So, in 2 days it’s finally time for us to be leaving on a worldtrip! To start our biggest dream, to travel the world.
On a low budget we want to travel to 3 continents in a year; South America, Australia and Asia. Today you’ll read what you need to take care of before you are ready for leaving on a worldtrip and what to bring on a trip around the world. How to take as little as possible and how to pack as light as possible.
The last couple of weeks have gone super fast. At this time we still have to arrange a few things, but thankfully, we’ve also checked a lot of things off the list. All vaccinations are done, the malaria pills are in, our backpacks are packed, my rat has moved, we said goodbye to most people, we got a new travel insurance, we’ve got new hairdo’s, the money’s been counted and the house is proper and clean.
I just finished scanning, mailing and printing all our important cards and papers. Things like bank cards, drivers license, healt care card, passport and papers for health insurance, travel insurance and our plane tickets. Also we printed our Malarone prescription, just in case they give us a hard time at the border. Don’t forget that some cards also have important information on the back, so scan these too.
We cleared our phone memories, so we have enough space for travel pics, usefull apps and maps.
Also, as of today, we have a sleeping address in Salvador, woohoo! For 2 night we can stay with a nice Brazilian couchsurfing host.
One thing we still have to do is back up travel pics that we’ve collected over the last 4 years. Because it would be a shame if we come back with all these fantastic new pics, but can’t look back at the past anymore. A very helpfull thing for computer back ups is a server. Your own little cloud which you can reach from every computer in the world (that has wifi…). Also very handy when your camera is full (again).
What we still should do is do a little research about seasons and best periods to travel to certain areas. I did a little research, and probably after Rio we will go to the Iguacu falls, then Argentina and Patagonia. From there we’ll see if there are other countries we want to explore on our way to Peru. Of course, once in Peru, we want to visit Machu Picchu. Then back to Brasil (north this time) to visit the Amazon. Raining season should end in April, so we try to be there in May. Then we’ve already been in South America for 4 months and it’s time to go to a different continent. Of course, this is only a rough guideline. Who knows where we’ll end up.
Of course we’ve already packed our bags. But what should you take on a journey around the world? Of course as little as possible, since you’re carrying everything around on your back for a year. Putting some money into lightweight outdoor gear really gains a lot of comfort. Especially with tents and clothing. Outdoor clothing is often lightweight, fast drying and small when folded.
Our packing list
Documents
- Copy of important documents
- List of important phone numbers; parents, insurances, bank, and so on.
- Vaccination passport
- Passport
- Drivers license
- International drivers license
- Health insurance card
- Bank card
- Creditcard
- Plane tickets
Clothing
- 3 t-shirts/tops
- 1 warm sweater
- 1 short/swimshort
- Pants
- 1 longsleeve
- 1 warm legging or thermo underpants (yes, men as well)
- 1 pair of flipflops
- Bikini (not for men… haha)
- 3 pair of socks
- 3 pair of underpants
- 1 raincoat
- Gloves and hat. We’ll bring this because it’s winter while we’re hitchhiking through Europe, and because we like to hike mountains. In any country it can be very cold on the top of a mountain.
- 1 scarf; a multifunctional and essential item. Functions as a (beach) towel, cloth, laundry bag, shower bag, headscarf, skirt, blanket and of course, scarf.
- Harem pants
- Rain pants
- 2 bras
Sleeping/camping
- Camelbag (waterbag)
- Liner (thin, cotton sleeping bag)
- Sleeping mat
- Spork
- 1 travel towel, quick drying
- Warm sleeping bag & compression bag
- 1 lightweight, stormproof tent
- 1 boiler or cooker with small pot
- Waterfilter tablets
- 1 pillowcase
- 1 rope/ clothesline
- Drinking cup
- Drysac
- Carbines
Several
- Raincover for your backpack
- Frisbee; functions as plate, game and protection for the bottom of your backpack (keeps rocks from making holes in your stuff and keeps clothes in the bottom of your pack dry when you accidentally put it in a small puddle.
- Ear plugs for loud hostels and airplanes
- 1 razorblade
- 1 pair of hiking boots
- Flightbag
- Tissues
- Compass
- Daypack
- Small lock
- Car charger
- Phone & charger
- Camera & oplader
- Laptop & charger & cover
- Universal power plug
Health & care products
- Washing liquid
- Hair brush
- Nail file
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste mini
- Mascara
- Sunblock mini
- Shampoo mini
- First aid kit
- Ibuprofen, antihistamine
- Lotion for face and body
- Malaria pills (if necessary)
- Zip-lock bags
- Facial wipes
- ORS
- Anti-conception
One very important thing to take is a so called ‘vacuum bag’. This is a bag that you can put all your clothes in and then push all the air out, making it a lot smaller and thus taking up a lot less space in your backpack. These bags are not that expensive and really a lifesaver when travelling with a backpack for a longer period. Although we use them on every trip, even when going out for 2 days. There are basically 2 types available, one that uses a vacuum cleaner or pump to get the air out. Which is not really convenient unless you are bringing your vacuum cleaner on the trip. Or the type that doesn’t require a pump, this is the one you want. If you like you can buy yours here
Make sure everything is as lightweight and compact as possible. If you’re in doubt for, let’s say, 2 pair of pants. Just weigh them and take the lightest or smallest one. That’s how I did it.
The theory behind 3 pieces of underwear and socks is that you’re washing one, drying one and wearing one. In that case you should always have enough. You don’t need a laundry area for this, you can easily use your drinking water.
The thin cotton sleeping bag you can use if you have to sleep in dirty hostels, or just in your tent when it’s 25 degrees Celsius outside. The pillowcase you use for dirty hostels as well, and in your tent you can stuff it with clothes to form a pillow. Easy peasy!
Well, when you hear from us next, we’ll probably be abroad! So exciting! Tomorrow morning Riny’s brother will take us to the Dutch/Belgian border, and from there we are on our own. Hopefully there will be lots of traffic on the road, willing to take us closer to Vigo.
If you have any questions for us, we’d love to hear them. Just leave a message.
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