First Place to go.. London EYE!!!

The first thing to do in London is have a panorama view of London, and The Eye is the place to visit!!
Since, my hostel is near to a rail station, then it's better to take the rail to there.

To London Eye by rail
The closest rail stations to the London Eye are Waterloo and Charing Cross.
Waterloo is the closest rail station to the London Eye. Waterloo is about five minutes walking distance; take exit six for the South Bank and follow the signs.
Charing Cross is about a fifteen minute walk to the London Eye. Cross over Hungerford Bridge.

For winter (from October to April), the opening time daily is 10.00am - 8.00pm.
Ticket Price : Adult (16 plus) £15.17, Child (5-15 years) £7.59,Senior (60 plus)* £11.74

Virtual Tour of London Eye

Morning means less fog and a better view of London.

Where's next?

Virtual Backpacking Destination----LONDON!!

First stop, London!!

The flight would be from Singapore Changi Airport to London Heathrow Airport

Date: 6/12/08 Time :23.35
Arrive : 7/12/08 Time :5.25
On Qantas Airways
zuji.com.sg -->London Top Flights Deals



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Choice of Hostel is
Queen Victoria Hostel
118 Wellington Street, London, SE18 6XY, England
Located only 20 minutes from the world's most famous and historical bridge. LONDON BRIDGE.
Why there? Because they can store my backpack for me if I arrive before the check-in time at 12pm ( and base on the flight details.. I would really be early)
Book Queen Victoria Hostel, London, England with Hostelbookers

Directions to get from Heathrow to Queen Victoria hotel

Catch the Piccadilly Line and change at Kings Cross, from here catch the Northern Line to LONDON BRIDGE. take a train to Woolwich Arsenal. We are only a 5 minute walk.

Virtual Backpacking

Although the economic slowdown is the best period to go backpacking but I have obligations that is stopping me from hopping onto the next flight and just go and walk around the world.

I came up with the idea of Virtual Backpacking using this blog.

I would use Google Map to draw out my Virtual Backpacking route.
Virtually stay at a certain hostel or couchsurf or sometimes in 5 start to relax..
Then virtually visit the area...
Constrain of time would still impact to my virtual route,that means I won't be going to the Louvre and be at Shang Hai the same day.

Now to decide where my first destination would be.....

Backpacker's accommodation --Local Lodging

Backpackers tries very hard to save money during their travel.

A very effective way is, AVOID HOTELS!!

Hostels is a cheap alternative to hotels.
you can book a Hostel anywhere in the world with the widget on the left sidebar of this blog.

There's another way to save money and ALSO.. get up close and personal with people living in that particular place.

Local Lodging -->that's the key.

When you local lodge. you are actually living in the same house as your leaser.

How does this actually happen?
Well, people with spare rooms but do not want a permanent leaser would put their rooms up for rent for a few days.
We (backpackers) would just book the room online or offline and stay for our traveling period. Some rooms come along with meals, some owners just invite you to meal even if it's not included. So be friendly , then you save both on accommodation and meals...

This is more popular in the Asia region especially in Japan and Taiwan where they name it 民宿 （min su).. means local's accommodation.

What to expect?

Don't expect 5 star service or 5 star food...or 5 star rooms...
The quality actually varies, some would have 6 star service and room but some would be more like hostels.
So make sure you only book those with popular ratings..but they do cost more..
If you can withstand anything and any enviroment then, just go ahead and book the cheapest one available.

Have fun lodging with the locals and get near to them.

Here's a few local lodging website:

For USA local lodging --> Roomorama
For UK local lodging -->SpareRoom
For Worldwide --> Vacation Renatals by Owners

A place to show people your route, GOOGLE MAP

Google Map is a new thing to me (that's outdated right?)

This program from Google enables travelers, backpackers alike to view satellite pictures, maps and terrain of their destination.

The program can even help you find directions to go to a place on the map.
You could even, gain access to maps with pictures and route all by fellow backpackers and travelers. This would help a lot in planning one's traveling route.

There are even more features like
1) pictures of the places of interest
2) short film of happenings at the place.

Put it this way,
You just got your personal Atlas to draw and play around with...
and you could also peep into people's Atlas..

That's FUN!!!

Backpacking Philopshy 2

Backpacking is a the ultimate test of endurance and sanity.

Endurance

You might think running a 42km marathon is a test of endurance,
Try walking,running,hiking, for 4 months and about 4000km..
That's what a real backpacker does, and that's endurance.

Sanity

If you have been alone before, you know what it feels like.
Alone for 1 hour, you will feel nothing.
Alone for 10 hour, you would feel lonely.
Alone for 1 day, you would start to imagine things.
Alone for 1 week, you would be afraid of the littlest sound.

That's what you might encounter during a backpacking trip.
Some people might be alone throughout their trip, that's 1 month, 2 months or even more.

That's really a test for sanity.

Increase your endurance and you Sanity level.
Go BACKPACK!!

Couch Surfing

Want to go backpack but have a low budget?
Run out of money but need a place for the night?

The best place for you to go is www.couchsurfing.com

Couch Surfing Project is a Non Profit Organization founded by Casey Fenton,Sebastien Giao Le, Tuan Daniel M. Hoffer and Leonardo Bassani da Silveira.

This project is simple. You can register as their member at their website, get connected with the members in the place where you are traveling. With their permission, you can just sleep on their couch for the duration of your travel. What's more, they mostly would also offer to be your tour guide. That's the best idea I have seen in these few years.

It will be great if you could join in and grow the numbers of couches available every night for fellow backpackers and travelers.

How did it started?

Well, the idea solidified when founder, Casey Fenton, got a cheap ticket to Iceland for a long weekend one April. With his ticket in hand, there was one problem: he had no place to stay and no desire to rot in a hotel all weekend and play Mr. Tourist. So, he came up with the 'brilliant' idea of spamming over 1500 Icelandic students in Reykjavik and asking them if he could crash on one of their couches. After exchanging emails with many of the students, he had several groups of friends offer to show him 'their' Reykjavik. So, after spending an amazing, crazy weekend just south of the Arctic Circle, Casey decided he would never again get trapped in a hotel and tourist marathon while traveling. From that point onward, it was all about crashing on exotic couches and cultural exchange. And, thus, the CouchSurfing Project was born.

For further understanding of the project, please visit their FAQ

What are you waiting for??? Let's COUCH.. SURFING!!!

The Metro - Paris

Click the above for a clearer picture

Same as London, to backpack you have to know "The Metro" of Paris
The above is a small map of The Metro, Click here for a bigger map
The ticketing system is a big difference dough.. read the below for more information.

Ticketing

Tickets are valid on either the métro, buses, or the central Paris RER trains (zones 1 & 2), as well as certain select venues, such as the funicular at Montmartre. Single tickets (€1.60) may be purchased at the station counters each time, but the better value is a carnet of 10 (adults: €11.40; children ages 4-9: €5.70), which will save you queuing. Ticket books (and certain passes) may also be purchased from a network of 1,500 retailers approved by RATP — including bookstores, newsstands, and tobacconists.

Another option for frequent travel during a short visit is the Mobilis unlimited 1-day pass, available in various denominations according to the zones of travel (not valid to, or from, CDG and Orly airports). The pass may be purchased in advance; its day of validity starts upon the first use, and ends at around 12:45 or 1:00 a.m. the following morning, when métro service ceases.

Parisians themselves rely on either monthly or weekly passes (coupons) which are carried in a gray plastic slipcase with the Carte Orange. They are the most economical tickets to use on the entire RATP network, provided you are in Paris long enough to benefit from them. Although some station ticket agents may balk at selling these to tourists, anyone is permitted to buy them.

The weekly pass (coupon hebdomadaire) is valid for unlimited travel from Monday to Sunday; it may be purchased until Wednesdays for the current week, and starting on Fridays for the following week (no passes are sold on Thursdays). The monthly pass (coupon mensuel) begins on the first day of the month and may be purchased starting on the 20th of the prior month. You'll need a passport photo to place on the pass; be sure to bring extras from home or purchase one for about €4 from machines in the main stations.

There are also special passes offered only to foreign travelers, called Paris Visites, which are valid for either 1, 2, 3 or 5 days' unlimited use on the entire RATP network, and may be purchased online before your departure to France. For métro travel alone — within Paris city limits — these are not as economical as the coupon hebdomadaire, but they can begin on any day of the week (rather than just Monday to Sunday), and provide 20-35% discounts (or 2-for-1 tickets) on Paris boat trips and certain other attractions. Another advantage is that they can be purchased for certain travel zones, either just within Paris, or for trips as far away as Versailles, Disneyland-Paris, or the airports.Fares vary according to number of days and travel zones selected; children 4 to 11 years old are half-price (kids under 4 ride free of charge).

Have fun backpacking in Paris!

The Tube in London

To backpack in London, you must know the Tube lines.
The above is a small version of the map of line, for a clearer view please go to The Tube Map

The transportation payment card (smart card) in London is called OYSTER .
You would have to pay £3 as deposit for the card and Any amount additional as your transportation cost.

else you could choose to buy the
Oyster Visitor card,
The cards are sold with an initial £10 or £15 balance on them.
The cards cost £2 each (i.e. a card with a £10 pay as you go balance will cost £12)

But there are limited places to purchase the card.



For more information please visit
Transport for London

zuji.com.sg -->London Hotels

Mastering Public Transportation in Europe

Backpackers need to master public transportation. It’s a little overwhelming at first. However, most likely you’ll settle into it after your first few days as a globetrotter. Besides from dealing with transportation schedules, knowing how to get the best value on ticket prices is the biggest obstacle. I keen traveler will also have a grasp on what modes of public transportation are available in a specific region.

Especially in Europe, most major travel destinations have extensive public transportation systems that include buses and a metro system. Alternatively, taxis are usually available but are almost never worth what they cost. Taxis drivers are also known to take advantage of travelers by charging higher fares. Tour buses are another option. In addition to a lift to key tourist attractions, you’ll usually be provided with an overview of the sights. Of course, tour buses cost a little bit more. Further, backpackers, working off a limited budget, are usually better off exploring on their own.

Most metro systems are divided into zones. Therefore, you should be aware of what zones you will need access to. Metro tickets that permit travel in multiple zones cost more. Therefore, only purchase tickets for zones that are necessary. Pocket size metro maps are typically available for free at tourist office and metro station information desks. We recommend that you pickup one of these as soon as you arrive. Large wall maps are also on display at metro stations and act as a good reference when you’re on the go.

Depending on how much ground you plan to cover, multi-day passes might save you money. However, weighing the costs is advisable. If you only need to use public transportation a couple times a day, you’re probable better off purchasing single trip tickets. When purchasing single trip tickets, be sure you have the correct change. Ticket machines often do not give change and/or require exact change.

When you first arrive at the train station or airport, your first trip should be to the tourist office. Here you can pickup the all important tourist map. This map usually includes all the main tourist attractions and main metro stations. Backpackers often find themselves on foot quite a bit. The tourist map is a vital guide.

Wanderweg

"Wanderweg" , that's Tracking in German

The have a nice tracking system in the Alps
They have something like a road signAll the places on the sign could be reached by tracking,
and the time needed for tracking is beside the name of the place.

Let's think if one day, the same is done for backpackers,
then there would be road sign like this all over the world

You can learn more of Wanderweg at Wanderweg Holidays

Tips to saving on flights

Backpacking doesn't means you would be living a cheap to dirt life, but we as backpacker do save as much as possible.

First on the list of saving would be, you flight!!

Tips number 1, Do not travel by air if you could travel by other means

Got it?
Which one do you think cost more? travel by plane or by bus? by bus or by hitchhiking?

A normal bus service would cost you about 5 to 10 times less than your flight.
But the extra cost to pay would be time, time is abundance to most backpackers.
and trading time for money, is something we could afford. (we aren't rushing anywhere rite?)

Tips number 2, Budget air

You don't get plane food (who care's?)
You don't get a broad sit (let's just stretch the leg after and before the flight)
Most importantly, you still get to your destination in one piece, and the price is at least 1/2 of the normal planes.

Tips number 3, Online booking

If you just have to have a 5* flight to start off your backpack.
Book online from some places like.
Great flight deals >Zuji.com.sg
<-- if you live in Singapore
Great flight deals >Zuji.com.au
<-- if you live in Australia
Great flight deals >zuji.com.hk
<--if you live in Hong Kong

Will increase the list when I get in touch with more.

Remember!!!
The first law of backpacking,
Save for a longer path

Backpacking Philopshy

What is Backpacking????
Why people love it???
Why people just want to go for it???

Backpacking is the representation of a search for Freedom.

Backpackers doesn't want other people to determine their travel route,
they want to decide where to go, when to go, and how to go.

That's Freedom!!

We could see some backpackers go for short backpacking trips like 7 days, 10 days or other odd number of days...
Some instead like to takes months or years in their search for the freedom they desire.

There's no right or wrong in the world of Backpacking,
just you have your way and i have mine,

We are in search of FREEDOM,
may we go continue to hold this idea and believe and walk through seven continents and swim through the seven seas.

What Not to Take Backpacking - Ten Items to Leave at Home

When setting off a long-term backpacking trip for the first time, it's common to bring far more than needed; the uncertainty of what the trip may bring can lead to a mentality of packing things "just in case", or for comfort. Here are ten oft-packed backpacking items that, in the author's opinion, should stay in the back of your wardrobe.

1. A Huge Backpack to rival the SAS/Navy Seals

Take a stroll down the Khao San Road and you'll see wave after wave of fresh recruits arriving from overseas kitted out like Special Forces, tottering under the weight of bulging 70-80 litre capacity backpacks. Don't do it to yourself! You really shouldn't need a backpack bigger than 50 litres. Any more and you need to seriously reconsider the items you're packing. Are they really necessary?

2. Jeans

It seems like a natural choice to throw a pair or two of jeans in your bag, but denim is not suited for life on the road by any means. Jeans are thick (making you hot in balmy climates), heavy and take an age to dry. You're far better off with a pair of trousers/pants made from a lighter, quicker-drying fabric.

3. Sleeping Bag

As this is no longer the 1970s, virtually all hostels worldwide will provide you with adequate bedding for free. There is absolutely no need to bring a sleeping bag on your trip unless you are doing an awful lot of camping. Instead, consider bringing a cotton (or silk, if your budget stretches that far) sleep sheet, which will take up hardly any room at all in your pack and will be useful to separate you from the odd festering mattress you may have to lay your head on.

4. Hiking Boots

Unless you are walking around the world, leave the hiking boots at home. Big, clumpy and stinking, a pair of boots weighing down your bag will quickly become irksome, particularly when you're in a sandals climate. You're far better off hiring boots when you fancy doing some serious hiking, although a pair of sturdy trainers/sneakers will often suffice for "accessible" walks.

5. Laptop

Increasingly in dorm rooms worldwide there will be one or more travellers busily tapping away on their laptops. A laptop is a luxury item, and certainly not an essential item for backpacking, unless you require one for working en-route, so think seriously before bringing one on your trip. What might seem like a great idea at home may not be so genius on the road when it is stolen or broken.

6. SLR Camera

Hand-in-hand with a laptop on my list of no-nos is an SLR camera. You'd have to be seriously committed... to photography to bring an SLR. Heavy, bulky (especially if you bring along a selection of lenses) and prone to breaking or being pinched by shifty travellers, swallow your artistic pride and bring a crap point'n'shoot digital camera like the rest of us.

7. Enough Medical Supplies To Make Florence Nightingale Blush

One for the hypochondriacs. A compact, basic first aid kit is essential to bring with you, such as plasters, a small tube of anti-septic cream and so on. But don't go overboard. Unless you are really going way off the beaten track, leave the sterile syringes at home and put your money into comprehensive emergency travel insurance instead.

8. A Pacsafe

Don't know what a Pacsafe is? Good - keep it like that. Suffice to say, it is something your Mum would think would be a good idea. It's not.

9. Mosquito Net

Mosquito bites are intensely annoying, and need to be taken seriously, as a little nip can be deadly if the blighter is a carrier of malaria. However, there are effective ways of protecting yourself without resorting to carting a mosquito net around (such as using anti-malarials, covering up at dawn/dusk and using DEET or natural repellents). Nets take up far too much space in your pack, and are not needed in most of the world. For the areas in which you may appreciate having one, such as particularly infested parts of Africa, pick one up locally if they are not supplied at your accommodation.

10. Guitar

Because there is a common consensus that people who travel with guitars are tossers.

Steve James is currently eight months into his second round-the-world trip and has recently started putting his experiences to paper in his very own Budget Travel Guide

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_J._James

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Tips For Fun and Safe Overseas Backpacking Trips

The decision to take a backpacking trip overseas is a big one, and you are in for an amazing adventure. Backpacking in Europe or other foreign lands, with their ancient pasts, often brings surprises and breathtaking experiences. If you are fairly new to traveling overseas then there are some things you should be aware of so you can have a flawless trip. The following list outlines some of the best advice for traveling abroad.

1) Know applicable local and national laws.

Make sure you understand the local laws and customs. This is important because the last thing you want is trouble. There are places you can and cannot go. If there is any question, check with local authorities. Many area require a permit.

2) Have your papers in order.

Make sure you have everything you need to travel overseas and get into the destination country. You should check with both countries to ensure all of your paperwork is in order. Note that Americans need passports for Canada and Mexico visits now.

3) Make sure your map is up to date.

You should check to make sure the map you are taking is current. You do not want to plan a backpacking trip in an area that has recently been changed from wilderness to a shopping center.

4) Keep your family in the loop.

Just as you would when backpacking at home, you need to fill in your family on all your plans. This is even more important when traveling. You never know what can happen and nobody there is going to realize you may be in trouble.

5) Bring medical information with you.

If you have any allergies or special conditions or needs, make sure they are documented and carry them where they can be found, like in a wallet or on a bracelet.

6) Have a back up plan.

You can not always go back home easily if your plans are detoured by weather or some other unexpected event. Be sure you have an alternative plan in place so your trip is not ruined. Watch the seasons, and plan for a season that has a better chance of having decent weather. Overseas backpacking in a hurricane would be no fun!

Even though you are going on a backpacking trip you still need to understand the basics behind safe travel abroad. You should try to leave valuables at home. You should hire a local tour guide and always travel in a group or with at least one other person. It is also important that you stick to public areas. Do not try to venture to unknown areas. You never know what types of problems you could run into. Travel smart and your trip will most likely be one of the most amazing experiences you will ever have.

Taking a few precautions can ensure that your overseas backpacking trip will be one of the most fun and exciting experiences you ever have!

Trevor Kronk is a lifelong hiker, camper and backpacker. See more of Kronk's articles about backpacking trips and backpacking equipment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Kronk

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