It’s my first time travelling and I haven’t got a clue what to take with me. I’ve bought my backpack, a nicely sized 65L hiking pack (the standard backpackers carrying device). Now I just need to know how I’m going to fill it up. What do I do?

It’s a pretty standard worry before you go travelling. It doesn’t matter whether it’s your first time abroad or whether you’ve been travelling all your life, it’s natural to think about what you need to take with you to make sure you’re comfortable and have enough clothes for every occasion. Here are a few little tips that I have picked up along my travels that may just help when it comes to packing.

Toilet Paper… It’s used for wiping your arse!

1. Toilet paper: You’d be amazed how many times this little item has saved me when it comes to airports, train stations etc. Especially when you are travelling to a country that is not first world.

2. Clothing: Pretty important really, unless you’re heading to a nudist colony in Jacumba. However, you will accumulate a lot of clothes along the way so remember not to go overboard with what you take with you. A couple of everything is fine and remember, if you run out of underwear, it’s not illegal to go commando. In fact, it’s actually quite liberating!

3. Toiletries: You do not need them! They will probably be cheaper wherever you are going anyway (unless you’re travelling to NZ / Australia). All they do is take up valuable space and weight in your bag that you can use for something else. Just take enough for your travel time (flights etc) and maybe a couple of days after.

This is a tent – pretty obvious really!

4. Camping gear: Loads of travellers have the wonderful idea, and it is fantastic fun, that they want to camp everywhere and not stay in hostels. The reality is that sometimes you will get to your destination and not spend a single night in a tent. Think about where you are going and be realistic about how much camping you are planning on doing. A sleeping bag is usually useful however, tents, pots and pans, large cooking equipment etc usually gets left in the bottom of your bag or given away to someone else.

5. Memorabilia: There is going to be a time when you get homesick. Having something from home that reminds you of your friends or family is often a good way of making you feel better and getting you back on the road. Just don’t go overboard, obviously a picture of friends / family is going to be a lot easier to carry than a 6ft teddy bear.

There’s hundreds of other things you could think about when it comes to the subject of packing however, just remember that it doesn’t matter where you go, the people at your destination are surviving with what they have. So you can rock up with pretty much nothing and buy what you need along the way. If you do decide to go down this route of travelling, make sure you take soap, otherwise you are going to smell baaaaadddddd!

Happy travelling boys and girls!
The Avid HBH Travelling Crew

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Everybody loves to be healthy. You have more energy, you look better, feel better and you recover from hangovers quicker. In short, there are no downsides to a healthy lifestyle. So why do so many of us lose our health when we go traveling. Is it really that difficult to stay in good health?

Speaking from experience, I would say yes and no. It’s obviously easier to stay in good health when you are at home: you know what you can eat, ingredients can be more readily available to you etc. You know who your doctor is, how much things should cost and feel safe talking to professionals about problems you may have. You don’t go out drinking 5 or 6 nights a week. However, that is no excuse to not be healthy when traveling. Have a look a few of the slightly more poignant aspects picked out below.

 Medical health and condition

If you have any medical conditions, you must speak to your doctor before you leave to go traveling. The doctor can not stop you from traveling however, they will have sound advice for you on what to do in case of emergencies. More often than not, they will also have booklets or leaflets about traveling and health, vaccinations etc that can be invaluable in certain countries.

The other big must when it comes to doctors requires you to do some research. Have a look at where you are going, what is there and what kind of precautions you need to take. For instance, is it a malaria zone? Has there been a high risk of rabies lately? As your doctor if they would recommend any other vaccinations such as typhoid, Hepatitis A / B, Japanese Encephalitis etc.

Insurance

It’s a pain in the ass I know. But there’s also a very good reason these companies are here. These are the companies that will fly you home if you break your leg or will get you medical assistance if you can’t afford it. They can be lifesavers. Just make sure you read  the terms and conditions so that you do know what is going on.

 General Health

When you are traveling, you will invariably find yourself with a beer in your hand at least a few times a week (at least if you’re anything like the travelers I’ve met). That’s not a problem at all. In fact, it’s great as it helps you meet people and you’ll have great fun. However, just remember to give your body a break every now and then and if you can, get on the vitamin tablets as you will feel so much better. There are two HUGE pieces of advice when it comes to drinking:

1. Do not stumble home in a city you do not know at 3am so drunk that you can not see straight when you have all your money and your passport in your pocket.

2. ALWAYS CARRY CONDOMS!! This applies to the ladies too, men can’t be held solely responsible for this one.

The biggest think you have to remember though is whilst you will have amazing fun doing lots of stupid, crazy things (and they are fun), remember that you can’t put a price on your head. So get out there, have the time of your life and just try to stay safe.

It’s one of those things I’m afraid, whether you’re heading to the cheapest country on earth or heading to the most expensive one of the key things to think about is your budget. How much am I going to spend daily? Weekly? Monthly? Are there any tours that I would like to do that will cut into my budget? Do I need buses, trains or planes? Am I going to be away whilst it’s my birthday? There are hundreds of things to think about but luckily, it’s nowhere near as complicated as it may seem. I have been traveling for more than 4 years now and have seen my budget range from $70 per day in Australia, all the way down to $3 per day in Bali. The key is to constantly reassess so that you never get caught out. A few key things to think about for any new traveller pondering their finances.

How long am I traveling for?

This is the biggest question for sure. You are the only person that can answer this question and the simplest (not the best) way of deciding your budget would be to say:

The money I have ÷ How many days I’m traveling.

This is great if you’re planning on staying in one country and not doing any tours, extreme sports like bungee jumping etc however, I would recommend asking yourself a few other questions first, before going down this route.

Where am I traveling to?

List all the countries that you think you may possibly be going to. Also, make sure you find out how many of those countries you can legally work in so that if you do get tight for money, you’ll still be able to get by with a job for a short while. Remember: some countries are a lot more expensive than others, do your research on which countries will make the bigger dents in your pocket.

Do any of my destinations have places where I would like to join a tour that I have heard rumors of, or take part in extreme sports such as bungee jumping or sky diving?

These activities can be expensive. Go to New Zealand and you with pay over $200 to bungee jump in one of the world’s largest sites. Or skydive and you may pay in excess of $400 or $500. Remember, these activities and tours are priced like they are because they offer the best experiences that you will not get anywhere else. You have to make sure you subtract this from your funds before you start thinking about your daily budget.

Am I going to be away whilst it’s my birthday?

Even the most basic birthday parties will mean you spend above your budget. Plan to spend 3 times your average day if this is the case (even if somewhere is doing something for you for your birthday).

Have I got the local currency yet?

Most people overlook this. When you exchange money, regardless of where in the world you are, you will always lose money. Currency exchange houses will always charge a small commission and will give themselves a favorable rate so that they can make money. You may be looking at spending up to $20 or $30 when doing this.

Have I arranged my visa yet?

An easy mistake to make is to think that “visa on arrival” means it is free. It’s not! Do your research on each of the places you are going and you’ll be grand, but if you don’t include it in your budget, you may just find that you can’t go to all the places you wanted.

 Will I be traveling via bus, trains or other forms of transport?

Think about whether you will need to travel when you are there regardless of the form of transport you will be taking.

I may need to do laundry?

You will smell! Laundry can be fairly cheap in some places however, in others it may be as costly as $10 to get it done. Just something to think about.

I think I’ll buy a phone / sim card!

Ever thought about the fact that your family and friends might want to hear from you and make sure you’re safe. Or you stay somewhere for a while and want to keep in contact with you new found mates?

Above a just a couple of the little things you need to think about. Your best way of going about budgeting is to think about what you want to do on a none daily basis: trips, tours, activities etc. Then take the cost of these away from the funds you have for traveling. Then think about all the other little bits that might encroach on your traveling funds like some of the ideas I have listed above.

Finally, take $250 out of what you have left and keep that as your emergency fund.

What you will now be left with is a lump sum that you can divide between the days that you will be traveling for. By budgeting in this fashion, you may just find that you actually don’t have to worry about money all the time whilst traveling and also have a little money left over at the end to be able enjoy a few good meals or big nights out.

Not your typically western BBQ but damn it tastes good!

Having a BBQ may not have the same historical significance as some of the other dishes but cooking your meat and vegetables on a small cooker with burning oil splattering everywhere makes for an interesting evening. It might not be ideal for everyone as you often eat under dull lights but you definitely feel a part of the city. Some of the good BBQ stands are found in the Old Quarter and most hotels can point you in the right direction.

What?

BBQ Chicken Street on Ly Van Phuc. A favorite amongst the expat community and possibly some of the best BBQ street food you’ll ever taste. With its glorious array of chicken cuts, roasted potatoes and sweet honey glazed breads, you won’t want to stop eating.

BBQ Beef Delights at 45 Ma May. Not your average, everyday street food – it’s better. Great place to check out with a few of you mates and have a real good meaty feed. The best bit about it… it’s right in the heart of all the locals bars and clubs so it becomes a great way to kick off your evening.

Mmmmm, ribs!

When?

Get down there in the evenings, they all make for excellent dinner menus and the vibe in the evening is great for a bit of banter with the locals and your fellow travelers.How Much?

Can be a little more expensive however, it depends on how hungry you are. Be prepared to pay between 50,000VND and 100,000VND including the mandatory beer or two that should accompany every BBQ.

Banh My

Those of you who have enjoyed Vietnamese sandwiches abroad are familiar with the Bánh Mỳ Patê. With origins from the French colonial period—these are fresh baguettes filled with a slab of county style pork pate. While purists stick to the basics, you can also add cucumber and sausage slices, greens and a squirt of chili sauce for the perfect eat as you go snack. Another variety is the breakfast or Bánh Mỳ Trứng, which is a baguette filled with eggs (your choice of how many) scrambled with scallions, and like the bánh mỳ pate, with optional toppings such as cucumbers, herbs, and spicy sauce.

Where: Banh My “Tam” on Ngoc Khanh street, Bánh Mỳ Patê Restaurant Francais at 17 Lý Quốc Sư, Bánh Mỳ Hoàng Long no 68 Hòa Mã, Bánh Mỳ Huế no 9 Hòa Mã. There are many little temporary stands that pop up in the early morning hours serving bánh my trung. One fixed location serves up a tasty version of the breakfast sandwich as well as a variety of bánh mỳ patê all day just 50 meters down the road from “The Original Hostel”.

When: Breack fast and Lunch

How much: 15,000 – 25,000 dong

Banh My Bit Tet – Steak sandwich to you and me

Also try: BÁNH MỲ BÍT TẾT, (Steak baguette)

Back in the western world, we would refer to this as a steak sandwich. Cooked in front of you and tasting absolutely awesome, it would definitely be prudent of you to search out one of these little spots and give it a try. Mouth watering to say the least.

Where: 61 Lò Sũ, 42 Bát Đàn and 51 Hàng Buồm

When: Lunch, Dinner or both

How much: 50,000 VND

Phở is one dish that defines the culinary culture of this remarkable city. This simple dish of noodles and either beef or chicken is forever popular with locals and foreigners alike and can be found throughout the city. The soup includes noodles made from rice with the broth that’s cooked for ages and is often served with mint, coriander and spring onions that are added to the soup at the end. Eaten throughout the day however, is most popular as the Vietnamese version of a late night kebab (or pie if your an Aussie) after a good session on the beers. Also fairly popular as an early morning breakfast. Below are the types of pho that you may come across.

Pho Bo with just the right amount of chili

Phở bò - Beef noodle soup (Phở bò tái: half cooked beef; Phở bò chin: well done beef).

NOM – SALAD

Vietnamese salads are wonderful for their super fresh ingredients. Exotic when compared to standard leafy greens, some Vietnamese standards star key ingredients such as banana flower, lotus stem and green papaya.

Nom Du Du – It tastes a lot better than the name gives it credit for

Nom Du Du is a slightly sweet and sour green papaya salad, topped with your choice of meat (dried beef is most commonly found in restaurant versions of this dish). When you order a nộm đu đủ plate, the seller will put some shredded papaya and carrot in the dish first, then she will add your meat topping of choice, herbs such as coriander, mint, basil, freshly roasted ground peanuts, and nộm broth made of sugar, fish sauce, vinegar infused with minced hot chili and garlic. The dish has interesting textures and zesty because of herbal flavors mixed with chewy meaty topping, crunchy papaya, and buttery taste of peanuts with sweet, sour and spicy broth.

Where: Hom market, 25 Hàm Long st, 43 Mã Mây, Hồ Hoàn Kiếm st – near water puppet theatre

When: Late morning to evening

How much: 20,000 to 30,000 VND

 

Nom Hoa Chuoi – Definitely not one to miss out on

Nom Hoa Chuoi is a salad that uses the actual flower from the banana tree topped with a lightly sweet and sour, spicy sauce mix with pig ear or chicken and top of peanuts.

Where: Any Bia Hoi place where you can park yourself on small plastic chairs. Order the fresh local beer with your food and enjoy watching the world go by as you tuck in to this wonderfully local delicacy.

When: Afternoon

How much: 30,000 to 40,000 VND

They asked me about strange foods I have eaten in Vietnam. I explained that I loved Snake meat and that it tastes better then some chicken. That the congealed blood here is great as it reminds me of black / white pudding back home. I explained that eating a duck fetus when hung over is probably one of the most disgusting culinary experiences of my life. The article talks about getting a beating snake heart stuck in my throat and I described it as an ‘exotic’ experience (as no other words could really describe the feeling…).

What I wish I had talked about in retrospect was the sensation of eating jellyfish salad and how it weirdly makes you sweat (even more than usual) in Vietnam.

I have also tried dog meat, it tastes like mild pork and has loads of fat – it’s not great and I kept thinking of puppies faces throughout the experiences.

Anyway, try and translate some of the article, learn some more Viet – it’s good for you!

http://vnexpress.net/gl/the-gioi/cuoc-song-do-day/2012/05/dan-ong-tay-phieu-luu-

voi-dac-san-viet/

Luke Poulson

I set off to Hanoi after 10days in Vang Vieng, with my previous bus journey experience limited to school trips and the occasional Megabus trip between Manchester and London. The first four hours were comical but bearable. The bus  between Vang Vieng and Vientiane was full so they placed me in the aisle on a plastic garden chair! There were also numerous vomit stops for those who had had too many drinks on the night before but apart from that the journey was fine. However, the next 26hours were not so smooth.