Backpacking Around The World FAQ

Q:  Are you scared?

A: No.  This is by far the most frequent question I get and for some reason, fear is not really part of this equation.

Q: Are you going with someone?

A: No.  I am meeting several friends along the way in various locations, but I am confident that it won’t be hard to find other travelers along the way to meet up with.

Q: Are you going to work while you are there?

A: Yes. I will be doing some Paid Search consulting while abroad, but I am not planning on waiting tables or chopping wood.  I might bar tend, but that would just be for the fun of it.

Q: Do you have all of your shots?

A: Yes! $500 later, I had better not get any common diseases! I am covered for all of my vaccinations for the next 2 years and in some cases 5 to ten years.

Q: How long have you been planning this?

A: The actual logistics of the trip are fairly new, but the desire to see the world in this way (for a long period of time without an ultra tight itinerary is) sparked when I went to South East Asia in 2007.

Q: What’s your first destination?

A: I am staring my trip in New Zealand.  From there I am making my way “left” around the world.

Q: How long are you going for?

A: One Year.

Q: How do you know how much to pack for a whole year?

A: When it comes to clothes, take everything that you think is essential and cut it in half or even a third.  You don’t really need as much as you think you do.

Q: What did you do with all of your stuff in your apartment?

A: I gave most of it away; threw away a lot of stuff; and let my friends barrow my most valued items for the year that I am gone.

Q: What about your car?

A: Sold!

Q: What exactly did you bring?

A:

  • 10 t shirts
  • 10 pairs of socks
  • 3 board shorts
  • 4 shorts
  • 2 pairs of jeans
  • one pair of running/walking/hiking shoes
  • 1 pair of Uggs
  • 1 pair of sandals
  • 1 pair of reading glasses
  • 1 pair of sunglasses
  • 1 digital camera
  • 4 lithium ion rechargeable camera batteries
  • 1 camera battery charger
  • 5 2-gig SD cards
  • 3 Long Sleeve thermals
  • 1 waterproof rain coat shell
  • 1 Sherpa fleece jacket
  • 1 synthetic down jacket
  • 1 regular sized backpack
  • 1 beanie
  • 3 ATM cards
  • 3 Credit Cards
  • 1 passport book
  • 1 passport card
  • 1 set of immunization records
  • 1 mini umbrella
  • 1 60 gig i-pod
  • 1 i-pod charger
  • 1 pair of headphones
  • 1 HP mini 1000 Net Book
  • 1 unlocked international cellphone
  • $150 in travelers checks
  • 2 international power adapters
  • 1 Sonicare electric toothbrush
  • 2 Sonicare toothbrush heads
  • 1 ultra lightweight wind breaker
  • 4 mini tissue packets
  • 5 bottles of insect repellent ( deet % varying from 15%-100%)
  • 1 analog toothbrush
  • 1 tube of toothpaste
  • 1 wrist watch
  • 1 alarm clock
  • 1 nail clipper
  • 1 full sized pair of scissors (to cut my hair with)
  • 1 tube of chap stick
  • 1 1 ounce bottle of eye drops
  • 1 travel size shampoo
  • 1 travel size conditioner
  • 1 travel size body wash
  • 1 6 ounce bottle of facial cleanser
  • 1 10 ounce bottle of SPF 30 sunscreen
  • 1 bar of deodorant
  • 1 camping towel
  • 1 3 oz bottle of purel
  • Did I forget anything?

Q: How much does all that weigh?

A: 40lbs including the weight of the 75 liter backpack (3.8 lbs)

If you have any additional questions that would belong on the FAQ page please let me know and I’ll be sure to get them answered.