Sunday Night Walking Streets, Chiang Mai

The month of November in Northern Thailand is nothing less than *magical*. The rainy season is starting to clear away, the mountains are getting noticeably cooler, the humidity mercifully eases, and across the country celebrations are under way.

Last weekend I stayed at Kristi's Guesthouse in the center of the old city quarters. This guest house is a personal favorite of mine, and I'm coming to terms with the fact that it's no longer the hidden gem it used to be a few years back. It's located on a charming 'soi' lined with cobbled streets, modest and shy guest houses, a temple, a cafe or two and several Thai cooking schools.

I woke up at an ungodly hour on Sunday morning to the BANG! of fireworks and gongs going off in the temple outside my balcony window. It's official, the Buddhists are in full-force celebration mode now...monks are filing out of the temples with their precious few belongings to go home for the first time in months.

In the later years of Buddha (~540 B.C.) villagers complained about his monks traveling through their rice paddy fields. The rainy season is the most important season for growing rice, and the monks were accidentally damaging crops as they traveled the countryside spreading his message. He ordained that the rainy season months should be a time for monks to stay inside the temple walls, perfecting their meditation and focusing on their teachings...this tradition has carried on nearly 1,500 years later.

To this day, young men are traditionally ordained as monks at the beginning of the rainy season, and remain inside the temple walls for 3 months straight, the duration of the season. So today, on a clear, bright and sunny day, a small migration of monks set foot outside the temple doors and started their journeys back home. Music and messages of good luck were blasted from megaphones and fireworks shot off in celebration. Some of the monks had suit cases in hand, others had duffel bags, Ipods and cell phones already tuned in as they exited the gates.

Today also happens to be the most special of market days in Chiang Mai, the Sunday Night Walking Street. It's a cultural market that takes place every Sunday. The city street traffic is shut down and artists from in and around the province come together to sell their artwork: handicrafts, jewelry, hand made clothing, paintings, sculpture, woodwork...any possible trinket you could want. Music, massage parlors and street food vendors add the appropriate ambiance, and every once in a while I battle the crowds to treat myself to some quality shopping and local treats!

*This video was shot from the front gates of a temple, where the festivities mix in celebration of the end of the rainy season and the ambiance of the Sunday night walking street markets.*

*Moo Ping! Grilled pork with sticky rice and dipped in a spicy green chili sauce.*

*A little mood music, a little soft lighting, and even you can fall asleep in a massage chair!*

*Of course, a quick stop to visit my friends (Nim and Ning) at Parasol Inn and to steal some of their food!---this is also when I unknowingly ate a dish loaded with 30 chilis...*

20 Tips for 'Green Travel'

Green Tourism, Eco-Tourism, Responsible Tourism, Sustainable Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Nature-Based Tourism...these buzz words are becoming more popular worldwide.

The ideas behind these buzz words all vary slightly when it comes to answering these key questions:
How can we travel sustainably for future generations to enjoy the same experience?
How can we care for the environment and help the local people in a positive way?

We're a new generation of travelers, more aware of our environmental impact and more keen to experience remote destinations in their 'natural' setting.

And yet...it seems that without proper government & international regulation, any company or hotel or travel agent can slap the word 'eco-friendly' on their product and attempt to lure unsuspecting tourists in.

So, how do we know what 'green' travel really is?

• Making educated choices that minimize negative environmental impact: choose destinations or tours that operate with a philosophy of conservation and education, apply 'Leave No Trace' principles, try to minimize energy consumption, be aware of where resources are coming from and where the waste goes at the end of the day.
  
• Respecting the locals: be polite and minimizing negative cultural generalizations (i.e. the English drink too much, Americans are ignorant, the French are stuck up, etc...)
  
• Learning the local customs and culture: learn the language, dress appropriately (look to the locals for cues), read up on the religions, holy places and local customs (are there social taboos, like the placement of feet in Asia, to be aware of?)
  
• Responsible purchasing: support local businesses, buy local products directly from artisans (avoid souvenirs made in China), avoid souvenirs made from animal products, corals or shells, eat local foods supporting local farmers, hire local tour guides.


• Health & hygiene: pay attention to the chemicals used in your water bottles, shampoos or laundry detergents, use biodegradable soaps when available. Awareness will help to minimize toxic waste in the region you're visiting.

Here's a list of 'Travel Green' tips to remember next time you're on the go:

1. Before you go, unplug everything in your house. Many electronics use a high amount of 'vampire energy', meaning they consume energy even when on stand-by or plugged in (TVs and microwaves for example.)


2. Use public transportation in country whenever possible.


3. Don't eat at international chains like Starbucks or McDonald's, explore and experiment in local markets and eateries.


4. Use rechargeable gadgets, avoid single-use or disposable products (i.e. batteries, disposable hand wipes)


5. Don't throw away electronics when they malfunction. Batteries contain toxic materials that need to be recycled properly when you return home.
   
6. Travel with a stainless steel water bottle and refill as you go, since many developing countries lack adequate recycling infrastructure.


7. Brochures and maps provided by hotels or travel agents can be returned if kept in good condition.


8. Travel with a tote bag, something of durable fabric to avoid using plastic.


9. Use your own soap and washing liquids, since the disposable ones in hotels are wasteful.


10. Turn off all electric devices when leaving your hotel room.


11. If your hotel does not recycle or dispose of rubbish responsible, write a comment in the 'comments card' since hotel reps and managers do read them.


12. "Do Not Disturb": tell the hotel staff you don't need your room cleaned every day. This saves energy from vacuuming and reduces toxic waste from using chemical cleaners. Cut down on water waste by re-using towels and linens.


13. Know your carbon footprint, and make a financial donation to help reduce the greenhouse gases while you're away. Use Sustainable Tourism International's Carbon Calculator and help support projects investing in wind energy, tree planting, and many more examples here.


14. Keep the window closed during a daytime flight, this reduces the energy needed to keep the plane cool.
    
15. Choose a biodegradable sunscreen, one that's reef friendly and won't bleach the corals.
    
16. Keep to the hiking trails and stay off the buds and plants. (At high altitudes native flora is slow-growing and can take years to properly regenerate.)


17. Never feed the wildlife, and avoid adventure operators who offer up-close and personal encounters with wildlife that are not in the field of conservation, internationally recognized or reputable.


18. Don't support the wildlife trade, avoid buying products made from threatened or endangered wildlife. Buyer Beware and WWF's Souvenir Guide are great resource for research into the area you're traveling to.


19. Stay in home stays or small guesthouses when available, this will allow you more intimate interaction with the locals and support small family businesses.


20. Volunteer while you're abroad. There's no better way to interact and learn from the local culture and customs, and your work will be a direct contribution to something positive--whether you're interested in community development, wildlife conservation, or environmental care, you'll find millions of volunteer organizations eager to have you. (Some example resources: Woofing organic farming, International Student Volunteers, Projects Abroad, Neohumanism Volunteering.)

Resources to continue reading up on 'Green Travel'...

World Wildlife Foundation: for travel tips check out their travel blog; information about conservation projects worldwide.

ABC News 'Green Ideas'

Go Travel Green: inspiration, trip recommendations, and tips for the eco-conscious traveler.

Sustainable Travel International

15 Tips To De-Hassle International Flights

“There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror.” – Orson Welles

This is the part of the 'globetrotting lifestyle' I absolutely hate...the actual act of jet setting. The minute you set foot in an airport, chaos sets in. I always feel like I'm in the middle of a race I never signed up for.

Quick, to the check in counter! Race to get your bag scanned and loaded! Run to beat the lines for the security checks! Make sure you've got your departure cards filled out because next stop, immigration and customs! (...Never break eye contact with immigration officers...it makes them nervous.)

After that, wait 20 minutes for the women's toilets and of course boarding time is just around the corner...

Agh, I hate airports! Long lines for EVERYTHING, ego-maniac security guards, impatient business travelers, confusing time zones and the jet lag that follows, tight connections, expensive food courts, large people in cramped seats, pushy passengers, improbable weather delays, turbulent flights, overstuffed suitcases in the overhead compartments, and the absolute worst...suspicious coughs and sneezing. I'm always a little bit terrified about what dormant diseases people are carrying in airports, including myself...shit, when's the last time I updated my vaccines?!!!

So...let's breathe deep and just come to terms with the fact that international travel is only glitz and glamour for those behind the mysterious curtain that separates First Class from you and me, the common folk, the dreaded coach...

Some tips to de-hassle international traveling I've learned along the way....

1. Remember the golden 'pre-departure' rules...
   Get to the airport 2 hours prior for domestic flights, 3 for international; wear comfy shoes and light layers; leave your valuables at home; and leave a copy of all important travel documents with a friend or family

2. Before you fly pack carefully...
   I always use this as my "zen" time. I listen to music, I drink my coffee, and I meticulously place all my belongings in the order I have perfected over the past years. Without even opening my pack I can tell you exactly where my toothbrush is, which is a handy trick when you need to get to something quick in your bag...If I don't take my time packing, I usually get frustrated and throw my pack out my hotel balcony window...(last 2 offences in Singapore and China I believe...)

3. Know the baggage weight limits of your airline...

   (and don't forget domestic connections) If you're not sure, weigh your bag before you go to the airport and spare yourself the small fortune in fees, or the embarrassment of opening your pack and redistributing weight while a long line of angry tourists glare at your backside.

4. Tuck in all your pack's straps and buckles, airlines get aggressive when handling your luggage---if it can rip off or break easily, strap it down.

5. Request your seat when checking in...

   I like to check in and request aisle seats, I prefer not having to climb over people when nature calls. Some people prefer windows, since you get a view and a headrest. I hate not being able to keep my bags under my feet, so I avoid emergency exit rows (whereas some people prefer the extra leg room.)

6. Double check that the airline prints out a luggage ID that has your correct final destination on it.

   If you're worried about your luggage getting lost, consider re-checking in your pack at one of your connections. If you have a long layover and you think you will have time to check in at a counter, go for it. I only do this when I have 3 or more connections and/or when I'm switching airlines during the journey.

7. Keep all your passport/tickets/visas/immigration and immunization records in one organized location, easy to reach going through security and gates.

8. For security check points, watch the other passengers first to see what's required..

   The USA has one of the toughest security check points requiring you to strip down to a bare minimum (no shoes, no belts, no scarves, no liquids, etc.) Many international security checks won't require you to take off your shoes, belt or jacket, nor do they require constant checking of ID and tickets. So think twice before you strip!

9. Keep all your liquids checked in your luggage. De clutter your carry on, only carry essentials for the flight.

10. Keep entertainment and reading material for long flights & layovers--if you're bringing music or electronics, be sure to have appropriate adapters and chargers in your carry on.

11. Keep cash on you.
    During layovers many travel currency exchange agencies do not require a minimum transaction. If you want a coffee or a snack in between country hopping, change a few bucks over and keep the leftover change as a souvenir.

12. Keep a sleep kit for your flights: eye mask, ear plugs, face wipes, socks, mini toothbrush and toothpaste (*separate for security*), and sleeping pills if you dare. Don't forget prescription meds & the sweater or scarf to keep warm mid-flight.

13. Stay mobile during the flights...
    Deep vein thrombosis or "economy class syndrome" is essentially a blood clot condition that occurs from immobility and dehydration during extended periods of time. The more you fly, the more at risk you are. Drink lots of water and juice (for every wine or coffee drink 2 cups of water), and walk up and down the aisles if you're feeling stiff.

14. Avoid jet lag...
    Keep a watch for easy time changing, and adapting to new time zones. Spend time outside to help keep your body in tune with the time, drink lots of water, nap for 2 or 3 hours at a time but force yourself to wake up! Exercise or go for a long walk when you land to literally 'stay on your feet!' And never underestimate the healing powers of a steaming hot shower...

15. Most importantly, keep a sense of humor...
    I have a giggle every time I fly with Thais...for some inexplicable reason the minute the plane lands they are on their feet, bags in hand and charging their way down the aisles to get off the plane! Forget about waiting in your seat until the crowd parts to let you by, they don't let anyone through!
    I like to block the aisle with my bag and make sure every single person in front of me has cleared the plane before making my way out, it's a sick pleasure I know. For a people so gentle and polite to strangers, plane rides in Thailand become alternate universes where wrong is right, being rude is socially accepted, the toilets are the cleanest you've ever sat on & the airplane food is better than anything you can cook at home ...
    Know before you go! Things to consider for your overseas trip: visas, travel documents, immunizations, spare cash flow sources, customs and cultural expectations...for an extensive checklist of tips read here:
    10 Tips When Traveling Overseas...

Mood Music...Listen Here for Natacha's "Just Like a Dream"

Hostel Life: Tips For Making The Most of Your Hostel Experience

Hostel Life: Can ya dig it?!

(Roommates in Pushkar, India 2008)

(Barossa Wine Valley tours, South Australia Sept.2010)

(Adelaide YHA hostel, South Australia Sept.2010)

I am 25 years old. I have been out of Uni (or college for you American un-savants) for a few years now, and more importantly I haven’t set foot in a college dorm since freshman year. I’ll never forget that dorm, the first week of school we had windows shot out by a gang related drive-by shooting and 6 weeks later a strange fungus took over the girls’ bathroom floor and we suffered itchy feet for an entire semester before anything was done about it.

I was pretty traumatized after that year and I swore those days were behind me, and yet here I am, living Uni dorm life all over again! Except now there’s a new word for it- HOSTEL LIFE.

Hostel life and dorm life are pretty much one and the same. It’s all the good, the bad, and definitely the ugly. What hostel life does not guarantee, however, is that everyone in your room will be in your age group. For the most part you’ll get your 20 something year old backpackers, but every now and again a surprise high school group or senior citizens club!

The other night in St Kilda (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) I said goodnight (and goodbye) to a 19 year old rugby player from England the next bunk over, only to find a 65 year old Aussie woman in his place the next morning! She didn’t last long at St Kilda, for many reasons, which will surely come out a bit later. I have a bone to pick with that particular BASE hostel…

So why do it?! Well, obviously if I had a ton of money at my disposal I'd choose to stay in the Royal Hotels and the 4 star resorts...but sadly I'm poor. (Or, according to the US government I'm just hovering over the poverty line which still requires tax payments every year!) So, bang for my buck please! Hostels give you rates per person, so it's pretty safe to say you'll pay anywhere between $20-30 a night (depending on where you're traveling and what time of year--high tourist season, low season, etc.)

Countries like New Zealand and Australia have been absolutely perfect for exploring and traveling, but the costs of living and eating each day are draining! Coffee: $4, Sandwich: $10, Laundry: $8, Accommodation: $25, Local Transport: $5-7, Dinner: $18, Beer: $7...Here in Australia alone my daily budget has gone from nil to $50/day! (..that's not including museum entrance fees, park entrance fees, activities or sightseeing, and trust me, I'm skipping meals where I can!)

So, if you want to save money while you travel, your best shot will be backpacking through hostels.

Let’s talk about expectations. For those of you who are new to the idea of hostel traveling there are some 'inconveniences' you should be prepared for:

1.) Constant roommate turn over: usually daily, people check in and out of your rooms at all hours of the night and day (depending on whether you go for 4 bed, 6 bed, 8 bed or 10 bed dorms…higher number of beds in the room, less you pay for the night)

2.) Shared facilities: toilets, showers, kitchen, lounge, tv area, wash and drying machines (tip: always wear shower shoes in the bathroom!)

3.) Noise: people who travel through hostels are usually on holiday, so expect loud noises, lots of drunken screaming and roommates turning on the lights and climbing into bed at all hours of the night

4.) Privacy: forget about it, doesn’t exist. The only time I find any privacy in a hostel is when I’m outside of it.

5.) Security: since your roommates are strangers you’ll have to be sure to lock up your valuables (tip: always travel with at least 2 travel locks for your bag and luggage)

Tips to manage these inconveniences:

1.) Find friends along the road and ask to share dorms with them. That way I have a better idea of who I’ll be rooming with when I can fill an 8 bed dorm with 4 people I’ve already known for a couple of days.

2.) Some hostels offer female ‘sanctuaries’: if you’re not comfortable sharing a room with boys, most hostels offer a “Females Only Floor”, with locked access for maximum security 24/7.

3.) Never book for more than 2 nights in advance at a hostel. Hostels may drive you insane after 48 hours depending on the crowds it draws—always give yourself an out!

4.) Shared kitchens make food snatching tempting! Always label your food with your name and date so someone doesn't ‘accidentally’ take your stock of parmesan cheese! (tip: to save money on the road buy your groceries and cook your own food along the way, most hostels will have kitchen facilities available)

5.) Having shared facilities isn’t always a bad thing. The lounge area and the cinema rooms are usually where I meet new friends. Another great spot is the travel desk, here’s where you can find people trying to head in the same direction you are! Facilities usually include: pools, pool tables, cyber cafes, and bars with game nights and prize nights every day to keep things interesting.

6.) Noise will always be a problem. But if you’re interested in getting some sleep at night I recommend searching out ‘Dry Hostels’ where alcohol is banned on the premises. (YHA hostels are usually alcohol-free and one of my personal favorite hostel names.)

7.) Keep a sleep kit in your bed—ear plugs, eye mask, I-pod to help block out the roommates’ noise.

8.) For security, hostels usually provide lockers in the rooms to help keep valuables safe. Make sure there’s one for each roommate, and security throughout the hostel floors (i.e. key card access to your floor as well as your room.) Lock your bags when you’re not in the room (even if it’s just for a quick 10 minute shower.)

9.) To find the best deals and best recommended hostels ask people around you where they're coming from and where they've stayed. I also like to check Hostel World for unbiased reviews:

http://www.hostelworld.com/

I’ve had some real nightmare experiences over the years backpacking through hostels. The worst of which include 18 year old girls not holding their liquor all over the dorm floor, guys peeing in the bunk above me, sleep walkers and snorers attacking the innocent, and couples having sex in the middle of the night thinking I wouldn’t wake up…ugh makes me tired thinking of this list...now I can laugh, but at the time I sure as hell didn't!

And yet, I am still an avid supporter of HOSTEL LIFE. Despite the horrors, I have met the most fascinating people while backpacking through hostels and I have managed to make some incredible friendships around the world, from strangers I’ve met in the dorms. Also, if you're traveling solo you'll be happy to have the company around you (especially if you're ever feeling lonely.) ...My most recent hostel experience took me to the Adelaide YHA in South Australia...

(http://www.yha.com.au/hostels/sa/adelaide/adelaide-central/)

(YHA Adelaide, supreme comfort and atmosphere; Frenchie cooks up a storm in hostel kitchen)

(Hiking, climbing in the Grampians Mts with new friends)

...where a couple from the UK, a Canadian and a Frenchie gave me excellent company the past week. Wine tours, central markets, hiking trips in Victoria, camping, and excellent dinners. (Note to reader: EVERYONE should make friends with a professional French chef; I’ve never eaten so well!)

We have parted ways now, the UK couple stayed behind in Adelaide and Frenchie and the Canadian decided to head north to Uluru (the barren outback desert.) I'm in Western Australia, Perth to be exact visiting some old and getting to know some new friends :)

Ta for now!

PS: Stay away from BASE backpackers at St. Kilda- Melbourne, Victoria!!! It’s dirty, loud, your roommates will all be under 20 years old, and for some reason everyone there’s an idiot for drunken fighting and banging on the doors in the middle of the night. I spent 4 nights there for $24, and now I know exactly why the rooms were dirt cheap, and the deal was ‘too good to be true.’

I'd like my $24 back in exchange for some of the emotional scarring i'll have to repress for the rest of my life (sex in shared dorms is NEVER OK people!)

Video---You can't hear a word of what I'm saying since it's too windy, but I'm basically saying that I'm hiking in the Grampians Mountains !

Backpacker Murders: Hitchhiking Do's and Don'ts...

Australia's Sinister Warning to all International Tourists...

I’m stuck. I’m in a hostel outside of Jindabyne ski town, and my bus to Melbourne is about to leave without me. There’s no bus, no taxi, no friendly hand around the hostel to get me to the town—and the thought of walking up the mountain, crossing the lake, and braving the mushy snow and pouring rain kind of sucks…a lot.

At this point, my only option is to hitchhike. Find the main highway, step up to the curve, and throw that thumb out, hoping a nice old granny with toddlers will be the one to stop.

This thought is particularly unnerving, the timing could not be worse for me to be in this situation. Not even 24 hours ago I was riding shot gun in a minibus with an Aussie named Phil. As we pulled out of Sydney he pointed casually to a forest and told me they found another backpacker’s body there 2 days ago.

“Another one? Has there been more than one backpacker killed?”

“Have you not heard of the backpacker murders? You know the movie, Wolf Creek, was based on the backpacker murderer of Sydney.”

…then Phil, graciously, proceeded to scare the crap out of me.

As the story started to unfold, it sounded vaguely familiar. I remember a couple high school teenage boys trying to tell me a story along these lines, but I laughed it off thinking they were just trying to give me a scare. (These boys were not to be trusted, they were the same to convince me that there actually existed Drop Bears in Australia.)

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULEQpUY_crc&feature=related-- What's a Drop Bear?]

The Backpacker Murders are a warning tale for every young traveler. In the early 1990s, 7 bodies were found, most of them in the Belanglo Forest just outside Sydney, NSW. The backpackers came from Australia, England and Germany, and they were all between the ages of 19-22 years old.

Ivan Milat was convicted and found guilty of murdering the backpackers, and is serving a 7 consecutive life sentences today. He was a roadside worker, and he chose victims as they were hitchhiking in and out of the Sydney area.

The locals say that he used to stab them in the back of their necks first, to paralyze the victims yet keep them alive for whatever twisted things he planned to do. The bodies were found in all sorts of conditions, shot, and riddled with bullets and stab wounds through the neck and torso. One poor backpacker was even decapitated and stabbed post-mortem. Since 1996 he’s been jailed, and yet 2 days ago it’s been proven that locals fear the worst, that there may be many more victims unknown and yet to be found.

Jindabyne town might just be a quick 30-45 minutes ride away…but the timing for this predicament just seems too eerie. Every day, as travelers (and in all walks of life I suppose), we’re forced to make decisions. The reality is that some of these decisions will backfire on us.

I’ve been stranded before: in train stations in the middle of the night in India; on the side of road in Bangkok since the bus broke down; lost in Chinese cities where no one speaks English or cares to help… For the most part I’ve made it out OK, but every once in a while I’ve had those close calls. Police raids, military coups, fights, robbery, tropical diseases, just to name a few. Memories I have worked hard to repress, and won’t bring them up here.

And yet, I know that in an hour’s time I won’t have any other choice but to hitch. This is something I ALWAYS try to avoid, since traveling as a white, female, single traveler brings enough trouble as it is, and I never really wanted to add to that plate.

This is it though, what life on the road is all about isn’t it? Travel plans go awry, things are forced out of your control, and sometimes the only thing you can do is let go, ride with chance, have faith in the kindness of strangers and hope to come out alright on the other side.

If You Do Need to Hitch:

• don't walk too far away from accommodation or towns, if you end up not finding a ride you at least know how to get back
• start hitching early, catch people on their way to work between 7-8am
• don't hitch at night, be sure to call it a day before the sun sets, and never accept a ride from someone in the dark
• tell someone where you're going and where you plan to be, even better is to have your own phone
• most importantly...don't be afraid to say 'No Thank You'--if you're getting creepy vibes from the person behind the wheel, trust your gut

PS- This has been posted days later, from the safety and comfort of a hostel room in Melbourne...so no worries, I made it OK thanks to the kindness of a Japanese backpacker on his way to the ski lifts!

A Backpacker's Guide to Survival: What to pack?

The one question I always get asked when I'm traveling is "how the heck do you pack so light?!" Easy. When everything you own is strapped to your back, you learn to perfect the fine art of minimalism.

Ok, ok. Not everything I own I carry. Mom and Dad keep a dusty closet safe for me full of childhood photo albums, yearbooks, shoes I'll never wear again, and an extra pair of jeans and togs buried somewhere... Nonetheless, I think I may be able to help with some tips and guidelines.

Life on the road is liberating because it really forces you to prioritize; forces you to strip down to the bare minimum and really differentiate between essential and luxury items. You always see that girl, at the airport, at the train station, struggling up the stairs since hostels never seem to have working elevators...she's young, she's tiny and she's carrying a pack that's nearly 3 times her size weighing well over 25 kilos! I feel sorry for her, and I always wonder "what is in there that she absolutely CANNOT live without?!"

Don't get caught looking this sad! Whether you're traveling for 2 months or 2 years, try to only pack for essentials you need to survive 2 weeks. Everything else can be replaced and found easily during your travels (**note, even the most remote places today seem to always have some form of access to civilization and Schick razors**.)

1.) The Perfect Backpack:

If you're like me, hopping around every few days or so, a top-loader will drive you absolutely insane. You'll find that somehow, the very thing you need in a pinch's notice is always at the bottom of your pack. I recommend an all-around zip bag, or one that has many entry points--as long as you keep your pack organized you'll always be able to get to your stuff quickly.

I also recommend one with padded waist straps and a strong back frame. As many pockets and compartments as possible and (I know this sounds funny) one that fits! Try it on, pack it with weight and feel it out. If there are noticeable lumps or kinks, ditch it, because after hours on your back in the heat and humidity you'll want to throw it off a balcony!

Check the zips and choose a brand name that guarantees durability.

Also check for compression straps, will the straps be manageable when you're checking in for flights? I've lost more than my fair share of buckles and straps due to luggage rough-handling in the past.

Remember size matters--if you buy a big pack, you'll fill it. And most importantly, be honest with yourself. Don't waste the big bucks on a super flash mountaineering pack if you're not planning on spending more than a day or two trekking or climbing.

My perfect pack is the Mountain Equipment Co-Op Pangea 60L pack.

The selling point for me was the fact that all the straps and buckles zip under a cover, and the backpack magically transforms itself into a suitcase.

It took years of trial and error to find it, and I had to take a family trip to Canada just to acquire this bad boy!

**Of course international shipping rates are available, just check out their website**

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?

(Banff, Alberta- Canada)

2.) Clothing:

Mom's right, the secret to light packing is packing light layers!

Of course, this is all weather and culturally dependent. (Please, please do your research! Too often I see ignorant tourists prancing around the islands of Thailand topless, not realizing that 5% of the Thai population is Muslim and that most of them live in the southern islands!)

• I always carry 2 week's worth of underwear, at least 6-8 tops and 2 pairs of pants (1 pair of jeans for comfy travel and outings, 1 pair of "working" pants for trekking, climbing, etc.)

-----Work pants that are quick-dry and zip off into shorts are a great buy.

North Face is a great brand, and it's pretty easy to find great steals on sale/clearance sections in your neighborhood outdoor store. In my pack now I have a pair of prAna convertible pants that zip off. They're stretchy, comfy, and tough to rip!

• I always allow myself ONE 'date outfit' for when the occasion calls to dress to impress (happens...rarely, but it happens.) I go for the tunic with leggings look, because it all rolls up into a neat little ball and doesn't require any ironing...Ladies, do us all a favor and leave the heels at home!
• Tops: vary them, a few t-shirts, a long sleeve thermal, a button down cotton long sleeve, a few tank tops...
• I always travel with a scarf and bandana, many uses include: head shade, sweat band, smog/sand/dust mouth cover, immediate warmth, and a shawl to cover the shoulders if needed (temples, sacred sites, etc.)

(Photos from India. Left: desert camel safari in Jaisalmer; Right: Amber Fort)

Just remember, on the road your clothes are up for grabs. They will get dirty, wet, torn, shredded and always lost in the laundry! So don't bring anything you can't afford to lose.

3.) Shoes:

I have to admit, I'm fiercely loyal to my Keen Newports.

My old reliables, they've lasted me years and are suited for every terrain (except maybe cold climates...)

They're water shoes, with lots of comfy straps, and a toe cover when I need to do some serious construction projects or hiking expeditions.

The Andaman Sea claimed my first pair during a particularly nasty monsoon storm years back, but since then I'm all the wiser. I keep a carabiner attached to my shoes, and strapped to my pack at all times when not in use.

Check them out here: http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/product_SP09/womens/trailhead/510230.php

• I keep one pair of working shoes, and one pair of flip flops (thongs, jandals, whatever you call them) and that's it.

----In cooler climates I trade in the flip flops for my favorite travel companions- TOMS shoes. This is a great organization I love to support; their mission statement being "with every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for one."

Read more here: http://www.toms.com/

The shoes are comfy, stylish and incredibly easy to travel with. My personals are the Vegan brand made from all organic materials and recycled plastics. They're pricey, but worth the cost to help those and support a worthy organization.

4.) Extras, I never leave without!

• 1 pair of leggings or thermals (immediate warmth if needed)
• 1 rain jacket or poncho
• 1 thermal layer or light sweater
• alarm clock
• washing powder, string to hang your clothes, scrubber for hand washing
• socks!
• address book for friends/places you discover along the way
• adapters/converters if necessary
• journal, music for entertainment
• at least 2 books (exchange and sell them along the way to other tourists)
• daypack and small travel purse (*small* just to keep your valuables safe at the bar)
• 1 or 2 travel locks (if staying in hostels or dodgy guesthouses)
• travel money belt
• passport & important documents holder
• stocked first aid kit (let the Red Cross help you fix a kit):

  http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d229a5f06620c6052b1ecfbf43181aa0/?vgnextoid=f247e8afd40ee110VgnVCM10000089f0870aRCRD

• -sunscreen and mozi (mosquito) repellent-- good products hard to find in Asia
• -personals: medicines, tampons (ladies: hard to find applicators in most regions), and cosmetics (remember, small travel size and plan to replace on the road!)
• 1 sarong or small pack towel
• 1 or 2 sets of togs, or swimmers, or bikinis
• silk sleeping bag liner (cotton liners are too bulky)
• headlamp (make sure the batteries are easy to replace on the road!!)
• sleep kit (face mask, ear plugs, and Valium if you can score them for painful international flights)
• stash of plastic bags--you'll always find a use for a plastic bag
• pocket knife
• backpack rain cover

Do Not Bring:

• anything you can't live without...anything of value will be the first thing lost or stolen.
• hair dryers or straighteners
• electronics that fry easily in unstable climates
• more than 1 pair of jeans

Right...well this is just my personal, biased information based on what I've encountered over the years. Most of this I learned through trial and error, so hope it helps!