Budget Travel | Backpackingmatt.com

backpackingmatt May 20, 2010

7 Challenges of Being a Backpacker

There are plenty of blogs out there encouraging people to travel. I consider Backpackingmatt to be one of them.

I believe in the importance of experiencing the unknown, learning about new cultures, meeting new people, and gaining a better understanding of this world we live in.

It’s a big place, and I for one want to see of much of it as I can.

Many of these blogs very often make backpacking out to be a very glamorous affair. In some respects it is. I love the freedom of being relatively nomadic. I get to see new places, meet new people, and don’t have many of the day-to-day responsibilities that my peers back home do.

Last week, I went on a boat tour of beautiful Milford Sound. The week before that I went whale watching. The week before that? An overnight cruise in the Bay of Islands.

There are plenty of advantages to traveling – but this post is designed to show you the challenges you face as a backpacker.

Backpacking — Creative Commons: lindyireland

The life of a backpacker isn’t easy, and here’s why:

1) Living on a Strict Budget

It’s one thing to budget your finances, but it’s an entirely different thing to budget your finances as a backpacker. Along with the joys of traveling comes the day-to-day reality of living every day of the week on a budget. Yes, you have occasional splurges while backpacking – but for the most part, you’re limiting yourself on food, activities, drinking, and transportation.

All with the hopes of traveling longer and farther.

I returned a car recently to the airport. Most people would pay the bus fare back to town. Me? I hitchhiked. That $10 fare paid for my dinner.

2) Dealing with Dorms

If you’re spending extended periods of time on the road, you don’t have the luxury of staying in hotels – or for that mater, motels. When you think of the nightly cost of accommodation, it adds up. The obvious answer for a backpacker is a hostel. These are excellent venues to meet other travelers and very often, they’re pretty sweet places – but at the end of the day (literally), you go to sleep in a three, four, eight, or twenty bed dorm room.

That guy (girl) above you very often snores. And that bed? Well let’s just say it’s not a Serta Perfect Sleeper.

3) Backpacker Jobs

Friendship — Creative Commons: fauxto_digit

I’d love for you to quit that job and ditch that cubicle. I think there’s more out there than an 8 -5. Yet if you travel like I do, on working holidays, it’s definitely not an extended vacation. While I’ve traveled to quite a few countries, I’ve worked some pretty unflattering jobs to get me there. In Ireland, I stood on cold, windy, and wet streets in small villages trying to get locals to sign up for monthly donations to charities. In Edinburgh, I spent two weeks scrubbing pots and pans in an office canteen. In Franz Josef on New Zealand’s West Coast, I cleaned rooms in a small hotel.

The goal is always for that perfect, backpacker oriented job – but, the realities of backpacking are that you’ll sooner or later end up working a job you certainly didn’t get that degree for.

4) Dealing with the Language Barrier

I’m unfortunately one of those unalingual Americans. I naively didn’t see the incentive in learning and becoming fluent in a foreign language when I was in high school or college. So when I travel to a country where English isn’t the language of choice, it can be a bit challenging.

I believe in the importance of learning the basics of the language of the country your visiting – it’s courteous and the least you can do as a traveler. However, this doesn’t make you fluent. You can get by, but the biggest challenge you deal with is sitting in that local bar or cafe and not knowing what anyone around you is saying. Nevermind the problem of getting directions to the bus station, finding your hostel, or booking your train ticket out of town.

5) Being Seperated from Close Friends and Family

Backpacking Alone — Creative Commons: Mat Honan

I’m lucky enough to have traveled with a good mate during my first stint overseas, and with my girlfriend now, but it’s still difficult to be separated from those close friendships you developed over the years at home. It’s wonderful to meet fellow travelers – yet very often, you meet great people only to say goodbye far too soon.

There are plenty of efficient and budget friendly ways to stay connected with your mates back home – be it Skype, Facebook, or international calling plans. The reality of the situation is you’re busy, they’re busy, and a long backpacking trip results in you loosing contact with old friends.

6) Living out of a Backpack

I travel light. When I was clearing customs in Auckland, the agent asked me where all my luggage was. She saw my year long visa and my lone backpack and didn’t understand where everything else was at. There was nothing else.

When you’re often on the move, you don’t want to have heaps of luggage. The downside? I hate about every piece of clothing I have in my backpack.

A chest of drawers has quite a lot on my Gregory Baltoro 65L.

7) Dealing with the Unexpected

This seems like a vague challenge for a backpacker to deal with. Yes, everyone has to deal with the unexpected – be you a doctor, a grad student, or a backpacker. However, the difference for a backpacker is that you’re very often dealing with the unexpected in an area you’re unfamiliar with. You don’t have the grounding you would if you were permanently based someplace.

It’s one thing to catch the flu when you’re home in Chicago. You know where to go, who to see, and what to do. Try getting seriously ill in Istanbul. When you’re out of your usual comfort zone, the unexpected challenge can be a lot harder to deal with.

It’s important to be realistic about the trip you’re planning.

The good always comes with the bad. An extended trip abroad will be a rewarding, life-changing experience – but it certainly won’t be easy.

What’s your take?

What are some of the challenges you face as a backpacker? Add them to the comments section below.

backpackingmatt May 13, 2010

Cruising the Bay of Islands on The Rock

New Zealand 13 Replies

Update as at 11 August 2014 — Surprisingly, this experience has become more budget friendly – it’s now only $168 for the cruise including shared accommodation. Awesome! Add this to a Planit NZ Travel Package and I can save you money on your trip to New Zealand.

If you’re on a backpacking trip to New Zealand, you can’t miss out on the Bay of Islands – an inlet off the South Pacific north of Auckland dotted with over one hundred tropical islands. On a sunny day, the blue-green, emerald waters contrasted with the white sand beaches will almost take your breath away. There are plenty of activities for the backpacker in the Bay – from snorkeling, to kayaking, to swimming, to fishing – or, you can just relax and soak up the sun.

Your trip to the Bay of Islands won’t be complete unless you spend some time on the water. Many backpackers choose to experience the Bay of Islands by going on a dolphin watching tour. However, if you want an all-in-one cruise that will allow you to experience all the Bay has to offer, you’ve got to check out Rock the Boat.

The Rock is a purpose-designed, floating lodge, which originally functioned as a car ferry in the Northland. Today, it’s a floating backpackers’ dream. The Rock has a bar, a fireplace, a pool table, a piano, a BBQ, and plenty of space to sit back and take in the scenery of the Bay. On the second level you have accommodation options for up to 36 guests. Each room offers a view of the sea and the six bed dorms open to a seaside balcony.

The 22 hour overnight cruise with Rock the Boat allows you to take in many of the activities you’d want to do in the Bay of Islands – all for one price. Don’t expect to get bored, as you can stay busy throughout the entire trip.

Here’s what to expect:

As you’re leaving port in Paihia, the crew will set up some lines in the water to troll behind The Rock. We were able to catch some sea trout on the second day of my cruise. The staff cleaned the fish and served it as sushi with soy sauce and wasabi. It was absolutely gorgeous.
As you’re cruising to the outer islands, the crew arranges a shooting competition for everyone on the boat. Shooting? Outside of Texas? You bet. A decoy duck is towed behind The Rock and you have the opportunity to take some shots at it with a BB gun.

Once you set anchor for the evening, you’re given the opportunity to fish for some Red Snapper. If you’re lucky enough to land one, you can grill it on the barbecue and have it for your tea.
The Kiwis love to BBQ, and you’ll get an excellent one for your dinner on the cruise. Ribeye steaks cooked to order along with sausages, potatoes, and a selection of pastas and salads.
You have the opportunity to night kayak after you’ve set anchor for the evening. A guided trip will allow you to see the stars above and below. In addition to a sky illuminated with stars, you’ll see phosphorescence in the dark water. Tiny, microscopic organisms in the water store up radiation and when they are disturbed, they let off the energy as phosphorescent light. It’s magical to see – and as you might expect, a picture wouldn’t do the expereince justice.

On your second day after waking to see the sunrise, you’re served a proper Kiwi breakfast of weetbix, porridge, and muesli.
You’ll set off to find a deserted, tropical island where you’ll be led on a guided hike that affords you some stunning views of the Bay of Islands.

After your hike, you have the opportunity to snorkel in the clear blue water, kayak, or you can simply chill out and soak up the sun.

The crew on The Rock goes out of their way to ensure you have a memorable time on their cruise. Each and every staff member on my cruise was passionate about the Bay of Islands, the cruise they were taking me on, and you could tell they really believed in the product they were a part of. It was refreshing to see, and they absolutely made the trip a positive one. Everyone went out of their way to remember your name, find out your story, and make sure you were having a blast on the cruise. Jonny, the skipper, was happy to answer any questions you might have on The Rock or the Bay of Islands.

We didn’t see any wildlife, but you stand a decent chance of seeing some of the Bay’s Bottlenose dolphins during your cruise. The Rock isn’t set up to go looking for them, but often some dolphins that the crew knows my name will come to find The Rock.

There is a fully stocked bar on board. It’s the center piece of the boat, and is a great place to relax and chat with the crew or other backpackers on the cruise. You’d expect drinks to be overpriced, but beers and mixed drinks were on par with what you’d pay back on shore in Paihia. If alcohol isn’t your cup of tea, there is free tea and coffee throughout the cruise.

It’s very often tough to find a good deal as a budget traveler in New Zealand. New Zealand is a beautiful country with so much to offer – but unfortunately, that often comes at a price – not with The Rock. A cruise on The Rock is a bargain considering everything the trip includes. For $178, you get shared accommodation, dinner, breakfast, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, and the opportunity to cruise around the beautiful Bay of Islands.

It’s an excellent trip, and really is a backpackers dream opportunity to get out and experience the Bay of Islands.

If you’re considering a cruise with Rock the Boat (and you should), check out their website for more information. Don’t hesitate to get in contact with your hosts, Sarah and Jonny, should you have any questions. They’ll be happy to help. The $178 includes dinner, shared accommodation, breakfast, and all of your activities.

Disclaimer: Rock the Boat provided me with a complimentary cruise in return for a review on Backpackingmatt.

backpackingmatt April 24, 2010

7 Tips For Mainintaing Your Travel Blog On The Road

Travel Advice 31 Replies

Keeping your travel blog up-to-date while traveling is not an easy task. You’re forced to balance internet time, with writing time, with traveling time, and of course – with socializing time.

I’ve been in New Zealand on a working holiday for the last four months. Throughout this time, I’ve done my best to juggle work commitments, along with traveling, and of course along with keeping Backpackingmatt updated. This is by all means no easy task. However, these seven tips will allow you to successfully balance your backpacking experience along with keeping your travel blog full of valuable content for your readers.

1.) Buy yourself an iPhone. Put aside all those stereotypes you may have about those who are constantly connected to their PDA and buy an iPhone. It will allow you to stay connected with your Twitter followers, keep on top of your emails, and the iPod feature will drown out that snoring man in the hostel bunk above you.

Don’t allow yourself to become constantly connected to it – otherwise, you’ll end up missing out on the experiences you go backpacking for. Yet if you can strike the right balance, you’ll be able to use your iPhone as a productive tool for maintaining your travel website.

Anil over at Tech Guide for Travel has a guide for jailbreaking your iPhone so you can use it on the road.

2.) Set up a weekly schedule of posts. Print off a calendar for the week or month you’re going to be away and pencil in your ideas for posts as they come.

If you stick to this schedule, you’ll have much of your planning done before you even start writing. I’ve found a weekly feature such as my Monday Escape or my Friday Travel Photo takes away much of the stress of deciding what to publish throughout the week.

Making notes — Creative Commons: John Althouse Cohen

3.) Make notes as you travel. Keep a small notebook with you and write down your ideas for posts as you travel. You know that feeling when you’re hit with an idea that’s going to blow your followers out of the water – have that notepad ready so you don’t forget any of the details to your post.

4.) Seek out help from others through guest posts. Instead of neglecting your blog for days or weeks at a time, look to others in the travel blog community for help. I think most of us are happy to help out fellow bloggers, it’s just a matter of asking. Also, don’t make them think of a topic. Consider their travel experience and their background and give them an idea of what you’d like them to write.

Also, don’t limit yourself to only seeking help from others in the travel blog community. Think about the people you meet on the road. I think many travelers who don’t have blogs have stories and advice they’d like to share. Often, they’ll appreciate the opportunity to see their hard work on your website.

5.) Don’t simply rely on your writing – mix up the content on your blog. Dealing with the stress of writers block? As they say, “a picture says a thousand words,” so add photo essays to you blog to illustrate your travels.

If you have the time, consider making a travel video. This will allow your followers to take in the areas you travel to in a whole new way. Realize there is a lot of work involved in making a video, but I feel a lot of payout as well. It allows your readers to see and feel the places you travel to.

6.) Plan ahead and seek out media rates for tours and other travel experiences. Don’t underestimate what you can offer travel companies – a chance at advertising to a large group of independent minded travelers and backpackers.

I’ve been shocked at the success I’ve had in sending out emails to New Zealand travel companies. You can offer them the opportunity to have their product reviewed on your website in return for a complimentary or a discounted tour. Present your website in an honest way, and tell them what they have to gain from you reviewing their product. They get the publicity, you get a post.

7.) Lastly, and arguably most importantly, don’t let the blog become work you don’t enjoy. If you wanted to be stressed out, you’d be sitting in that office cubicle working 8 – 5. If you miss a couple days or a week of posts, let it be. Enjoy your travel experience and go back to the blog when you have the time.

Do you have a tip for maintaining your travel blog on the road? Please share it in the comments section below.

backpackingmatt April 12, 2010

Hostel Review: Raglan Backpackers – Raglan, New Zealand

New Zealand 6 Replies

I have been in New Zealand for nearly five months and have seen a good share of both islands. It’s a fantastic place with stunning and diverse landscapes, friendly people, and plenty of activities for the backpacker or traveler. These are characteristics that make a location a destination – and New Zealand is definitely that. However, because of this, New Zealand’s towns, villages, and cities often feel overrun with tourism. It seems everywhere you go someone is trying to make a buck off of the unsuspecting tourist. Not in Raglan. And not at the Raglan Backpackers.

Raglan is a brilliant little surf town about two hours south of Auckland. Raglan seems to exist if nothing else because of the fantastic surf beaches which are found just outside of town. Raglan feels untouched by the tourism cloud that hangs over the rest of New Zealand. If you’re coming to the land of the long white cloud, you’ve got to visit Raglan.

While you’re there, you have two things to do. Stay at the Raglan Backpackers and Waterfront Lodge and try and learn how to surf.

The Raglan Backpackers seems to be a hostel where a backpacker checks in thinking they’ll stay for one or two nights, but ends up staying a week. And considering their limited availability at the end of the high season, I’d say that’s probably a true statement.

The backpackers sits directly on the Raglan Harbor and is literally a one minute walk away from Raglan’s small town center with bars, cafes, and restaurants. The cozy dorm rooms all open to a small garden filled with sunshine and hammocks.

You can relax after a long day surfing in either the spa jacuzzi or the infrared sauna. All free of charge. During your stay you can spend your day (or days!) using their free kayaks, bikes, or fishing supplies. But as Raglan is known for its surf beaches, you must spend an afternoon learning how to surf.

There is an excellent beginners beach found about 2kms outside of town – Ngarunui Beach . When I was there the surf was small with any good waves being quite spaced out. This was alright for me. I enjoyed my time ‘sitting out back,’ soaking up the sun, and taking in the views.

You can get a three hour, beginners surf lesson for $89 through the hostel. Or, you have the option of hiring a board and wetsuit for $30 for a half day. I opted to skip the surfing lesson and instead took a quick briefing from Suze, Raglan Backpackers’ owner. I was instructed to keep my center of gravity low, bend my knees, point my dominant foot slightly forward, and look where I want to go. That’s all I needed as I was up on a small wave the second time I tried. It felt great, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be surfing again before I leave New Zealand.

If you’re wanting to stay at the Raglan Backpackers, be sure you book your accommodation well in advance as they will fill up. You can get a shared dorm bed from $26 or a double from $70 a room. Suze and the rest of the staff were extremely friendly, hospitable, and will go out of their way to make sure you enjoy your stay in sunny Raglan.

Disclaimer: Suze at Raglan Backpackers provided me with a complimentary wetsuit a surf board for the day.

Check out the Raglan Backpackers and Water Front Lodge here.

backpackingmatt April 11, 2010

A Local’s Perspective: Washington, DC

Travel Photos 6 Replies

Today’s guest post comes from Stephanie Yoder, a girl who cannot sit still. She writes about travel for young people (the why, the where and the how) for Twenty-Something Travel. When not on the road she lives in Washington DC.

Very few people are actually from Washington DC. One of the odd charms of the city is that almost everyone has arrived from somewhere else to try their luck in the nation’s capital. I however, am one of those few native Washingtonians, so I figure I know this city as well as anyone.

With its diverse multiculturalism, easy public transport and plethora of free activities DC is a fantastic city for travelers. Here are a few insider tips:

Seeing the sites

Most of DC’s main tourist spots are located centrally around the National Mall. The Mall is kind of like the United State’s front lawn. You can hit up most of the Smithsonian and check out the Capitol and White House on a leisurely walk. You’ll also see locals jogging, playing softball or tossing a Frisbee against the historic backdrop. There is usually a protest or three going on somewhere.

Personally, I think the monuments are most beautiful at night, once most of the tourists have cleared out for the day. You are free to wander around in peace. The white marble lit up against the inky sky is always stunning. Sitting on the steps of the Jefferson Monument, looking out over the Tidal Basin on a sultry summer night is just impossibly romantic.

Local Culture

For many people DC is all business: a buttoned up, straight laced capital city. Most of the week they aren’t that far off, but certain parts of this town just come alive on the weekends. Take a Saturday morning walk through the colorful Eastern Market neighborhood for a window into a more laid back, organic local culture.

Stalls line the outside area selling everything from homemade body lotion to fresh flowers. The crepe man, quickly becoming a legend in the area, serves up scalding hot crepes both sweet and savory (my favorite is the apple gouda). Across from the main market is my favorite used book store in all of DC (And trust me, I know a lot of bookstores), Capitol Hill Books.

Social Scene

If there is one activity Washingtonians relish, it’s happy hour. At 5pm the bars flood with overworked twenty-somethings looking to blow off some steam. Try Dupont Circle or Chinatown for a taste of DC at play.

Later in the night cruise down to U Street for a drink at Marvins or Local Sixteen. You can end the night at Ben’s Chili Bowl – A DC institution and favorite of Barack Obama.

If you are lucky enough to find yourself in DC during the muggy summertime there are a ton of free events around town to entertain you. Two of my favorite weekly traditions are Jazz in the Sculpture Garden and Screen on the Green. Watching a classic political thriller while sitting on the mall, with the capital looming above you is a classic DC experience.

Sometimes I think DC gets a bad rap for being dull and stuffy, when in reality it’s a really vibrant and fun place with tons of free things for travelers to do.

What’s your perspective on your town or city? Backpackingmatt would love to feature your tips and feelings about that place you call home in this series, A Local’s Perspective. Interested? Email me at matt (at) backpackingmatt (dot) com or use the Contact Form.

Read A Local’s Perspective to Edinburgh here.

Instant Search

Tag Archives:
Budget Travel