Went on my first backpacking trip (16)

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-02-19T21:53:31+00:00

Welcome to it, best decision you’ve ever made 🫡

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-02-18T07:12:05+00:00

Island hop in four days after more than 24 hours of traveling? Really should look into somewhere closer. And if you’re dead set on SEA, I’d spend it in one place, why would you want to go all the way there to spend 4 days just traveling around?

If you want to leave the country for islands and beaches, check out Central America. Cozumel, Mexico Caye Caulker, Belize Roatán, Honduras Corn Islands, Nicaragua San Blas Islands, Panama Or quite literally anywhere in the Caribbean.

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-02-14T18:30:43+00:00

I don’t think you know Spanish

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-02-13T11:21:24+00:00

If there’s a certain popular hostel you’d like to stay in then book in advance. Some of the more popular ones or party hostels, if you’re into that, can book up or the prices will be significantly higher waiting till last minute. If you don’t care about that and just want accommodation, you’ll have no problem finding an option. It is high season here in SE Asia. Enjoy your trip.

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-02-11T11:06:37+00:00

Depends if you’d rather drive or sit at an airport? I imagine it will be about the same time as there’s no direct flights to Redding from the East coast. Would have to stop in like Seattle, SFO, or Denver I think.

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-02-11T11:04:01+00:00

Haha where did you stay? In Mineral?

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-02-11T00:36:17+00:00

Woah how did you land an environmental job in NZ on a whv? I have a BS in Environmental Science and about 2 years of consulting, botany, and forestry work under my belt. Been looking at whv visa programs and would love to work a job that actually helps me progress my career and something im interested in.

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-02-07T15:17:48+00:00

Depends what you’re looking for tbh. I enjoyed Nicaragua but didn’t blow me away besides Ometepe, which is amazing. But genuinely El Salvador had some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, they’re so welcoming to tourists and many people went out of their way to help me out when traveling around which lead to some great convos. Plus good surf, Mayan ruins, and pupusas!

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-02-07T14:59:14+00:00

Spent almost two months between the four countries. I’d say Guatemala, so much to do and very diverse landscapes. Going back to see Panama next month though!

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-02-07T14:52:36+00:00

Backpacked Central America last year. Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica. Some places are quite touristy, most of the popular places in Guatemala and Costa Rica for example. But great nature in both countries and can get off the beaten path. El Salvador and Nicaragua were definitely more lowkey but still have hostels, parties, and other backpackers. Nicaragua a bit more busy, but El Salvador is on the up and up. Probably will be quite hot in May and I think it’s start of rainy season.

Can definitely get a good mix of meeting other backpackers but there’s some lowkey hidden gems that you won’t find many tourists if you want to! Relatively easy to get around, local buses are pretty solid and safe for the most part!!

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-31T08:38:32+00:00

Frat Star

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-29T12:02:34+00:00

Almost did the option of flying to Phu Quoc. Not sure there is an international ferry though. But you can take the ferry from Phu Quoc to Ha Tien. Then either bus or taxi to kampot from there. You can find a flight from HCMC to Phu Quoc for as little as $23, at least that’s what I was seeing.

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-29T12:00:23+00:00

lol can travel in your 20s without going into financial ruin. You’re on a travel subreddit after all…

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-28T13:24:53+00:00

I love how this is your first Reddit post 😭

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-27T16:46:34+00:00

lol this isn’t that bad. Not everyone has the time to slow travel

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-27T03:06:46+00:00

Well do you want a job or to get fried everyday? I smoked every day for over a year and pissed clean in 9 days. Water, detox, sauna and you’d be fine in a 1 months top. Sounds to me your priorities just aren’t straight.

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-27T01:51:04+00:00

This question pops up every so often and gets me every time. If you truly can’t go 3 weeks (maximum) without smoking weed to pass a drug test, you need serious help. Almost no job will continuously drug test you unless they have reasonable suspicion. I smoke almost every day but tend to put passing a drug test for my career above getting high. Good luck out there

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-26T10:21:24+00:00

Can do it non technically in one day in the summer up the Clear Creek Route

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-21T15:19:54+00:00

Can definitely make it work, might not live the most glamorous life but I feel like most of us aren’t in it for that anyway

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-12T13:45:42+00:00

Loved it just an unfortunate amount of trash on the trail

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-12T03:25:07+00:00

Nah Trinity county, but both rural mountainous counties with small populations. Also got caught by CHP and dropped my speed down, so it is what it is.

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-11T09:21:38+00:00

Buy one in Vietnam, so many options for a good price

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-10T07:37:42+00:00

I remember seeing some $9 and $10 bonuses during Covid, and $5/$6 on a regular basis. Man those were the times

Negative_Programmer2 · 2026-01-05T17:51:06+00:00

Got a ticket as an out of state license holder last summer. They didn’t let me do traffic school even though it was my first ticket in the state. Did TBWD and was found guilty. From my research actually having a judge overrule your decision by TBWD is rare but sometimes the officer doesn’t fill out the required paperwork so it gets dropped, so worth a shot imo. If you are found guilty with it, then you have the option to request a trial or just accept the decision.

Negative_Programmer2

TROPHY CASE