are a few packing lists in the resources section too, if you’re looking for suggestions.
Great article, thanks! (I hadn’t heard of the MeFi website before so had a little nosey. I couldn’t believe the snarking that goes on there, especially by people that have no interest in travel, or have no idea or understanding about what you do.)
Thanks Lisa. I’ve read MeFi for years. It was nice to see some of the users who had read the site jump in and defend the content, but as my friend JD says, it’s often that the comments say more about the commenter than the content itself. Either way, some did click through and hopefully they enjoyed what they read. Appreciate the comment!
Cockroaches! I remember moving to Amsterdam and staying at a friends the 1st night,the roaches were so aggressive, even crawling on my blanket. It was a better idea at the time to go sleep in the street.
These are great tips. Always keep your eyes open and be flexible! :)
It’s true! The more open air the place, the less those bugs will bother. But then, of course, you’re exposed to everything else. :) Glad you enjoyed and safe travels to you.
Hey, I loved your tips …. More so as what u do is what most people can only think of ! Best of luck for future travels and being an inspiration to many others , do let me know if u need some help in India !! Manan
Thank you Manan!
Hi Jodi,
Tips are indeed helpful.
When are you planning your trip to India? Whenever you do, I would be more than happy to give some local tips :)
Bon voyage!
Avani
Hi Avani, no plans at present but it’s definitely high up on my list. Would like to spend a few months there, so I’m waiting until I can do so. Safe travels to you too!
Wow, what a great introduction to your blog. I’ve often wanted to travel, but had just pretty much accepted that it’s not realistic for a single woman to travel alone.. you’ve got my mind racing… I hope to check back in soon with a success story from Thailand. Thanks for your hard work!
Thank you Johanna! Feel free to email me if you have more questions. Safe travels and enjoy Thailand! Be sure to try pad pongali when you’re there ;)
Great information. I actually learned some new things for my travels…definitely adding a door stop to my list.
Yes, a doorstop sounds really convenient. On two occasions I needed to maneuver a chair back under a door handle. Three: a posh hotel in Germany or Switzerland where they sold handmade cuckoo clocks, but could not repair a doorknob : A railway hotel in Prince George, British Columbia, and, a mansion in Cattolica, Italy, where the steps into the place were marble, the bed was made of straw, there was only one towel for all the guests, (I snitched it for the evening, and wrapped myself in it overnight) and the door had no lock. Dates: 1. 2010 2. 1986 3. 1987 respectively. Some things never change. :)
I’m glad my advice is time-tested! Thanks for reading :)
It’s funny how people always tell you not to pack jeans if you’re going somewhere hot – but then if you don’t take them you end up needing them.
Great list Jodi. I’m an old hand at the oranges, but the “parasite” tip is a great new one for me. Thanks.
Unfortunately I can relate a lot to point 11. I got really ill in Nepal. What made it worse was that it was evening when I got ill, and there was a curfew so I could not go out and seek medical attention. Never felt such a big baby and soo lonely before! All you can do, is prepare yourself as much as you can ie. good travel insurance and make friends and connections at the places you visit etc.
I like this list. You, my dear, have some useful insights into “getting about a bit”, justified and shared with purpose. I encourage you wholeheartedly to go to India, it has been my #1 favourite destination since the 70’s.
Salut Henri – I’ve actually been trying to get to India for quite some time, and when I do I’d want to spend at least a few months there. I was actually planning on doing so for early 2012, but then work got in the way (no complaints as work took me to fun places!) but it’s very much at the top of my list. I look forward to exploring. Thank you for the comment and glad you liked the post!
I love these tips! The travel parasite one is fantastic! I love that advice. As someone who loves to plan, planning time for spontaneity is also important. Too tight of an itinerary and you will be exhausted!
As for the travel underwear thing, I’ve learned something from wearing a kilt – underwear is overrated! :)
Hah, perhaps that’s true but to each his/her own – I’ll stick to the underwears, thank you very much! Glad you liked the post and looking forward to catching up this summer in Denver!
Local food, blue jeans, oranges on buses, cab driver breakfast… Excellent stuff Jodi, and AWESOME to hear that it’s now been 4 amazing years!
All great things from travelling on the road. I always learn 5 essential words in every language – Hello, Goodbye, Please, Thank you, and Beer. And combinations of those words!
Ha, lovely. I have a post called ‘The best expression in the world’ and it’s how to say “no problem” in every language. Because – really, and truly – it’s been the best thing to learn as I’ve wandered. Calms people down, diffuses tensions, gets a laugh because oftentimes it’s unexpected.
This was great! We’ll be sure to carry cough drops and small peel-able fruit with us on our next international adventure. We can relate on almost all accounts, and completely agree that undergarments are not to be skimped on. Oh, and thank you! I am a woman who loves (and feels extremely comfortable) wearing jeans.
What a great collection of advice. I have been out a year and have never thought about some of the great advice here. Thank you for sharing!
Love the tip about asking your taxi driver for his best breakfast place. Great idea. Never even thought of that.
Although I generally follow the you can buy it when you get there philosophy, we’ve started carrying what I call our Portable Pharmacy when we started travelling with kids.
For a parent, there’s hardly a travel situation as harrowing as having your 2 year old wake up with a 105 degree fever at 2 am. And you have no Tylenol.
I’m almost embarrassed to say how much medical stuff we travel with, but it includes Tylenol, Pepto, electrolyte packs, a first aid kit, gravol, cough drops, nightime cold medicine, and on and on.
Hi Micki, as you can see on the tips page (www.legalnomads.com/wds) there are many other things I carry in my portable pharmacy too! These were just the ones I thought people might overlook, at least in part. Thank you for reading and safe travels to you and your family.
I’m curious, how much value do you think there is in learning a language fluently? I’m currently learning Spanish as it is apparently common to encounter. Do you think it’s worth learning as many languages as possible?
I always enjoy your posts, and tips like this are the best thing before I head off on my own adventure!
Hi Dean, I think it’s terrific to know a language fluently. I do speak Spanish and I am wistful for my travels through Spanish-speaking places, where I can ask all the questions I have and learn about people and the stories of their lives. I think, certainly, it’s wonderful to learn as many languages as possible (Christine from Almost Fearless is learning Arabic in Beirut right now as she also wants to learn from the words and also her time there). However, it’s not a luxury many people have. To those who have the time and inclination, it definitely adds quite a lot. Safe travels to you!
Cough drops are an excellent tip! Thanks for such a wonderful insightful blog. I’ve just got lost in your site following all the links in it, and am now desperate to see a Phillipine tarsier!
My boyfriend and I have just started out on our journey so it’s wonderful to get advice. We have a blog too, and as you’re such a foodie, you might like our vegetarian section.
Looking forward to reading more from you! Victoria
Hi Jodi,
I love your website! I’ve read a lot of your posts and think they’re all brilliant and v. informative :)
I especially agree with you on the jeans thing, so many people told me not to bring them the first time I went travelling and I ended up buying some too! I always pack some now. It’s funny how people’s dress sense suddenly changes when travelling.
Keep on writing :)
I would’ve never thought of getting a whistle for when I go hiking. Very clever!
I love these! You are clearly a true world traveler – your tips have the ring of veracity. I’m going to post a link to our group – Worlders, A tribe of Wanderers – on FB, and you are more than welcome to come by and post links for our peripatetic people anytime you want.
Another tip: I grew up pre-internet and often was lonely as a kid in far-off countries. With FB and email now available (almost) everywhere, you can connect with friends even when you’re all alone in a new country. Plus – you can look for locals through common interests.
Thank you Tim!
I loved this! I was an expat for over a decade and I wholeheartedly agree with numbers 2, 5, 7, 10 11, 12, 14 & 21. Number 4, though, depends on one’s size. Replacing clothes in China where I am considered Tall and Extra Large (though a U.S. Medium) was quite the challenge and broken sandals proved impossible to replace in Thailand & Japan when my U.S. size 8.5 was met with incredulity and/or laughter. When my plus size relatives came to visit us in Asia, I warned them to bring one extra shirt, pants, and pair of shoes “just in case.” I agree that most consumables (e.g. personal care items) can be replaced with a local alternative and sometimes are nicer than what you had before.
Continue to enjoy your journeys.
Thanks for the comment. Definitely depends on height and geographic destination, though at least in China clothes can be made to order (a friend who is 6 ft 7 had to get his clothes made there because nothing fit at all.) Safe travels to you too!
Luv your article! I agree wholeheartedly that travelling solo is not lonely at all. The locals and fellow travellers you meet along the way will make the experience so much richer.
This never crossed my mind, but I will be carrying some cough drops on my next trip! and it always put a smile on my face whenever I see or hear someone took the time and effort to learn to use chop sticks.
I am really tempted to become a full time traveller but don’t know where to start, any advice?
Hi Gabe, what sort of advice are you looking for? The resources page at the top of the site might be a good place as it rounds up others who have done so (budget and packing) and all sorts of other practical items. Feel free to email with more specific questions too.
Amazing! … Also a lawyer (although I haven’t quit yet) …just took what was going to be a couple of minutes out my day to read your blogs on Burma and 3 hours later I am truly inspired. Been travelling most of my life and 46 countries later there were things which you wrote with which I completely related and others, like your tips, which surprised me and made me smile – so clever! I suspect I will spend many more hours reading here. Thanks – I feel like I just took a holiday at my desk :-)
Thank you Saranne. Happy the site pulled you in for a longer read. Feel free to ask any questions you might have if I haven’t answered them in my posts.
“Never skimp on your underwear. You do not want them falling apart as you travel.” i doubt that…
So you do want them falling apart as you travel? ;)
This post is a great resource for a last-minute check! You’ve helped me decide that jeans are a good idea after all, and that I really need to buy a light plastic whistle, and probably a doorstop too. I once woke up to find my previously locked room door wide open. Strangely, nothing was taken, but it was very unnerving!
Thanks so much for posting all this. Every point you make rings true!
My husband and I have been traveling nomadically for five years now and I’m ashamed that I haven’t thought of the cough drop trick. The surliest cabbies I’ve met are in Guangzhou, China so that’s where I’ll be trying them.
So glad to have found your blog.
I had known of the fruit but the cough drop tip is great. Try putting baking soda down for the roaches, like acid for us, burns them and they avoid it.
I did not know this but I am so glad you mentioned it. Will report back!
This is such a thoughtful, clever, thorough list of tips. I used to always buy bananas for long bus trips but for obvious reasons I am definitely going to go for oranges next time. For unknown reasons I am monkey-magnet – the whistle is inspired! Still not sure about the too long drying jeans though. Thanks!
Ah, the jeans! If you have a Zara store near you, they sell a very thin material jeans that dry superbly fast. In summertime all jeans will dry fast, but these are particularly well-suited for travel as they’re stretchy and very thin/easy to roll up. Safe travels! (and good luck with the monkeys)
Coughdrops – I’d well believe that. I carry a stock of Fisherman’s Friends, strongest variety, ever since I noticed their effect on Indian porters, the unofficial ones, in small train stations in India.
Excellent travel tips from a travel expert! Everyone about to embark on a rtw adventure should read this article. It’s always great to learn tips from other travellers. Thank you!
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With one week left until I reach a year of travel, I LOVE THIS POST :) Every one of these tips was right on. I really need to try the cough drops with the taxi drivers!
I have just discovered your website and I must say I am thoroughly enjoying it, especially as I am considering some further globe trotting. I was interested in your comments on Safety Whistles and I agree that a show stopping whistle has its uses. As a young girl, I was shown the technique, and after a week of continuous and futile puffing, eventually learnt to whistle piercingly using the traditional two fingers. It’s loud enough to cause pain in those standing too close and never fails to attract attention. I heartily recommend learning the technique (it’s not difficult once you ‘get’ it) so you have a whistle that is literally always at your fingertips, weighs nothing, needs no packing and can never be lost (unless something really really terrible happens). The downside is that it is not particularly ladylike!
You know, I’ve tried myself to learn that technique but I’ve failed, so I stick to the plastic version :) Ladylike or not, those skills come in handy, so good for you!
Great list of tips.
Totally agree with 2nd and 4th.
2.Have been using guidebooks like this for years.
4. Prefer to pack light, only the most necessary, the rest I buy if needed.
and yes, the food can take me to a country for 2,3 or x time, or change my mind to go to a country.
Great blog! Thank you!
What an awesome post. So many new tips!
I discovered the cough sweet trick several years ago, only in my case it was “fishermen’s friends”. Interestingly the 7/11 s etc in Thailand sell more varieties of flavours than are available in England. When I asked the English Company why so, they said there was no local demand in England for these flavours.
Hi Jodi,
Great advice, TQ, I am a solo traveler myself, love the freedom & flexibility. Never had a problem met truly wonderful people everywhere I’ve been. Whistle ahem never thought of it. Good tips on travel, keep it up Jodi. If you are in Malaysia, contact me. I went to Nepal in Jan 2012 alone & it was fabulous. Planning India next. Take care God bless you sister! Mimi
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This is a great blog entry! I’m leaving for a big trip next week, and feel so many anxieties about leaving. This was a great reminder that I shouldn’t freak out about what to pack (I’m not going to anywhere deserted–they have stores!) Also, some of that anxiety is really just excitement! I find one of the best parts of traveling is stepping out of my comfort zone! Thanks again!
Very useful tips Jodi! Especially the tips on connecting with the locals. The simple things such as giving a cough drop or asking a driver where they ate for breakfast really helps break the ice when traveling. As well as calming the anxiety of feeling alone.
Amongst all this cough drop bonhomie can I strike a word of caution, particularly in Thailand. You may have read about “The evil man from Krabi”, this is not a one off but a frequent event in Thailand. Women should be careful about getting too friendly with Thai men, they read the signals differently from us.
Avoid physical contact such as shaking hands, this is why Thais Wai. Sorry if I’m “teaching grandma how to suck eggs”.
Hi Ian, thanks for stopping by. Yes, I’ve seen the video (and the Tourism Ministry’s absolutely appalling response video). I don’t think it’s a matter of pointing fingers at Thailand specifically, however. That’s not to absolve the situation – it was terrible, the response was despicable & the victim-shaming was unacceptable. (Just so we’re clear ;) But! Women should be careful of getting to friendly with any man without assuring signals are coming across properly. This is a risk both at home or abroad; there are far too many cases of date rape and rape generally in N America or Europe for us to note it’s an issue with Thailand or elsewhere. That said, yes signals are misinterpreted and I think it’s always very important to read up on the culture you’re about to visit and err on the side of caution and being conservative. Unfortunately this is a problem worldwide, not just in Thailand. (The wai, was originally a religious practice (for example, in Vietnam people shake hands generally, but still perform the wai at religious ceremonies), though it’s used in Thailand generally, with different variations depending on age/respect that is needed to be shown.)
Hi Jodi,
As an old male I am in a different risk category from you, I’m more likely to be mugged than raped:D
I am a Brit, a Londoner, I have roamed all over Europe and Asia. In Asia I reckon Hong Kong as the safest place, then Malaysia, then Philippines, Singapore is too safe, but Thailand is bottom of my list.
When I first came here as a tourist I thought it very safe but having lived here for many years, learning and seeing how the locals behave I have steadily revised my opinion downwards.
This is still a fun country to live in, but look behind the smile and keep your guard up.
I see from your photo you made friends with a middle aged Thai woman, a wise move!
Hi Ian, appreciate you continuing the dialogue. Mrs. Pa, the woman in the photo, was an office worker who took over a smoothie cart, and one of the sweetest people I’ve met in Thailand. :) I agree that anywhere can be dangerous if you stay long enough to scratch behind the surface. What I meant was that I do feel safer in Asia generally walking around alone, though that’s not to say I leave my guard down. The severity of attacks against women at home are more sharp than in Asia (in general terms) against tourists; sadly of course that is NOT the case with locals, where rape is very much an issue and not one that is discussed often, especially with respect to non-Tai ethnic groups in the country.
I think your point, however, is an important one: that it’s important to remember that even on holiday or as a long-term traveler, complacency/letting your guard down can lead to problems, even in a place that seems safe on the surface. Thanks again for stopping by.
Great tip about being a travel parasite. The thought had never crossed my mind, but its genius. And I’ll be bringing some cough drops with me when I leave for my trip next year! Thanks for the post :)
Thank you for sharing your travels and insights. My daughter and her husband are living in Mae Sot Thailand. They are employed each by a different NGO. They work with refugees from Burma. My son in law works with refugees in Mae Sot. My daughter spends three night a week in a camp where she teaches English.
Prior to the Thailand time they spent a year in England where he completed a Masters Degree. They met in Korea where they spent two years teaching English.
She also lived in Japan for a year prior to the Korea time. When they left Korea he traveled ahead to Nepal. She rode the Orient Express on her way to Nepal. They were married in Nepal before moving on to Thailand.
They are generous in sharing their adventures via facebook. They have friends from around the world and I anticipate that this will be their lifestyle for years to come. I refer to them as “children of the world”.
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Nice piece of advice. They are resourceful practical tips. Thanks for sharing.