One Hundred Days of Travel

Max Brenner Chocolate Shop

Everyone should travel alone once. I think experiencing freedom from our daily responsibilities to others, to time, and to our own schedules is rejuvenating. Today, that meant aimlessly wandering around Singapore and not worrying that I forgot my watch because I had no where to be. Sometimes I get bored of travelling alone, but there's always new people to meet in every place you go. I have one hundred days of travel left before returning home. I often use a day calculator to estimate my per-day spending budget when traveling. Better to save now and spend later than be eating crackers for a month at the end of my trip.

Singapore is fairly easy to get around. I found a green hostel on the internet, so of course I had to check it out. It's called Tree In Lodge and has a great central location.

The Fantastic Popsicle Chocolate Fondue

The city is very aesthetic although I get the feeling that I might get fined for walking on the grass or crossing the street before the walk light turns green! For readers unfamiliar with politics here there are very strict laws about everything from chewing gum and smoking in public to mandatory death sentencing for drug traffickers. The result is an efficient city with virtually no unemployment or poverty. (And I haven't seen any stray cats or dogs either!)

I could not resist the temptation of dessert at the Max Brenner Chocolate Shop.

The Visayas

Two weeks was just enough time to relax and dive in Cebu. We decided not to go to Bohol because it looked pretty expensive comparatively.

Our first destination was Malapacua island. After a long intercontinental flight from Paris to Bahrain to Manila we continued on to Cebu city and finally arrived in Maya around 11pm. As expected there were no public boats going to the island at that hour and when we saw two guys arranging an overpriced 'special trip' on a boat that looked like it might sink we chose to spend the night and go in the morning. Total saved: 1500 pesos plus the possibility of swimming if the boat didn't make it.

We only spent three nights in Malapascua, since we hadn't decided how many other places we would visit afterward. It was a quiet, laid back island and I wouldn't have minded staying another night.

The diving was our best yet - I saw a white tip shark that was sleeping under a rock and we were successful in seeing Thrusher sharks as well. (This is the main reason divers go to Malapascua) additionally, we had our first wreck dive which was awesome but I had terrible air consumption due to being overweighted and overexcited during the dive. Our dive shop was Evolution and I would highly recommend them. Great price and the guides were very thorough and experienced.

Moal Boal wasn't bad but there was way too much concrete for my liking. We did see a big manta ray at Pedcador Island and lots of sea turtles as well. Our last few days we rented a bike so we were able to get a but further from the town and drove along the coast which was beautiful.

A hidden gem in Paris

If there is one thing the French are great at it's cooking (and eating!).  There are many places in Paris where you can enjoy traditional French cuisine, especially at the sidewalk cafes.  But my favorite place we ate all week was at L'Entrecôte near the Champs-Élysées.  When we mentioned we were heading to the area for dinner our apartment manager tipped us off about this place.  She warned us to arrive before 8:30pm.  We arrived at 7:30 and were promptly seated.  Shortly after a waitress dressed in the traditional french attire of black and white asked us how we would like our steak cooked and brought us salads of greens and walnuts.  They are so well known for their contre-filet that they don't even present a menu.  And just when you think it's over they refill your plate with another serving!  If you find yourself in Paris craving a steak this place is not to be missed.  Just don't tell too many people ... the line was around the block by the time we left.

On a side note, I am a big supporter of the vegetarian lifestyle and think meat should be eaten sparingly, but I don't feel bad about a changing it up every once in awhile either.  Think of it as being a Flexitarian.  Good for your health, good for the planet, and good karma :)

Check out the website of L'Entrecôte by clicking here.

Insider tip: Locals know to eat at the one on Rue Marbeuf.

Another delicacy I couldn't get enough of.
I made sure to try as many varieties of Macaroons as possible!

Great museums, long lines

Paris is of course, amazing.  There are so many beautiful historical buildings that have been very well kept up and the museums are fantastic. Unsurprisingly I have been eating way too much bread and pastries!  But, the lines!  If you visit Paris be prepared, you will wait in line for everything.  To buy a drink, to use the toilet, and for every museum and tourist attraction you visit.  The French do not rush.  That said, there are a few things you can do to avoid wasting too much time getting tired in the sun.  Did I mention you'll be waiting in all these lines in the sun?  First, get there early, as in before they open.  Second, consider buying either the Museum Pass or the Paris Pass, the latter of which we had.  These passes wont get you out of every line but they do help a lot and are a pretty good value if you use them in enough places.

View from the Luxumberg Gardens, taken this afternoon.

Dinner Friday night, near our apartment.

We've been here for 10 days and have seen a lot of the city.  Today we walked around the 6th arrondissement and ate lots of delicious food there.  Asia has really rubbed off on me because I always find myself wanting to take pictures of food now when I travel.  Tomorrow is our last full day in the city so we'll try to squeeze in the last few things we'd like to do. We have been very lucky with the weather here - lots of sun all week so far!

A few more suggestions if you'll be traveling in the area.  Say hello!  This is a big one here and if you can manage a few words of French when you greet someone your service will improve 200%.  Also, don't miss the Musée de l'Orangerie.  They have two large oval rooms containing Monet's beautiful water lily paintings.

My Mom and I before the tour of Opéra Garnier.

Leaving Taiwan was a bit of a mad rush the last day, because although I was very organized and started preparing to leave more than a month ahead I seriously underestimated the amount of things I had to wrap up before departing.  And in the end I missed my flight and wasn't allowed to bring any luggage on the plane!  So, I'll be going back for a visit in the fall to collect my tax refund and the rest of my stuff.

After Paris, I'm heading to the Visayas which will mark the beginning of a four month backpacking trip around Asia.  Two summers ago I did a similar trip but did not have time to visit all the countries on my list.  This time around I'll be heading to the Philippines, Singapore, Bali, Indonesia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and finally India.  Im looking forward to diving the South Pacific, yoga in Bali, and volunteering at Navdanya near the Himalayas in northern India.

Backpacking Essentials

It's pretty ironic that I am blogging about packing, because when I studied abroad in Florence I brought three large rolling duffles and additional baggage totaling over 200lbs!  I could not even make it off the train platform until one of my friends arrived to help me.  To make matters worse, I vacuum packed everything so it was even harder to get it all home.  One lesson I have learned (the hard way) is how to pack.  It is possible to pack light and fit everything you need along with some comfort items!  You should be able to walk at minimum of 30 minutes carrying your fully packed backpack.

You dont want to end up like these guys ...

What to bring, and what to leave at home ...

Choosing a backpack. I recommend buying your pack online.  Websites like backcountry or sierra trading post are a good place to start looking.  I have even ordered multiple bags and then mailed back the ones I didn't like.  Personally, I look for a bag that has an access zipper to the main compartment because I think it is easier to stay organized that way.  Look for something you will be comfortable living out of and carrying for the next month, or year.  Another easy way to organize your pack is with stuff sacks or dry bags.  These little bags are relatively inexpensive, come in all different sizes, and some will protect your stuff even if they are submerged in water. Also, consider a dry pack cover to protect form the elements and theft.

A rain jacket. It rains everywhere, invest in a jacket appropriate for the climate! At home you can sprint to your car and drive away, but when you're backpacking you spend a lot more time walking to and from and will be outdoors much more in general.  You should be able to get away with only one item of outerwear, two at the most if you are traveling in colder areas.

A variety of clothing that is easily layered and will dry quickly. Sorry guys, but this is a little bias towards women.  A few weeks before any trip I start to put aside clothing items Im planning on bringing.  This avoids chaotic packing at the last minute.  Tops and bottoms should match the majority of items you choose.  Don't bring anything that requires a specific article of clothing to go with it.

I avoid bringing too many pairs of shorts because many cultures do not wear them and they are less versatile than capris.  I generally bring one or two dresses (if you wear them) for warmer climates because they are comfortable and will keep you cool.  I suggest 5-6 bottoms, and 7-9 tops, that way you can get away with doing laundry about every other week.

My advice is not to bring anything white, light colored clothing turns grey when you wash it with the rest of your (very dirty) clothing.  A specific article of clothing I recommend is a pair of black leggings.  I often wear them when hiking to protect my legs from bugs, plants, and the sun and they are also great to sleep in or layer under a skirt.  Skip something specifically for sleeping because it's not an efficient use of space if you can't wear it during the day.

1-2 bathing suits. Unless you are going to Antarctica, bring them.  I have made the mistake of not bringing one (who needs a bathing suit in land locked Bolivia?) and finding out the hard way that a bathing suit may be the most difficult thing to purchase in a foreign country.  These can double as shorts or underware, and they are so small you can let your self splurge and bring two :)

Sunblock and bugspray. As mentioned above, expect to be outside in the elements for the majority of the day (and at night if you're camping).  Effective sunscreen and bug repellant can be hard to find and/or very expensive in other countries for a variety of reasons - most often because the locals dont use it.  So stock up at home and bring it with you.

Earth friendly water bottle. Even if you never use this at home, it will come in handy while traveling.  Many places will allow you to fill it up for free and it can be easilly attached to your pack with a mini carabiner.  I recommend the 27 oz Kleen Kanteen.

Expensive electronics. With the exception of a DSLR camera or electronic reader, leave these at home.  You don't need your laptop when you're traveling.  International phones are expensive (think $2-$3 per minute) and if staying in hostels it can be difficult to find a place to charge your stuff without worrying about someone stealing it.  Getting robbed is no fun, but sometimes you can't avoid it.  That's why you should leave all non-essential valuables at home! Rule of thumb here: if you would be upset to lose it, don't bring it. If you must bring something (mp3 player, reader, etc) choose one that gets wifi, this way you can stay connected without carrying too much.

Pack Towel. It's definately worth buying one of these.  Look for one that has soft, quick-drying fabric and an antimicrobial treatment to help prevent mold.

Basic First Aid Kit. You can buy band aids in pretty much every country, but if you need medical supplies it is much easier if you already have a small supply in your pack instead of having to locate the nearest pharmacy and purchase everything asap. You can easily make this from stuff your probably already have at home:  variety of different size band aids, antibiotic ointment, antibacterial wipes, medical tape, gauze, benadryl, ibuprofen, imodium.

Comfortable bedding. If you can squeeze one more item in your pack, this is it.  Whether it be a small travel pillow, an easilly foldable sheet or blanket, a hammock, or a sleep sack - pick one of the above and bring it along.  Bus rides can be cold if the ac is blasting or you're driving thourght the mountains and although most hostels provide some type of bedding you never know what you'll get or how clean it will be.  These items come in handy for last minute camping as well!

Books. If you read a lot and/or are traveling solo go ahead and bring a few.  Many hostels have book exchanges and most travelers are willing to swap as long as you've got something interesting.  English bookstores are hard to find in some places (and usually expensive) but places frequented by backpackers often accept trades.

Shoes. I find this item to be one of the most difficult choices when packing.  Shoes take up a lot of space, but are one of the most important items because you will be on your feet all day, everyday.  If you will be doing a lot of trekking bring hiking shoes.  Tie them on the outside of your pack or use a stuff sack if necessary.  For women, Land's End makes a variety of durable and comfortable mary jane style shoes.  These types of shoes are great because you can wear them for light hiking, city walking, and even with a casual dress or skirt.  If you bring flip flops along with something like these you should be set.  You do not need more than three pairs of shoes.  Depending on what else you might be doing, bring a pair of flats or a second pair of flip flops that are a bit dressier.  If you cant comfortably walk two miles in it don't bring it.

Anything that plugs into the wall for your hair. Leave it at home.  When your new friends at the hostel invite you out for drinks at the bar and you tell them you need to blow dry your hair they will probably laugh at you.  Chances are it will break when you plug it into the wall anyways.  Think no more than fifteen minutes to get ready, and you'll be in a dorm full of 20 people, probably without a mirror.  Bring a few items of makeup but leave the hair stuff at home with your high heels.  They take up a lot of space and stilettos and unpaved roads to not mix.

But what will I wear to the club/bar/disco? The solution here is to bring (or buy while you're traveling) one or two nicer shirts and pair them with something you're already bringing or bring a necklace to dress something else up.  I try to bring a dressier top that is not revealing, or that can be worn under something else during the day.  Jewelry is small and easily packed so even if you only dress up once or twice it's easier than bringing a whole new outfit or a pair of heels. Just don't bring anything too flashy or valuable.

Easily purchased items (and relatively inexpensive) in every country I've been to: clothing, sunglasses, purses/bags, flip flops, headphones, any and all toiletries.

Difficult to find or expensive when you do: sunblock, bugspray, sport/outdoor clothing and accessories (brands like North Face, Nike, etc).

That's all I've got for now :)
Feel free to add your own packing and travel tips in the comments!