BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello all,

Crystal Rose here. This is my first of what I amagine to be an annoying amount of posts and ridiculous questions. i know that the answers are probably all already on the site but so much pointning and clicking makes my brain hurt. I can't sit still long enough!

The basics are this. I first heard about going RTW from some fantastically crazy aussies I met 6 years ago at a summer camp in maine. I was smitten with the idea and have been a voyeaur on this website ever since. I wanted to find the right travel companion and after a handfull of years, I've found him. Ryan and I got engaged last march and decided that instead of planning a big dumb wedding where we'd spend a lot of money to entertain our friends for only one night, we'd run away and say our vows on top of a cliff, a beach or somewhere. We're leaving the US sometime in May and wherever we find ourselves on May 26th at 3pm will be where our wedding takes place. Just us. Disgustingly romantic isn't it? The unbelievable part about it is that my parents (who are unmarried freespirits and were dreading hosting something as archaeic as a formal wedding) will be paying for the rtw tickets and a little bonus cash as well. Yay for my crazy hippie artist mom and my real estate agent step dad! Anyway this is our opportunity to begin our life together with the ultimate adventure. Around the world in 90 or so days. Our itinerary is Minneapolis-London-overland to Athens-Bombay-Bangkok-Bali-Cairns-Sydney-Auckland-Fiji-Tahiti-L.A.-Minneapolis. Or something very much like it. Not finalized yet. We skipped S.America and Africa this time to be able to fit in everything in three months. We're both insanely excited. And from the sounds of it, we may run into some of you along the way which would be so great.

The first piece of advice I'll solicit is about backpacks. I've read all the stuff about internal vs. external framing, about cubic inches and day packs and water tubes (weird) and not to pack too much. What do we really need in terms of a pack.? We're both medium sized people not super athletic but not fat-assed(can i say ass on the boards?)weaklings either. What's a fair priced for a good quality not-too-flashy pack? Buy online or in the store? Whadayouguys think?

Also any advice on this our first time around the world trip would be so appreciated. I'm talking where to stay, where to fall in love all over again, which country has the best banana ice cream, if the huts on the beach in thailand really exsist... we're talking anything and everything. I will soon be a full-fledged addict of the message boards.

And... if anyone comes through Minneapolis and wants to have a great night out or has any questions for me...feel free to ask.

thank you thank you thank you

Crystal Rose

Well, a different concept - finding the right travelling companion and then getting hitched whereas many already hitched may travel and come unhinged.
There are travellers who swear travelling solo has it advantages, but there is also many advantages to travelling with the right company so good luck.
Before I mention the pack business, getting married when you reach the clifftop may not be as easy as jumping off as many countries even like CrazyOz have requirements to get a marriage licence, and one like in particular having to be applied for a month and a day in advance ofintended date.
I imagine in your near Jules Verne epic hopefully wherever you are on May 26 you will be somewhere that you can easily do the deed, and that it will be recognised in the staes or perhaps you can do a wedding party return to Vegas and the Elvis chapel.
Not to put a wet blanket on the romance and there might even be others who are thinking if not saying it, but your epic will be a good test of the partnership, and you could always follow in Mum's footsteps until you return.

With the number of countries (way too many)you are intending to visit, I will not bother to try and start listing what you ought to see, as you will be whizzing thru with little chance of appreciating much in any depth. I think with the partner you ought to look at where you are going , find out for yourself a bit more about tyhe places thru either net reaearch or reading books from your local library and develop a few ideas and a plan that suits your time frame.
On with the pack, and before you go buying online, you will need to know what will suit you, and best way of that is to start having a look around travelling gear stores and decide on the top loader, zip open or compromise models, top loaders (backpacks)being more for the trekkers and usually of a lighter material whereas zip open (travel packs)may suit general travellers and some come with a zip up flap to cover the harness as well, and can resemble a soft suitcase, having advantage of harness not being exposed to handling damage, but empty weight can be a kg or so heavier.

Some daypacks come as a zip on addition in the case of travel packs but a separate daypack is my choice on two key issues - security - valuables such as passport, wallet, camera etc. are definitely things you ought to keep under your nose at all times and buying a separate one to wear on your front achieves that, and also when travelling it is a good idea to if not in your daypack, then in whatever you use as carry on hand luggage have survival essentials - toiletries, undies, tee shirts, socks etc. just in case your checked in luggage ends up some distance from where you land, and it does happen! - so be prepared.
Second point against a zip on daypack and carrying there is it means you have this huge rear overhang which apart from being more of an invite to slick thieves with a sharp knife, becomes more of a walloper everytime you turn in confined areas and adds a bit more strain to the bod.
Whatever you get, a good shop should emphasise a well fitted unit, checking/showing adjustment so as you have one that suits, and most these days are inbuilt frames.

Once you know what you need, then you can have a look online and may be able to do better than new in a store. Cost, not sure on what your prices are in US, but in Oz. you can get reasonable packs up to $200 and pay even twice or treble or more than that for super versions. That said, there are probably people about who have picked up online what they wanted for under $50.

I apologize gonorth. we seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot. I can't help but feel a little dismissed by your response. Sometimes my enthusiasm for things can seem naive. I am looking forward to something that I know will change my life. Something that will be way too short and way too much of a blur to really appreciate as it's going by. It's something I regret already. Please accept my apologies for any offense. CR

quote:

What do we really need in terms of a pack.? We're both medium sized people not super athletic but not fat-assed(can i say ass on the boards?)weaklings either. What's a fair priced for a good quality not-too-flashy pack? Buy online or in the store? Whadayouguys think?

Go down to Midwest Mountaineering and get fitted for an Eagle Creek pack.

Hello!
As for the backpack, I would recommend something smaller, especially since you are only going for 3 months. I bought a huge backpack from eagle creek and brought with me for a month in france and i hated it, it was a strain on my back, heavy etc. Now when i go places I just bring my school backpack, which is big enough to hold a few outfits and necessary supplies, but small enough where it is easy to lug around everywhere. as for ice cream, i love banana ice cream. In paris, in montparnasse there is this little gelato place that has the best gelato you will ever have. i got mango and banana all the time. I loved that place.its called Amorino. Also if you have a little money to spend, the Toupary restaurant was really good. It is right by the seine boat tour. also when you go to the louvre, make sure you use the second entrance (not the one by the pyramid out front. There is no line to get in, you go down some stairs and then you are there. When you walk in the center of the louvre, and you are facing the pyramid outside, it is on your right about 300ft from the main entrance, if you go to the main entrance you will be in line for over an hour. Also about the backpack, i bought mine online and saved maybe 30$, but dont buy online. Buy in a store, this is something you will be carrying for months, and it makes it a lot easier if you try it on in a store and see what it feels like. But yea have fun!

Hi Crystal Rose!!!

Welcome to the boards....There's definately a lot of good advice to be had here and a top bunch of folks as wll!!!

Its great the you get the chance to do something like this...I always get too excited when I talk about my trip as well!! Why not though...like you say, its a kind of once in a lifetime thing.

Your trip sounds great although you might want to cut out 1 or 2 places to give yourself more time to properly explore these new environments...a fast paced trip is good but be carfeul to give yourself some recoup. time oterwise it can all get too much very quickly!! Trust me on this!!

Maybe have a think if there is anything you really want to do/see, sit down with a guide book or 2 and work out how long you think you'll need to do it. Flying everywhere can get seriously tiring so try and give yourself a day or 2 to just recover and unwind.

Have fun planning your trip and come ask loads of questions here...theres a lot of people who've already done similar things and those (like me) who are in the midst of planning!

For the planning, I really recommend Rick Steves' Europe through the back door. It's a very informative book on how to plan your travel.

I tell you... Traveling together will be a true test to see if your relationship is for real! Best wishs for you!

Haven't been to Thailand (yet) so can't tell you much but you can always count on the best Banana Ice cream here in Italy!

Nic

Ah Crystal, there is no need to apologise and nor am I being dismissive, and I can certainly feel your excitement for something you are obviously looking forward to, and without a doubt, I think I could say that all BootnAllers who have responded wish you well.
It is just that in anything you do in life, you will get the best out of it by best preparation and sometimes that is hard to do without your feet firmly on the ground.
Sure, you will read of people deciding to hare off over to Thailand or somewhere without too much planning and just follow their nose or the backside of some that they have tagged along with, and that is fine if that is your cuppa.
But obviously you want to get as much as you can out of your trip, and it is your trip to decide on, especially with so much desired to be seen.
You are travelling in a good time for Europe, Bali and Oz., though Bombay and Thailand will both be warm/humid as they are most times, and NZ will be getting cooler when you get there, and yes those beach huts really exist in different places in Thailand, and even up on the Mekong River which I found to be one of the more lovely areas of thailand and far less touristy.
Your best overland travel for Europe is probably going to be looking ay Eurrail passes as they have good deals with two travelling together. European Cities are an eye opener for those not used to the very much older architecture and cathedrals in particular, just about every older city having what they call their old quarter, but you might start wishing you hope to never see another cathderal if you overdo it.
Cities that ought to be on your list in giving you a mix of countries, I imagine would be Paris, Barcellona, Florence, Rome, Venice, Vienna, Budapest and I am not familiar with the eastern European cities, and I have skipped Switzerland and Germany and those further north because of the time factor.
If you find that you will cut out some of the overland travelling, another interesting way to get to Athens, would be to travel down the Italian Boot to Brindisi and get a ferry across to Greece via Corfu (the ferry trip being included in Eurrail passes), and I would also suggest that you will likely get some pleasure out of giving larger cities a rest for an occasional lay up in a quiet country town where you can get to meet lovely country folk.
And again, your post was not offensive in any way Crystal, and I'll work on the Australian/NZ leg for you when it is not so late.

I think some of the pages on our site will be of interest to you. Places, gear, tips, camera stuff, clothes, airline tix, etc... check it out!

www.thirteenmonths.com

Hopefully it helps!

Grace

Hey All! Thanks for all the great advice. You're all absolutely right in saying that this trip will be a test or a testament to our relationship. It's also an experience that will teach us a lot about who we are as individuals and as a couple, I think. I really do wish we could spend more time "out there." We're both working like crazy right now and spending as little as possible so that we might be able to extend our three months a bit longer. We're both actors/waiters so picking up extra cash just means working more doubles at the restaurant.
I really do appreciate all of your great feedback!

I've been to western Europe before so we'll probably breeze through the big western European cities and head otbp fairly quickly; into territory that we've not yet explored. I tend to skip most Cathedrals and head to the local street market instead. That said, I know there are a few of god's houses that we must visit.

I'm off to search through the pages and make a couple of posts elsewhere, but thank you, so very much.
CR