The art of music, combining sound and lyrics, has been used by rogues, muses, and many drifters around the world to describe their adventures.  For this reason, for most vagabonds, music plays an important role in their lives.  Using sounds and stories that can travel through time, is instrumental for weary drifters, the music created can be used to uplift even the loneliest trip.

For roaming vagabonds, great music can help the traveler’s long journey go by a bit quicker and enhance their adventure.  A good tempo will always add some momentum to the spirit and faith of a long journey.  There can be different types of music for different types of trips; a long sad journey can be uplifted by adding favourite music that fills the soul with positive notions.  The traveller will sometimes find themselves in tune with the beat of the music and even entranced in the stories told in the songs.  The more creative vagabond will sometimes discover a new song to write and even sing about their own adventures.

How to create a good travel music playlist

• Start off by looking at your own collection.  Sort through all the song titles and artists from your collection and find music written and played specific to destinations, travel, and tempo.  A few songs for example are “Going Mobile” by The Who, “Drive” by Blind Mellon, “Jet Airliner” by The Steve Miller Band…
• Take the list of songs and add them together in a play list.  This is done depending on your source of music collection.  If your using a computer this is easily done using a media player, if you have CDs or other old school technology, you will have to copy, burn, or record the specified songs onto its source .
• Once you have a playlist recorded, burned or copy, give it a cool name to label it.  Use a theme related to travelling, such as “Vagabond Vocals”, “Gypsy Guitars”, or simply “My Travel Tunes”
• A good player such as a MP3 player, cassette player, CD player, DVD player, record player, will need to be carried with you on your trek.  If you are walking or cycling, a portable player might be more convenient.  Most cars, trucks, and recreational vehicles will have a player in them.  The type of player is up to the specific vagabond…whether you are old school or up with technology that depends on the individual.
• Today a portable computer devise is ideal, it will not only play music, but also the modern vagabond can watch music videos and more.  The portable computer may require a set of speakers for better sound quality and loudness.
• The musical travellers can play their own music using the instrument of their preference or just use their wonderful voices.  The preferred instruments for travellers are, like the music players, the portable types such as harmonicas, spoons, guitars, trumpets, whatever pleases the musician at heart.

When roving around, good tunes help the bad and irrelevant news from being heard..Turn on the Vagabonding Music and have a good trip!
The following link is a compilation of music found on YouTube that can help the vagabond with her travels.  Everyone has their own taste in music and there is a large variety of it to choose from.  This music has been chosen by theme related to travel and destination.

Whether you’re a busy business traveller heading off to yet another meeting, or a backpacker about to embark on a gap-year adventure, there are some vital items that no traveller should leave behind. The following will help make your trip much more pleasant, so don’t forget to pack these essentials.

Ear Plugs

Travelling is an inherently tiring process often requiring early starts and late nights. Combine this with unfamiliar beds and noisy hotel guests, and you’re going to need all the help you can get to fall asleep. Enter the ear plugs; these simple pieces of wax or foam can be a saviour for tired travellers, allowing you to block out the auditory world, and sink into a much needed deep and refreshing sleep. Ear plugs come in a surprising variety of shapes and sizes and can also range considerably in price. Start off with a cheaper foam pair and see how they perform; a recent review of ear plugs by Slate Magazine found that out of 8 different pairs, the ear plugs that cost 50p per pair turned out to be the most effective and comfortable.

Eye Mask

It’s all very well cutting out the sounds, but what about light? Who hasn’t switched off the light in the hotel bedroom, only to find that the flickering street lights outside deny you of your sleep? A good eye mask will allow you to block out annoying light pollution by night, and should also enable you to get some shut-eye during daylight hours.

Power Adapter

In this world of the mobile phone, laptop computer, PDA, Nintendo DS, and MP3 player, there’s little reason to get bored whilst in transit. But one thing you will require to keep these devices alive is electricity; and remember, different countries have different plug sockets and different power outputs. To ensure you can plug into your destination’s national grid, get a worldwide adaptor that will allow you to tap the supply from your host country, anywhere in the world.

Travel Bag

It’s no good having all the essential items if you’ve got nowhere to put them, therefore make sure you’ve got a good, strong bag to put everything in. The type of bag will obviously vary depending on the type of traveller; backpackers favour, well… backpacks and business travellers tend to go for hard-shell wheelie cases. Both should also carry a travel make up bag for small loose items such as toothbrushes and toiletries.

If you remember to pack these four essential items, you’ll have gone a little way to making your trip smoother and more comfortable. Happy travels!

Are you a frequent traveler?

Do you wish to reduce your mobile bills while you are on roaming?

We are showcasing an amazing service for cheap international roaming. MPIHRE offers an International SIM card for your mobile phone which you can use when you are in roaming.

International SIM Card offers the convenience of having the same number every time you go away. Using an international SIM card in a GSM cell phone will instruct the phone to make and receive your international calls at far cheaper calling rates than your current domestic operator. Insert the SIM card into your handset and you can make calls wherever you are.

To keep the cost of making calls lower, international SIMs use call-back systems i.e. you call, are immediately disconnected, and then 10 seconds later your phone rings to connect you through. Calls are routed via a landline to make it cheaper, though this can make things fiddly and be a pain at times. With rates as much as 80% lower than roaming with your traditional mobile carrier, MPHIRE puts you in charge of your mobile roaming costs and puts an end to roaming rip-off rates.

How it Works?

1. Replace your regular SIM with your MPHIRE Global SIM card.
2. Activate the SIM card.
3. Break out the SIM card from plastic card enclosed.
4. Insert the International SIM card in your phone.
5. Switch your phone on.
6. Enter your four digit PIN Code*

*Note: Your PIN and PUK codes are provided with your International SIM card.

Put Simply:

International SIM Card is designed to reduce the cost of mobile telephone calls for international travelers. International SIM Card is easy to use and works in over 150 countries worldwide.

1. You can drink our tap water.
2. You can see Lions, Leopards, Elephants, Giraffe, Rhino and Crocodile in the wild.
3. South Africa has the longest wine route in the world, the R62 wine route
4. The Tugela Falls is the second highest waterfall in the world, where the water tumbles down 850 metres. First place goes to the Angel Falls in Venezuela at 979 metres.
5. Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world – and the largest green one. The Grand Canyon in the US is the biggest, and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia the second.
6. South Africa has some of the best reefs in the world for scuba diving.
7. We have really good weather.
8. Pretoria has the second largest number of embassies in the world after Washington, D.C.
9. The only street in the world to house two Nobel Peace prize winners is in Soweto. Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu both have houses in Vilakazi Street in Soweto.
10. South Africa Houses one of the three largest telescopes in the world at Sutherland in the Karoo.

With the 2010 World Cup Soccer being hosted in South Africa the world will be focused on us. If you do decide to visit South Africa during or after the world cup and you are looking for accommodation, transport, transfers, mobile phones, SIM card or airtime be sure to visit Football Nights.

There is a lot to explore, Table mountain, wine routes, wild coast, Kruger park, Drakensberg and lazy fishing villages to mention but a few.

The following are our top 10 tips when planning to hike abroad:-
1. Never travel alone, whether you are out hiking for the day or leaving your hotel for five minutes. Travellers are primary targets for muggers and other criminals, but travelling in numbers will always offer a significant level of extra protection against becoming a victim of such crime.
2. Ensure that family, friends and a local contact, if at all possible, are all informed as to the full plans for your journey. Get in touch to update them on your progress at regular intervals wherever possible. This way, if you are midway through a hike with no means of communication, people who may otherwise contact the authorities out of concern will be suitably informed.
3. Always carry an inexpensive mobile phone with spare batteries, keeping it concealed wherever possible when in public places. Keep a separate list of important phone numbers, including that of the British embassy, in case your phone develops a fault and you are forced to use another means of contact.
4. Leave inessential valuables such as MP3 players and jewellery in your hotel’s safe or another secure and trusted location. Whilst hiking, carry only a certified copy of your passport, available from the embassy.
5. Your wallet should contain nothing more than sufficient cash for your immediate needs and no more than one credit card. Other belongings such as personal details, photos and so on should be removed prior to your trip and left in a safe place; at home if at all possible.
6. Carry a good quality GPS system, topographic maps of all areas you intend to visit and a high quality, accurate compass. Refer to them all at regular intervals, marking your position closely and keeping a record of your progress. You should regularly check your current position against your intended route and make sure that you are sticking to it as closely as possible.
7. Make sure you are fully aware as to any climate differences and that you are physically capable of hiking in conditions which may be different to those of your usual hikes. Take extra care when hiking in high altitude, keeping to a slower pace than usual in order to allow your body to adjust gradually.
8. Avoid hiking near country borders. You run the risk of accidentally straying over the border and in doing so could easily run into serious trouble with border guards, security officials or other authorities on the other side.
9. Don’t rely on the advice of locals for security information. Always seek professional security advice regarding your destination from the British embassy and perhaps consider taking a skilled and trusted guide to accompany you; someone who has considerable experience of the area in which you plan to hike will always prove a valuable companion.

10. Pay attention to government travel warnings. If travel advisories feel it necessary to release these warnings, it is with good reason that they do so. This advice should not be dismissed as being over cautious and should make travellers seriously consider rescheduling or cancelling a trip.

When you are travelling with a medical condition, it is important to take steps to make the journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible. Take a look through our suggestions for those that apply to you.

Before Your Trip

Get an ID bracelet or necklace that identifies your medical conditions and/or allergies. Check out the many options available from www.id4u.com.au .

Leave your destination contact phone number and address with a friend or relative. Make two copies of your travel documents e.g. passport, visas, tickets etc and leave one with a friend in case of emergency. Keep the other copy with you in separate bag to the originals. This will really speed up replacements if your documents are lost, damaged or stolen.

Register your travel plans if possible with your government agency & check travel warnings for the areas you are planning to visit

You may require vaccinations for destinations you plan to visit. Some need to be done up to six weeks prior to travel. Check with your doctor for details

Arrange for international roaming on your mobile/cell phone. This can take several weeks with some providers. Or you can buy a new SIM card at your destination to use while in a particular country or region. SIM cards are usually available from retailers at major airports. Store important contact numbers in your cell/mobile phone

Arrange for travel insurance. A medical evacuation is VERY expensive.

Ask your doctors’ for notes regarding any medications you are taking and keep them in your hand luggage. Keep your medications and prescriptions in your carry-on case your luggage is lost. Bring extra prescriptions in case you lose your medications. You may want your medication made up into Webster packs for your trip. This helps to avoid confusion with times & doses. Ask your pharmacist for details.

Clearly label ALL of your belongings – include phone number if possible and allow yourself extra time to avoid unnecessary stress and fatigue. Use luggage with wheels to avoid carrying it.

Use the bathroom just before you board the plane, bus or train (airlines can make you sit with the seatbelt on for a while after take-off).

Ask for seats near an exit if you are physically handicapped (you won’t get exit row as they are reserved for people who can assist the crew in an emergency but you should be able sit nearby). Wear special travel pressure socks if you are concerned about your feet swelling or vain problems such as deep vain thrombosis (DVT).  You will also need to pre-request any special meals that may be required during a flight.

Buy some hand sanitiser to use when you can’t wash your hands with soap and water. Moist wipes can be very handy in many situations and both of these items are sold in purse packs at supermarkets & pharmacies.

Confirm with your hotels any special access requirements for wheelchair access etc. Make use of assistance with wheel chairs to avoid fatigue.

Check electrical voltage and purchase conversion plugs for your destination for any medical equipment.

You may need a small cooler bag & ice packs if your medication needs to be stored at a certain temperature.

If you are fitted with a pacemaker – carry your pacemaker ID card and show it to airport staff before going through security check points.

Carry a small, portable sharps container for syringes if required.

Pack your own medical kit with paracetamol, bandages, thermometer, antiseptic cream, gastro prevention, antihistamines etc.  

Familiarise your self with exchange rates for the countries you are planning to visit and get some local currency from your bank for each of your main destinations. Your bank may need to order some currencies. Just get enough cash to get your started in each place in case you wish to purchase small items like food, drinks, newspapers, taxis etc.

During Your Trip

Keep hydrated by drinking water throughout the journey. Stick to bottled water if possible.

Make use of assistance with wheel chairs to avoid fatigue and ask about special services for those with disabilities at your destination.

Avoid prolonged sun exposure, wear a hat & apply sunscreen regularly.

Keep medications with you in a convenient place such as a purse or backpack and check locations of local hospitals.

Wear ID your bracelet at all times in case of emergency. You can order one online from www.id4u.com.au. Allow plenty of time for little emergencies.

Practice good hygiene and wash your hands often – use sanitising hand wash if no water available.

These suggestions may seem rather long and over cautious but some advance preparation will make your trip memorable for the right reasons.

• Stereotypical tourist
• What it means to backpack
• Homework
• Local currencies
• Surroundings
• Language
• Clothing & accessories
• Manner
• Off season travel

Being a backpacker is not about having a holiday and succumbing to the lures of the in your face tourist traps that are ever present in most destinations in which you may wish to visit.

No, no, no backpacking is generally considered more about experiencing the real culture of a destination, the real people and the real way in which a visiting destination operate from day to day. Backpacking is for independent traveler, adventurer and explorer who wants to experience all of the ‘off the beaten track’ types of travel and destinations all on the smell of an oil rag.

On the other hand your stereotypical image of an annoying tourist is that of a group of snapshot taking outsiders who often seem to appear at every major landmark or tour stop off. You can easily pick out the tourist since they are the ones who are loud, sun burnt and are dragging along a bunch of screaming kids.

Well these are the images that pop into my mind when I think about tourists and I literally cringe at the thought of traveling in that manner. I think it would by now have become evident that I am pro-backpacker and anti-tourist. Not that tourists are bad people, everyone has their place in this world and on their travel route – however it is just not my cup of tea and I imagine not for many of the frequent readers of Backpacking Addictz.

So I have decided to write the blog article solely for the purpose of informing the newbie backpacker of how to avoid the traps of becoming just another annoying tourist.

Homework:

It is advisable and usually a given procedure for the diligent backpacker to do their homework and research on the destinations in which they intend to visit. A basic understanding of the local culture, customs and history of the particular destination will put you in good stead for not sticking out like a sore thumb or even worse offending some of the locals.

Local currencies:

Familiarize yourself with the local money and the exchange rate. It is highly advisable to be well aware of the exchange rate to avoid having to do lengthy and mind boggling calculations every time you want to make a simple transaction. This will hopefully prevent you from constantly asking some local trader “how much is that is pounds” or US dollars, or euros or whatever your home currency might be.

The local trader will probably not have any more of an idea than you do and if they do by some chance then you possibly open yourself up to being ripped off. The best thing to do is prior to leaving – work out the exchange rate and apply it to $10 or 10 of what ever your home currency is and then use this scale to gain a better understanding of how the cost of a transaction relates to your home currency.

For example if you are aware that $10 is 400BHT in Thailand then you would know that $25 is worth approximately 1000 BHT.

Surroundings:

Research and get familiar with your surroundings and orientation of the destination you are visiting. This will prevent you from looking lost and wandering aimlessly. It will also reduce the risk from you being targeted by local con artists and scammers.

My suggestion, and I have always made this a priority before I leave for a backpacking adventure, is to purchase a travel guide and map for the particular destination/s you plan to visit. Travel guides are an essential and valuable asset for every serious traveler or backpacker.

We consider travel guides so important that we are currently in the process of launching the highly anticipated Backpacking Addictz Travel eGuides. These perfect travel companions will be cheap, informative and easy to take with you anywhere you decide to go. They will be available for purchase very shortly once finishing touches have been finalized.

We are so excited about the launch of the Backpacking Addictz Travel eGuides have been written by the backpacker for the backpacker and will be the perfect tool for preparing your journey, familiarizing yourself with the culture, customs, eating and drinking venue and quality advice on how to enjoy the backpacking journey to its fullest extent.

By studying a guide and doing your homework prior to arriving to your intended countries you are less likely to be caught out looking like a silly tourist or worse being scammed by a local con artist.

If you need to ask for directions then try and do so discreetly. You can always pick the tourist who is the one standing in the middle of a large open area looking completely bewilded by the large map opened up before them whilst asking random locals for directions. Its not a good look and generally puts a tourist target smack bang on your forehead.

If you need to ask for directions you can discreetly do so by asking a local shop or business owner this is the preferred way to seek some directions or local advice as opposed to asking random passers by.

Language

It is definately worth becoming slightly au fait will some of the local languages. We you dont have to become a language professor in a particular language however it would be advisable to at learn learn a few of the basics. Even some common slang will help to show the locals that you know a thing or two about the area.

Pocket dictionaries are the most obvious choices for the hesitant language learner and you can either purchase a hard copy from your local book store or better yet there is a vast array of websites on the internet where you should be able to find enough information for free to get you by. Also, if you are up to date with the latest mobile phone trends such as the iPhone there are many applications in which you can download foreign dictionaries straight to your mobile phone.

Clothing and accessories

Try to blend in with the locals to some degree. I remember when I was travelling through Cambodia and took the time to head to Siem Reap to see the Angkor Wat there were plenty of big loud hawaiian t-shirt wearing tourists visiting and they seriously looked right out of place. At least try to fit in with the local trends or looks rather than trying to make a statement.

Souvenir clothing clearly says to any local that they are tourists, its like holding a picket sign up saying come rip me off i’m a tourist. By all means purchase the odd tourist clothing but save it for wear when you get back home.

Carrying huge big bags and bulky accessories around with you everywhere you go is certainly not advisable since you simply have more to lose, get stolen or damaged. Just take what you need and nothing unneccessary, you are best of leaving this stuff at the guesthouse or secured in the hostel with your big backpack. Especially in poorer countries you are best to keep expensive camera, mobile phones or iPods kept in your pocket or hidden from the publics view, these are expensive products and will quickly gain a thieves eye.

Manner

Always be polite and considerate and treat people the way you would like to be treated. Tried to avoid confrontations at all costs, remember you are in unchartered waters so to speak and always remember the saying “when in Rome”. Losing your cool and having an argument with someone is generally not only rude but it will get you nowhere especially if you speak a different language to the locals.

The Backpacker never travels in large groups rather they tend to either run solo or in pairs of sometimes 3?s or 4?s. The bigger the group you are in the more you are going to look like a tourist.

I prefer to run solo when backpacking as it allows you the complete freedom to not have to take other peoples issues into consideration. Perhaps a selfish attitude some might say but if you want to do something the way YOU want to do it then travelling on a solo mission I think is the best way. However, if you have a partner who is in the same mind set as you – this can also be a fantastic way to share all your experiences and travels with someone special.

Off season travel

Travelling during the off season certainly seems to have many more perks for the backpacker than travelling during the high season. First, you do not have to worry about as many painstaking tourists bumping into you left right and centre and secondly, you can generally get cheaper airfares and accommodation during these periods.

At the end of the day you need to travel the way you want to travel, everone is different and wants different things. However, if you are aiming to set youself aside from all the usual tourist traps and scams, and if you really want to enjoy your independent travels as a backpacker we strongly suggest that you take on board a number of the abovementioned issues.

Get out there and get amongst it!

Backpacking Addictz is a website set up by backpackers for the use of backpackers. On this site you will find a lot of very valuable information surrounding different destinations around the world and tips and advice on budget travel and backpacking. You will also find an enthusiastic and insightful backpacking blog which is regularly updated with new posts and article.

Backpacking Addictz Travel eGuides are a fantastic, cheap and easy way to get hold of a vast amount of backpacking information prior to setting off on your backpacking adventure.