11 tips for backpackers I realised in my first week

I’d never been to Southeast Asia before this trip, or backpacking for that matter so it was quite a bold move deciding to spend nearly five months exploring the countries. I don’t think I was mentally or physically prepared for the culture change or traveler lifestyle. My first week was full of realisations and me saying ‘is this real life’ a lot. I must have been comedy gold to other experiences backpackers. But after nearly a month of travelling, I reckon I’m getting the hang of it and I’m actually loving the lifestyle. So here are some tips for backpackers I realised in my first week.

Tips for backpackers

1. I’d majorly over-packed

The first time you try and pick your backpack up is a game changer! If you need help getting it on, which I did, reassess your necessities! When I first booked my one-way ticket I started reading blogs about how to pack., what to pack It’s safe to say I skipped a few instructions, including the one about getting out everything you think you need and halving it. I mean how was I supposed to know I would be nearly a month in and still wouldn’t have touched my hair wand? Or three face serums like my mate brought. Or worn hardly any of my clothes because you end up wearing the same ones all the time, and don’t even get me started on the toiletries! You can actually buy them abroad, shock!

2. Living out of a backpack is harder than I thought

I wouldn’t spend too long organised your backpack because it won’t last long. I started off with clean, perfectly rolled clothes in neat and organised packing cubes. Everything had its place it was adorable. Now, my packing cubes are broken, I’m not sure what’s clean and what’s not anymore and I still have to sit on my backpack every time to close it. One thing I would definitely recommend is getting a side loading backpack instead of a top loading to save you unpacking and repacking every time. I bought the Osprey Farpoint 70 which has definitely catered to my over-packing! On the other hand, there is something quite daunting yet liberating about it all at the same time, knowing you’re carrying your life around with you.

3. Hostel dorms aren’t always quite the teenage slumber party I imagined

“Deluxe 6 bed mixed dorm” – Okay sold! *Please note: The English meaning of deluxe is slightly different to a hostels. When they say ‘deluxe’ most of the time they mean it has actual AC and not just a fan. Don’t get me wrong I’ve met some of the best people in hostels, some which I’ve continued to travel with, but cramming six people plus backpacks into a small, confined and sweaty room is less than deluxe. Especially when you’re on the top bunk, you’ll realise why when you draw the short straw. Also, being the last dirty stop out into the dorm at night and trying to get ready for bed without turning the light on is a skill, which led to me sleeping fully clothed a few nights.

4. I’m probably never going to have privacy again

The shared bathroom part is especially fun when you’re in a dorm with lads and have a child’s size towel because you forgot to bring one and this was the only one you could find to buy. It’s all part of the fun and games bunking with strangers, but sometimes you just need a little time out. I’d definitely recommend booking yourself into a private room every now and then which isn’t that much more than a dorm most of the time. I’ve been using Hostel World when booking ahead because it’s super quick and easy and I love reading everyone’s reviews.

5. I’ve spent days/ weeks with people and still don’t know their name and now it’s too awkward to ask

We’re doing the pancake trail around Southeast Asia which is a popular route for backpackers, meaning we keep crossing paths with other travellers we’ve previously met in other cities. You meet so many people when travelling and hear so many of their stories it’s hard to keep track of. So now you’re continuously bumping into people for three weeks and can’t remember their names, but now it’s gone on for too long and you can’t bring yourself to ask them.

6. My hygiene, personal appearance and health and safety standards dropped considerably

I started the trip with two showers and an outfit change a day, but judging from the smell that seemed to be coming from everyone else I could tell this wasn’t the traveller way. Especially when you realise the more you wear, the more you have to wash. As time goes on you’ll learn there’s pretty much nothing you can’t wash in the sink. And the toilets.. let’s just say I’ve never appreciated toilet paper more.

Forget health and safety as well, seeing how many people you can fit in a tuk tuk is more of a challenge happily accepted, and a cockroach in a restaurant isn’t a game changer like it would be at home. If only the girls could see me now.  

7. Wearing makeup is considered overdressed

Apart from the issue of being incredibly pasty as it was the beginning of the trip, our first few nights out in Thailand consisted of a full face of makeup and a fresh outfit. Now, it’s a shower, a semi clean outfit, a top knot and mascara. I’m not quite ready to go full commando yet.

8. I underestimated how much money I’d been spending

Like you do on most holidays, you get a little overexcited in the first few days and start blowing the budget. It’s not until a few days in you actually realise you can’t continue with the excessive spending or you’ll be home within a few weeks, imagine the embarrassment after having three leaving nights. The markets in Southeast Asia are amazing, especially the BKK in Bangkok and the Night Bazaar in Chiang Mai, not that I have any more room for shopping. Alcohol is probably the number one cause of my over spending. So now we’ve set ourselves a daily budget and each night we add up what we’ve spent and subtract it from the budget to see how much we have left to get drunk on like responsible adults!

9. After a week of hangovers, I feel I might have liver failure before I return home

I’m hoping the novelty will start wearing off but you’ll soon be craving a day off the ale. Especially when the buckets on Khao San are 300 baht (£6.98 to be exact) and come with a side of memory loss, or you can get a massive bottle of Chang beer for £2, it’s hard to resist.

10. It’s okay to have Pad Thai for breakfast

At home we have a traditional full English breakfast, in Thailand, it’s traditional Thai cuisine all day every day. If you walk down the streets of a morning, the food stalls will have a fresh bowl of pad thai, chicken noodle soup or other stir fry dishes on the go. I know it sounds wrong to indulge at 9am but hey, when in Rome.

11. An iPod or a kindle would have been a fabulous investment

It’s no secret that backpacking comes with a lot of travelling and there’s only so much you can do without Wi-Fi when you’re not prepared. I wish I’d have invested in an iPod or a kindle or at the very least a pack of cards. Daym!

Currently in my fourth week and the good times just keep on rolling…

For more Travel tips check out our other guides here.