BACKPACKER

[superbubly]

Wala kasi akong makita na thread na ganito para sa mga gusto, mag tatry pa lang at di alam kung ano ang mga dapat gawin? Kung meron na po nitong topic (palipat na lang po Mods sorry po in advance).

Sa mga nakatry na, paano ba dapat ang gawin lalo na sa first timer na gaya ko

[vainwriter]

First wait for low fares, then after bookinv research on low-cost accommodations. Normally you dont need a deposit for small hostels though there are backpacker lodges who require dep also. next research on the cost of living in your destination: food fares souvenirs etc. When you have all of this you get a rough idea of your budget. Then add 50% if not double the amount esp if it's  your first time.

Next plan your itinerary: days times and activities for your trip. This also helps you keep yourself within budget.

Read up blogs on backpacking like that of Backpacking Philippines and Pinay Travel Junkie. For travel costs I read up Justwandering.org. Forums like tripadvisor are also helpful Happy travelling!

[superbubly]

^thanks sis for giving me advise thank you talaga, am here sa isang forum ng mga backpacker thanks ulet sis ah

[hanshellite]

Kapag lean season, madaming mura and available na pension houses sa mga known tourist places (e.g. boracay, puerto galera, bohol, etc). Kahit di ka na magpareserve, may mahahanap kang ok, malinis and safe...

Tama si vainwriter. Read blogs. It really helps. =)

[superbubly]

thanks sis, outside the country po sana, yeah I read blogs na and visited other forums

[nicola_juliano]

Hey mga Sisses! Post away your problems, experiences, and things you need (but don't have) when travelling alone, travelling abroad, travelling local, travel with friends and family, and with hubbies! Post away!  :-)

[iammaria]

when travelling I always make sure to check all the things that i need to bring, if there is something that i need and I stil dont have that thing, I visit tripologie store to check out the accessories that I need

[iammaria]

question, what bag do you prefer for your trip? I'm checking out some bag at the department stores, was thinking to buy a wenger bag

[i_v_y]

^ the design of your backpack is very important. this is one of the most important thing i missed when i bought my backpack. If I were to backpack agan, I would buy a slim, front loading backpack. A slim backpack that is expandable will give you a good back support.

Front loading backpack was such a hassle for me. Imagine the horror of putting everything out when the stuff you need is at the bottom of the bag.

50L should do.  Deuter is a good brand but pricey yet very durable

[Jaguar.Paw]

pinaka importante sa lahat.. comfy, light, sturdy, convenient at reliable backpack! for me, Berghaus ang maganda. toploader with side opening ang the best. you'll never know when u need to get something on your bag kaya convenient yung side opening. unless, you want everything to remove with a top loader.

hindi nawawala sa list ko, knife at flashlight since i travel solo

[clouds_1028]

Maps helps a lot. Nung first trip ko sa Bangkok, sa maps lang kami naghahanap ng mapupuntahan. Then we ask around locals kung pano pupuntahan or what are the things to do there. We also search in the internet first the activities na meron dun sa place and yun yung nilalagay namin sa itinerary namin.

[ryecher]

Plan ahead of time, check your budget and work from there.

I use Agoda for hotel/ hostel bookings. Check first the majority of reviews kung positive.
I use Cleartrip to check airlines and airfares, pero I compare pa din sa mismong website, mostly mas mura pa din sa direct website
Then, check blogs and google for tourist spots. Combine places na magkakalapit, check anong pwede mode of transport, costs at travel time.
Also allow some free time to rest and delays.



 

[avesoriano]

meron na bang backpacker club dito sa gt?

[JINJIN:*]

hi.

pag sinabi bang backpacker eh literal na backpack ang dala to be considered as one?

Ako kase I consider myself as a backpacker..pero kase I travel abroad and not within Philippines so of course mas malayo mas marami akong dala. Hindi naman kakasya lahat ng need ko halimbawang 20days ako sa Europe sa isang backpack lang so I use a light 20kg luggage trolley. Pero I consider myself as a backpacker kase I do not stay in a 4-5 star hotel. Minsan sa bed and breaskfast nga lang ako nag stay para mura. Tapos I dont rent a car or take taxi, talagang commute kung commute ako. Ang mahirap lang kapag trolley ang dala ko eh sa Europe dahil ang mga subway nila eh walang escalator so you still have to carry it.

Kase pag backpack parang nawawlan ako ng poise at porma. Kaya I prefer na isang hinihila at isang handcarry where my valuables are.

Advice ko naman sa gustong mag backpacking, dont bring stuff that you know you can buy from where you are going. Halimbawa, shampoo and soap. Or wag na magdala ng blowdryer...kung walang mahiraman sa hostel or BnB, mag tyaga na i-style ang hair ng hindi binoblower. Dont bring alot of clothes. Kase kung kulang ang clothes mu mas madaling bumili kahit mumurahin lang. Dont bring all your gadgets like laptop, tablet, netbook, ipad ng sabay sabay. Just bring one that serves all the purpose of your gadgets kase kung backpacker ka im sure hindi ka nakastay sa mamhaling room or minsan bedspace pa nga. So pano mu iiwan ang valuables mu at hindi mu rin naman pwede laging bitbitin habang namamasyal ka. So one smart phone and one small cam will do for me. Of course do not forget the universal charger or adaptor, kase every country has different sizes ng plugs nila so u need a universal adaptor. Bring a small towel, kase hindi nga lahat ng hostel or BnB provides one. Wag yung paboritong mong beach towel ha. Tapos Pajama as pantulog, wag yung sexy mong pantulog kase hindi mu alam baka malamok, or malamig, or baka me manyakis kang kasama sa room sa bedspacer. Dala ka ng 3 in one coffee, chaka ilang pirasong cup noodles kung hindi ka sigurado sa food. Yung ibang bansa hindi uso ang coffee creamer, or milk sa kape so mas maigi kung me 3 in 1 (kung yun ang iniinom mu ha just to be safe). Learn few languages sa country na pupuntahan mu, esp on how to ask for directions or saying thank you, malaking bagay yan. Wag mahiya makipag usp sa kapwa mu backpacker, jan nagsisimula ang adventure and you make friends pa. Bring your own yosi kung nag yoyosi ka (baka sa pupuntahan mu mahal or wala yung brand mu)

Isip pa ko. Marami na akong experience sa budgeted travelling, post ko nalang ulit.

[Cocoyow]

meron na bang backpacker club dito sa gt?

Im interested in this.. Meron nga ba? I used to travel a lot before nung wala pa kong kids, and ngayong lumalaki na sila gusto ko magawa ulit hilig ko.. And specially ngayong may kids nako kailangan budgeted ang lakad

[entwife]

photocopy or scanned copy of your passport and visas. passport sized pictures and valid ids.

aside from knife and flashlight ^, whistle and rope are also valuable items. I prefer cotton shirts (sometimes yung mga nabibili na lang na souvenir shirts) and neutral colored clothes.

[Jaguar.Paw]

no no ako jan sa Agoda.com! first and last ko na yun! ang tagal nila magreply at queueing pa! mabilis lang pag reservation at bayaran. kung di ko pa inulan ng email na puro all caps hindi magrereply.

sorry OT.

[simang]

^bakit sis anong naging problem mo sa Agoda? Madalas ako magbook sa agoda, never naman ako nagkaproblem sa kanila.

One major thing na kelangan tandaan when you're backpacking ---- be friendly to the locals. if you dont want to be treated like a tourist, don't act like one.

Cant wait for my next backpacking trip this July. Sana di ako bagyuhin haha

[numonorean]

I think backpacking is any form of low-cost traveling.  Hindi naman required na naka-backpack ka lang.  It's nice to know na madami ng travelers.  I think it's a form of education unlike any other.

I agree with what most people have said.  Wait for seat sales, pero check out different carriers.  Hindi laging mas mura ang seat sale ng CebuPac.  Check alternative ways to go around din.  You may save and experience more if you choose not to fly all the time.  I normally scout for places to stay in Tripadvisor and they offer booking options from different sites, not just Agoda.  At least may pang-compare ka.  Bring your list of essentials, whatever that list includes.  I've learned that it varies per person.  Don't forget to research.  Unless you've got a boatload of cash to burn, going somewhere without even a skeletal plan is just asking for trouble.

The important thing for any backpacker to bring, I think, is the right attitude.  Keep an open mind and remember that things that may seem common for you at home may not be common somewhere else.  Don't forget the manners your parents worked so hard to raise you with.  Personally I try, at the very least, to learn how to say "please" and "thank you" in their language.  Those two phrases can drive a whole lot.

[i_v_y]

IMO, when you are a backpacker is a traveler that carries a backpack. If you are traveling with a wheely backpacker style, then that is a low cost traveler or budget traveler. Just my two cents.

I backpacked Indochina for 9 weeks and here are a few things Ive learned.

1.  Pack light. If possible, less than 10 kilos. Bring clothes and a towel that are easy to dry.
2.  Don't forget to bring a combination lock for hostel lockers.
3. Leave the toiletries at home. Just bring what you would need for a night. You can buy them locally.
4. Everything you forgot to bring (except for passport and money), you can buy it on the road.
5. Book a hostel in advance so you don't end up wandering around carrying your heavy backpack looking for a place to stay.
6. THIS IS IMPORTANT. Bring at least 2 ATM CARDS with you and a DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD from the same bank. I suggest BPI. Transferring funds is so convenient in case you lose one card.
5.  Carry a waist pack or waist bag. This is where you are going to put your LIFE -> PASSPORT, PHONE, and MONEY.  In the event that you lose your backpack for some reason, you got our ESSENTIALS with you.
6. Save the big shopping at your final destination.
7. Dont be afraid to strike a conversation with locals or fellow travelers. You will be surprised how much you can learn from them.
8. Dont get DRUNK at clubs or bars. Always make sure you are in control of any situation. Don't accept drinks from people you dont know.
9.  For hostel bookings, these are the two that I use: HOSTELBOOKERS and HOSTELWORLD.
10. COUCHSURF if you can.

Madami pang iba. PM me if you have any questions.