More Information on the Backpack

KNOW HOW:  Designed, constructed and manufactured of the German backpack and outdoor specialist

VAUDE CARRY SYSTEM: Ergonomic design, high wearing comfort, aerated back plate, shoulder belts, hip belt, height adjustable chest strap

STORAGE SPACE: Three times separated waterproofed compartments, 18l volume, extendable volume of 5l, maximal volume 26l, easy accessible compartments in backpack- and scooter- position

SPECIALS:  Stowable helm net, walking sticks fixation points, cleaning cloth for the telescopic frame, rain cover.

When you are sleeping on a train, bus or even in an airport, there is a high chance that your bag can get stolen. So what I use to do it is, somehow connect a part of my bag on to my wrist or sleep on my bag as pillow. That way no matter what happened I would wake up knowing my belongings were safe.

Now to keep people from stealing anything out of your bag, carry a small bicycle chain/lock on the top of your bag. You can purchase a net looking chain that frames around your bag so no one can take anything. It’s perfect for those long train rides, and creepy hostels.

Most backpackers tend to carry a lot of stuff. Yes, I have been there, were my backpack was over loaded and looked very fat. Well this is a bad sign, only because the more your rucksack looks fat the more likely someone will be interested in stealing it. So try your best to carry less. Plus, why carry something so heavy, when backpacking is all about carry as little as possible.

Make sure your backpack looks unique and you can tell the difference from other backpacks. Quite often many people get their bags mixed up in airports, hostels, and bus rides. Only because most of the time, backpackers tend to purchase very similar bags and don’t personally make it look different. So try to include a flag, city, object, or colour to distinguish your bag.

Treat your bag like it’s your best friend. Keep it close to you and at all times make sure you know where it is.
Now I know it’s nice to bring your Raybans, expensive gadgets, and shiny clothes along with you while backpacking, but really it’s a bad idea. It will make you look like the perfect target. Try to avoid to looking sharp and pretty, the worst usually comes out of it.

I always make a new years resolution, in promising that I will explore some crazy place in this world. However, since this is now a typically occurrence for me, I just decide to choose a few different resolutions that are usually still related to a travel or some what.

Below are a few ideas I had in mind for this year.

First option, which is on top of my list every year, is a backpacking adventure. It doesn’t matter how small it may be, just make sure you take the time to grab your bag and run off to some country! If it’s only a week, that’s fine too, just make sure to create an outrageous adventure out of it.

Take a hike over to the best brand travel gear stores and treat yourself to sometime you would never except to purchase in when getting ready for a trip. But make sure it will replace one of your oldest items that you haul around everywhere on your adventures and can’t seem to get rid of. Remember you sometimes do need to enhance that backpacking look with something truly unique.

If you are a backpacker who takes tours, such as Gap Adventures, well take a u-turn and switch it up a bit. Do a trip as a SOLO backpacker and create your own tour. It can be a little scary in the beginning but over all you will create friends from many different occasions, seek paths that are less traveled, party like you are really living, and take risks that will boost a story or two in your journal.

Life can be hectic and stressful, which is one reason why we get away to travel. Now try to make that life completely filled with freedom by trying some different, such a skydiving, bungee jumping, sailing in the middle of nowhere for weeks, jumping off some high 100 feet cliff into sparkling blue water, climb a mountain/volcano, or just lay on a beach for an entire night. Well I believe you get my point, but just do something extraordinary amazing.

Backpacking is backpacking, but what about learning a new skill or language in a different city/country. Take a few Spanish classes in Argentina or travel over to China and learn some martial art fighting in an ancient village. Now, this might sound a little chilling but how often do you hear your friends take a leap in doing an adventure like this?

Some of these thoughts have been spinning around in my head for a few years, so this year I am going to make a mission in trying to take a step in learning a new language and diving out of a plane solo.  So what is your new years resolution going to be for 2010!??

This is what I have in mind so far. What do you think? As for getting around to see each of these cities, I found out that busing it around is my best option. As for lodging, hostels are always my route to go. I searched already for some amazing hostels; found a few on the beach, one in the valley that includes some extreme sports to play and a few in small famous villages. There it is, my search is done, yet my decision now needs your help. Egypt, Croatia, or Turkey, what one should I check off my travel list first?

1. The Amazon: It’s hot, it’s humid and it’s sticky! There are bugs, insects, birds, fish and reptiles all over the place! I’ll be walking a lot and I’ll be sleeping in jungle lodges or hammocks. Based on this, the first items I plan to pack are hiking pants. Wearing shorts is definitely out of the question unless I want to be covered in bug bites for 2 weeks! This being said, how many pairs of pants will I need? What color? What material: Nylon? Cotton? Ok, so I was thinking of packing 3 pairs of hiking pants. I will not have access to a proper shower so let’s forget about finding a washing machine! If I bring 3 pairs of hiking pants, I’ll wear them twice. Not too bad, right? I am definetely buying dark colored pants because light colors obviously get dirty much faster. Now, what material? My first option is to buy 100% nylon. The advantage of buying 100% nylon pants is that it will dry fast but it may not be the best option in terms of breathability and I may consequently feel sticky relatively quickly. I do however need a material that dries fast because it will be rainy season in the jungle in December. Although it only pours a few minutes per day, it’s enough to get me wet in no time! My second option is 100% cotton. Cotton is a better option in terms of breathability but once the material gets wet, it will take forever to dry considering the high level of humidity. This being said, there is no way I want 100% cotton. My third option is to buy a pair of pants that has a mix of nylon and cotton. It would be a good solution in terms of having the best of both worlds. Based on this, I did go ahead and bought a pair of  Cool Pants from Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC).  1 down, 2 to go! Do I stick to 100% nylon for the other two pairs or should I buy a mix of cotton/nylon pants?

Now that we have the bottoms covered, how about tops? I’m thinking of bringing 3 short sleeve 100% cotton tops with one long sleeve cotton top and a lightweight long sleeve jacket. Cotton is definitely the best option for tops since the upper body is normally the first part of the body to transpire so breathability is important here. Again, there will be thousands of bugs in the wilderness so I need to bring long-sleeve tops regardless of how hot it will be! I still didn’t shop for tops… any suggestions anyone? 

A third important item is a pair of GORE-TEX hiking boots.  For those of you who are not familiar with GORE-TEX, it’s a waterproof and breathable fabric and a registered trademark of W.L. Gore & Associates that is used to make footwear and outerwear. I saw a pair at Atmosphere for $169. I don’t remember if they were a pair of Montrail or North Face. Which is better? I’ll also pack one pair of flip flops for when my feet need to breathe!

To this, I’ll add a mosquito head net to protect my head against mosquito bites, a headlamp so I can see where I’m walking at night, a cap to protect my head from the sun, a whistle to protect myself from strange jungle animals who may try to attack me, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, odorless soap/shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrush, Pristine so I can disinfect dirty water in case I get stuck somewhere, a water bottle and obviously, a first-aid kit, toilet paper/wipes and my swiss army knife. And of course, I can’t forget my bathing suit so I can jump in the river! My electronics will be placed in Ziploc bags to avoid any damage that may be caused by high humidity.

2. Rio & Bahia: Packing for Rio and Bahia is much simpler. I plan to pack a few summer dresses and skirts (2-3), shorts (2) and 5 different camisoles for the rest of the trip. As most of you know, nightlife in Rio is crazy! So, I plan to pack one pair of nice sandals with 2-3 different outfits to go out. I’ll be leaving Montreal with a pair of jeans so I will have that covered. I think I have have enough items to pack in my backpack, what do you think?

The obvious that I did not mention is socks and underwear. I’ll bring 6 of each, 1 for every day in the jungle. I’m not too worried about Rio and Bahia because I’ll get the opportunity to wash my clothes there.

People, remember to always make a photocopy of your passport when going on vacation! You don’t want to ge stuck wherever you are! Keep it your photocopy in a different place than your original passport.

Did I cover everything? I hope so… last I heard, there were no convenience stores in the Jungle!