8 rules for camping Down Under

A camping trip is the coolest way to travel Down Under! It's cosy, heaps of fun and takes you to stunning places off the beaten track. Here are 8 valuable rules to follow that will help you make the most of your camping trip Down Under.

#1 Sharing is caring

Camping is fun, that's a no brainer! But if you can do it with a small group of like-minded people, even better! So find yourself a nice group of travel mates and hit the road. You can save $$$ and split the cost for food and fuel. But more importantly, you'll share an unforgettable adventure and feel like a small family for the time you're travelling together.

Now I can hear some of you saying: "But my friends aren't really into camping?" No worries! Remember we live in the 21st century, technology can help you find the ideal travel mates. Simply follow some backpacker groups on Facebook and post on there. Or keep an eye open and check if there are any posts from people with a spare seat in their camper van or car. Go meet up for a drink and if you hit it off... you're all set to embark on your camping adventure.

Sharing freshly (self-)caught mussels in Tassie - picture (and mussel catching) by Warren Don Paul

#2 Cook your own yummy meals

It's tempting to opt for easy fast food on your camping trip, but making your own food is not only healthier, it's also cheaper and tastes better. And what's cosier than sitting around a fire together while preparing a delicious meal? If you don't have a camper van with stove, then buy yourself a portable gas stove. You can find one for only $20 at Kmart!

A camping trip is also a great opportunity to exchange some new easy, but yummy recipes. On my last camping trip I learnt how to make oat pancakes (kudos to Sanne and Warren!). They're ridiculously simple to make. Take it from someone with zero cooking skills 😉

Ingredients

Just mix and mash all the oats with the eggs, the banana, raisins and apple (and whatever you like) in a bowl. Then pour the mixture into a buttered pan. Spread it open with a fork so it becomes a flat pancake (or something that resembles one). Bake both sides and when they're finished spread peanut butter and honey on them. Yum! This breakfast is going to keep you going for hours!

 

#3 Save your receipts

If you buy your food at Coles or Woolies, then make sure you save your receipts. At the bottom you'll often get a discount for your next tanking round. Woohoo! Saving even more $$$! Or you might also get a discount for a 6-pack or a bottle of wine. And let's be honest, who doesn't like to enjoy some good old goon or a nice beer around the campfire in the evening.

#4 Google Maps will show you the way

If you don't have a GPS, don't worry! Google Maps will do the trick. Even if reception is letting you down, because you're in the middle of nowhere, download the area you're travelling in and learn how to use Google Maps offline for iPhone or Android. It's easy!

Oh, and if you want to go easy on your phone battery during the trip, put your phone on flight mode. Google Maps will still help you out and your battery won't die as quickly.

 

#5 Visitor information centres are your friend

Okay, Google Maps is a pretty clever thing, but... it won't give you the valuable insider information like that from a visitor information centres. So when you've arrived at your destination, check out the visitor information centre and ask the very friendly team members for advice on where to go. They're the people who know where to spot platypuses, how long a hike will take and heaps of other information that they'll be happy to share with you FOR FREE!

Happy faces after platypus spotting in Latrobe, Tasmania with local expert guide Ron

#6 DIY latte

I hear you fellow latte lovers! It's super tempting to stop at a lovely café and buy a latte, but if you do that every day, it can add up to a huge amount of money spent on lattes by the end of the week. And let's face it, you could use that money for a nice platypus spotting tour or maybe even for a relaxing visit to a hot spring! (read: a chance to wash yourself properly)

But no worries! You can still get your daily caffeine shot. All you need is... a French press. I bought mine at Salvos and it has been a real game changer on my camping trips. How so? YouTube tutorials (like this one) have taught me how to froth my own milk using a French press! So all you need is 1 French press and you're all set to froth your own milk! Time to show off your latte making skills and gain your camping mates' respect with caffeine! It works 🙂

 

My very first DIY latte

#7 Freebies and hygiene for the win

Oh yes! I can tell you're a fan of freebies, just like me. Well, I have some good news for you. The WikiCamps app can help you find free or cheap campsites. It's amazing. It even tells you what kind of facilities you can expect there. The app costs less than $8 and you can get a free trial period! What more can you wish for?

There are also heaps of free possibilities when it comes to hygiene. How about a refreshing dip in the river? A great way to wake yourself up! You might also get lucky and score a shower at a service station. Or make the most out of a beach trip and clean up under the beach showers.

If none of the above cleaning methods are possible on your trip. Then a good old bucket will surely do the trick!

 

#8 Do good and good will come to you

This last thumb rule is a golden rule. Be nice to people, smile and have a good time. Because after all, you're never fully dressed without a smile 😉

So there you have it, 8 rules to stick by to help you have a caffeine-fuelled, cheap, tasty and completely brilliant camping trip Down Under! What are you waiting for?

 

 

8 Must-try yummies from Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is hot among backpackers, because the food is cheap and ABSOLUTELY delicious. We've selected 8 gorgeous dishes to tantalise your taste buds!

#1 BaBaBa... Banh Mi

This is an absolute must-try for any baguette lover planning to go backpacking in Vietnam. You'll find plenty of street food stalls selling these baguettes that are as crunchy and yummy as their French counterparts. It's sometimes a bit of a surprise knowing what you'll get in your Banh Mi, which makes the experience even more exciting. It typically comes with meat, veggies, nice herbs and a slightly spicy sauce. And what's more... this Banh Mi can be yours for less than half a dollar!

http://gph.is/1Y6tmcW

#2 This one's PHO you

Another Vietnamese top dish: Pho! It's cheap, it's filling and it's healthy. So if you need your daily portion of vitamins, Pho will be your friend. It consists of broth, rice noodles, fresh herbs and meat (either beef or chicken). Yum!

http://gph.is/2opxJ9J

#3 Coconut coffee

Do you remember the day you discovered the life-changing concept of iced coffee? You probably thought that was the happiest day of your coffee-consuming life. Nah-ah, my fellow latte lover! Try coconut coffee and live another happiest day of your life. By the way, someone may or may not have told us that coconuts can help you lose weight!

http://gph.is/297cuEj

#4 Pad Thai

You may already know this one. If you don't, then jump on a plane to Thailand, hit the first street food stall you bump into and buy this heaven-on-earth dish. What's in it? Stir-fried rice noodles, shrimps, eggs, chopped tofu, red chilli pepper... Oh and it's often sprinkled with roast peanuts. Yet another delicious Southeast Asian dish that's all yours for less than a dollar!

http://gph.is/1Nx2YHX

#5 Feeling hot hot pot!

Food is even better when you can share it with old or new travel friends. Hot Pot is a traditional Chinese dish that is perfect for sharing and it's a lot of fun. It's a stew containing a variety of East Asian foodstuffs. Could be meat, could be seafood... could be BOTH! The simmering hot pot is placed in the middle of the table and you just throw the ingredients in until they're cooked - it's like fondue, but healthier!

http://gph.is/1sDfWel

#6 Fruit shakes

Okay, maybe not traditional South East Asian food, but you can find it in basically every country there and it'll cost you ten times less than the fancy smoothies you buy at home. Did we mention that they make a lovely healthy breakfast or afternoon snack?

http://gph.is/2ctlTTo

#7 Spring or Summer rolls

Oh yes, more street food stall delights for less than a dollar! Spring rolls or summer rolls. In Vietnam, you can even assemble your own summer rolls and stuff them up with whatever you like, dip them in a bunch of sauces and enjoy a yummy dish.

http://gph.is/2dgnxeU

#8 Pancakes

No meal is complete without a dessert! There's no better way to finish a foodie-licious evening than with a lovely pancake. Stop by some food stalls in the bustling streets of Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh and get yourself a freshly made pancake. You can top them up with bananas, chocolate sauce, nutella and go to bed feeling deliciously full.

http://gph.is/2goJ4CE

 

 

That's it for our selection of must-try Southeast Asian dishes. Which ones are your favourites? Are there any dishes you would add to our list?

The 8 most useful travel gadgets of 2017

Travel gadgets are so much fun... did someone say "Ostrich Pillow"?! Here at Backpacker Deals, we've decided to make your life easier by listing 8 2017's best travel gadgets, guaranteed to make your travels run that little bit smoother.

#1 A quick and easy wash

Washing your dirty clothes becomes piece of cake with the Scrubba Wash Bag. Check out some YouTube reviews on this portable ‘washing machine’ and you’ll find out that most people are pretty damn satisfied after they’ve washed their clothes in the Scrubba Wash Bag. This dad even manages to get Nutella stains out of his daughter’s diapers!

As usual, fancy gadgets come with a nice price tag, and the Scrubba Wash Bag isn't any different. If you want to find a more budget-friendly option, then check out this video on how to create your own cheaper DIY version with a regular dry bag. I'm not saying you will manage to remove Nutella stains, but it will help you wash your clothes without having to use a sink. Tadaaaaah!

http://gph.is/12Si8vm

Once you’ve finished doing your laundry, you can continue your DIY vibe and make your own washing line in your hotel/hostel room (or wherever you want to dry your clothes). All you need is a piece of rope, some pegs and maybe a tall friend. I volunteer if you don’t have one!

#2 Bye bye selfie stick!

Did you know that selfie drones are a thing now? If you’re travelling solo, you no longer need to take out your selfie stick to take that epic new Facebook profile pic, you can show off a little bit and use your hi-tech selfie drone. Thank you technology! Check out top 5 of selfie drones for 2017. Which one is your favourite?

http://gph.is/1yqx1TV

#3 Squatting is so 2016

“I would like to be a man for one day, so I know what it feels like to urinate standing up”, is what no woman will say ever again.. Why? Because it is possible for us girls to pee while standing up. GoGirl is a female urination device that is small enough to fit in your purse and is made of medical grade silicone. You can use it, rinse it and keep everything ultra-hygienic! The only squats you will be doing from now on will be the ones to stay fit. Who run the world? GIRLS!

http://gph.is/1b2GWqr

#4 Spend sand-free days at the beach 

Yes, you’ve read that correctly. Spending a lovely day at the beach will no longer involve bringing home kilos of sand that snuck into your towels or clothes. A sandless beach mat and tote will help you to keep the sand where it belongs, on the beach!

http://gph.is/1GhWFV0

#5 Stay hydrated

Travelling in Asia or South America often means that you have to be very careful when drinking tap water. The CamelBak All Clear water purifying bottle, purifies water in only 60 seconds. Hello, new drinking buddy!

http://gph.is/28VDToh

#6 Nap anywhere

Meet my new best friend: the Ostrich Pillow. It allows you to nap ANYWHERE! Overnight buses, a sunny park, a crowded plane, turn off the world and switch on your nap mode.

http://gph.is/1QMUXdt

#7 Stay connected

Social media detoxes are nice, but sometimes we just really need our smartphones. Because, let’s face it, they’re really smart and help us navigate or tell our mum that we’re safe. The goTenna Mesh will make sure you stay connected wherever you are. You might not be able to check Facebook or Instagram, but it does enable you to text or use GPS on your phone, even if there is zero service!

http://gph.is/1GkxQl1

#8 You’re a musician and you know it!

http://gph.is/28LGDIb

 Okay, I admit it, a ukulele is not really a 2017 invention, but it’s still my all-time favourite travel gadget. I adopted mine only recently from a traveller who couldn’t take his uke with him on his next travels and I’m in love. Seriously, trust me on this, go get yourself a ukulele.

http://gph.is/Vx6vcq

So that’s it! Travelling has never been more convenient than in 2017. Which of these travel gadgets are you going to take on your next trip?

The ultimate packing list for ANY trip!

Yay! You're going on an adventure! Time pack your bags and get the hell outta here... wait before you leave, you do actually need to ‘pack’ your bags. NOOOOO! What should I bring? What is the weather going to be like? It's a stressful situation even for the most organised of us.

But don't worry fellow sufferers of packing stress. Make yourself a cup of camomile tea and check out these 8 packing hacks that will help you pack like a pro for your next big trip!

#1 Check, check, double check!

If you’re a fan of checklists then this website will help you check and double check, so you don't forget a thing. You can enter where you are going, when you are going and what type of travelling you will be doing... (you can even mention whether or not you will take your pets!) and it will tell you EXACTLY what you need to bring.

In the very likely event that you do forget to pack something... don’t panic. Your travel buddies can help you out or you can buy whatever you need at your destination. Haggling in South East Asia or op shops Down Under will be your life savers!

#2 Organisation is key

An organised backpack is a traveller's best friend. You can use one of those fancy schmancy travel pouches to organise your stuff, but you can also just create your own cheap version. Thin plastic bags will come to the rescue here. Try to get all the air out of them and make them as tiny as possible and that way you can separate all of your stuff. If you really feeling the ‘I love an organised backpack’ vibe, you can EVEN use a marker to label those bags. It may sound time-consuming, but it will save you so much time on your trip. “Where are my tops? Oh, here they are! In my special, little plastic bag that says TOPS. Ha!”

#3 Keep your toiletry bag to a minimum

You don’t want to carry around big bottles of shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. So save small containers or samples that you get during the year and pour some of your toiletry stuff in there.

via GIPHY

Also keep your make-up to a minimum. Or how about going all the way Beyonce style and opting for zero make-up. Bye bye panda eyes and hello fresh air for your skin! If you’re not convinced, just stick to the basics: some mascara, maybe some concealer to cover up dark circles under your eyes after an overnight bus from hell, but that’s it!

#4 Minimalism is your mantra!

Over packing is dangerous, so just don’t do it! Choose colours that you can combine easily and wash your clothes in hostels. You can even just wear your clothes under the shower and wash them like that. Win-win, because you are clean and so are your clothes... Haha!

If you want to go even more hardcore minimalist, then check out this video.

#5 Leggings ARE pants

Not only are leggings pants. They are super-hyper-multi-functional! You can wear them as:

I also always make sure I bring a pair of tights. That way the weather can’t surprise you. Is it sunny? Then show off your stunning legs. Is it raining or rather chilly? Then just wear tights or a legging underneath your shorts/skirts/dresses.

#6 Maxi outfits equal maxi fun

Maxi skirts and dresses are really useful when you go backpacking in Asia. At some places you will have to make sure that your legs and shoulders are covered, that can be a real bummer when it is really hot. Maxi skirts and dresses are nice and airy, but still cover your legs.

Mahabalipuram, India - picture by Willemien De Brone

#7 Prepare to party!

Even when you’re backpacking, there will be occasions where you will want to look pretty(-ish). So be sure to pack at least one party outfit. It can be a lovely colourful dress that takes up minimal space. That way you will be all unleash your glamorous side! Use a sarong to finish your look.

#8 Never change a winning raincoat

I have had my raincoat for over 10 years... and counting! It is the best travel buddy I could ever wish for. I can fold it up, carry it as a fanny pack around my waist or just put it in my day bag. It doesn’t take up much space and what’s more, it protects me against rain AND wind! So if you are a fan of hiking or trekking excursions, do not underestimate the power of a good old raincoat and invest.

Periyar National Park, India

#8 Think practical!

There are some practical things that will come in very handy when you’re backpacking:

So there you have it! The ultimate packing list for any trip. Is there anything we missed off the list? Comment below and we'll add it in.

10 unglamourous secrets about travelling

ungalmourous travel

We've all read dozens of blogs with dos and don’ts, tips and tricks, must-sees and must-definitely-not-sees... If there’s one thing that I’ve learned during my travels, it’s this: nobody’s perfect! Even the most experienced traveller occasionally screws up. I jotted down ten not so glamourous things about travel that you won’t read about in most blogs, but are 100% acceptable to do while travelling. Because hey, we’re all human!

#1 Have a cranky moment (or two)

When you travel, you will always encounter these moments when you feel moody, tired or cranky. Can't avoid it, so follow Tame Impala’s advice and just ‘LET IT HAPPEN’! Fighting it will only make it worse. That's why you should definitely choose your travel mates wisely. They need to be able to handle you when you go to the dark side and vice versa. Can’t find the ultimate travel mate? No worries, go solo and travel on your own ;).

Travelling in IndiaMe and my travel mates in India – picture by Willemien De Brone

#2 A scarf will become your new best friend!

A scarf is so much more than a scarf. Bring a nice and big scarf (or buy a cheap one at a local market and practise your bargaining skills). It can be used for absolutely anything: a blanket in a bus/train/plane with cold air conditioning, a veil to protect your hair from the rain, a cover for your shoulders, a skirt to cover your legs, a picnic blanket for that hot tinder date you scored last-minute and so much more!
scarf all over the world

#3 Become a toilet warrior!

I will never take a western toilet for granted again. Sometimes you have to do number 1 (or even 2) in something that is basically just a hole. It’s no use getting all worked up about the toilet thing, just man up, make sure you always carry toilet paper and after several toilet visits, you’ll become a true toilet warrior!

#4 Try to save money and go incognito!

We’ve all been there, that moment when we’re looking at flights that seem pretty cheap, but don’t book it straight away and the next time you check the same flight… BOOM! The price inexplicably goes up. This is because of cookies and other things you’ll find on the worldwide web they follow you wherever you go online. Luckily for us, there’s a way around this: the incognito mode (or private mode if you like)! If you’re a Mac user, just press ‘SHIFT + cmd + n’ and you’re good to go. No more cookies following you and no more flights that suddenly become outrageously expensive.

#5 Be oldskool and carry your Lonely Planet around

You’ll find heaps of information online about tours to book, places to visit and more. However, sometimes you might end up in an area where the Wi-Fi is non-existent, therefore, you can’t rely on finding all of your precious information online! That’s why I like acting all oldskool and carrying my Lonely Planet around. Try to get the most up to date book, it's great for places to eat, ways to get around and cool places to check out. It certainly helped my travel buddies and I to not get totally ripped off by a cheeky rickshaw driver in India.

travel with your Lonely Planetal idea about costs before deciding to buy or book something. However, no matter how prepared you are, sometimes you still get ripped off. So if you find that the batteries in the super nice watch you bought are almost dead, no need to get all worked up about it, accept that you got ripped off, laugh about it and learn from it.

#7 Play good cop/bad cop

When you are in a country where it is common to haggle for bargains, it’s totally fine to play the haggling game as well as possible. One of my travel mates developed her own ‘good cop/bad cop strategy’ in order to get the price as low as possible. It works! Just follow this scenario: person A plays good cop and is allowed to show his/her interest in an item to buy; person B plays the sceptical bad cop and consistently points out that the item is not that special and is therefore not worth its price. Both A and B have to stick to their roles until an acceptable price has been reached. Unleash the actor/actress inside of you and you'll become a haggling champion in no time!

#8 Totally rock at taking smartphone pictures

Shout out to my fellow ‘wanna-be-but-cannot-be’ photographers out there: take out your smartphone, make some beautiful snaps and don’t feel sorry about it. Don't be afraid to cheat a little and use a pretty Instagram filter to polish your snaps. Some people think it’s fake… I think it’s a-okay because we’re grown ups and we do whatever we want when it comes to Instagram! A little filter never hurt anybody.

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#9 Not to have a plan

When you travel, you usually meet fellow travellers who ask you about your travel plans. Don’t feel awkward about not having a plan at all. It’s something to be proud of. Not having a plan equals more adventure, more flexibility and fewer regrets. And hey, our loyal friend Lonely Planet is still tagging along isn’t he? He’ll be there to help when you're spontaneity isn't sure.

#10 Feel homesick

It's OK to feel homesick at some point, especially when you’re away for a long period of time. Nothing to be ashamed of. When that happens, just accept your homesickness and do something that will make you feel better: have an ice cream, watch an episode of that brainless TV show you secretly follow back at home or… call your mum and tell her all about the exciting adventures you’ve had so far.

So don’t be scared, pack your bags and screw up sometimes! In the end, practice makes perfect. Keep on travelling and learn from every situation!

 

 

7 ways to beat loneliness on your solo travels!

Many people believe that solo travellers are really good at being alone. Loneliness doesn't seem to bother them that much. Well, take it from this solo traveller, that's not true!

Travelling solo does not necessarily mean that you're immune to feeling lonely. Many solo travellers just use the many tools that are available in this modern world to meet new people and share stories.

Here are some tools I have used to avoid loneliness on my solo travels.

#1. Sleep in hostels or share a house

If you sleep in hostels, it's easy to meet other travellers. Use websites like Hostelworld or Booking.com and compare prices of dorms. Hostels are generally full of travellers who are keen to meet new people, so you will most likely make new friends in no time.

If you are staying at the same place for a longer time, then finding a room in shared houses is often a cheaper option to find accommodation and meet new people. Keep an eye on Facebook posts in backpacker groups about available rooms. There are also plenty of online platforms where you can find people that are looking for housemates:

Your roommates might even become travel mates and join you on exciting trips!

Roommate camping trip, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia

#2. Swipe right for travel advice!

To all my fellow single travellers out there, all I have to say is: "start swiping and use Tinder!" Okay, it's a dating app, but it's a great tool to meet locals as well. Ask them all they know about their city and learn where to find the hotspots and the notspots. If you're not that much into blind dating, you can just match with people and ask them for recommendations without even meeting them in real life. But if you do score a date... suit up and enjoy! 😉

#3. Join a cooking class

Foodies who like to experiment with food will love this idea. You can sign up for a cooking class and learn how to cook a delish local meal. Not only will you be able to impress your friends back at home with your new cooking skills. You will also most likely meet other travellers in the class and share travel stories with them. When you're travelling in Asia, you will find out that there are plenty of cooking classes you can join, like this authentic Thai cooking class in Bangkok.

#4. Meet up with Meetup

There are several apps you can use to meet new people and make friends while travelling. I am a huge fan of Meetup. You can create a profile on the website or use the app. Then you enter which city you're in; you select some of your interests and woopah... you see a range of events that you can join.

The events on Meetup range from playing a match of beach volley; to meeting up for a language exchange event; to just watching a movie at the cinema together etc. You will definitely find your cup of tea! On Meetup events it is easy to meet fellow backpackers, expats or even locals that can share their knowledge about the city with you.

Language Exchange meet-up by Lingos Melbourne

#5 Become a language tandem partner (or tutor)

Looking for a language tandem partner is a good idea when you're staying at the same place for a longer time. You can use Facebook (or platforms like Gumtree in Australia) and post ads to find a language tandem partner. That way, you can help your tandem partner to study your language. In return, you can practise his/her language.

If you want to earn some extra pocket money, you can even become a language tutor in your native language (or other languages you're fluent in). Post on Facebook (or use other platforms) and find out if anyone wants to learn your language. People that are studying a foreign language are always keen to have a native tutor who can help them with pronunciation, writing skills and conversation skills. In return, they just give you some cash in hand, and a big thank you for helping them make progress in their language learning. And if you get along well, you might be able to add a new friend in your endless pool of international friendships.

#6 Find travel mates on Facebook

There are heaps of backpacker groups for different destinations on Facebook. Just join the groups, keep an eye open for people looking for travel mates and say: "YES! I want to be your travel buddy!" It's a great way to find new friends to travel with. And it's also a cheaper way to travel as you often end up sharing costs for fuel, food and accommodation. WIN-WIN!

#7 Join a tour!

It might be a no-go for some independent travellers. Tours sometimes have a reputation of busses filled-up with tourists, all with a camera hanging on their neck and snapping away a million photos and selfies. BUT! By choosing the right operator, joining a tour can definitely give you the opportunity to come to unique places, learning inside information from local guides AND  an awesome way to meet fellow travellers. Is there anything more exciting than admiring a destination's highlights while taking a group picture with freshly made friends? And once the tour is over, you can team-up for your onward travels!

Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia

Backpacker Deals started to combine two DIY's into one: An unique and fun Backpacker Meet-Up and Tour combined! Do you want to meet other travellers and have an unforgettable day out? Join on our  Great Ocean Road backpacker tour on the 11th of March. Explore stunning scenery along the world-famous Great Ocean Road in Victoria (Australia), meet like-minded people and have an amazing day!

Discovering Asia on a backpacker budget

 

Asia is hot among backpackers, and there's a reason why! It is the place to be if you are looking for breath-taking nature, stunning beaches, exciting adventures and delicious food without paying a fortune. If you travel wisely, you might end up spending less money than you would have spent just staying back at home. No kidding!

 

Sleep for free or work for your comfy bed

Accommodation usually takes in a big part of your travelling budget. Luckily, there are different options available that will help you find a free couch to sleep on. Or how about working a couple of hours a day in return for free accommodation?

On Couchsurfing you can find a free couch (or bed if you're a lucky bastard) to sleep on. It is a good way to meet locals and to learn more about the local culture and cuisine. Couchsurfing is free, it is just very common to give a small thank you present to your host. You can use CouchSurfing back home as well. You can host people at your place, show them around, share exciting travel stories and... who knows... make a new international friend.

Wwoofing, HelpX and Workaway are other online platforms on which you can find places to stay for free in return for a couple of hours' work. The type of work usually varies from organic farming to wildlife preservation to petsitting and more. It is another great way to have a more authentic experience of the country's culture and to get to know some tips & tricks from locals.

 

Travel overnight

If you're travelling from one city to another, it's a good idea to travel overnight by train or bus. That way you save at least one night of accommodation to pay and you get to see some beautiful landscapes along the way (at daylight obviously). Travelling by night train or bus is part of the backpacking in Asia DNA. So if you want to call yourself a backpacker rightfully, book that sleeper train, make yourself as comfortable as you possibly can and let the soothing bumps along the road lull you to sleep.

Sleeper train from Goa to Mumbai, India

Haggle for your bed

No need to book accommodation in advance. When I was in India, me and my friends just walked around, visited several hotels/hostels/guesthouses, haggled for a good price and then we decided which option to go with. That way you also don't end up booking a room with lovely looking pictures online, but with cute little cockroaches and bed bugs in reality. Gotta love face-to-face deals!

 

Markets, supermarkets and street food

Make sure you've localised the nearest supermarket. That's where you want to buy your water, cookies and other snacks that will stop you from buying expensive food and drinks at any tourist highlight. It will also make you more popular with your fellow travellers if you're the one shouting "Who wants a cookie?" several times a day.

Local markets are the place to go! Not only will you be amazed by wonderful colours, you might even get to taste some local specialities here and there. I always buy bread or noodles, fruit, nuts or banana chips (my favourite) at a local market. Then all that's left to do is organise my own little picnic in the nearest park or other nice location.

If you're going to Hanoi, Vietnam, you might learn from a local how to hunt for cheap food at local markets. Visit a market accompanied by a local and then learn how to cook a home-made meal in a cooking class.

 

Local market with fruit & veggies, Kochi, India

 

When in Asia... do as the Asians do!

Platforms like CouchSurfing do not only help you find a free place to sleep. They can also serve as a tool to find locals who would love to hang out with you. They can show you around, take you out for a night on the town and tell you all about the must-visit places in their hometown. So what are you waiting for! Find a warm and friendly local to show you around. Not only will you see plenty of places that tourists generally don't know about. You might also get lots of tips & tricks about where they serve the cheapest breakfast, where you'll drink the cheapest beers and where you'll finedine for almost no money! Before you know it, you end up in a religious festival surrounded by dancing locals who just drag you along in their celebrations.

Ganesh Festival, Mumbai, India

 

Is Bangkok on your destination list? Then how about jogging and having breakfast with a local? A yummy breakfast and lots of valuable insights will be forever yours after this adventure.

 

Freebies for the win!

Shout out to my fellow freebies out there! Once you get used to travelling on a budget, the word 'FREE' makes you the happiest person in the world. Apart from keeping your eyes open for free stuff to get or things to do, you can proactively search for free activities. Google will do the trick. And this counts for travelling in any place, not just Asia. Just type in 'free walking tours' + the city/place you are visiting and browse through the hits you get. At the end of the tour, you can decide how much money you want to give to your guide.

Or how about good old Lonely Planet? It's oldschool to have one with you, but oldschool is nice and doesn't require WiFi. You'll find free walking tours and activities in there as well. So if you're like me and you sometimes like to have a digital detox while you're travelling, investing in a Lonely Planet is a great idea and will leave you with incredibly valuable tips and knowledge about the places you're travelling to. Knowledge is power!

Cheap deals on the world-wide web!

You'll find heaps of travel agencies in Asian cities that offer cheap tours. But... if you do some research online, you might end up finding the same tours at much lower prices. Or if you're really lucky, you can even score some promotions. It might be a good idea to subscribe to newsletters of several online travel agents. Yes, it will make your mailbox slightly more messy. But just keep an eye open for words like 'DISCOUNT' and 'PROMOTIONS' in the subject line and you will thank me when you go on your -40% discounted multi-day jungle trekking tour.

Subscribe to this newsletter and you will be the first to know about secret backpacker deals!

5 embarrassing travel stories from Asia

Epic travel pictures and awesome adventurous videos are all over the Facebook walls and Instagram accounts of most Globetrotters. Add a hashtag (or a hundred of them) and BAMMMM... time to count all our likes and feel like a heroic celebrity (for 1 minute).

But what about our not so heroic travel moments? You know just as well as I do that at some point in our trips, we all go through some embarrassing stories that make us think: YEP! That just happened… We usually don't share these awkward moments, because they're not something to be proud of.

Today, is not a usual day. So here I am, going all in and sharing 5 of my not-so-great travel moments. #honestyrules #epicfail

#1 NIGHT TRAIN TOILETS

When I was a little girl, my mom always told me that you shouldn’t use train toilets when the train is at a station. That all made sense to me in the Western world, but when I was in India it all of the sudden did not make that much sense to me anymore.

First of all, how was I supposed to know when we were at a station? Some night trains drive with open doors and go at a very slow speed. People are hopping on and off while the train is still driving. Therefore, my apologies to the people at a station located god-knows-where in India between Kochi and Goa. I just really needed to go and when I flushed the toilet I was just as appalled to see all the contents of the toilet on the rails... right next to dozens of passengers waiting to hop on the train. IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN...

Night trains in India, always an adventure, Kochi, India

#2 FORGETTING TO COVER UP 

What is rule number 1 when visiting a temple in Asia? Indeed, cover your arms and legs! No rocket science, but on a hot and humid day, I managed to forget to dress appropriately. Luckily, me and my travel mates managed to be creative with what we had. We turned a scarf into a long skirt and used a mini towel to cover our shoulders. So what is so embarrassing about that? Have a look at the picture below. FASHION FAIL!

Stylish as ever @ Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia

#3 AN UNWANTED SOUVENIR 

I love Asian food, so I really pay attention to what I eat. I don't want to end up spending most of my trip on the toilet. But no matter how careful you are, sometimes you end up getting sick anyway. After three weeks of travelling in Thailand and Cambodia, I somehow took a new friend with me on my trip home: a nice little parasyte who was having a house party in my bowels. A couple of interesting visits to the toilet convinced me to go to the doctor. Who found out about my new friend. All I had to do was take four pills and the bastard disappeared from my life. But still... not the best souvenir to bring home. I will spare you the toilet details!

#4 TALL PEOPLE IN SMALL SPACES 

I happen to be a very tall girl (6 ft 2/ 1.86 m.). So tall that I tend to hit my head regularly. I was lucky enough to find a bar in Mumbai where I had to tilt my head slightly in order not to hit the ceiling. Very comfortable indeed! While I was waiting in the line to go to the bathroom, I found out that a local Indian guy had the same ceiling-touching-head problem. We ended up having a short chat and exchanging other embarrassing stories caused by our tallness. My friends thought it would be funny to capture that moment in a lovely picture so I would never ever forget. Thanks, girls!

Story of my life...

#5 TUKTUK VS ME: 1-0

Did you know that entering a tuk tuk with your backpack still on your back is not a very bright idea? I learned that the hard way. I was in a bit of a hurry, because I needed to get to the train station on time, so I just forgot about my loyal friend called backpack. I got stuck, fell on my back and could not get up anymore. So I stayed there lying on the floor like a helpless turtle for a minute or two. On the bright side, I entertained several random passers-by who seemed to enjoy my little slapstick scene. You're welcome, random passers-by!

Tuktuk selfie, Bangkok, Thailand

Why you don't need the lottery to travel.

“I could certainly become a full-time traveller now!”

These wise words were spoken by an anonymous Melbourne man who won 20 million dollars in a lottery in August 2016. True that, Mr anonymous Melbourne man!

Just imagine what you could do with all that money…

Okay, I admit, it must be pretty awesome to win that much money. But, at the same time, who says you need to win the lottery to experience unforgettable travel stories? Isn’t it part of the whole travel fun to be able to score cheap deals and to just go back to basics?

I certainly think it is! These tips & tricks will help you create magnificent travel memories without exceeding your non-lottery-winner budget.

Paradise exists... and it's not expensive! 

Ever been to paradise without paying a fortune? Go to Thailand and your answer to that question will be: YES! Sip from cocktail buckets while dancing with ultra sociable locals, attend the most beautiful drag queen shows you have ever seen and rent a moped to admire some knock-out views on the Thai islands. Use your best haggling tricks and always say you are a student when people ask what you do for a living. You will get cheaper accommodation, lower prices for tours and souvenirs and… you can practise your acting skills!

 

Cheap treats for your taste buds

Those same haggling skills will come in handy in Cambodia as well. Use a flight search engine like Google Flights (in private mode) to find the cheapest flights to Siem Reap and visit the magical Angkor Wat temples. Need to get your tummy filled up? Get yourself a delicious fruit shake or heavenly fried noodles at a street food stall. It is cheap and, above all, it is delicious! If the foodie inside of you just can't get enough of Asian street food, this tour might become the best friend of your taste buds.

Make your Aussie or Kiwi dream reality

I can already hear you thinking: "There is no way that I can afford a trip down under!" Well, my friend, I am extremely happy to inform you that there are several ways to make your Aussie/Kiwi trip happen without ruining your bank account:

The perks of being an au pair: a trampoline in the garden!
The perks of being an au pair: a trampoline in the garden!

 Experience the tropical vibes of Fiji 

Fiji: famous for being the ultimate tropical paradise and.... exclusive prices. But don't be sad my fellow travellers, Fiji can definitely be done on a budget. How? Get yourself a Hop on/Hop off Bula Pass and explore the breathtaking Yasawa islands at your own pace. Hostels will do the trick to find cheap accommodation. No budget for expensive snorkelling/diving trips? Bring your own snorkel set (Keep an eye open on eBay) and you can easily create your very own snorkel excursion without spending any money on expensive tours. Now you can snorkel along the coast of the many wonderful islands all by yourself!

Welcome to paradise!
Welcome to paradise!

So where is your budget going to bring you next?