Round the world travel - random quetions
Discussion
I've some random questions which I'm soliciting opinions on for a trip I plan to take later in the year. Lots of people give different advice hence hoping for a wide cross-section of ideas.
A little background - the trip I'm planning to take is backpack through Central and South America, moving on to New Zealand and Austrailia, Malaysia/Cambodia/Thailand/Vietnam. Whilst there I plan to do some walking (e.g. the Inca Trail), scuba-diving, standard touristy stuff, I'm thinking about working in Oz either in a Vineyard for for an web-agency somewhere... Pretty much the standard round-the-world trip.
1) Footwear: some people tell me not to take lightweight walking boots since they're big and heavy, they prefer walking shoes (which I also wear). Others have the opposite opinion saying you can wear boots anywhere... Personally I prefer boots for walking in, but appreciate the argument and wouldn't want boiling feet and the extra weight... Which would you recommend?
2) Laptop: I'm a web-developer by trade and aimed to take a small laptop with me (slightly larger than a netbook, significantly more powerful) for playing with images, online banking, email, skype, updating my website etc and also the ability to do web-work should I get the opportunity. Some people agree, others say I'm crazy to take something so valuable which I'd need to look after all the time (and it might lead me to stay in rather than head out)... What do you think?
Cheers!
A little background - the trip I'm planning to take is backpack through Central and South America, moving on to New Zealand and Austrailia, Malaysia/Cambodia/Thailand/Vietnam. Whilst there I plan to do some walking (e.g. the Inca Trail), scuba-diving, standard touristy stuff, I'm thinking about working in Oz either in a Vineyard for for an web-agency somewhere... Pretty much the standard round-the-world trip.
1) Footwear: some people tell me not to take lightweight walking boots since they're big and heavy, they prefer walking shoes (which I also wear). Others have the opposite opinion saying you can wear boots anywhere... Personally I prefer boots for walking in, but appreciate the argument and wouldn't want boiling feet and the extra weight... Which would you recommend?
2) Laptop: I'm a web-developer by trade and aimed to take a small laptop with me (slightly larger than a netbook, significantly more powerful) for playing with images, online banking, email, skype, updating my website etc and also the ability to do web-work should I get the opportunity. Some people agree, others say I'm crazy to take something so valuable which I'd need to look after all the time (and it might lead me to stay in rather than head out)... What do you think?
Cheers!
American iv said:
2) Laptop: I'm a web-developer by trade and aimed to take a small laptop with me (slightly larger than a netbook, significantly more powerful) for playing with images, online banking, email, skype, updating my website etc and also the ability to do web-work should I get the opportunity. Some people agree, others say I'm crazy to take something so valuable which I'd need to look after all the time (and it might lead me to stay in rather than head out)... What do you think?
Cheers!
Would a netbook not be an acceptable compromise? The Samsungs with ~6 hours (useable) of battery life are only just over £200, and I can do photo editing on mine with a N270 processor and 1gb RAM, so while not perfect for editing its certainly useable (and a £15 2gb RAM upgrade will improve it a bit). Cheers!
I'd say its worth taking a laptop/netbook if you've got the space and weight capacity, as even lots of youth hostels have wi-fi these days.
I'm thinking an Lenovo x200 - it's a 12.1", 1280*800 screen with a Intel P8400, 4GB RAM and on ebay looks to cost ~£600. I need to replace my main PC here so it seems to be a nice compromise between desktop performance at home and portability when travelling. It only weighs 1.5/2kg, can even get 9 hours battery life and by all accounts is a very sturdy strong device which will stand up to knocks and bashes 
Only downside is that it does cost 3x as much as a netbook.
Only downside is that it does cost 3x as much as a netbook.
I take my old MacBook when travelling and have never had any issues. However, i wouldn't really want to leave it in some hostels! Most i've been to have been fine, but i do tend to stay in the nicer ones with less 18yr old party goers!
I always take it because i take a serious amount of photos and need to edit them.
I always take it because i take a serious amount of photos and need to edit them.
My wife and i spent a year travelling round the world a couple of years ago and we took:
- lightweight walking shoes (a little like extra sturdy trainers)
- a sony vaio compact laptop
- 2 mobile phones on different networks
The laptop was vital in my view; it doesnt rely on a mobile signal for connectivity
S
- lightweight walking shoes (a little like extra sturdy trainers)
- a sony vaio compact laptop
- 2 mobile phones on different networks
The laptop was vital in my view; it doesnt rely on a mobile signal for connectivity
S
I've met plenty of people who carry laptops, really not a problem IMO. Worth it for blogging alone. If you are doing a trip like that at least make a few notes for each day so you remember the crazy things in 30years time.
Make sure you have a power surge proof power supply though... Third world electics can be pretty entertaining.
Get a "pac safe" and use it. I have one for my camera bag and chain it round the toilet or a heavy table when I go out for an evening. Easy to get into if you are prepared and determined, but a little protection against the cleaner taking the opportunity to top up her salary a bit.
Walking boots - depends on where you are going. Personally, for proper hiking I wouldn't be without them. Get a decent breathable pair with good ankle support. I trekked the Baliem Valley (7 days at over 2000m and in 30-38 deg heat) and they were vital for fantastic grip, I would have twisted my ankle at least twice, and not least because they are pretty waterproof- you can go through a stream upto the ankles and keep dry socks. The downside is, like every other round the world traveller, you'll be wearing them on every plane journey as they are too large / heavy for your back pack.
Mobile phones - get an unlocked one that supports the different network types, then by pay as you go top-ups in the countries you visit. FAR cheaper than using a UK mobile abroad.
Other things I find useful on me travels:
Bin bags
Washing line
Earplugs for hostels
Tavellers probiotics...
Make sure you have a power surge proof power supply though... Third world electics can be pretty entertaining.
Get a "pac safe" and use it. I have one for my camera bag and chain it round the toilet or a heavy table when I go out for an evening. Easy to get into if you are prepared and determined, but a little protection against the cleaner taking the opportunity to top up her salary a bit.
Walking boots - depends on where you are going. Personally, for proper hiking I wouldn't be without them. Get a decent breathable pair with good ankle support. I trekked the Baliem Valley (7 days at over 2000m and in 30-38 deg heat) and they were vital for fantastic grip, I would have twisted my ankle at least twice, and not least because they are pretty waterproof- you can go through a stream upto the ankles and keep dry socks. The downside is, like every other round the world traveller, you'll be wearing them on every plane journey as they are too large / heavy for your back pack.
Mobile phones - get an unlocked one that supports the different network types, then by pay as you go top-ups in the countries you visit. FAR cheaper than using a UK mobile abroad.
Other things I find useful on me travels:
Bin bags
Washing line
Earplugs for hostels
Tavellers probiotics...
VxDuncan said:
Walking boots - depends on where you are going. Personally, for proper hiking I wouldn't be without them. Get a decent breathable pair with good ankle support. I trekked the Baliem Valley (7 days at over 2000m and in 30-38 deg heat) and they were vital for fantastic grip, I would have twisted my ankle at least twice, and not least because they are pretty waterproof- you can go through a stream upto the ankles and keep dry socks. The downside is, like every other round the world traveller, you'll be wearing them on every plane journey as they are too large / heavy for your back pack.
Personally I wouldn't be without ankle support, the effects of an ankle sprain half way through a 4 day trek don't really bear thinking about.that is something I realised today as well. Weigh it with power adapator, surge protector, convertors, external DVDRW... it's not just 1.5kg! Still, it's not hideous, and I'd need the convertors to charge my camera's battery anyway (assuming I don't decide to buy a new one which takes AA batteries). I think I've decided to take a laptop with me, now it's just a case of which 
Hmm, I can't decide on the shoe thing! The only reason I'm thinking about it now is so that I can buy a pair and start wearing them in / getting used to walking in them.
Hmm, I can't decide on the shoe thing! The only reason I'm thinking about it now is so that I can buy a pair and start wearing them in / getting used to walking in them.
To me the laptop issue was never vital as I didn't use the internet much except for staying in touch with friends and blogging. The shoes however were vital! You'll end up walking/hiking/trekking for miles pretty much anywhere you go and I wouldn't have done a lot of the routes I ended up in (at least without plenty of pain) if I hadn't got a decent pair of breathable walking shoes.
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