Backpacking in a Nutshell

Written by: Sabrina Kamaruddin

While most of the town is surely filled with Thai locals, the road where our guesthouse is located does make you second guess: is this Thailand with Europeans or Europe with Thais? The backpacking culture is common among Caucasians and it could be said with conviction that all towns in South-East Asia – big or small – have been stepped-in by them. Asians, on the other hand, are still predominantly hotel-staying and suitcase-dragging.

Backpacking is a practice that Asian students have yet to grasp a proper understanding or acceptance of. Yet it is the best way a student could travel – we are young and strong enough to walk long distances while carrying 15 kilos of luggage on our backs, and we do not have to fork out a gold ingot (which we do not have) to go places. Studying in Malaysia means that we are surrounded by backpacker-friendly nations which are an hour away by flight, brief compared to the thousands of kilometres that Europeans have to fly over to get here.

For those who have had a taste of budget travel with Dr. Yeoh and are looking for more, here is a list of 4 things we must do to partake in the unfamiliar territory of backpacking.

1. Carry a backpack.
And leave the suitcase at home. All backpackers must carry backpacks; those bulgy looking things that hover over the heads of its carriers like a burdens expecting to be released. Although stupendously large, they are not as heavy as they look. Investing in a backpack pays off in the long run as they are highly durable and have a decent second-hand value.

Haversacks come in several sizes, but they are light and expandable to accommodate your belongings depending on the length of your trip. As much as you might usually love to keep things in order, backpacks are meant to be messy, and chucking your clothes straight in should be your newfound habit. If you go on long trips (2 months and above), you might find that throwing, donating or selling your clothes would be necessary to make space for souvenirs and new clothes.

2. Stay at a backpacker’s hostel.
You have not gone backpacking if you have not slept in dormitories and bathed in communal shower rooms. Hostels have much to offer: they are cheap and good for mingling. Decent bunk beds go for as low as USD10, and if you look well enough they come with great services such as WiFi, laundry service, travel advice, book loans or exchange, and even a simple all-you-can eat breakfast of toast and eggs.

Bed bugs are always a primary concern, especially when they get into your clothes and luggage and you take them home with you. A great way to avoid this and other inconvenience is to do some research on the hostel beforehand. Websites like HostelWorld.Com and Hostels.Com do not only show prices but also ratings, reviews, and even an up-to-date room availability chart.

3. Meet and mingle with other backpackers.
Making friends and exchanging information is a large part of the backpacking lifestyle. If you attempt living in hostels with a common area, you will bump into other travellers ready to befriend you. Muster the courage to initiate conversations, if you haven’t already, and go out to have drinks and a chat. It is possible to meet with other backpackers who have been to your intended destination as they could offer advice and recommendations. While travel guide books are a great way to get tips and pointers, they do not have mouths to answer your questions, so apart from great company, the friends you make during your travels could be saving your time and money, if not your life.

4. Be spontaneous.
Plan as you go. This does not mean that you do not need to prepare, but you should be ready and able to occasionally take risks and jump into decisions. From daily activities to accommodation, surprise yourself and friends at home as to what you are willing to do. Go for a two-day volunteer program, jump on the next train out of town, or get married to someone you met at the bar. Just make sure you can get an annulment the following day.