Backpacking

Hey Marty

I backpacked round the world in 1988 - a lifetime ago - but something I would recommend at any age.

Go girl - it could be the best thing you ever did - just for you.

It's a different world these days - but, even going it alone, at any age, you will find you are never on your own - unless you choose to be. I met so many people and travelled right the way around with people from all over the world for a year.

I'm sure there will be folk giving you advice on where to get information etc which at this time I can't do.

But hey - if you get to the UK - let me know.... ChezIzzie in SW England always has the kettle on and the door open to visitors.


Oh - New Zealand - the most beautiful place you can imagine is on the mountains looking down on Lake in South Island.

Australia - Kakadu National Park

Fiji - Beachcomber Island

England - ChezIzzie.... oh and of course - London Town.

I could bore you to pieces of places I've visited - but will let others tell you of some places.

Will keep a tab on this thread and see what folk have to say.

Good Luck

Izzie

As for going it alone - always go on your gut instinct regarding people you meet!

Yeah, my gut has usually been right on but I need to learn to trust it. Hoping that doing this will teach me a lot about life that I should have learnt in my youth.
Speaking of youth, and I'm glad you mentioned the "at any age' since I'm over 40 now I understand some hostels have age limits. Will I run into problem finding cheap lodging?

Hey

When I travelled, anyone and everyone stayed in backpacking hostels. On Beachcomber Island - yeah - admittedly it's the 20-30 year olds - but it depends what you're looking for. Age is so immaterial - I think more so now, than when I travelled.

Backpacking hostels / Youth Hostels don't offer the home comforts - it really depends what kind of comfort level you choose - I ended up sleeping in bus stations and under trees etc (when the money was tight) - nowadays - there are lots of places which have cheap lodging - dependent on your finances.

The best places to meet people are the hostels - and tho they may sound pretty cheap and nasty - quite honestly - if you are on the Great Barrier Reef and wanting to meet like-minded people - sharing the shower block and roughing it a little - are a small price to pay for the reward you would get in seeing the sights and exploring the world of people out there.

I must admit - I live in a very "rose coloured spectacled" view of the world right now - so maybe not the best person to advise.

But your question about age- age wouldn't be a problem in hostels - they are open to everyone - and girlie (I'm 43) - WE ARE YOUNG!

Oh - wherever you stay though - always keep a hold on your backpack - never let your wallet or your passport out of your sight.

I've traveled that style through UK and mainland Europe. I relied on trains as transportation. One of the great things I found to save some money on lodging was to take overnight trains. I stayed at hostels and B&Bs granted I was in my 20s, but from what I remember age didn't matter - I even remember families staying at these. Some however, have curfews which I didn't like if I wanted to go clubbing. B&Bs can be nice alternative - they are a little more expensive than hostels, but many come with a very hearty breakfast that can fill you up until dinner with only a light snack during the day.

I used the "Let's Go..." books for reference. They are written by college students, but give excellent detail that is helpful - information about safety, location of lodging, pricing, etc. and lots of helpful hints and out of the way places to eat and stay and see as a tourist.

Wow, I just checked out airfare from Seattle to Sydney--$2,000.00RT Yikes.
I also just learned of the term "flashpackers" I guess this is the term for people who want to travel like a backpacker but with enough money for extra comforts. Yeah, I think I'm going to be a flashpacker. I want to travel cheap, meet some cool people but not necessarily share a dorm with a bunch of noisy 20 year olds.

Hey Marty,
I did it for a month with my sister. We got the InterRail ticket (month long train ticket that's valid on most trains around Europe, though sometimes you pay surcharge for some trains) and went through Italy and spain to Morocco where we spent most of the time. We had a tent and sleeping bags with us, camped, slept on a train or in cheap hotels, ate sardines for 2 weeks when we ran out of money. It was awesome! I'd definitely do it again.

When and for how long are you planning on going, Marty?

Well, I'm in my beginning the plan stage. I'm at the point where I've basically decided that I need to do this. Hopefully this trip will happen in 2009. By then I should have enough money saved up. I could probably wing it by the end of this year too.

Dag, I don't know if I can handle sardines for a week but I'm sure that is part of what made the trip so special.

I have a really good friend who would like to do this with me but she is really in debt. I want to take at least 8 weeks off of work.

I have been to parts of Europe before so I know I'd love it. I'm just thinking I should try somewhere I had never thought possible of going. So far I'm thinking New Zealand, Australia and maybe Fiji or some other exotic island.

Then again, Europe would be great too!

martyb....

Wow! Someone finally asks a question I can answer!

There are a couple of websites to help.

For real, serious backpackers - Thorntree - the Lonely Planet website.
It's a bit too grim for me, but sometimes good advice.

I'm active often on the Fodors website - I pparticipate in their forums, www.fodors.com/forums.
It's a question and answer site, with some good information. (Some people are surely travelling outside the backpacker class, but that doesn't make the info less valuable)
I'm usually found on the Australian forum - (you'll recognise me) (there's quite a camaraderie) and surf the Europe forum looking for ideas. Thinking of starting on the US website, just in case I ever get there.

Frommers.com have another forum (I think it's called travel talk or simular) I'm sometimes active there, but not as often, and the responses are not as quick. And not as friendly.

There are some others - but I use these the most.

A word about travelling in Oz & NZ.

Australia is roughly the same size as mainland USA, but without the population. You'll need to cover fair distances.

It's a good idea to start reading. I recommend the Bill Bryson book, Down Under - (it may be called differently in the US...?Walkabout). This doesn't give much travel information, but gives quite a good (American) insight into the Australian character. Australians are different. Bryson's time in England probably gave him a bit of a clue that normal Murricans won't have. It'll give good background.

See if you can borrow travel guides from your local library. In the researching stage, it won't matter that they are not entirely up to date. uztra;ia is the oldest continent - some things haven't changed too much. Look for the Lonely Planet Guides. I'm not sure about Let's Go - but they exist. Most people travelling not too ostentatiously seem to use LP. I used the NZ one.

Having said this much, I'll shut up.

I'm happy to answer any questions about this end of the world (can handle a bit of NZ, too!)

I'm 43 and backpacked round Europe in 1988-89.

Don't recall an Izzie

If you want to go you really should - you'll only regret not doing it and will get so much out of it.

If you go to Australia - just becareful of the veggiemite. It is a vile thing.

Now, Linkat - don't be like that!

Vegemite - making Aussies great for 80 years!

Also have a look at the Aussie forum on this site - heaps of oinformation, scandal, politics (bleccchhhh!!!) (you can avoid that stuff!) and other stuff.

laughing....

marmite in the UK

(Bovril girl myself )

Found a great website today.... http://boards.bootsnall.com/eve/ubb.x

I've been crunching numbers...Does anyone have any idea as to how much money I should realistically save up for 8 weeks of traveling? I'd like to use my money more to see really awesome things rather than staying in nice hotels, like the cave and glowworm exploration http://www.glowworm.co.nz/
and snorkel the great barrier reef.

Margo, I just registered on the fodors forum site. I'll look for you--I'm martybarker there too.

Join Facebook and talk to these guys.

The Melbourne ggroup is better than Sydney group.
If you are a FACEBOOK member and logged in, you will be able to access and join the group at the link below:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2419140659

Phillip Island Penguin Parade.
http://www.penguins.org.au/index.asp?pg=183

More Melbourne links. (Scroll down Past the advertising.)
http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne.php?id=3

Top 20 attractions
http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melb...ls.php?id=4481


Beaches. get a tan (possibly a little early in the year for suntanning)
http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/local_beaches.html.

Learn to surf Around the great ocean rd.
http://www.visitvictoria.com/display...0318/vvt.vhtml

My Australia thread for exchange students. Work through it to find the gems.
http://www.cultures-shocked.org/forum/showthread.php?t=103

Melbourne Australia.

Sherbroke forest is on your doorstep. Numerouse walking tracks to experience the environment.
http://places.rnr.id.au/Sherbrooke/index.html Click on Gallery at the bottom of the site.

There are some really great arty type places to see if you are interested in that type of thing. Melbourne art gallery and Melbourne museum are fine institutions
http://www.melbourne.com.au/artscent.htm

William Ricket sanctuary is well worth checking out. Close to Monbulk.
http://www.visitvictoria.com/display...0000/vvt.vhtml

http://www.visitvictoria.com/display...0000/vvt.vhtml
Healsville sanctuary should be on your agenda. A must see. All Aussie amazing wild life on show. Reletively close to Monbulk as well. Make it a day trip as there is a lot to see.
http://www.zoo.org.au/healesville/

Sovereign Hill At Ballarat. A kind of historical theme park showing the gold rush days living conditions and lifestyle. About 2 maybe 3 hours from Monbulk. A long day trip.
http://www.sovereignhill.com.au/

Bloody hell! I nearly forgot.
Puffing Billy. A working steam train. Ride the rails.
Its a little dorky how they feature "Thomas the Tank engine". They dont do that all the time. The real thing is an adventure.
http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/

Night life
http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/inf...77&ms=18&li=80

I think dadpad wants you to go to Victoria.

They have to work pretty hard to get tourists down there!