Hints & Tips!
Back-Packing Hints
Buy a pack that is waterproof and lightweight. You can get them so that you can wear it as a backpack, or over you shoulder, with lots of zippered pockets for your maps etc. Extra straps are an advantage for tying on tripods or umberellas or blanket rolls. Try it on before you buy, and fill it up and wear it around to get the feel of it, after all, it is going to be with you for some time. If it is not right for you, then take it back to the store and exchange it for a better one.Try to find one that you can lock the zippers in some way. Comfort is important. Pack only the essentials, you can purchase extra items whilst on your travels. If going to hot climes, check to see if you need any innoculations before you go, such as Yellow Fever or Hepatitis etc. Get these done plenty of time before you go as sometimes they cause brief side-effects. Check out the religious aspect of the countries that you are visiting, some view shorts & T-shirts disrespectful, so take something to cover up you exposed bits and bobs!
Pack mosquito spray or some kind of repellent. The best way to stop them biting is to keep yourself covered. Wearing perfume, consumming alcohol, and eating sweet foods attracts the little blood-suckers, whilst a spicy, hot diet repels them. When I was in Indonesia, I remember asking the locals how come they never get bitten by the mossies, and they said it is because of all the chile and hot sauce that they slather everything in!!! So you may have really bad breath, but you will be bug-free!!!!!
I took travellers checks for security, as if they are stolen, you can get them back, record all the numbers and mark them off when you use them.
If travelling alone, especially females, be wary of people offering you a tour or to take you somewhere you never heard of. Stick to a guide book. Of course, don't be too precautionary, as many of the locals are indeed genuine, and you don't want to miss out on a "grass roots level" visit to the village or something. Just use common sense, and treat most people as if they are trying to rip you off and you should be fine!
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